North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Chunar HG 5
- Colour & date
- Red1853
- Rarity
- Scarce
- Figure
- 5
- Submitted by
- Private
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Chunar HG 5 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Chunar HG 5 handstamp
Chunar is situated 25°7' N and 82°54' E, in Mirzapore District, United Provinces, on the right bank of the Ganges River. In the 18th century it was in possession of the Nawab of Oudh, when, in 1763, British troops attacked it without success, but it came into British possession the following year after the battle of Buxar.
Chunar HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Chunar in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1853. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 5" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for chunar pre stamp covers, chunar postal history or "Chunar HG5" material can compare HG 5 across every office or browse the rest of the Chunar marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Chunar HG 5 handstamp?
- Chunar HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chunar in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1853. The "HG 5" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
- How rare is Chunar HG 5?
- Chunar HG 5 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
- What does a Chunar pre stamp cover with HG 5 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chunar is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like HG 5. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
- How do I identify or submit a Chunar HG 5 cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1853). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.
Same office
Other recorded marks at Chunar
4 marks4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Chunar are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Chunar HG 5, Chunar HG5, Chunar Giles 5, Chunar handstamp, Chunar pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Chunar HG 5 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/chunar/hg-5 (accessed 9 August 2026).
Updated: 9 Aug 2026