What is the Delhi HG 15 handstamp?

Delhi HG 15 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1845 to 1853. The "HG 15" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in black.

How rare is Delhi HG 15?

Delhi HG 15 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Delhi pre stamp cover with HG 15 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Delhi 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 15. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each 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 Delhi HG 15 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1845-53). 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.

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Delhi HG 15

Handstamp

Date Span: 1845-53
Colour: Black
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 80
Figure: 15
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 14 All Delhi HG 16 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Delhi HG 15 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-3605

India 1800s Delhi folded letter with handstruck postage, marked 'Delhi/Receiving House/14 July' bearing 2as. Features boxed black date and value in script, Giles Type 15.

COV-3900

India prestamp cover w/ "DELHIE/ RECEIVING HOUSE/ Bearing 2as" cachet in black

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About this mark

The Delhi HG 15 handstamp

Dehli is situated 28°39' N and 77°15 ' E, in the Punjab, and was the former capital of the Moghal empire. It is on the west bank of the Jumna River, abo ut 956 miles from <:;:alcutta and 982 from Bombay. In 1803, Lord Lake, having defeated the Marathas, entered Dehli and took the emperor under his protection, and the conquered territory was admini stered by the . British in the name of the emperor. Great disturbances took place during the 1857 uprisin g, and the city was recaptured September of that year.

Delhi HG 15 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1845 to 1853. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 15".

2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for delhi pre stamp covers, delhi postal history or "Delhi HG15" material can compare HG 15 across every office or browse the rest of the Delhi marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Delhi HG 15 handstamp?: Delhi HG 15 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1845 to 1853. The "HG 15" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in black.
How rare is Delhi HG 15?: Delhi HG 15 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Delhi pre stamp cover with HG 15 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Delhi 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 15. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each 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 Delhi HG 15 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1845-53). 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 Delhi

19 marks

19 other pre-1854 postal markings of Delhi are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

View all Delhi marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.

Also searched as: Delhi HG 15, Delhi HG15, Delhi Giles 15, Delhi handstamp, Delhi pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Delhi HG 15 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/delhi/hg-15 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026