What is the Delhi HG 16 handstamp?

Delhi HG 16 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1853. The "HG 16" 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 Delhi HG 16?

Delhi HG 16 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example.

What does a Delhi pre stamp cover with HG 16 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 16. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.

How do I identify or submit a Delhi HG 16 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.

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Delhi HG 16

Handstamp

Date Span: 1853
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 80
Figure: 16
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 15 All Delhi HG 17 →

Census

Census records

0 covers recorded

No pre stamp cover bearing the Delhi HG 16 handstamp has been recorded yet. If you hold one, submit it below.

No covers bearing this mark have been recorded yet. If you hold one, your submission — once reviewed — will appear here.

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About this mark

The Delhi HG 16 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 16 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1853. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 16".

No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. 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 HG16" material can compare HG 16 across every office or browse the rest of the Delhi marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Delhi HG 16 handstamp?: Delhi HG 16 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1853. The "HG 16" 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 Delhi HG 16?: Delhi HG 16 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example.
What does a Delhi pre stamp cover with HG 16 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 16. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
How do I identify or submit a Delhi HG 16 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 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 16, Delhi HG16, Delhi Giles 16, Delhi handstamp, Delhi pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Delhi HG 16 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/delhi/hg-16 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026