What is the Delhi HG 5 handstamp?

Delhi HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1841 to 1845. The "HG 5" 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 5?

Delhi HG 5 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 5 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 5. 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 5 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1841-45). 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 5

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Date Span: 1841-45
Colour: Black
Rarity: Common
Note: Spelling ending with HI
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 79
Figure: 5
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 4 All Delhi HG 6 →

Census

Census records

0 covers recorded

No pre stamp cover bearing the Delhi HG 5 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 5 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 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1841 to 1845. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 5".

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 HG5" material can compare HG 5 across every office or browse the rest of the Delhi marks.

Spelling ending with HI

Frequently asked

What is the Delhi HG 5 handstamp?: Delhi HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1841 to 1845. The "HG 5" 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 5?: Delhi HG 5 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 5 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 5. 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 5 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1841-45). 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

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Also searched as: Delhi HG 5, Delhi HG5, Delhi Giles 5, Delhi handstamp, Delhi pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Delhi HG 5 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/delhi/hg-5 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026