What is the Delhi HG 6 handstamp?

Delhi HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1845. The "HG 6" 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 6?

Delhi HG 6 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 6 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 6. 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 6 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1843–1845). 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.

Delhi HG 6 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1843–1845, Red

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Delhi HG 6

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Red1843–1845
Rarity: Common
Note: Spelling ending with HI
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 79
Figure: 6
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 5 All Delhi HG 7 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Delhi HG 6 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1004

1843

India, Delhi, 1843, "DELHI/1843 JULY 7/WEIGHT TOLA/Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 6). Clear strike in red with manuscript "1½" weight and "15 ans" rate added on back of folded letter to Calcutta, red Calcutta arrival backstamp, Very Fine strike

COV-3652

19 June 1845

India 1845 Cover from Delhi to Meerut featuring handstruck postage stamp 'Weight Tola' with a rate of 1 Anna, sent to a military officer. Historical postal item with detailed markings.

Compare HG 6 across every office →

About this mark

The Delhi HG 6 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 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1845. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 6".

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 HG6" material can compare HG 6 across every office or browse the rest of the Delhi marks.

Spelling ending with HI

Frequently asked

What is the Delhi HG 6 handstamp?: Delhi HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Delhi in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1845. The "HG 6" 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 6?: Delhi HG 6 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 6 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 6. 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 6 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1843–1845). 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 6, Delhi HG6, Delhi Giles 6, Delhi handstamp, Delhi pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Delhi HG 6 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/delhi/hg-6 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026