North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Indore HG 4A
- Colour & date
- Red1843–1844
- Rarity
- Rare
- Figure
- 4A
- Submitted by
- IP
Census
Census records
2 covers recorded2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Indore HG 4A handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Indore HG 4A handstamp
Indore, founded as a small village in 1715, became the capital of the State in 1818, after the Treaty of Mandasor. It is situated 22°45' N and 75°54' E, on the banks of two small streams, the Saraswati and Khan, 440 miles from Bombay.
Indore HG 4A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Indore in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1844. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 4A" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for indore pre stamp covers, indore postal history or "Indore HG4A" material can compare HG 4A across every office or browse the rest of the Indore marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Indore HG 4A handstamp?
- Indore HG 4A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Indore in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1844. The "HG 4A" 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 Indore HG 4A?
- Indore HG 4A is graded "Rare" 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 an Indore pre stamp cover with HG 4A look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Indore 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 4A. 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 an Indore HG 4A cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1843–1844). 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 Indore
6 marks6 other pre-1854 postal markings of Indore 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: Indore HG 4A, Indore HG4A, Indore Giles 4A, Indore handstamp, Indore pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Indore HG 4A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/indore/hg-4a (accessed 18 August 2026).
Updated: 18 Aug 2026