What is the Lucknow HG 5a handstamp?

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

Lucknow HG 5a 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 Lucknow pre stamp cover with HG 5a look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Lucknow 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 5a. 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 Lucknow HG 5a cover?

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

Lucknow HG 5a

Handstamp Ex-territorial British

Date Span: 1841
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Note: Smaller than 13 (24 x 35mm)
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 19
Figure: 5a
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

0 covers recorded

No pre stamp cover bearing the Lucknow HG 5a handstamp has been recorded yet. If you hold one, submit it below.

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About this mark

The Lucknow HG 5a handstamp

Lucknow, former capital of the province of Oudh and cantonment, is situated 26°52' N and 80°56' E, on the banks of the Gumti River, 666 miles from Calcutta and 885 miles from Bombay. With the decline of the Moghal empire, Lucknow became a place of some importance under the Suri kings, and rose to greatness as the capital of the dynasty which established itself in Oudh. Ghazi-din Haidar in 1814 was the first of his line who bore the title of king, and Wajid Ali Shah, the fifth and last king of O udh (1847-56). In 1856 Oudh was annexed and came under British rule. Lucknow will long be remembered for the notorious seige of the Residency in the 1857 uprising.

Lucknow HG 5a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Lucknow in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1841. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 5a".

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 lucknow pre stamp covers, lucknow postal history or "Lucknow HG5a" material can compare HG 5a across every office or browse the rest of the Lucknow marks.

Smaller than 13 (24 x 35mm)

Frequently asked

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

15 marks

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

View all Lucknow marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Lucknow HG 5a, Lucknow HG5a, Lucknow Giles 5a, Lucknow handstamp, Lucknow pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026