What is the Lucknow HG 6 handstamp?

Lucknow HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Lucknow in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1844 to 1847. The "HG 6" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes occur in black and red.

How rare is Lucknow HG 6?

Lucknow HG 6 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 a Lucknow pre stamp cover with HG 6 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 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 Lucknow 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 (1844–1847). 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.

Lucknow HG 6 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1844–1847, Black

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Lucknow HG 6

Handstamp Ex-territorial British

Colours & dates: Black1844–1845
Red1847
Rarity: Rare
Note: Brooch of wife of PMG, Sir John Login. R=Raj and O=Oudh - experimental stamp
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 126
Figure: 6
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 5b All Lucknow HG 7 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-1103

1844

Lucknow: 1844 (c.) printed "LUCKNOW POST OFFICE" envelope unused and showing two trial strikes of the famous "POST/OFFICE/LUCKNOW/P O" brooch handstamp (HG 6) on reverse, with pencil notation "my brooch used as a pattern for Post Office stamp" presumably in the hand of Lady Login whose husband was Postmaster-General of Lucknow at the time. Very attractive and almost certainly unique.

COV-1104

28 March 1847

Lucknow: 1847 (28 Mar.) entire letter to Madeira via Calcutta and London showing a fine strike of the very rare and famous "POST/OFFICE/LUCKNOW" brooch handstamp in red (HG 6) with various route and rate markings including manuscript "Ship Letter" (deleted), "paid 10As", "3/8", boxed "BEARING", "Detained for Postage" and "Remitted in Postage" both in red. Full of character and one of the most exceptional Indian prestamp items.

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About this mark

The Lucknow HG 6 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 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Lucknow in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1844 to 1847. Known strikes occur in black and 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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for lucknow pre stamp covers, lucknow postal history or "Lucknow HG6" material can compare HG 6 across every office or browse the rest of the Lucknow marks.

Brooch of wife of PMG, Sir John Login. R=Raj and O=Oudh - experimental stamp

Frequently asked

What is the Lucknow HG 6 handstamp?: Lucknow HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Lucknow in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1844 to 1847. The "HG 6" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes occur in black and red.
How rare is Lucknow HG 6?: Lucknow HG 6 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 a Lucknow pre stamp cover with HG 6 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 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 Lucknow 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 (1844–1847). 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 6, Lucknow HG6, Lucknow Giles 6, Lucknow handstamp, Lucknow pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026