What is the Merut HG 4 handstamp?

Merut HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Merut (modern Meerut) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1835 to 1837. The "HG 4" 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 Merut HG 4?

Merut HG 4 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Merut pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Merut 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 4. 3 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 Merut HG 4 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1835–1837). 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.

Merut HG 4 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1835–1837, Black

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Merut HG 4

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1835–1837
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 139
Figure: 4
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 3A All Merut HG 5 →

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

3 pre-1854 covers bearing the Merut HG 4 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2362

1836

LATER LONDON MAIL TO BOMBAY, CALCUTTA OR MERUT - ONE PREPAID 13s/- VIA FRANCE; 1836 E/EL to Bombay/Merut with v. fine oval-framed “BOMBAY/POST NT. PAID” (HG15; scarce) or v. fine octagon-boxed “MERUT/Bg: Pg:” (HG4; only known 1835-37) both across th join; plus Aug. 1839/1857 prepaid pair to Calcutta/Bombay at “13/-” (via France; with red oval-framed London “P-D”) or “6[d]” (env. with several enclosures) rates. (4 covers) PHOTO - see page 67.

COV-1960

27 May 1836

Merut: 1836 (27 May) entire letter from England to Calcutta and redirected to Merut showing, on reverse across join, octagonal-framed "MERUT/Ds Ps" (HG 4, scarce) just affected by opening, Calcutta Receipt Ship Letter handstamp (HG SR27) and G.P.O. c.d.s. Photo.

COV-2939

2 June 1836

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About this mark

The Merut HG 4 handstamp

Merut City, a military cantonment and administrative headquarters of Merut District, United Provinces, is situated 29°1' N and 77°43' E, 970 miles from Calcutta, and 931 from Bombay. The cantonments were established in 1806. Merut obtained the unenviable notoriety in 1857 ' as the spot where the Mutiny broke out in Upper India.

Merut HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Merut — the present-day Meerut — in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1835 to 1837. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 4".

3 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 "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for merut pre stamp covers, merut postal history or "Merut HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Merut marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Merut HG 4 handstamp?: Merut HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Merut (modern Meerut) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1835 to 1837. The "HG 4" 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 Merut HG 4?: Merut HG 4 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Merut pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Merut 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 4. 3 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 Merut HG 4 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1835–1837). 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 Merut

17 marks

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

View all Merut 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: Merut HG 4, Merut HG4, Merut Giles 4, Meerut postal history, Merut handstamp, Merut pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Merut HG 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/merut/hg-4 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026