What is the Mirzapore HG 13 handstamp?

Mirzapore HG 13 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mirzapore (modern Mirzapur) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1846 to 1851. The "HG 13" 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 Mirzapore HG 13?

Mirzapore HG 13 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Mirzapore pre stamp cover with HG 13 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mirzapore 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 13. 6 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 Mirzapore HG 13 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1846–1851). 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.

Mirzapore HG 13 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1846–1851, Red

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Mirzapore HG 13

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1846–1851
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 21
Figure: 13
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 12 All Mirzapore

Census

Census records

6 covers recorded

6 pre-1854 covers bearing the Mirzapore HG 13 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1593

1847

1847 MIRZAPORE FREE Giles 13 on two native covers, both addressed to Maharaja Viswanath Singh of Rewah

COV-859

1851

1851 : H.G. 7, 13 & 3 : An official Criminal Court letter from MIRZAPORE [12 March] to The Nawab of REWAH State with the request to reply the letter soon and second of 1851: A official letter from Latsahab Walter Bahadur of MIRZAPORE [15 Nov.] to The Nawab of REWAH [17 Nov.], hence postage was free.

COV-479

India, Mirzapore, 1840s, "MIRZAPORE/184_ FEBRUARY 13/FREE" Oval Datestamp (Giles 13, 1993 Supplement). Bold strike in red on back of 1840s native folded cover to "Rajah of the Rewah" , manuscript "Service" on front, trivial opening tear just touching outer portion of datestamp, Very Fine strike of this scarce Official datestamp

COV-1184

Mirzapore FREE HG 7 with intaglio MIRZAPORE POST OFFICE HG 12 on fl

COV-2287

Unknown date

COV-3244

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About this mark

The Mirzapore HG 13 handstamp

Mirzapore is situated 25°9' N and 82°35' E, on the right bank of the Ganges in Mirzapore District, United Provinces, 509 miles from Calcutta and 891 from Bombay. It became an important trading centre at the close of the eighteenth century.

Mirzapore HG 13 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Mirzapore — the present-day Mirzapur — in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1846 to 1851. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 13".

6 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 mirzapore pre stamp covers, mirzapore postal history or "Mirzapore HG13" material can compare HG 13 across every office or browse the rest of the Mirzapore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Mirzapore HG 13 handstamp?: Mirzapore HG 13 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mirzapore (modern Mirzapur) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1846 to 1851. The "HG 13" 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 Mirzapore HG 13?: Mirzapore HG 13 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Mirzapore pre stamp cover with HG 13 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mirzapore 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 13. 6 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 Mirzapore HG 13 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1846–1851). 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 Mirzapore

12 marks

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

View all Mirzapore 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: Mirzapore HG 13, Mirzapore HG13, Mirzapore Giles 13, Mirzapur postal history, Mirzapore handstamp, Mirzapore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Mirzapore HG 13 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/mirzapore/hg-13 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026