North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Moradabad HG 3
- Date Span
- 1837
- Colour
- Black
- Rarity
- Common
- Catalogue
- 1993 Supplement · p. 22
- Figure
- 3
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
0 covers recordedNo pre stamp cover bearing the Moradabad HG 3 handstamp has been recorded yet. If you hold one, submit it below.
No covers bearing this mark have been recorded yet. If you hold one, your submission — once reviewed — will appear here.
About this mark
The Moradabad HG 3 handstamp
Moradabad, headquarters of the same named District, United Provinces, is situated 28°51' N and 78°46' E, on the Delhi-Bareily road, 868 miles from Calcutta and 1087 from Bombay. In 1740 it was included in the new State of Rohilkhand. In 1774 the Rohilla possessions fell into the power of Oudh and in 1801 was ceded to the British.
Moradabad HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Moradabad in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1837. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 3".
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 moradabad pre stamp covers, moradabad postal history or "Moradabad HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Moradabad marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Moradabad HG 3 handstamp?
- Moradabad HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Moradabad in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1837. The "HG 3" 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 Moradabad HG 3?
- Moradabad HG 3 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 Moradabad pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Moradabad 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 3. 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 Moradabad HG 3 cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (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 Moradabad
4 marks4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Moradabad 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: Moradabad HG 3, Moradabad HG3, Moradabad Giles 3, Moradabad handstamp, Moradabad pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Moradabad HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/moradabad/hg-3 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026