What is the Muttra HG 4 handstamp?

Muttra HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Muttra (modern Mathura) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1832. 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 Muttra HG 4?

Muttra 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Muttra 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Muttra 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 (1832). 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

Muttra HG 4

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1832
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 149
Figure: 4
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 3 All Muttra HG 5 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Muttra HG 4 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2378

India, Muttra, 1832, "MUTRA/FREE" Framed Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear and mostly complete strike with manuscript "April 20th" date marking on back of 1832 folded soldier's concessionary rate cover to Newcastle, England, endorsed "From Wm. Surtees, 1st D. 1st Bat Arty" and properly countersigned by commanding officer, partial strike of large "INDIA SOLDIERS LONDON/3" handstamp (Robertson In. Sol. 4), Calcutta G.P.O. and London transit datestamps, transcription of letter accompanies, cover with minor edgewear and slight soiling, still Fine and rare combination of markings, particularly one a soldier's concessionary rate cover

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About this mark

The Muttra HG 4 handstamp

Muttra is situated 27°30' N and 77°41' E, on the right bank of the Jumna River, in Muttra District, United Provinces, on the road from Agra to Delhi, 886 miles from Calcutta and 914 from Bombay. Through the ages, the town has been plundered, and fell into the hands of the British in 1803, when it was occupied as a cantonment.

Muttra HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Muttra — the present-day Mathura — in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1832. 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".

A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 muttra pre stamp covers, muttra postal history or "Muttra HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Muttra marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Muttra HG 4 handstamp?: Muttra HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Muttra (modern Mathura) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1832. 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 Muttra HG 4?: Muttra 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Muttra pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Muttra 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Muttra 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 (1832). 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 Muttra

10 marks

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

View all Muttra 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: Muttra HG 4, Muttra HG4, Muttra Giles 4, Mathura postal history, Muttra handstamp, Muttra pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026