What is the Muttra HG 5a handstamp?

Muttra HG 5a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Muttra (modern Mathura) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1847. The "HG 5a" 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 Muttra HG 5a?

Muttra HG 5a is graded "Common" 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 Muttra pre stamp cover with HG 5a 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 5a. 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 Muttra HG 5a cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1843–1847). 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.

Muttra HG 5a — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1843–1847, Red

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Muttra HG 5a

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1843–1847
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 23
Figure: 5a
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 5 All Muttra HG 6 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Muttra HG 5a handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1291

1847

1847-54 NWP and Punjab: 3 folded letters including MUTTRA Paid HG 5a to UK, NYNEETAL Paid HG 1 to Meerut, and another from Sealkote to Wuzeerabad

COV-4146

Entire posted from Mutta to London with "Muttra / Paid" All India Type HG5a handstamp in red color, posted on 14th July 1852 as indicated in manuscript. Intreasting contents regarding Anglo Afghan war.

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About this mark

The Muttra HG 5a 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 5a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Muttra — the present-day Mathura — in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1847. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 5a".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for muttra pre stamp covers, muttra postal history or "Muttra HG5a" material can compare HG 5a across every office or browse the rest of the Muttra marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Muttra HG 5a handstamp?: Muttra HG 5a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Muttra (modern Mathura) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1847. The "HG 5a" 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 Muttra HG 5a?: Muttra HG 5a is graded "Common" 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 Muttra pre stamp cover with HG 5a 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 5a. 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 Muttra HG 5a cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1843–1847). 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 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 5a, Muttra HG5a, Muttra Giles 5a, Mathura postal history, Muttra handstamp, Muttra pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Muttra HG 5a — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/muttra/hg-5a (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026