What is the Lahore HG 6B handstamp?

Lahore HG 6B is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Lahore in the Punjab, British India, recorded in use around 1853. The "HG 6B" 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 Lahore HG 6B?

Lahore HG 6B is graded "Scarce" 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 Lahore pre stamp cover with HG 6B look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Lahore 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 6B. 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 Lahore HG 6B cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1853). 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.

Punjab · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Lahore HG 6B

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1853
Rarity: Scarce
Figure: 6B
Submitted by: David Feldman SA

← HG 6A All Lahore HG 7 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-5023

28 May 1853

Two letters from a John Cathcart apparently from Meean Meer, the name of the Army Cantonment at Lahore, to his brother Robert in Edinburgh. They relate to his late mothers affairs. The first letter dated 28th May refers to a Power of Attourney. The Power is witnessed by two Officers. It must be presumed that John was in the the Indian Native Infantry. The letter passed through “Lahore - 28th May 1853 - ???Paid”, Not shown by Hammond Giles. It was then received in Calcutta “CALCUTTA - G.P.O. - SHIP LETTER - 4 JUN - 1853”, HG SD11 in use from 1837-54. On the front is usual “INDIA” in a rectangle. The letter arrived in Edinburgh on the 1st August 1853.

COV-5025

17 September 1853

The second letter dated 17th September 1853 on the front “Via Bombay & Marsailles” passed through “LAHORE - 18 SEP 1853 - Paid” not shown by Hammond Giles, and was received in “BOMBAY - G.P.O. - 23sep” in a circle, HG G4 in use from 1850-55. On the front the usual “INDIA”. Received in the U.K. 29th October 1853. It is interesting to note that the sender could dictate which route in India the letter should be sent. The transit time for the first letter was nearly 9 weeks whereas the second letter was nearly six weeks!!!!

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About this mark

The Lahore HG 6B handstamp

Lahore City is the Capital of the Punjab, situated 31°35' N and 74°20' E, on the Ravi river, 298 miles from Delhi. The possession of Lahore changed hands many times, and the period of Mughal rule was the golden time of its history. The rise of Ranjit Singh in the 19th century brought it under Sikh influence, but this declined after the first Sikh War, and in 1846, when a Council of Regency was established, and the British Resident became the central authority in ' Lahore. In 1849, after the conclusion of the second Sikh War, Maharajah Dalip Singh resigned the government to the East India Company.

Lahore HG 6B is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Lahore in the Punjab, British India, recorded in use around 1853. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 6B" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

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 "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for lahore pre stamp covers, lahore postal history or "Lahore HG6B" material can compare HG 6B across every office or browse the rest of the Lahore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Lahore HG 6B handstamp?: Lahore HG 6B is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Lahore in the Punjab, British India, recorded in use around 1853. The "HG 6B" 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 Lahore HG 6B?: Lahore HG 6B is graded "Scarce" 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 Lahore pre stamp cover with HG 6B look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Lahore 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 6B. 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 Lahore HG 6B cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1853). 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 Lahore

10 marks

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

View all Lahore marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Lahore HG 6B, Lahore HG6B, Lahore Giles 6B, Lahore handstamp, Lahore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Lahore HG 6B — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/punjab/lahore/hg-6b (accessed 7 September 2026).

Updated: 7 Sept 2026