What is the Lodianah HG 12 handstamp?

Lodianah HG 12 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Lodianah (modern Ludhiana) in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1852 to 1858. The "HG 12" 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 Lodianah HG 12?

Lodianah HG 12 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Lodianah pre stamp cover with HG 12 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Lodianah 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 12. 4 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 Lodianah HG 12 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1852-58). 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

Lodianah HG 12

Handstamp Ex-territorial British

Date Span: 1852-58
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Note: 37 x 20mm
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 19
Figure: 12
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 11 All Lodianah HG 13 →

Census

Census records

4 covers recorded

4 pre-1854 covers bearing the Lodianah HG 12 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2473

1 July 1852

1852 Kangra – Loodiana inland cover, with unrecorded "Bearing/1 JULY 1852/KANGRA" hand stamp, rate "½" (bearing ½A for a letter under ¼ tolah, not exceeding 100 miles) applied in manuscript. At Loodiana, Giles 12 (Sup. 93) "LOODIANA/JUL 5 1852" delivery mark applied.

COV-3759

18 July 1852

India 1852 Cover from Delhi to Loodiana with Handstruck Postage Mark, Featuring a 2 Annas Due. Includes Despatch and Arrival Marks, Historical Context of Pre-Uprising Era.

COV-3065

25 July 1853

COV-4154

1854

Rare cover posted in 1854 Small cover from Loodiana with slide Bearing Giles 10 to Benares Giles 11 'Not Found' and returned. Also has red 2-line stamps of Loodiana & Benares. Ex Giles and used for illustration in his book.

Compare HG 12 across every office →

About this mark

The Lodianah HG 12 handstamp

Lodianah lies on the south bank of the Sutlej river, in the Punjab, situated 30°56' N and 75°52' E on the Grand Trunk Road, 1148 miles from Calcutta and 1215 from Bombay. In 1806 it was taken by Ranjit Singh, who gave it to his uncle, Raja Bhag Sing. A British cantonment was set up in 1809 west of the town, which up to 1838 was the outpost of the Sutlej frontier. The cantonment was abandoned in 1854. An ex-territorial Post Office was established by 1824, or earlier.

Lodianah HG 12 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Lodianah — the present-day Ludhiana — in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1852 to 1858. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 12".

4 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 lodianah pre stamp covers, lodianah postal history or "Lodianah HG12" material can compare HG 12 across every office or browse the rest of the Lodianah marks.

37 x 20mm

Frequently asked

What is the Lodianah HG 12 handstamp?: Lodianah HG 12 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Lodianah (modern Ludhiana) in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1852 to 1858. The "HG 12" 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 Lodianah HG 12?: Lodianah HG 12 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Lodianah pre stamp cover with HG 12 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Lodianah 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 12. 4 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 Lodianah HG 12 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1852-58). 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 Lodianah

12 marks

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

View all Lodianah 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: Lodianah HG 12, Lodianah HG12, Lodianah Giles 12, Ludhiana postal history, Lodianah handstamp, Lodianah pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Lodianah HG 12 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/punjab/lodianah/hg-12 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026