What is the Umbalah HG 12 handstamp?

Umbalah HG 12 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Umbalah (modern Ambala) in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1853 to 1854. 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 Umbalah HG 12?

Umbalah 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. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does an Umbalah pre stamp cover with HG 12 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Umbalah 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. 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 an Umbalah 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 (1853-54). 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

Umbalah HG 12

Handstamp

Date Span: 1853-54
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 208
Figure: 12
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 11 All Umbalah HG 13 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-3591

1853

India 1853 soldier letter from 1st Troop 2nd Brigade at Umballa to Reading England, bearing framed oval Umballa Service handstamp, Calcutta transit, and English arrival postmarks

COV-3638

1854

India 1854 postal history cover with handstruck postage from Umballa to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. Features red oval 'INDIA' stamp, Bombay ship letter despatch, and green arrival postmark.

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About this mark

The Umbalah HG 12 handstamp

Umbalah (Ambala) is 'on the Grand Trunk Road in the Punjab, 1077 miles from Calcutta, 1105 from Bombay and 848 from Karachi, situated 30°23' N and 76°46' E. It had the largest cantonment in India, established in 1843. It had no importance before the lapse of the Umballa estate in 1823, when it became the residence of the Political Agent for the C is-Sutlej States.

Umbalah HG 12 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Umbalah — the present-day Ambala — in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1853 to 1854. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 12".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Umbalah HG 12 handstamp?: Umbalah HG 12 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Umbalah (modern Ambala) in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1853 to 1854. 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 Umbalah HG 12?: Umbalah 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. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does an Umbalah pre stamp cover with HG 12 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Umbalah 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. 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 an Umbalah 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 (1853-54). 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 Umbalah

13 marks

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

View all Umbalah 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: Umbalah HG 12, Umbalah HG12, Umbalah Giles 12, Ambala postal history, Umbalah handstamp, Umbalah pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026