Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Backergunge HG 1
- Colour & date
- Black1825–1826
- Rarity
- Scarce
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 20
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Backergunge HG 1 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Backergunge HG 1 handstamp
Backergunge is in the alluvial delta formed by three rivers, the Meghna, Shahbazpur and the Baleswar, situated 21°49' N and 89°52' E, in East Bengal. British rule in the District dates from the Company's accession to the Diwani in 1765.
Backergunge HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Backergunge in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1825 to 1826. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1".
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 backergunge pre stamp covers, backergunge postal history or "Backergunge HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Backergunge marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Backergunge HG 1 handstamp?
- Backergunge HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Backergunge in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1825 to 1826. The "HG 1" 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 Backergunge HG 1?
- Backergunge HG 1 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 Backergunge pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Backergunge 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 1. 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 Backergunge HG 1 cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1825–1826). 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 Backergunge
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of Backergunge is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Backergunge HG 1, Backergunge HG1, Backergunge Giles 1, Backergunge handstamp, Backergunge pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Backergunge HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/backergunge/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026