What is the Balasore HG 1 handstamp?

Balasore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Balasore (modern Baleshwar) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1836. 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 Balasore HG 1?

Balasore HG 1 has 1 example recorded 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 Balasore pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Balasore 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 Balasore 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 (1836). 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.

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Balasore HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1836
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 20
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Balasore HG 1 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1822

22 November 1836

Balasore: 1836 (22 Nqv.) entire letter to Calcutta inscribed "b)t outride the dak", the reverse showing light but cliscernible strikes of the framed "larasotl" and "r* n"' (HG 1 and 2)" and Calcutta arrival datestamp, variously endorsed in manuscript; flap with minor imperfections. Stated to be the only reco-rded example of the first markrng. The letter, written by a Lieutenant with the 6th Regt. Native Infantry, with fascinating content relating to the surveying of the area. Photo

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About this mark

The Balasore HG 1 handstamp

Balasore, on the right bank of the Burhabalang River, 15 miles from its mouth, but only 6 miles by direct line to the sea in Bengal, situated 21°30' N and 86°56' E. First place to be occupied by the English in 1633, because the safety of its roadstead, near the mouth of the Ganges, enabled sea-going ships to unload their cargoes into smaller vessels for transport up the Hooghly River.

Balasore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Balasore — the present-day Baleshwar — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1836. 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 "1 example recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for balasore pre stamp covers, balasore postal history or "Balasore HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Balasore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Balasore HG 1 handstamp?: Balasore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Balasore (modern Baleshwar) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1836. 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 Balasore HG 1?: Balasore HG 1 has 1 example recorded 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 Balasore pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Balasore 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 Balasore 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 (1836). 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 Balasore

2 marks

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

View all Balasore 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: Balasore HG 1, Balasore HG1, Balasore Giles 1, Baleshwar postal history, Balasore handstamp, Balasore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Balasore HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/balasore/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026