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Handstruck stamp of India — Burkaghur HG 1 pre-1854 handstamp, 1839–1845, RedHandstruck stamp of India — Burkaghur HG 1 pre-1854 handstamp, 1839–1845, Red (sketch)

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Burkaghur HG 1

HandstampAll India common handstamp
Colour & date
Red1839–1845
Rarity
Scarce
Note
Revised impression
Catalogue
2000 Supplement · p. 5
Figure
1
Submitted by
D. Hammond Giles
All Burkaghur

Census

Census records

8 covers recorded

8 pre-1854 covers bearing the Burkaghur HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

Pre-stamp cover of India — Burkaghur HG 1, COV-734, 1839
COV-734

1839

1839 : H.G.1: A entire folded letter from BURKAGHUR to CALCUTTA, addressed to some MAJOR. Postage prepaid in cashThis handstamp: A finestrike of "BURKAGHUR / PAID" in reddish purple ink. Stamp used is almost 4 years earlier than the recorded date of Giles. Probably the earliest used cover. Very rare.

Pre-stamp cover of India — Burkaghur HG 1, COV-4660, 23 November 1840
COV-4660

23 November 1840

1840: H.G. No.1, BURKAGHUR / Paid, Dt. 23 Nov. 1840, date earlier than recorded by Giles, posted to Calcutta, other postmarks A.M. in square box and receipt stamp of G.P.O., clean and good exhibition cover.

Pre-stamp cover of India — Burkaghur HG 1, COV-5387, 1841
COV-5387

1841

India: Postal History: 1841 (Feb. 7) heavily cross written entire letter to an Adjutant in the 40th Regiment at Moulmein with faint framed “BURKAGHUR” (Giles type 1; date in manuscript and endorsed ‘6as’ prepaid) and framed “CALCUTTA/G.P.O/SHIP LETTER” (Giles type SD11) datestamps on reverse in red, mostly fine. The letter sent by Charles Hervey (1818-1903), a Hindi military interpreter to his brother [Captain/Major-General] Albert Hervey (1814-77) author of “Soldier of the Company: Life of an Indian Ensign 1833-43” (1850, reprinted 1988). Photo.

Pre-stamp cover of India — Burkaghur HG 1, COV-2216, 3 November 1842
COV-2216

3 November 1842

Postal cover from burkaghupr (bengal), bearing HG 1 handstamp in Red. Dated 3 November 1842. Note: Revised impression. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

Pre-stamp cover of India — Burkaghur HG 1, COV-2504, 1 August 1843
COV-2504

1 August 1843

Postal cover from burkaghupr (bengal), bearing HG 1 handstamp in Red. Dated 1 August 1843. Note: Revised impression. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

Pre-stamp cover of India — Burkaghur HG 1, COV-3772, 1 August 1843
COV-3772

1 August 1843

India 1843 cover from Burkaghur (Giles #1) to Calcutta with hand struck 'Paid 4' in red box, dated August 1. Features manuscript rate and G.P.O. marking, showcasing early postal history.

Pre-stamp cover of India — Burkaghur HG 1, COV-5263, 8 October 1843
COV-5263

8 October 1843

India, Burkaghur, 1843, "BURKAGHUR/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike in magenta with manuscript "8 Octr 1843" and "4 as" rate added on back of petite cover to Major Ouseley in Calcutta, indistinct arrival backstamp, accompanied by original enclosure, Very Fine

Pre-stamp cover of India — Burkaghur HG 1, COV-3587, 22 August 1845
COV-3587

22 August 1845

India 1845 possibly the only known prestamp cover from Burkhaghur (Giles #1) to Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, via Calcutta G.P.O. ship mail, featuring red 'INDIA' handstamp and manuscript postal markings.

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About this mark

The Burkaghur HG 1 handstamp

Burkaghur is 209 miles north west of in Bengal Presidency.

Burkaghur HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Burkaghur in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1845. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 2000 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1".

8 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 burkaghur pre stamp covers, burkaghur postal history or "Burkaghur HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Burkaghur marks.

Revised impression

Frequently asked

What is the Burkaghur HG 1 handstamp?
Burkaghur HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Burkaghur in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1845. The "HG 1" 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 Burkaghur HG 1?
Burkaghur 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. 8 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Burkaghur pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Burkaghur 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. 8 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 Burkaghur 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 (1839–1845). 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.

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Also searched as: Burkaghur HG 1, Burkaghur HG1, Burkaghur Giles 1, Burkaghur handstamp, Burkaghur pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Burkaghur HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/burkaghupr/hg-1 (accessed 24 September 2026).

Updated: 24 Sept 2026