What is the Calcutta HG 1a handstamp?

Calcutta HG 1a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1775 to 1786. The "HG 1a" 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 Calcutta HG 1a?

Calcutta HG 1a 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 Calcutta pre stamp cover with HG 1a look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Calcutta 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 1a. 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 Calcutta HG 1a cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1775–1786). 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

Calcutta HG 1a

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1775–1786
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Note: Upon further review, it is believed this was a single two-line handstamp (combining the previously recorded HG 1a and 2a).
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 46
Figure: 1a
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Calcutta HG 2 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-39

19 July 1786

Siegel - Calcutta, 1786, "CALCUTTA" and "POSTPAID" Handstamps (Giles 1a, 2a). Clearly struck straightline handstamps positioned above each other on folded cover with Jul. 19, 1786 docketing indicating despatch on this date and manuscript "from Capt. Bennett", addressed to Luckipore, light soiling, Very Fine strikes, a scarce pair of early handstamps from Calcutta Cavendish - CALCUTTA - RARE EARLY “CALCUTTA” STRAIGHT-LINE ON COVER BESIDE MATCHING “POST PAID”; Fined 23 Mar. 1787 EL (two sheets) to “Bungpour” with a mainly very fine “CALCUTTA” and matching “POST PAID” (HG 1a + HG2a; struck all-in-one? - just clear of the seal area) nicely placed on the top flap with a small manuscript “2” rate on the front. Long letter about local revenue department appointments inc. “I think James Grant totters & that the country will [be] taken by the Company”. Calcutta straight-line marks are rare. PHOTO - see page 31.

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About this mark

The Calcutta HG 1a handstamp

Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River.

Calcutta HG 1a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Calcutta — the present-day Kolkata — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1775 to 1786. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1a".

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 calcutta pre stamp covers, calcutta postal history or "Calcutta HG1a" material can compare HG 1a across every office or browse the rest of the Calcutta marks.

Upon further review, it is believed this was a single two-line handstamp (combining the previously recorded HG 1a and 2a).

Frequently asked

What is the Calcutta HG 1a handstamp?: Calcutta HG 1a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1775 to 1786. The "HG 1a" 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 Calcutta HG 1a?: Calcutta HG 1a 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 Calcutta pre stamp cover with HG 1a look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Calcutta 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 1a. 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 Calcutta HG 1a cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1775–1786). 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 Calcutta

182 marks

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

View all Calcutta 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: Calcutta HG 1a, Calcutta HG1a, Calcutta Giles 1a, Kolkata postal history, Calcutta handstamp, Calcutta pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026