Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Chandernagore HG 1
- Colour & date
- Black1823–1830
- Rarity
- Scarce
- Note
- Even though Giles mentioned it as rare, it has been changed to scarce as many more examples have surfaced.
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 67
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
19 covers recorded19 pre-1854 covers bearing the Chandernagore HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Chandernagore HG 1 handstamp
Chandernagore, a French Settlement, situated 22°52' N and 88°22' E, on the bank of the Hooghly River, about 22 miles north of Calcutta. It was first occupied by the French in 1688, and was twice occupied by the East India Company, and returned to France under the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, only to be retaken by the English and held until 1816, when it was returned to the French.
Chandernagore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Chandernagore — the present-day Chandannagar — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1823 to 1830. 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".
19 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 chandernagore pre stamp covers, chandernagore postal history or "Chandernagore HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Chandernagore marks.
Even though Giles mentioned it as rare, it has been changed to scarce as many more examples have surfaced.
Frequently asked
- What is the Chandernagore HG 1 handstamp?
- Chandernagore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chandernagore (modern Chandannagar) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1823 to 1830. 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 Chandernagore HG 1?
- Chandernagore 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. 19 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
- What does a Chandernagore pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chandernagore 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. 19 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 Chandernagore 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 (1823–1830). 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 Chandernagore
3 marks3 other pre-1854 postal markings of Chandernagore are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on 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: Chandernagore HG 1, Chandernagore HG1, Chandernagore Giles 1, Chandannagar postal history, Chandernagore handstamp, Chandernagore pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Chandernagore HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/chandernagore/hg-1 (accessed 11 August 2026).
Updated: 11 Aug 2026