What is the Chupra HG 1 handstamp?

Chupra HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chupra (modern Chhapra) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1826 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 Chupra HG 1?

Chupra HG 1 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Chupra pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chupra 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. 2 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 Chupra 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 (1826–1830). 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.

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Chupra HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1826–1830
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 69
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-1826

4 February 1826

Chuprah: 1826 (1 Feb.) entire letter to Allahabad, the reverse with good to fine strike of the circular "CHUPRAH/POST PAID" datestamp (HG 1) completed in manuscript; slight overall toning, address panel with slight ink/paper deterioration, otherwise fine. Rare, very few examples recorded.

COV-392

October 1826

India, Chuprah, 1826, "CHUPRAH POST PAID/18__" Circular Handstamp (Giles 1). Relatively bold strike on back of folded letter datelined "Buxar 30th Octr 1826" , addressed to Allahabad, receipt docketing "Recd 7 Novr" , cover with edgewear and staining along right edge, some minor splitting along internal folds, accompanied by transcription of letter, Very Fine strike, only two examples recorded (the other is ex Giles)

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About this mark

The Chupra HG 1 handstamp

Chuprah, the headquarters of Saran District, Bengal, is situated 25°47' N and 84°44' E, on the north bank of the Gorga River, 400 miles from Calcutta. French, Dutch, Portuguese and English had factories in the 18th century, but its commercial prosperity died when it was deserted by the Ganges and then by the Gorga.

Chupra HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Chupra — the present-day Chhapra — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1826 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".

2 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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for chupra pre stamp covers, chupra postal history or "Chupra HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Chupra marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Chupra HG 1 handstamp?: Chupra HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chupra (modern Chhapra) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1826 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 Chupra HG 1?: Chupra HG 1 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Chupra pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chupra 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. 2 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 Chupra 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 (1826–1830). 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 Chupra

6 marks

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

View all Chupra 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: Chupra HG 1, Chupra HG1, Chupra Giles 1, Chhapra postal history, Chupra handstamp, Chupra pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026