What is the Commercolly HG 1 handstamp?

Commercolly HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Commercolly (modern Kumarkhali) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1824 to 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 Commercolly HG 1?

Commercolly 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. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Commercolly 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 Commercolly 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 (1824–1836). 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

Commercolly HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1824–1836
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 71
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-1049

29 September 1829

Commercolly: 1829 (29 Sept.) entire letter from Greenock, Scotland to Calcutta, forwarded to Commercolly and then returned to Calcutta showing the very scarce boxed "COMMERCOLLY" with date and "Bearing 1as" inserted by hand (HG 1), also boxed "KEDGEREE/POST OFFICE/SHIP LETTER" (HG S3) and various Calcutta charge handstamps. Full of character.

COV-1052

8 October 1831

Commercolly: 1831 (8 Oct.) paid entire letter to Calcutta showing boxed "cor.luEncottv" with rate and date in ms' (HG 1) Scarce

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About this mark

The Commercolly HG 1 handstamp

Commercolly (corruption of Kumarkhali) is a town in the Kushtia Sub-division of Nadia District, Bengal on the left bank of the Garai River, situated 23°52' N and 89°15' E. During the mercantile days of the E.I.C., a Commercial Resident was stationed here, and a large business in silk was carried on. The earliest tombstone in the cemetery is dated 1790.

Commercolly HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Commercolly — the present-day Kumarkhali — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1824 to 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".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Commercolly HG 1 handstamp?: Commercolly HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Commercolly (modern Kumarkhali) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1824 to 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 Commercolly HG 1?: Commercolly 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. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Commercolly pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Commercolly 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 Commercolly 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 (1824–1836). 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 Commercolly

2 marks

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

View all Commercolly 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: Commercolly HG 1, Commercolly HG1, Commercolly Giles 1, Kumarkhali postal history, Commercolly handstamp, Commercolly pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026