Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Digra HG 1
- Colour & date
- Red1850
- Rarity
- Scarce
- Catalogue
- 2000 Supplement · p. 7
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
2 covers recorded2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Digra HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Digra HG 1 handstamp
Digra, also known as Degra or Degrah, was a small coastal town at the mouth of the Hooghly River, 21°40' N and 86°45' E, served by a small branch post office under Hooghli. (Giles 2000 Supplement)
Digra HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Digra in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1850. 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".
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 digra pre stamp covers, digra postal history or "Digra HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Digra marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Digra HG 1 handstamp?
- Digra HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Digra in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1850. 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 Digra HG 1?
- Digra 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 Digra pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Digra 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 Digra 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 (1850). 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.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Digra HG 1, Digra HG1, Digra Giles 1, Digra handstamp, Digra pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Digra HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/digra/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026