What is the Gowalpara HG 1 handstamp?

Gowalpara HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Gowalpara (modern Goalpara) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1830 to 1837. 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 Gowalpara HG 1?

Gowalpara HG 1 is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Gowalpara 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. 3 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 Gowalpara 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 (1830–1837). 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

Gowalpara HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1830–1837
Rarity: Rare
Note: Intaglio
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 96
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-757

1830

1830 : H.G.1: Letter posted from GOWALPARA [1 June] to CALCUTTA [10 June]. Prior to the discovery of this letter, the only know example of the "GOWALPARA / POST OFFICE" despatch stamp was on a cover that belongs to Dr. Parsons, dated 1837, but this cover below, shows that the intaglio stamp was in use at least 7 years earlier, this letter been sent to CALCUTTA in 1830, with postage payable on delivery. The amount due has been recorded as 6 annas in the CALCUTTA Receipt Stamp "G.P.O/JUNE/ Bg.Pg."It is difficult to confirm this rate, as "GOWALPARA" does not appear in any Postal Notice until 1832, when the rate to CALCUTTA was shown as 7 annas but it seems that 6 annas is correct, as the rate from PATNA to CALCUTTA was 6 annas before 1832, and was increased to 7 annas in that year. The Postal Notice of 1832 spells the Post Office spelling as "GOWALPARRAH", but, although the impression above is not perfect the space after clear letters of "GOWALPA" is insufficient to permit an "H" at the end, or even a double "R". Also Dr. Parson's copy clearly showed that the last three letters are"ARA", so that, with the combination of the only two available examples of this intaglio stamp, it can be safely stated that the spelling is "GOWALPARA" Cover.

COV-1071

13 June 1837

Gowalpara: 1837 (13June) entire letter to Chowsinghee showing a fair to good strike of the very rare oval intaglio "GOWALPARA/POST OFFICE" with ms. date (HG 1)

COV-2563

4 September 1837

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About this mark

The Gowalpara HG 1 handstamp

Gowalpara, a town on the south bank of the Brahmaputra, Assam, situated 26°19′ N and 90°38′ E. Prior to annexation of Assam, Gowalpara was, in 1765\, a frontier station of the E.I. Company's territories. A colony of Europeans, who settled there, forcibly acquired a monopoly of the Bengal trade, and then engaged in lucrative transactions with the natives, who enjoyed a similar monopoly of trade in Assam.

Gowalpara HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Gowalpara — the present-day Goalpara — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1830 to 1837. 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".

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

Intaglio

Frequently asked

What is the Gowalpara HG 1 handstamp?: Gowalpara HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Gowalpara (modern Goalpara) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1830 to 1837. 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 Gowalpara HG 1?: Gowalpara HG 1 is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Gowalpara pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Gowalpara 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. 3 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 Gowalpara 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 (1830–1837). 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 Gowalpara

2 marks

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

View all Gowalpara 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: Gowalpara HG 1, Gowalpara HG1, Gowalpara Giles 1, Goalpara postal history, Gowalpara handstamp, Gowalpara pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Gowalpara HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/gowalpara/hg-1 (accessed 11 August 2026).

Updated: 11 Aug 2026