What is the Kedgeree S1 handstamp?

Kedgeree S1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kedgeree (modern Khejuri) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1815 to 1822. The "S1" 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 Kedgeree S1?

Kedgeree S1 is graded "Common" 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 Kedgeree pre stamp cover with S1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kedgeree is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like S1. 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 Kedgeree S1 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1815–1822). 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.

Kedgeree S1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1815–1822, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Kedgeree S1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1815–1822
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 115
Figure: S1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 8 All Kedgeree S2 →

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

3 pre-1854 covers bearing the Kedgeree S1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2703

2 November 1815

COV-1078

July 1820

Kedgeree: 1820 [u1y) entire letter (some splitting repaired with archivaltape) to.CalcYtJi l]?_Yi g the very scarce b&ed script "iedguee/Ship Letter') in sepii 6tC Sli good strike for this h.s. and boxed "In1'P"'/Ship D"' arrival h.s. (HG SRS).

COV-257

13 October 1822

India, Kedgeree, 1822, "Kedgeree/Ship Letter" Framed Script Handstamp (Giles S1). Faint but legible strike on back of folded letter datelined "Ship Dorothy, 13th Oct. 1822" , addressed to Calcutta, "Inld Ptge/Ship Do" rate handstamp (Giles SR9a), red Calcutta arrival backstamp, cover with slight overall soiling and very minor splitting along internal folds, still Fine and scarce

Compare S1 across every office →

About this mark

The Kedgeree S1 handstamp

Kedgeree, a small village in the Contai division of Midnapore District, situated 21°52' N and 87°59' E, on the right bank of the Hooghly River. Formerly an important anchorage, being the first landfall up the river, 20 miles from Calcutta, where mails on incoming vessels would be off-loaded, and letter-packets put on board vessels departing.

Kedgeree S1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Kedgeree — the present-day Khejuri — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1815 to 1822. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "S1".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for kedgeree pre stamp covers, kedgeree postal history or "Kedgeree S1" material can compare S1 across every office or browse the rest of the Kedgeree marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Kedgeree S1 handstamp?: Kedgeree S1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kedgeree (modern Khejuri) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1815 to 1822. The "S1" 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 Kedgeree S1?: Kedgeree S1 is graded "Common" 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 Kedgeree pre stamp cover with S1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kedgeree is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like S1. 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 Kedgeree S1 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1815–1822). 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 Kedgeree

14 marks

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

View all Kedgeree 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: Kedgeree S1, Kedgeree Giles S1, Khejuri postal history, Kedgeree handstamp, Kedgeree pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Kedgeree S1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/kedgeree/s1 (accessed 11 August 2026).

Updated: 11 Aug 2026