What is the Moorshedabad HG 1 handstamp?

Moorshedabad HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Moorshedabad (modern Murshidabad) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1786 to 1794. 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 Moorshedabad HG 1?

Moorshedabad HG 1 has 2 examples recorded 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 Moorshedabad pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Moorshedabad 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 Moorshedabad 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 (1786–1794). 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.

Moorshedabad HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1786–1794, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Moorshedabad HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1786–1794
Rarity: 2 examples recorded
Note: Revised impression. Rare – 2 examples recorded
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 22
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-282

1794

India, Moorshedabad, 1795, "MOORSHEDABAD", "POST PAID", "G.P.O." Handstamps (Giles 1). Three clear handstamps with manuscript "3 Decem" date and "2 an" rate markings on 1794 folded cover addressed to Calcutta, accompanied by original letter, cover and letter heavily toned with some splitting along folds (some reinforced), still Fine strike of these incredibly rare handstamps, while Giles records only one example, we are aware of at least one other (sold in our Magnolia Sale 1325,

COV-665

1794

"MOORSHEDABAD", "POST PAID", and "G.P.O." Handstamps (Giles 1).

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About this mark

The Moorshedabad HG 1 handstamp

Moorshedabad was the headquarters of the Lalbagh subdivision of the District, Bengal, situated 24°12' N and 88°17' E, on the left bank of the Bhagirathi River. The battle of Plassey was fought in 1757 just beyond the limits of the town. Moorshedabad, having been the seat of the Mohammadan government in Bengal, came into British possession when the E.!. Company received the Diwani of Bengal in 1765.

Moorshedabad HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Moorshedabad — the present-day Murshidabad — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1786 to 1794. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1993 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 "2 examples recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for moorshedabad pre stamp covers, moorshedabad postal history or "Moorshedabad HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Moorshedabad marks.

Revised impression. Rare – 2 examples recorded

Frequently asked

What is the Moorshedabad HG 1 handstamp?: Moorshedabad HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Moorshedabad (modern Murshidabad) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1786 to 1794. 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 Moorshedabad HG 1?: Moorshedabad HG 1 has 2 examples recorded 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 Moorshedabad pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Moorshedabad 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 Moorshedabad 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 (1786–1794). 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.

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Other recorded marks at Moorshedabad

4 marks

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

View all Moorshedabad marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Moorshedabad HG 1, Moorshedabad HG1, Moorshedabad Giles 1, Murshidabad postal history, Moorshedabad handstamp, Moorshedabad pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026