What is the Nuddeah HG 1 handstamp?

Nuddeah HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Nuddeah (modern Nabadwip) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1823 to 1832. 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 Nuddeah HG 1?

Nuddeah 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. 9 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Nuddeah 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. 9 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 Nuddeah 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 (1823–1832). 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.

Nuddeah HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1823–1832, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Nuddeah HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1823–1832
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 159
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

All Nuddeah HG 2 →

Census

Census records

9 covers recorded

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

COV-1165

8 February 1823

1823 Nuddea – Chandernagore inland entire, with Nuddea Giles 1 "NUDDEA/POST OFFICE/Pt. Pd./SA. WT./.....18.." despatch handstamp, rate "2a", weight "1" (1 sicca weight or 1 tolah, basic weight), & date "8 Feby. 23" applied in manuscript. No delivery mark applied. Scarce usage to the French Settlement of Chandernagore.

COV-102

16 December 1823

INDIA, Nuddea, 1823, "NUDDEA/POST OFFICE/Pt Pd/Sa Wt/18_" Handstamp (Giles 1). Excellent strike of five-line boxed handstamp with manuscript "16 Dec (18)23" date inserted and applied over fold of folded letter datelined in Kishnaghur, addressed to Calcutta, Calcutta Dec. 18 arrival datestamp (Giles G5), Very Fine strikes, one of the finest strikes of the Nuddea marking we have encountered

COV-2316

April 1829

NUDDEA/PALAVERAM - BOXED FANCY “POST OFFICE” OR PLAIN RED “POST PAID” TYPES; 12/16 Apr. 1829 EL to London with mainly fine rare large boxed “NUDDEA/POST OFFICE/Pt Pd [6as]/Sa. m ./1829” mark (HG1; earliest known mark of this P.O.?) across the join beside a partial boxed “INDIA LETTER/LIVERPOOL”; plus 21 Sept. 1826 E (side-flaps removed and flap cut for display) to Surrey with a very fine red boxed “PALAVERAM/POST PAID” (HG1; earliest known mark of this P.O.?) on the flap beside the Madras SL d.s. and a fine boxed “INDIA LETTER/DEAL”. Good early pair. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page 37

COV-1136

14 May 1829

Nuddea: 1829 (14 May) entire letter to Calcutta showing a good strike of the rare "NUDDEA/POST OFFICE/p' p/s w'lrs" with rest of date and rate in ms. (HG 1).

COV-4260

14 May 1829

COV-297

8 September 1829

India, Nuddea, 1829, "NUDDEA/POST OFFICE/Pt Po/Sa Wt/18" Framed Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike with manuscript "8 Sept (18) 29" date and rate added on back of folded letter to Calcutta, red Calcutta G.P.O. (Oct. 10) arrival datestamp, minor file folds thru marking, still Very Fine

COV-616

22 September 1829

INDIA, 1829 "Nuddea Post Office" to Calcutta. Folded letter datelined Sept. 21, 1829 with well-struck boxed "Nuddea Post Office" with manuscript "22 Sept 1829" (Giles 1) on reverse to Calcutta, red boxed "Calcutta G.P.O." arrival datestamp, file folds thru markings, still Fine, an uncommon strike referencing the "sicca ruppe" which determined the weight and price of a letter

COV-764

13 October 1829

1829 : H.G. 1: An early letter of 1829 showing scarce despatch stamp of "NUDDEA / POST OFFICE / Pt.Pd. / Sa. St." NUDDEA is one of a few post offices which incorporated a reference to both "Sicca Weight" and the postage paid. The letter weighed 1 Sa. Rupee and the rate of postage to CALCUTTA has therefore been correctly recorded as 3 annas. On arrival in CALCUTTA, the letter was receipt stamped in red with "CALCUTTA /G.P.O. / 1 OC 1 / 1829" & with "A.M.", to indicate that it arrived in the GPO after midnight and before 3 p.m. and was to be delivered on the same day.

COV-1293

15 April 1830

1830 NUDDEA POST OFFICE HG 1 on fl to Calcutta with CALCUTTA G.P.O. HG 9 in red and boxed AM

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About this mark

The Nuddeah HG 1 handstamp

N uddea (N abadwip), was the ancient capital of the N uddea District, Bengal, situated 23°24' N and 88°23' E, on the west bank of the Bhagirathi River.

Nuddeah HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Nuddeah — the present-day Nabadwip — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1823 to 1832. 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".

9 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 nuddeah pre stamp covers, nuddeah postal history or "Nuddeah HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Nuddeah marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Nuddeah HG 1 handstamp?: Nuddeah HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Nuddeah (modern Nabadwip) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1823 to 1832. 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 Nuddeah HG 1?: Nuddeah 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. 9 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Nuddeah pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Nuddeah 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. 9 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 Nuddeah 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 (1823–1832). 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 Nuddeah

2 marks

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

View all Nuddeah 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: Nuddeah HG 1, Nuddeah HG1, Nuddeah Giles 1, Nabadwip postal history, Nuddeah handstamp, Nuddeah pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026