What is the Serampore HG 1 handstamp?

Serampore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Serampore (modern Shrirampur) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1821 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 Serampore HG 1?

Serampore HG 1 is graded "Very scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 11 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Serampore 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. 11 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 Serampore 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 (1821–1837). 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.

Serampore HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1821–1837, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Serampore HG 1

Handstamp Danish territory Ex-territorial British

Colour & date: Black1821–1837
Rarity: Very scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 188
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

11 covers recorded

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

17 June 1821

21 November 1821

1823

27 May 1823

2 Feb 1824

(Danish Settlement), Serampore, 1824, "Serampore Post Office 18__" Boxed Datestamp (Giles 1). Complete wrapper with original Bengali newspaper still within, excellent strike of "Serampore Post Office, 1824" three-line boxed datestamp with last two manuscript numbers, addressed to Khosalpur (British India), Very Fine, rare use of Serampore datestamp on wrapper with original newspaper, Serampore remained a Danish settlement until it was sold to the East India Company in 1845

COV-1670

14 June 1824

1824 Serampore – Gauhatty inland entire, with Giles 1 "SERAMPORE /POST OFFICE /18....." dispatch hand stamp, date "14th June 21" & paid rate "5as" (5A single letter inland rate to Gauhatty, for letter not exceeding 1 Tolah wt.) applied in manuscript.

COV-3152

29 December 1826

COV-1390

9 February 1832

COV-115

8 May 1832

INDIA, (Danish Settlement), Serampore, 1832, "SERAMPORE/POST OFFICE/18_" Handstamp (Giles 1). Legible and clear strike of boxed handstamp with manuscript "(18)32" inserted and "The 8th May, Postpaid 2 ans" on back of folded letter addressed to Calcutta, red boxed "AM" and Calcutta arrival backstamp (G9), cover with overall aging, Fine strike, a very rare use of the Serampore handstamp, Serampore remained a Danish settlement until it was sold to the East India Company in 1845

COV-3238

14 August 1837

Letter marked on reverse by Seramp- ore/Post Office and indistinct Calcutta/ General Post Office dated handstamps. In addition, part of red PAID marking, handwritten 2 anna charge, and 14 Aug date marking are on the reverse.

COV-3234

1 October 1837

The letter paid two annas for a distance not exceeding 20 miles (18 miles) and one tola by weight (about 24 g). This rate was in effect until October 1, 1837, when reduced to one anna.

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About this mark

The Serampore HG 1 handstamp

Serampore, is in Hooghly District, Bengal, on the right bank of the Hooghly River, situated 22°45' N and 88°21' E. It was originally a Danish settlement, until it was sold, with all other Danish settlements in India, to the East India Company in 1845.

Serampore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Serampore — the present-day Shrirampur — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1821 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".

11 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 "Very scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for serampore pre stamp covers, serampore postal history or "Serampore HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Serampore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Serampore HG 1 handstamp?: Serampore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Serampore (modern Shrirampur) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1821 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 Serampore HG 1?: Serampore HG 1 is graded "Very scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 11 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Serampore pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Serampore 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. 11 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 Serampore 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 (1821–1837). 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 Serampore

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Serampore is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Serampore HG 2handstampRed1846

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Suggest a correction

Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.

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

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026