What is the Sylhet HG 1 handstamp?

Sylhet HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Sylhet in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1810 to 1831. 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 Sylhet HG 1?

Sylhet 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 Sylhet pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Sylhet 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 Sylhet 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 (1810–1831). 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.

Sylhet HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1810–1831, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Sylhet HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1810–1831
Rarity: Scarce
Note: Ex-Territorial
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 199
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

9 covers recorded

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

COV-808

26 April 1810

1809: H.G. H.G.1 Letter from SYLHET SYLHET Apr.] written by Thomas Tweedie, Surgeon of the British Civil station atSYLHET to SCOTLAND [13 Apr. 1810].

COV-2102

26 May 1810

SYLHET/POONAMALEE/FUTTYGHUR/CALCUTTA - LONDON “SHIP LETTER” COVERS TO G.B.; 1803- 10 group inc. 1810 pair ex Sylhet to Scotland (one privately carried, one with mainly v. fine HG1 - “scarce” - double-oval “*SYLHET*/POST OFFICE” on the flap and oval “SHIP LETTER/LONDON” on the front), 25 Mar. 1803 EL (some faults) ex “Camp Futtihe Ghur” with large 2-ring London SL c.d.s. (contents mention taking the “Fort of Beache Ghur” and a battle at Cutehourah), and 1807/10 ELs pair ex Calcutta/”Poonamalee” to Scotland with v. fine or small London SL c.d.s.’s (latter “Per Ship Montezuma”). Useful lot. (5 covers) PHOTO - see page 21.

COV-2691

6 February 1811

COV-326

29 January 1812

India, Sylhet, 1812, "POST OFFICE/SYLHET" Double-Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike with manuscript "8 as" rate and "29 Jany" date added on back of 1812 folded letter to Edinburgh, Scotland, Calcutta "Bengal G.P.O./JAN/POST PAID" (Giles SD2), red Calcutta (Feb. 4, Giles G2), and Crowned Ship Letter London (Jul. 27) transit and Edinburgh (Jul. 30) arrival datestamps, manuscript "1/5" rate marking, Fine and exceptionally rare used during the territorial period, Sylhet didn't enter British India until 1826 and was often overlooked as it was located in the far reaches of the East India Company (modern-day northeastern Bangladesh)

COV-694

16 November 1820

Siegel - India, Sylhet, 1851, "POST OFFICE/SYLHET" Handstamp (Giles 1). Excellent double-oval strike with manuscript "1rs5as" rate and "16th Nov. 1820" date on back of folded letter to Kietah, Bundelkhand, lightly struck red Calcutta transit backstamp, Very Fine, a scarce handstamp from one of the most northeastern post offices in India Cavendish - SYLHET/WALLAJAHABAD - SCARCE DOUBLE-OVAL “POST OFFICE” OR OVAL-FRAMED “POST PAID”; Fine 15 Nov. 1820 EL to Bundelkund with a very fine double-oval “*SYLHET*/POST OFFICE” (HG1; “Scarce” Ex- Territorial period; plus 11 Dec. 1823 EL to Nusseerabad “Via Ganjam” with a mainly very fine oval-framed “WALLAJAHBAUD/POST PAID” (HG4) with 3 transit backstamps inc. Calcutta 25 Dec. c.d.s. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page 43.

COV-577

2 December 1820

COV-1153

13 December 1822

Sylhet: 1822 (13 Dec.) entire letter to Kurnaul showing a fine strike of thc double-ova1 "post oprrcr/SYLHET" with manuscript date (HG 1). Rare ex-territorial P-O.

COV-327

1 January 1830

India, Sylhet, 1830, "POST OFFICE SYLHET" Double-Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike with manuscript "pt pd 10a" rate and "1 Jany 1830" date markings on back of folded cover to Jessore, Fine and rare strike, used after incorporation with British India, Sylhet didn't enter British India until 1826 and was often overlooked as it was located in the far reaches of the East India Company (modern-day northeastern Bangladesh)

COV-2079

17 February 1831

Sylhet: 1831 (17 Feb.) entire letter to Calcutta showing, on reverse, a good strike of the double oval-framed "SYLHET/POST OFFICE" (HG 1, the latest recorded date of use), completed for 5a., alongside Calcutta G.P.O. c.d.s. and framed "An". Photo.

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About this mark

The Sylhet HG 1 handstamp

Sylhet, the headquarters of Sylhet District, Assam, did not enter British India until 1826. It is situated 24°53' N and 91°52' E, on the right bank of the Surma River, and after being ceded with all Assam by the Burmese to the East India Company under the Treaty of Yandabo, it was, in the early days much neglected by the Company, being on the outskirts of the Company's territories.

Sylhet HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Sylhet in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1810 to 1831. 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 sylhet pre stamp covers, sylhet postal history or "Sylhet HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Sylhet marks.

Ex-Territorial

Frequently asked

What is the Sylhet HG 1 handstamp?: Sylhet HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Sylhet in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1810 to 1831. 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 Sylhet HG 1?: Sylhet 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 Sylhet pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Sylhet 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 Sylhet 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 (1810–1831). 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 Sylhet

1 mark

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

Sylhet HG 2handstampBlack1837–1851

View all Sylhet 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: Sylhet HG 1, Sylhet HG1, Sylhet Giles 1, Sylhet handstamp, Sylhet pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026