Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Bassein HG 1
- Colour & date
- Black1839–1840
- Rarity
- Common
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 27
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Bassein HG 1 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Bassein HG 1 handstamp
Bassein is in the Thana District of Bombay, situated 19°20' N and 72°49' E, 28 miles north of Bombay City. Originally a Portuguese territory, but in 1780 it was captured by the British under the command of General Goddard, and by the Treaty of Salbai (1782) it was restored to the Marathas, and in 1818, on the overthrow of the Peshwa, it was resumed by the British.
Bassein HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Bassein — the present-day Vasai — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1840. 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".
A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 bassein pre stamp covers, bassein postal history or "Bassein HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Bassein marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Bassein HG 1 handstamp?
- Bassein HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bassein (modern Vasai) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1840. 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 Bassein HG 1?
- Bassein HG 1 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
- What does a Bassein pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Bassein 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Bassein 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 (1839–1840). 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.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Bassein HG 1, Bassein HG1, Bassein Giles 1, Vasai postal history, Bassein handstamp, Bassein pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Bassein HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/bassein/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026