Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Broach HG 1
- Date Span
- 1848-52
- Colour
- Black
- Rarity
- Common
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 43
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
0 covers recordedNo pre stamp cover bearing the Broach HG 1 handstamp has been recorded yet. If you hold one, submit it below.
No covers bearing this mark have been recorded yet. If you hold one, your submission — once reviewed — will appear here.
About this mark
The Broach HG 1 handstamp
Broach is the capital of the District of the same name, in Gujerat, Bombay Presidency, on the right bank of the Narbada River, 30 miles from its mouth, situated 21°42' N and 72°59' E. It was taken by storm by the British in 1772, handed over to Scindia in 1783, and retaken by the British in 1803, and remained in their possession thereafter.
Broach HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Broach — the present-day Bharuch — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1852. 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".
No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for broach pre stamp covers, broach postal history or "Broach HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Broach marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Broach HG 1 handstamp?
- Broach HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Broach (modern Bharuch) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1852. 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 Broach HG 1?
- Broach 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. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example.
- What does a Broach pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Broach 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. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
- How do I identify or submit a Broach 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 (1848-52). 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 Broach
2 marks2 other pre-1854 postal markings of Broach are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Broach HG 1, Broach HG1, Broach Giles 1, Bharuch postal history, Broach handstamp, Broach pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Broach HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/broach/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026