What is the Dhoolia HG 1 handstamp?

Dhoolia HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Dhoolia (modern Dhule) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1841 to 1858. The "HG 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Dhoolia HG 1?

Dhoolia 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. 5 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Dhoolia 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. 5 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 Dhoolia 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 (1841–1858). 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.

Dhoolia HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1841–1858, Red

Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Dhoolia HG 1

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Red1841–1858
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 82
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

5 covers recorded

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

COV-1006

1841

India, Dhoolia, 1841, "DHOOLIA/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 1). 1841 folded letter dated Dec. 29 addressed to London, England, red "INDIA" in oval handstamp, London (Feb. 11) arrival backstamp. From Robert A. Siegel Sale 9054 Lot 10034 (two covers)

COV-4115

13 May 1845

Doolia - unrecorded PO and unrecorded handstamp. Entire cover addressed from Poona having unrecorde handstamp of All India Type "Poona/ 1845 May13/ Paid" on May 13th 1845 addressed to the collector of Doolia with the All India Type "Doolia/ Paid" handstamp which is also unrecorded posted on May 13th 1845 and reached Doolia on May 16th 1845. Doolia Paid stamp is also used as arriving delivary handstamp.

COV-2908

27 April 1850

COV-4062

14 October 1856

COV-4019

24 January 1857

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About this mark

The Dhoolia HG 1 handstamp

Dhoolia, headquarters of the West Khandesh District, Bombay Presidency, IS situated 2°54' N and 74°47' E, on the southern bank of the Panjhra River.

Dhoolia HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Dhoolia — the present-day Dhule — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1841 to 1858. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1".

5 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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for dhoolia pre stamp covers, dhoolia postal history or "Dhoolia HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Dhoolia marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Dhoolia HG 1 handstamp?: Dhoolia HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Dhoolia (modern Dhule) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1841 to 1858. The "HG 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Dhoolia HG 1?: Dhoolia 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. 5 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Dhoolia pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Dhoolia 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. 5 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 Dhoolia 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 (1841–1858). 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 Dhoolia

1 mark

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

Dhoolia HG 2handstampBlack1844–1858

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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: Dhoolia HG 1, Dhoolia HG1, Dhoolia Giles 1, Dhule postal history, Dhoolia handstamp, Dhoolia pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026