What is the Ellichpoor HG 1 handstamp?

Ellichpoor HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ellichpoor (modern Achalpur) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1842 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 Ellichpoor HG 1?

Ellichpoor 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. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does an Ellichpoor pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ellichpoor 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. 3 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 an Ellichpoor 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 (1842–1858). 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.

Ellichpoor HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1842–1858, Red

Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Ellichpoor HG 1

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Red1842–1858
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 87
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1A All Ellichpoor

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-890

1843

1843 (Nov 23) Complete folded ship letter from Elichpoor to UK with boxed “ELICHPOOR/Paid” mark with 6 annas inserted by hand. Oval “INDIA” struck on front and London arrival postmark on reverse. 1s 10d charge noted on front.

COV-892

1843

1843 (Aug 18) /1850 (Mar 28) – Two letters sent from Elichpoor via Bombay and the overland mail to UK, struck on front with oval “INDIA” and boxed “ELICHPOOR/Paid” with manuscript dating and 6 annas notation for pre-paid distance to Bombay; in UK charged 1s 10d for incoming India ship letter noted on front.

COV-2415

26 April 1848

1848 Ellichpoor – London overland entire via Southampton route, with Ellichpoor Giles 1 "ELLICHPOOR/Paid" handstamp, date "26 Aprl" & rate "6As" (paid 6A inland to Bombay for letter between ¼ to 1 tolah, second weight step, travelling between 400 to 600 miles) applied. Interestingly, "INDIA PAID" (similar to Bombay Giles SD9) handstamp & "8As" in manuscript, indicating steam postage paid to London via Southampton, were applied from Ellichpoor (in the same ink as the Ellichpoor handstamp) as well. Sent to Suez by EIC regular steamer ATALANTA from Bombay on 1st May, travelled overland to Alexandria & then sent to Malta by P&O steamer ARIEL. From there it reached Southampton by P&O steamer TAGUS on 7th June, reached London on the next day, & "PAID/IX/8 JU 8/1848" London Central Office receipt mark was applied prior to delivery.

Compare HG 1 across every office →

About this mark

The Ellichpoor HG 1 handstamp

Ellichpoor is in the Amraoti District, Berar, situated 21°16' N and 77°33' E. The Nizam of Hyderabad's grandson became the Governor of Ellichpoor, under the protection of General Wellesley, until his death in 1843.

Ellichpoor HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Ellichpoor — the present-day Achalpur — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1842 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".

3 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 ellichpoor pre stamp covers, ellichpoor postal history or "Ellichpoor HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Ellichpoor marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Ellichpoor HG 1 handstamp?: Ellichpoor HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ellichpoor (modern Achalpur) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1842 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 Ellichpoor HG 1?: Ellichpoor 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. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does an Ellichpoor pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ellichpoor 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. 3 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 an Ellichpoor 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 (1842–1858). 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 Ellichpoor

1 mark

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

Ellichpoor HG 1AhandstampBlack1835–1857

View all Ellichpoor 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: Ellichpoor HG 1, Ellichpoor HG1, Ellichpoor Giles 1, Achalpur postal history, Ellichpoor handstamp, Ellichpoor pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026