What is the Nagpore HG 1 handstamp?

Nagpore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Nagpore (modern Nagpur) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1826 to 1834. 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 Nagpore HG 1?

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

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Nagpore 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 Nagpore 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 (1826–1834). 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.

Nagpore HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1826–1834, Black

Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Nagpore HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1826–1834
Rarity: Scarce
Note: Scarce - examples seen also have
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 153
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

5 covers recorded

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

COV-845

22 May 1826

1826 : H.G.1/2: Letter posted from NAGPORE [22 May] to Fort William. The spelling of Nagpur in H.G. 1 is as NAUGPORE and in H.G. 2 is as NAGPORE. This handstamp : Black colour double oval, "NAUGPORE.RESIDENCY. 18" in the outer ring and "POST / OFFICE" in the centre. This stamp was generally used with the unframed circular "NAGPORE / PAID / POST". But this stamp was recorded in black colour only, whereas this cover bears the stamp in red colour recorded for the first time. Both the stamps are noted as Scarce mark.

COV-1138

6 June 1826

Nagpore: 1826 (6 June) entire letter to Scotland showing good strike of the rare double oval "NAGPORE pEsroENcv/POST OFFICE/r8" (HG 1) partly overstruck by transit h.s. and circular "NAGPORE/POST/parn" in red (HG 2, unrecorded in red) also showing double boxed "INDIA lrttrn/poprsttoura"etc. Ful1 ofcharacter

COV-672

25 February 1828

India, Nagpore, 1820s, "NAUGPORE RESIDENCY 18_/POST OFFICE" Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear but blurry double-oval strike on over backflap of folded letter datelined Nagpore Feb. 25, 1828, addressed to Edinburgh, Scotland, sender's endorsement "via Madras", well-struck Madras Out Station Ship Letter Mar. 8 (Giles SD11) and London Jul. 12 transit datestamps, rated "2/8", boxed "INDIA LETTER/DOVER" handstamp (Robertson In. 1), cover with minor edgewear, otherwise Very Fine

COV-100

19 June

Siegel - INDIA, Nagpore, 1820s, "NAUGPORE RESIDENCY 18_/POST OFFICE" Handstamp (Giles 1). Clearly struck double-oval handstamp with red "Nagpore Post Paid" handstamp with manuscript "19 June" added (Giles 2), both on back of ca. 1820s folded cover to Secunderabad, manuscript "PPd" (Paid), Very Fine, both handstamps are noted as scarce by Giles Cavendish - MOUNT/NAGPORE - PAID & POST OFFICE MARKS INC. LARGE DOUBLE-OVAL NAGPORE TYPE; c.1822 (wmk. “1820”) E to Secunderabad with fine to very fine large black double-oval “NAUGPORE RESIDENCE/POST/OFFICE” (HG1; “Scarce”) and red circular unframed “NAGPORE/POST/PAID” (“Scarce”) both on the top flap (note the differing spellings!), stained 24 Nov. 1834 E (side-flaps removed) to Madras with fine boxed “MOUNT/POST NOT PAID” (HG2; scarce), and 1840/56 env./part E with boxed “ST THO’ MOUNT” marks for “Bearing” (HG6; black) or “Paid” (HG5; red with India ½a - fault - tied by “112” Numeral). (4 covers) PHOTO - see page 41

COV-286

India, Nagpore, ca. 1820s, "NAUGPORE RESIDENCY 18__/POST OFFICE" Double-Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold and complete strike on back of ca. 1820s folded wrapper to Rypore, minor stain on front panel and along bottom, Very Fine, noted as "scarce" by Giles

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About this mark

The Nagpore HG 1 handstamp

Nagpore became the capital of the Central Provinces, and is situated 21°9' N and 79°7' E, 520 miles from Bombay and 701 from Calcutta. It stands on a small stream called The Nag, from which it takes its name. It was founded in the 18th century by the Gond Raja, Bakht Buland, and became the headquarters of the Bhonsla Raja. The battles of Sitabaldi and Nagpore were fought here in 1817.

Nagpore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Nagpore — the present-day Nagpur — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1826 to 1834. 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".

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

Scarce - examples seen also have

Frequently asked

What is the Nagpore HG 1 handstamp?: Nagpore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Nagpore (modern Nagpur) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1826 to 1834. 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 Nagpore HG 1?: Nagpore 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. 5 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Nagpore pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Nagpore 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 Nagpore 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 (1826–1834). 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 Nagpore

4 marks

4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Nagpore are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

View all Nagpore marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Nagpore HG 1, Nagpore HG1, Nagpore Giles 1, Nagpur postal history, Nagpore handstamp, Nagpore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026