What is the Ponda FP 1 handstamp?

Ponda FP 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ponda in the Goa (Portuguese India), British India, recorded in use —. The "FP 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 Ponda FP 1?

Ponda FP 1 is graded "Rare" 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 Ponda pre stamp cover with FP 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ponda is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like FP 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 Ponda FP 1 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (—). 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.

Goa (Portuguese India) · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Ponda FP 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red—
Rarity: Rare
Figure: FP1
Submitted by: Andrew Titley

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Census

Census records

5 covers recorded

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

COV-3171

20 May 1858

"Ponda P.P." Handstamp. Clear two-line handstamp in red on back of folded letter datelined May 20, 1858 and addressed to New Goa, additional light manuscript "P.P." beside handstamp VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST OF THE THREE RECORDED "PONDA P.P." COVERS. The other two we are aware of are dated Jun. 27 and Sep. 2, 1859.

COV-3207

27 June 1859

Pondá, 27 June 1859 handstamp in red, postage paid letter sent to Bombay via Goa where the postage paid was confirmed by the boxed rectangular cachet GOA/P. P. in sepia, transit in VENGORLA, 1 July 1859. Additional manuscript P.P. written by the sender. Illustrated in Luis and Eduardo Barreiros (p. 54)

COV-3170

2 September 1859

PORTUGUESE INDIA, "Ponda P.P." Handstamp. Clear two-line handstamp in dark red on back of folded letter datelined Mardol Sept. 2, 1859, addressed to New Goa, manuscript "P.P." on front VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE "PONDA P.P." HANDSTAMP. Mardol is located near Ponda and did not have a post office until 1871. The other recorded examples are dated May 20 and Jun. 27, 1859.

COV-3284

12 June 1860

Illustrated in Luis and Eduardo Barreiros (p. 73)

COV-3206

25 August 1868

Pondá, 25 August 1868 official postage free letter (S.N.R.), forwarded by the Pondá Post Office to the Secretary of the Governor-General in Nova-Goa. Signed Bernardo the administration authority that granted the postage free. Pondá and Livre are separate handstamps. Illustrated in Luis and Eduardo Barreiros (p. 74)

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About this mark

The Ponda FP 1 handstamp

Ponda FP 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Ponda in the Goa (Portuguese India), British India, recorded in use —. Known strikes are in red. Its "FP 1" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for ponda pre stamp covers, ponda postal history or "Ponda FP1" material can compare FP 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Ponda marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Ponda FP 1 handstamp?: Ponda FP 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ponda in the Goa (Portuguese India), British India, recorded in use —. The "FP 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 Ponda FP 1?: Ponda FP 1 is graded "Rare" 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 Ponda pre stamp cover with FP 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ponda is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like FP 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 Ponda FP 1 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (—). 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 Ponda

2 marks

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

View all Ponda 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: Ponda FP 1, Ponda FP1, Ponda Giles FP 1, Ponda handstamp, Ponda pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Ponda FP 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/goa/ponda/fp-1 (accessed 8 September 2026).

Updated: 8 Sept 2026