What is the Alleppy HG 1B handstamp?

Alleppy HG 1B is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Alleppy (modern Alappuzha) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1835. The "HG 1B" 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 Alleppy HG 1B?

Alleppy HG 1B is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Alleppy 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 1B. 2 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 Alleppy HG 1B cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1835). 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.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Alleppy HG 1B

Colour & date: Red1835
Rarity: Scarce
Note: POST PAID oval handstamp.
Catalogue: 2000 Supplement · p. 3
Figure: 1B
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1A All Alleppy HG 2 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-04

18 February 1835

Clear strike in red with manuscript "18th Feby 1835" date on back of folded cover to Bath, England, forwarded to Dorset, framed INDIA LETTER/WEYMOUTH handstamp (Robertson In. 1), Madras Outstation (Mar. 6), London (Jul. 20), and Bath (Aug. 4) backstamps. Fine and incredibly rare, possibly the only example known.

COV-4410

20 July 1835

1835, Feb. 28. Alleppy - Bath. Stampless outer wrapper addressed to 'Mrs. Marian Hunter / Widow of the late Doctor Robt. Hunter D.D.' at Bath. Re-directed to Blandford, Dorset. VF boxed 'INDIA LETTER / WEYMOUTH' in black. Ms. 'Paid to Madras' on reverse above a VF strike of the double lined oval 'OUTSTATION / SHIP LETTER / Madras 6MR6 / 1835' touched by Bath receiver. There is a fine strike in red of the ' ALLEPPY/POST PAID' in frame with rounded corners, unlisted in Giles or his 1993 or 1996 Supplements, overstruck by red 'B 20 JY 20 / 1835' in double circle. Originally rated 1/4, corrected to 2/- and finally rated 3/2 to pay. The Alleppy strike is very similar in design to Giles' Bangalore Post Paid # 6.

Compare HG 1B across every office →

About this mark

The Alleppy HG 1B handstamp

Chief sea-port in Travancore State, Madras Presidency, situated 9°30' N and 76°20' E. Created by Maharaja Rama Varma, in order to put an end to the commercial supremacy of the Dutch, who had a factory at Porakad . 49 miles from Quilon.

Alleppy HG 1B is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Alleppy — the present-day Alappuzha — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1835. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 2000 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1B".

2 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 alleppy pre stamp covers, alleppy postal history or "Alleppy HG1B" material can compare HG 1B across every office or browse the rest of the Alleppy marks.

POST PAID oval handstamp.

Frequently asked

What is the Alleppy HG 1B handstamp?: Alleppy HG 1B is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Alleppy (modern Alappuzha) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1835. The "HG 1B" 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 Alleppy HG 1B?: Alleppy HG 1B is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does an Alleppy pre stamp cover with HG 1B look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Alleppy 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 1B. 2 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 Alleppy HG 1B cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1835). 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 Alleppy

6 marks

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

View all Alleppy 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: Alleppy HG 1B, Alleppy HG1B, Alleppy Giles 1B, Alappuzha postal history, Alleppy handstamp, Alleppy pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Alleppy HG 1B — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/alleppy/hg-1b (accessed 21 August 2026).

Updated: 21 Aug 2026