What is the Alleppy HG 3 handstamp?

Alleppy HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Alleppy (modern Alappuzha) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1856. The "HG 3" 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 3?

Alleppy HG 3 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 Alleppy pre stamp cover with HG 3 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 3. 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 Alleppy HG 3 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851–1856). 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.

Alleppy HG 3 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1851–1856, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Alleppy HG 3

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1851–1856
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 6
Figure: 3
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 2 All Alleppy HG 4 →

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-2228

1851

1846-56 Native covers with boxed Paid datestamp in red (14) or Bearing datestamps in black (3), Paid datestamps include Dharwar, Madura, Mysore, Alleppy, Belgaum, Chingleput, Coimbature, Negapatum, Hydrabad, Bugwah, etc., a few faults though most are fine. (17).

COV-1187

12 July 1851

Alleppy Paid/Bearing strike on fl

COV-3489

1852

1852 entire stamped with ``ALLEPPY / 1852 / Paid A3`` (Gile Ty-3) red boxed cachet addressed to Gherderop Govindop at Madras bearing arrival marking ``G.P.O. / 1952 FE9`` in red box cachet

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About this mark

The Alleppy HG 3 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 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Alleppy — the present-day Alappuzha — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1856. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 3".

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 alleppy pre stamp covers, alleppy postal history or "Alleppy HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Alleppy marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Alleppy HG 3 handstamp?: Alleppy HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Alleppy (modern Alappuzha) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1856. The "HG 3" 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 3?: Alleppy HG 3 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 Alleppy pre stamp cover with HG 3 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 3. 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 Alleppy HG 3 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851–1856). 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 3, Alleppy HG3, Alleppy Giles 3, Alappuzha postal history, Alleppy handstamp, Alleppy pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Alleppy HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/alleppy/hg-3 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026