What is the Calicut HG 1 handstamp?

Calicut HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calicut (modern Kozhikode) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1821 to 1823. 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 Calicut HG 1?

Calicut HG 1 has 2 examples recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Calicut 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Calicut 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 (1821–1823). 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.

Calicut HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1821–1823, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Calicut HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1821–1823
Rarity: 2 examples recorded
Note: 2 examples known
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 63
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Calicut HG 1 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-222

21 March 1823

Siegel - India, Calicut, 1823, "CALICUT/POST PAID" Framed Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold and clear strike with manuscript "21st March" date and "12 A" rate markings on back of 1823 folded letter to Hyderabad, Very Fine strike of this rare marking, Giles notes "2 examples known" Cavendish - CALICUT - THE RARE OCTAGON-BOXED “CALICUT/POST PAID/[Manuscript date]” COVER TO HYDERABAD; 21 Mar. 1823 E to Hyderabad with a very fine rare boxed “CALICUT/POST PAID” (HG1; “2 examples known”) nicely placed on the top flap. One of the rarest of all Indian marks, apparently with only two other prestamp covers from this small P.O. known. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page

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About this mark

The Calicut HG 1 handstamp

Calicut, in the Malabar District, Madras Presidency, is situated 11°15' N and 75°47' E, on the West Coast, 414 miles from Madras, It was the first port of India visited by Europeans, and gave its name to "Calico", one of the chief articles of the early trade.

Calicut HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Calicut — the present-day Kozhikode — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1821 to 1823. 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".

A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "2 examples recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for calicut pre stamp covers, calicut postal history or "Calicut HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Calicut marks.

2 examples known

Frequently asked

What is the Calicut HG 1 handstamp?: Calicut HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calicut (modern Kozhikode) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1821 to 1823. 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 Calicut HG 1?: Calicut HG 1 has 2 examples recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Calicut pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Calicut 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Calicut 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 (1821–1823). 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 Calicut

5 marks

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

View all Calicut 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: Calicut HG 1, Calicut HG1, Calicut Giles 1, Kozhikode postal history, Calicut handstamp, Calicut pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026