Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Calingapatam HG 1
- Colour & date
- Black1855
- Rarity
- 1 example recorded
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- spink
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Calingapatam HG 1 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Calingapatam HG 1 handstamp
Kalingapatnam is a village in Srikakulam district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Gara mandal of Srikakulam revenue division.[1] It has one of the major beach sand deposits of the state.[4] In medieval era it was famous for the ancient port city of Kalinga. Kalingapatnam is located at a distance of 26 km from the district headquarters and 17 km from Singupuram.
Calingapatam HG 1 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of the post office at Calingapatam — the present-day Kalingapatnam — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1855. Known strikes are in black. Its "HG 1" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
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 "1 example recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for calingapatam pre stamp covers, calingapatam postal history or "Calingapatam HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Calingapatam marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Calingapatam HG 1 handstamp?
- Calingapatam HG 1 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Calingapatam (modern Kalingapatnam) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1855. 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 Calingapatam HG 1?
- Calingapatam HG 1 has 1 example 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 Calingapatam pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Calingapatam 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 Calingapatam 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 (1855). 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.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Calingapatam HG 1, Calingapatam HG1, Calingapatam Giles 1, Kalingapatnam postal history, Calingapatam handstamp, Calingapatam pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Calingapatam HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/calingapatam/hg-1 (accessed 18 August 2026).
Updated: 18 Aug 2026