What is the Cannanore HG 1 handstamp?

Cannanore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Cannanore (modern Kannur) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1820 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 Cannanore HG 1?

Cannanore HG 1 has 3 examples recorded 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 a Cannanore pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Cannanore 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. 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 a Cannanore 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 (1820–1823). 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.

Cannanore HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1820–1823, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Cannanore HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1820–1823
Rarity: 3 examples recorded
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 64
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-1060

3 February 1823

Cannanore: 1823 (3 Feb.) entire letter to Bangalore showing a superb strike of the very rare "CANNANORE/POST PAID" in sepia (HG 1, two recorded). Outstanding.

COV-2051

5 February 1823

COV-224

24 May 1823

Siegel - India, Cannanore, 1823, "CANNANORE/POST PAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold and nearly complete strike with manuscript "24 May 1823" date and "12 as" rate markings on back of folded cover to Secunderabad, Very Fine strike of this very rare marking, Giles notes "Rare - 2 examples recorded" Cavendish - CANNANORE - THE RARE OVAL-FRAMED “POST.PAID” MARK ON COVER TO SECUNDERABAD; 24 May 1823 E to Secunderabad with mainly very fine rare oval-framed “CANNANORE/POST. PAID [12as]” (HG1; “Rare”) nicely placed on the lower flap. Only one other example known. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page

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About this mark

The Cannanore HG 1 handstamp

Headquarters of the Chirakkal taluk of Malabar District, Madras, situated 11°52' N and 75°22' E, in the shallow bay of the Arabian Sea, 470 miles from Madras. In 1790, the fort was captured from the Bibi of Cannanore, and became the military headqu arters of the British on the West Coast.

Cannanore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Cannanore — the present-day Kannur — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1820 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".

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 "3 examples recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for cannanore pre stamp covers, cannanore postal history or "Cannanore HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Cannanore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Cannanore HG 1 handstamp?: Cannanore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Cannanore (modern Kannur) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1820 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 Cannanore HG 1?: Cannanore HG 1 has 3 examples recorded 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 a Cannanore pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Cannanore 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. 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 a Cannanore 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 (1820–1823). 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 Cannanore

9 marks

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

View all Cannanore 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: Cannanore HG 1, Cannanore HG1, Cannanore Giles 1, Kannur postal history, Cannanore handstamp, Cannanore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026