What is the Cannanore HG 6 handstamp?

Cannanore HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Cannanore (modern Kannur) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1842. The "HG 6" 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 6?

Cannanore HG 6 is graded "Common" 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 Cannanore pre stamp cover with HG 6 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 6. 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 Cannanore HG 6 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838-42). 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

Cannanore HG 6

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Date Span: 1838-42
Colour: Black
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 64
Figure: 6
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 5 All Cannanore HG 7 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Cannanore HG 6 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-387

1842

India, Cannanore, 1842, "CANNANORE" Framed Handstamps (Giles 5-6). Two covers, first is strike in red with "Paid" dated Feb. 27, 1872 and addressed to Mysore, faint Mysore (Feb. 28) arrival handstamp, second in black with "Bearing" on incoming cover from Madras dated Aug. 25, 1842, Cannanore Aug. 26 arrival handstamp, covers with minor flaws including heavy file folds and slight toning, Fine

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About this mark

The Cannanore HG 6 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 6 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 1838 to 1842. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 6".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for cannanore pre stamp covers, cannanore postal history or "Cannanore HG6" material can compare HG 6 across every office or browse the rest of the Cannanore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Cannanore HG 6 handstamp?: Cannanore HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Cannanore (modern Kannur) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1842. The "HG 6" 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 6?: Cannanore HG 6 is graded "Common" 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 Cannanore pre stamp cover with HG 6 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 6. 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 Cannanore HG 6 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838-42). 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 6, Cannanore HG6, Cannanore Giles 6, Kannur postal history, Cannanore handstamp, Cannanore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Cannanore HG 6 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/cannanore/hg-6 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026