What is the Chittoor HG 1 handstamp?

Chittoor HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chittoor in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1816. 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 Chittoor HG 1?

Chittoor HG 1 is graded "Rare" 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 Chittoor pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chittoor 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 Chittoor 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 (1816). 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

Chittoor HG 1

Intaglio

Colour & date: Black1816
Rarity: Rare
Note: Intaglio
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 68
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-1905

29 May 1816

x India Early Letters and Handstamps 1816 (19 May) entire letter ex the "de Haviland" correspondence from Chittor to Guernsey, variously rated, showing framed "Chittor/Post Office" intaglio h.s. (HG1), framed "P.P." intaglio h.s., a very fine strike of the circular intaglio "Crown/madras ship letter" d.s. (HG SD2) and framed "unpaid" h.s. (HG SD3). A remarkable cover showing a combination of three different intaglio markings.

COV-530

1 June 1816

1816 (May 30): Entire letter from Chittoor to Guernsey, with a good strike of the rare negative circular "Crown / MADRAS SHIP LETTER" cds dated "1 June" in manuscript (Giles SD2), a fine strike of the framed UNPAID (Giles SD3) and over-inked strike intaglio and intaglio "Pt Pd" (unrecorded) handstamp. An important early item of Indian postal history.

COV-1945

18 June 1816

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About this mark

The Chittoor HG 1 handstamp

Chittoor, headquarters of North Arcot District, Madras Presidency, is situated 15°13'N and 79°6'E, in the valley of the Poini River, 100 miles from Madras. It was a military station of importance until 1874.

Chittoor HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Chittoor in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1816. 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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for chittoor pre stamp covers, chittoor postal history or "Chittoor HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Chittoor marks.

Intaglio

Frequently asked

What is the Chittoor HG 1 handstamp?: Chittoor HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chittoor in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1816. 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 Chittoor HG 1?: Chittoor HG 1 is graded "Rare" 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 Chittoor pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chittoor 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 Chittoor 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 (1816). 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 Chittoor

4 marks

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

View all Chittoor 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: Chittoor HG 1, Chittoor HG1, Chittoor Giles 1, Chittoor handstamp, Chittoor pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026