What is the Combaconum HG 1 handstamp?

Combaconum HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Combaconum (modern Kumbakonam) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1834. The "HG 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Combaconum HG 1?

Combaconum HG 1 is graded "Common" 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 Combaconum pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Combaconum 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 Combaconum 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 (1832-34). 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

Combaconum HG 1

Handstamp

Date Span: 1832-34
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 71
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-723

1832

COMBACONUM/POST PAID. 1833 : H.G.1 : Letter posted from COMBACONUM [22 Feb.] to LONDON [15 Aug.]. Inland postage from COMBACONUM to MADRAS prepaid 8 as. U.K. internal and Ship postage due from the addressee 1.3d. Red colour in capsule COMBACONUM/POST PAID was used between 1832-34.

COV-2243

4 October 1832

BRIGHTON INDIA LETTERS IN RED OR BLACK - WITH KURNAL OR CUMBACUNUM "POST PAID" MARKS, ETC.; 1837-39 covers (4) ex India to GB all with scarce boxed "INDIA LETTER/BRIGHTON" marks (fair to fine; one red & the others black); 1827 with mainly fine and scarce ms-dated boxed "KURNAL/POST PAID", 1832 with fair red boxed "CUMBACUNUM/POST PAID", 1834 EL (long cross-written family letter) ex "Allahabad" with partly fine rare red boxed "INDIA LETTER/BRIGHTON", and 1839 ex Madras. Plus an 1828 E (origin unknown) with overstruck boxed step-type "BRIGHTON/SHIP LETTER". (5 covers) Cross Reference: SHIP LETTERS, SUSSEX

COV-2053

July 1834

Combaconum: 1834 (July) entire to London, rated "2/1", the reverse with good strike of the oval framed "COMBACONUM/POST PAID" (HG 1) in red, showing Madras Ship Letter datestamp and framed "INDIA LETTER/HASTINGS" adjacent; vertical fold clear of the strikes. Very rare. Also 1847 large part entire with framed "COMBACONUM/Paid" datestamp (HG 3) in red. Photo for first.

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About this mark

The Combaconum HG 1 handstamp

Combaconum is situated 10°58' N and 79°22' E, in Tanjore District, Madras Presidency, on the banks of the Cauvery River. It is one of the oldest places in South India, and had a District Court as early as 1806, and was the headquarters of the Roman Catholic bishop of the French Mission.

Combaconum HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Combaconum — the present-day Kumbakonam — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1834. Known strikes are in red. 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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for combaconum pre stamp covers, combaconum postal history or "Combaconum HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Combaconum marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Combaconum HG 1 handstamp?: Combaconum HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Combaconum (modern Kumbakonam) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1834. The "HG 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Combaconum HG 1?: Combaconum HG 1 is graded "Common" 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 Combaconum pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Combaconum 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 Combaconum 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 (1832-34). 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 Combaconum

2 marks

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

View all Combaconum marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Combaconum HG 1, Combaconum HG1, Combaconum Giles 1, Kumbakonam postal history, Combaconum handstamp, Combaconum pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026