Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Cumbum HG 1
- Colour & date
- Black1816
- Rarity
- 5 examples recorded
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 74
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
2 covers recorded2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Cumbum HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Cumbum HG 1 handstamp
Cumbum, a town in the Kurnool District, Madras Presidency, situated 15°35' N and 79°6' E. Formerly the headquarters of a Head Assistant Collector, and a regiment was stationed here, but unhealthiness, due to bad drinking-water, Government offices and military removed from it.
Cumbum HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Cumbum 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".
2 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 "5 examples recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for cumbum pre stamp covers, cumbum postal history or "Cumbum HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Cumbum marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Cumbum HG 1 handstamp?
- Cumbum HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Cumbum 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 Cumbum HG 1?
- Cumbum HG 1 has 5 examples recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
- What does a Cumbum pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Cumbum 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. 2 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 Cumbum 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 Cumbum
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of Cumbum is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Cumbum HG 1, Cumbum HG1, Cumbum Giles 1, Cumbum handstamp, Cumbum pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Cumbum HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/cumbum/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026