Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Hoonsoor HG 1A
- Colour & date
- Red1856
- Rarity
- 1 example recorded
- Figure
- 1A
- Submitted by
- Gowtham BJ
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Hoonsoor HG 1A handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Hoonsoor HG 1A handstamp
Hoonsoor (Hunsur) is in the Mysore District, Mysore State, situated 12°18' N and 76°18' E, on the Lakshmantirha, 28 miles west of Mysore city. It was the seat of the Amrit Mahal cattle-breeding establishment, and till 1864, had a large tannery.
Hoonsoor HG 1A is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of the post office at Hoonsoor — the present-day Hunsur — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1856. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 1A" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
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 "1 example recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for hoonsoor pre stamp covers, hoonsoor postal history or "Hoonsoor HG1A" material can compare HG 1A across every office or browse the rest of the Hoonsoor marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Hoonsoor HG 1A handstamp?
- Hoonsoor HG 1A is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Hoonsoor (modern Hunsur) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1856. The "HG 1A" 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 Hoonsoor HG 1A?
- Hoonsoor HG 1A has 1 example recorded 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 Hoonsoor pre stamp cover with HG 1A look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Hoonsoor 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 1A. 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 Hoonsoor HG 1A cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1856). 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 Hoonsoor
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of Hoonsoor 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: Hoonsoor HG 1A, Hoonsoor HG1A, Hoonsoor Giles 1A, Hunsur postal history, Hoonsoor handstamp, Hoonsoor pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Hoonsoor HG 1A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/hoonsoor/hg-1a (accessed 15 August 2026).
Updated: 15 Aug 2026