What is the Hyderabad HG 1A handstamp?

Hyderabad HG 1A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Hyderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1815. The "HG 1A" 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 Hyderabad HG 1A?

Hyderabad 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 Hyderabad pre stamp cover with HG 1A look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Hyderabad 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 Hyderabad 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 (1815). 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

Hyderabad HG 1A

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1815
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Figure: 1A
Submitted by: Spink

← HG 1 All Hyderabad HG 2 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-5428

1815

(x) India 1815 (2 Jan.) entire letter from Henry Russell, British Resident of Hyderabad, to Colonel Doveton, Commanding the Force in Advance, informing him that Dowlut Row Scindia, the Mahratti leader of Scinde province, had not received with pleasure the communication from Mr Strachey, British Resident to the Scinde court, that Moira intended to place the state of Bhopal under British "protection". He instructs him to be prepared to initiate hostilities, given the situation, and details the composition of the reinforcement forces that would soon join him. Accompanied by a clerical copy of a letter from Lord Moira to Hugh Elliot, Governor of Fort St George in Madras, endorsed "Most Secret" , reporting the poor disposition of Dowlut Row Scindia and requesting reinforcement troops from Madras. Enclosure endorsed "On the Service" with "post free"P oval cachet (unrecorded by Giles), various faults; letter 2pp, 4to, also with faults; Moira letter 4pp, 8vo, fine. Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

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About this mark

The Hyderabad HG 1A handstamp

Hyderabad, Capital of Hyderabad State, or the Nizam's Dominions, is situated 17°22' N and 78°27' E, on the right bank of the Musi River. The house of the Nizams was founded by Asaf Jah, a distinguished general of Aurungzeb, in 1713, when he became the viceroy of the Deccan. A treaty was signed in 1768 between the Nizam and the East India Company for both an offensive and defensive alliance.

Hyderabad HG 1A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Hyderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1815. Known strikes are in black. 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 hyderabad pre stamp covers, hyderabad postal history or "Hyderabad HG1A" material can compare HG 1A across every office or browse the rest of the Hyderabad marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Hyderabad HG 1A handstamp?: Hyderabad HG 1A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Hyderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1815. The "HG 1A" 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 Hyderabad HG 1A?: Hyderabad 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 Hyderabad pre stamp cover with HG 1A look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Hyderabad 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 Hyderabad 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 (1815). 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 Hyderabad

11 marks

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

View all Hyderabad marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Hyderabad HG 1A, Hyderabad HG1A, Hyderabad Giles 1A, Hyderabad handstamp, Hyderabad pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Hyderabad HG 1A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/hyderabad/hg-1a (accessed 25 September 2026).

Updated: 25 Sept 2026