What is the Kircumbady HG 1 handstamp?

Kircumbady HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kircumbady in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1841 to 1854. 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 Kircumbady HG 1?

Kircumbady 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. 8 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Kircumbady pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kircumbady 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. 8 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 Kircumbady 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 (1841–1854). 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.

Kircumbady HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1841–1854, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Kircumbady HG 1

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Red1841–1854
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 117
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

8 covers recorded

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

COV-1511

1849

1849 KIRCUMBADY Paid Giles 1 on tiny native cover with Madras G.P.O. and boxed AM

COV-3689

25 November 1850

COV-1549

1851

1851 KIRCUMBADY Paid Giles 1 on small native cover with Madras G.P.O. MX5 and boxed PM, all on same side

COV-3840

7 February 1851

India 1851 Kircumbady Entire, boxed KIRCUMBADY 7-2-51 / Paid 2½as (Giles type 1), red GPO arrival 9 FE 1851, boxed AM delivery, scarce Tamil wax seals, fine South Indian pre-stamp postal history

COV-4075

7 December 1851

1851(7th December) cover sent from KIRCUMBADY to Madras. On reverse, handstruck stamp in red box shows "KIRCUMBADYI7-12-53/PAID AS ½" - date and rate in manuscript - GILES TYPE - 1. Also in red box "G.P.O./1853 DE 9" - GILES TYPE - MX5 with "A.M." in black cachet.

COV-3742

29 July 1853

India 1853 cover from Kircumbady (Giles Type 1) to Madras featuring handstruck postage, red boxed 'KIRCUMBADY/29 JULY 53/PAID1' and 'G.P.O./1853 AU 1' markings, square arrival cachet.

COV-260

1854

India, Kircumbady, 1854, "KIRCUMBADY/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike with manuscript "11-5-54" date and "1" (anna) rate markings on back of petite native cover to Madras, framed "AM" handstamp, red Madras G.P.O. (May 12) arrival datestamp, cover with slight overall soiling, Very Fine

COV-3627

4 September 1854

India Pre-Stamp Cover from Kircumbady (Giles #1), featuring scarce red GPO strikes and black 'AM' marking. Includes original contents, showcasing early postal history.

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About this mark

The Kircumbady HG 1 handstamp

Kircumbady seems to have been near Vellore in the North Arcot District, and appeared in the Post Office lists in 1854-55, but does not appear to have been included in the Imperial Gazetteer.

Kircumbady HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Kircumbady in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1841 to 1854. 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".

8 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 kircumbady pre stamp covers, kircumbady postal history or "Kircumbady HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Kircumbady marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Kircumbady HG 1 handstamp?: Kircumbady HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kircumbady in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1841 to 1854. 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 Kircumbady HG 1?: Kircumbady 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. 8 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Kircumbady pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kircumbady 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. 8 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 Kircumbady 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 (1841–1854). 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 Kircumbady

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Kircumbady is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Kircumbady HG 2handstampBlack1841

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

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026