What is the Kotirgherry HG 3 handstamp?

Kotirgherry HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kotirgherry (modern Kotagiri) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1844. The "HG 3" 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 Kotirgherry HG 3?

Kotirgherry HG 3 is graded "Common" 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 Kotirgherry pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kotirgherry 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 3. 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 Kotirgherry HG 3 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1839–1844). 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.

Kotirgherry HG 3 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1839–1844, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Kotirgherry HG 3

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1839–1844
Rarity: Common
Category: Free
Note: Kotirghery — Free (oval)
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 119
Figure: 3
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 2 All Kotirgherry

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-2438

7 June 1843

1843 Kotirghery – London overland EIC service wrapper via Bombay & Falmouth route, with Giles 3 "KOTIRGHERY/FREE" handstamp, date "7th June 43" applied in manuscript, sent free to Bombay & there Giles SD6 "INDIA" port transit applied. Sent to Aden via EIC steamer Semiramis II, then to Suez via EIC steamer ATALANTA, then travelled overland to Alexandria & from there sent to Falmouth via P&O steamer ORIENT. At London, "D/6 AU 6/1843" receipt mark applied. "1/" (indicating 1s India–UK rate via the Falmouth route, for a letter under ½ oz) bearing rate collected from the recipient.

COV-3410

6 June 1844

Entire posted from Kotirghery in Madras presidency to London having HG3 handstamp "Kotirghery/ Free" along with India oval handstam sent postage free to London on 6th June 1844 and reached London on 8th August 1844 via Southampton.

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About this mark

The Kotirgherry HG 3 handstamp

Kotirgherry is a hillstation in the Nilgiri District, Madras Presidency, situated 11°26 " N and 76°52' E, 18 miles from Ootacamund and 12 from Coonoor.

Kotirgherry HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Kotirgherry — the present-day Kotagiri — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1844. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 3".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for kotirgherry pre stamp covers, kotirgherry postal history or "Kotirgherry HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Kotirgherry marks.

Kotirghery — Free (oval)

Frequently asked

What is the Kotirgherry HG 3 handstamp?: Kotirgherry HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kotirgherry (modern Kotagiri) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1844. The "HG 3" 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 Kotirgherry HG 3?: Kotirgherry HG 3 is graded "Common" 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 Kotirgherry pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kotirgherry 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 3. 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 Kotirgherry HG 3 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1839–1844). 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 Kotirgherry

2 marks

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

View all Kotirgherry 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: Kotirgherry HG 3, Kotirgherry HG3, Kotirgherry Giles 3, Kotagiri postal history, Kotirgherry handstamp, Kotirgherry pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Kotirgherry HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/kotirgherry/hg-3 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026