What is the Madras HG 17 handstamp?

Madras HG 17 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Madras (modern Chennai) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1833 to 1837. The "HG 17" 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 Madras HG 17?

Madras HG 17 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 5 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Madras pre stamp cover with HG 17 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Madras 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 17. 5 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 Madras HG 17 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1833-37). 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

Madras HG 17

Handstamp

Date Span: 1833-37
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Note: 2nd setting P midway under RA
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 129
Figure: 17
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 16 All Madras HG 18 →

Census

Census records

5 covers recorded

5 pre-1854 covers bearing the Madras HG 17 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1975

June 1836

Madras: 1836 (19 June) entire letter from Pondicherry to Bordeaux showing, on reverse, manuscript "The Overland Postage Paid One Rupee" and with rare "INDIA/Packet Letter/PAID" (HG SD3), oval-framed "MADRAS/POST PAID" datestamp (HG 17), London and Bordeaux c.d.s., together with a good strike of the Malta Lazaret red wax seal, the face with London framed "Packet Letter" overstruck by double-ring "ANGLETERRE PAR CALAIS" in red; the cover with overall toning, possibly caused by fumigation. A very rare cover conveyed on the Euphrates Expedition by Col. Chesney, on the first ascent of the river Tigris. Note: The Chesney Expedition was subsidised by the Steam Committee in England and, under the command of Col. Chesney, carried out an experimental scheme of opening up a regular route via the Persian Gulf and the River Euphrates, along which flat-bottomed steamers were to carry mail as far up the river as possible, and then to send it overland via Beirut. The route was to be tested as an alternative to the Red Sea route, because of the difficulties that the steamers experienced on the latter route during the monsoon.

COV-1394

21 June 1836

Originating in Pondicherry on Jun. 13, 1836

COV-1397

10 October 1836

COV-1398

17 November 1836

COV-1399

8 January 1837

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About this mark

The Madras HG 17 handstamp

Chennai, also known as Madras, is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in south-eastern India.

Madras HG 17 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Madras — the present-day Chennai — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1833 to 1837. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 17".

5 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 madras pre stamp covers, madras postal history or "Madras HG17" material can compare HG 17 across every office or browse the rest of the Madras marks.

2nd setting P midway under RA

Frequently asked

What is the Madras HG 17 handstamp?: Madras HG 17 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Madras (modern Chennai) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1833 to 1837. The "HG 17" 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 Madras HG 17?: Madras HG 17 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 5 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Madras pre stamp cover with HG 17 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Madras 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 17. 5 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 Madras HG 17 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1833-37). 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 Madras

81 marks

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

View all Madras 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: Madras HG 17, Madras HG17, Madras Giles 17, Chennai postal history, Madras handstamp, Madras pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Madras HG 17 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/madras/hg-17 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026