Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Mangalore HG 1
- Colour & date
- Black1831–1837
- Rarity
- Rare
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 137
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
2 covers recorded2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Mangalore HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Mangalore HG 1 handstamp
Mangalore is the administrative headquarters of South Kanara District, Madras Presidency, on the shore of the Indian Ocean, situated 12°52' N and 74°51' E. Captured by the East India Company in 1781, but surrendered to Tippoo Sultan, after a heroic defence by Colonel Campbell. It was recaptured in 1799.
Mangalore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Mangalore — the present-day Mangaluru — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1831 to 1837. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1".
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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for mangalore pre stamp covers, mangalore postal history or "Mangalore HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Mangalore marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Mangalore HG 1 handstamp?
- Mangalore HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mangalore (modern Mangaluru) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1831 to 1837. The "HG 1" 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 Mangalore HG 1?
- Mangalore HG 1 is graded "Rare" 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 Mangalore pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mangalore 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. 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 Mangalore 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 (1831–1837). 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 Mangalore
5 marks5 other pre-1854 postal markings of Mangalore are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on 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: Mangalore HG 1, Mangalore HG1, Mangalore Giles 1, Mangaluru postal history, Mangalore handstamp, Mangalore pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Mangalore HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/mangalore/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026