Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Mangalore HG 1A
- Colour & date
- Red1837
- Rarity
- 1 example recorded
- Figure
- 1A
- Submitted by
- Gowtham BJ
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Mangalore HG 1A handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Mangalore HG 1A 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 1A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Mangalore — the present-day Mangaluru — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1837. Known strikes are in red. 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 mangalore pre stamp covers, mangalore postal history or "Mangalore HG1A" material can compare HG 1A across every office or browse the rest of the Mangalore marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Mangalore HG 1A handstamp?
- Mangalore HG 1A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mangalore (modern Mangaluru) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1837. The "HG 1A" 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 Mangalore HG 1A?
- Mangalore 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 Mangalore pre stamp cover with HG 1A 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 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 Mangalore 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 (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 1A, Mangalore HG1A, Mangalore Giles 1A, Mangaluru postal history, Mangalore handstamp, Mangalore pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Mangalore HG 1A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/mangalore/hg-1a (accessed 15 August 2026).
Updated: 15 Aug 2026