What is the Mangalore HG 3 handstamp?

Mangalore HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mangalore (modern Mangaluru) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1859. 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 Mangalore HG 3?

Mangalore 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. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Mangalore pre stamp cover with HG 3 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 3. 7 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 3 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1859). 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.

Mangalore HG 3 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1838–1859, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Mangalore HG 3

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1838–1859
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 137
Figure: 3
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 2 All Mangalore HG 4 →

Census

Census records

7 covers recorded

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

COV-473

1841

India, Mangalore, 1841, "MANGALORE/1841 November 16/Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 3). Clear strike in red with manuscript "2 As" rate added on back of folded letter to Van Ingen at Yellwall, Very Fine and choice strike, Van Ingen were famous taxidermists based in Mysore

COV-3831

21 August 1845

Entire posted from Mangalore to Lione in France by the steamer "Bentick" to Madras via Marseilles with "Mangalore/ 1845 August 21/ Paid" HG3 All India type handstamp with slide in red color along with "Madras/ G.P.O./1845 AU31" SD21 handstamp with 6 annas inland and 8 annas steam postage paid.

COV-4182

22 October 1847

This handstamp was used as per Giles during 1938 to 1842, hence, this cover extend the period up to 1847.

COV-1385

1849

1849 MANGALORE Paid Giles 3 on folded entire to UK, with boxed AM, Madras G.P.O., UK transit and delivery

COV-2444

30 October 1849

1849 Mangalore – Aberdeen overland entire via Madras & Southampton, with Giles 3 "MANGALORE/1849 Sept 5/Paid" handstamp, rate "6 As" (paid 6A single-letter inland postage to Madras, as the distance was between 400 to 600 miles) applied in manuscript. At Madras, Giles MX6 "GPO/1849 SE 11" & "AM" transit marks applied. Sent to London via the Southampton route, with "1/" India–UK bearing rate for a letter under ½ oz applied in manuscript. At London, "OR/30 OC 30/1849" transit mark applied, and at Aberdeen the delivery mark applied. Bearing 1s was collected from the recipient.

COV-3590

29 October 1859

COV-3695

15 January 1860

East India 1860 postal history letter sheet from Tanjore to Mangalore redirected to Sirce, with Rare reversed "C" cancellation, franked with 1/2a blue stamp, cancelled by diamond of dots "144" variety, with transit/arrival markings

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About this mark

The Mangalore HG 3 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 3 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 1838 to 1859. 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".

7 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 mangalore pre stamp covers, mangalore postal history or "Mangalore HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Mangalore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Mangalore HG 3 handstamp?: Mangalore HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mangalore (modern Mangaluru) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1859. 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 Mangalore HG 3?: Mangalore 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. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Mangalore pre stamp cover with HG 3 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 3. 7 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 3 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1859). 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 marks

5 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.

View all Mangalore 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: Mangalore HG 3, Mangalore HG3, Mangalore Giles 3, Mangaluru postal history, Mangalore handstamp, Mangalore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026