Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Manuntaddy HG A
- Colour & date
- Black1860
- Rarity
- Rare
- Catalogue
- 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave) · p. 137
- Figure
- A
- Submitted by
- Chandak & Bhargave
Census
Census records
3 covers recorded3 pre-1854 covers bearing the Manuntaddy HG A handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Manuntaddy HG A handstamp
Manuntaddy is a small village in the Wynaad Valley in Malabar District, situated 11°49' N and 76° E. It is on a small hill in the midst of a range of mountains, at an elevation of about 5000 feet above sea level, and some 30 miles from the coast. In 1815 the Corps of Engineers from Madras commenced building barracks here, probably with a view to establishing a sanitarium also, because of its constant cool climate throughout the year.
Manuntaddy HG A is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of the post office at Manuntaddy — the present-day Mananthavady — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1860. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave), where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG A".
3 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 manuntaddy pre stamp covers, manuntaddy postal history or "Manuntaddy HGA" material can compare HG A across every office or browse the rest of the Manuntaddy marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Manuntaddy HG A handstamp?
- Manuntaddy HG A is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Manuntaddy (modern Mananthavady) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1860. The "HG A" 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 Manuntaddy HG A?
- Manuntaddy HG A is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
- What does a Manuntaddy pre stamp cover with HG A look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Manuntaddy 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 A. 3 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 Manuntaddy HG A cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1860). 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 Manuntaddy
4 marks4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Manuntaddy 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: Manuntaddy HG A, Manuntaddy HGA, Manuntaddy Giles A, Mananthavady postal history, Manuntaddy handstamp, Manuntaddy pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Manuntaddy HG A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/manuntaddy/hg-a (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026