What is the Mercara HG 1 handstamp?

Mercara HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mercara (modern Madikeri) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1857. The "HG 1" 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 Mercara HG 1?

Mercara HG 1 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 Mercara pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mercara 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. 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 Mercara 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 (1838–1857). 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.

Mercara HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1838–1857, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Mercara HG 1

Handstamp Mysore State

Colour & date: Red1838–1857
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 141
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

5 covers recorded

5 pre-1854 covers bearing the Mercara HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-946

22 Dec 1838

Entire posted from Mysore to Mercara with double postage 6 annas paid, addressed to Captain Harley Superintendent of Coorg with Mysore HG4 All India Type handstamp in red color along with Mercra HG1 All India Type handstamp in red color

COV-875

23 May 1843

Mercerra-23rd May 1844 to Mysore handstamped with British Imperial All India Type Rectangle, Mercerra Paid.

COV-3302

18 October 1854

INDIA, 1854, ½a Blue, Die I (2; SG 4). Large to full margins, tied by diamond of dots cancel on cover to Cheltenham, England, sender's directive "Overland via Marseilles", red framed Mercara Paid handstamp (Giles 1) with "18-10-54" (Oct. 18, 1854) date added, Calcutta (Oct. 2?) and London (Nov. 28) transit and Cheltenham (Nov. 29) arrival backstamps, manuscript "1/10" rate marking, Extremely Fine, a scarce use of the ½a Lithograph used during the first month, the ½a paid the inland rate with packet postage unpaid, ex Dr. Kornan

COV-2675

19 November 1854

India, 1854, 1a Red, Die I (4; SG 12). Stone "A", "L" shaped block of nine, Positions 49-54/60-62, mostly large margins, just touching in several places at top, tied by diamond of dots cancels on large portion of 1854 folded letter front only with top flap to Cheltenham, England, sender's directive "Overland via Southampton", red framed "MERCARA, Paid" (Giles 1) with manuscript "18th 11-/54" date added despatch on flap, bold red Madras (Nov. 22) and London (Jan. 5, 1855) transit, the latter also ties the block, and partial Cheltenham arrival datestamps, front with some flaws including tear thru despatch marking FINE AND RARE USE OF AN "L" SHAPED BLOCK OF NINE OF THE ONE-ANNA LITHOGRAPH FROM DIE I. Multiples of this size used on cover are rarely encountered. Not to mention, this is a very early use as stamps were issued Oct. 1, 1854.

COV-4288

20 November 1856

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About this mark

The Mercara HG 1 handstamp

Mercara is the chief town of Coorg, South India, situated 12°25' N and 75°44' E. It consists of the native town of Mahadevapet and a fort, built by Tippoo. On the approach of the British against Seringapatam in 1790, the fort was evacuated by Tippoo's troops, and delivered over to the Rajah of Coorg. It surrendered to the British without opposition in 1834.

Mercara HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Mercara — the present-day Madikeri — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1857. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1".

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 mercara pre stamp covers, mercara postal history or "Mercara HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Mercara marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Mercara HG 1 handstamp?: Mercara HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mercara (modern Madikeri) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1857. The "HG 1" 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 Mercara HG 1?: Mercara HG 1 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 Mercara pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mercara 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. 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 Mercara 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 (1838–1857). 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 Mercara

2 marks

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

View all Mercara 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: Mercara HG 1, Mercara HG1, Mercara Giles 1, Madikeri postal history, Mercara handstamp, Mercara pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Mercara HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/mercara/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026