Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Mercara HG 3
- Colour & date
- Red1838–1846
- Rarity
- Very scarce
- Catalogue
- 1993 Supplement · p. 20
- Figure
- 3
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Mercara HG 3 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Mercara HG 3 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 3 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 1846. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 3".
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 "Very scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for mercara pre stamp covers, mercara postal history or "Mercara HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Mercara marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Mercara HG 3 handstamp?
- Mercara HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mercara (modern Madikeri) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1846. 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 Mercara HG 3?
- Mercara HG 3 is graded "Very scarce" 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 Mercara pre stamp cover with HG 3 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 3. 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 Mercara 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 (1838–1846). 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 marks2 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.
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 3, Mercara HG3, Mercara Giles 3, Madikeri postal history, Mercara handstamp, Mercara pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Mercara HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/mercara/hg-3 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026