Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Nagercoil HG 1
- Colour & date
- Red1829
- Rarity
- Common
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 151
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Nagercoil HG 1 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Nagercoil HG 1 handstamp
Nagercoil, once the capital of Travancore State, Madras Presidency , is situated 8°10 ' N and 7r28' E, within 7 miles from the Aramboli Pass, 510 miles from Madras, and 1483 from C alcutta. The London Missionary Society established a school, hospital, and p rinting pre ss here.
Nagercoil HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Nagercoil in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1829. 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".
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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for nagercoil pre stamp covers, nagercoil postal history or "Nagercoil HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Nagercoil marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Nagercoil HG 1 handstamp?
- Nagercoil HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Nagercoil in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1829. 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 Nagercoil HG 1?
- Nagercoil 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
- What does a Nagercoil pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Nagercoil 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. 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 Nagercoil 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 (1829). 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 Nagercoil
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of Nagercoil is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place 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: Nagercoil HG 1, Nagercoil HG1, Nagercoil Giles 1, Nagercoil handstamp, Nagercoil pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Nagercoil HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/nagercoil/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026