Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Ongole HG 1
- Date Span
- 1827
- Colour
- Black
- Rarity
- Scarce
- Note
- Scarce
- Catalogue
- 1993 Supplement · p. 23
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Ongole HG 1 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Ongole HG 1 handstamp
Ongole is a city in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, of which it is the headquarters.
Ongole HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Ongole in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1827. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, 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 "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for ongole pre stamp covers, ongole postal history or "Ongole HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Ongole marks.
Scarce
Frequently asked
- What is the Ongole HG 1 handstamp?
- Ongole HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ongole in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1827. The "HG 1" 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 Ongole HG 1?
- Ongole HG 1 is graded "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 an Ongole pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ongole 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 an Ongole 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 (1827). 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.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Ongole HG 1, Ongole HG1, Ongole Giles 1, Ongole handstamp, Ongole pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Ongole HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/ongole/hg-1 (accessed 24 September 2026).
Updated: 24 Sept 2026