What is the Ootacamund HG 3 handstamp?

Ootacamund HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ootacamund (modern Udhagamandalam) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1836 to 1838. The "HG 3" 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 Ootacamund HG 3?

Ootacamund HG 3 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does an Ootacamund pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ootacamund 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. 2 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 an Ootacamund 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 (1836–1838). 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.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Ootacamund HG 3

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1836–1838
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 161
Figure: 3
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 2 All Ootacamund HG 4 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Ootacamund HG 3 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2446

19 July 1836

1836 Ootacamund – Calcutta via Madras inland service cover, sent with Giles 3 "OOTACAMUND/FREE" handstamp, date "15 July 1836" applied in manuscript. As it was sent under military service, no postage was charged. Transited through Madras & there Giles MX4 "MADRAS/19 JY 19/1836" transit mark applied. Sent to Calcutta via Ganjam, and there Giles G9 "CALCUTTA/GPO/31 JUL/1836" receipt mark applied.

COV-815

1938 : H.G. 3: Letter posted from OOTACAMUND [19 Sept.] to CALICUT. The letter was on government Service, hence postage

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About this mark

The Ootacamund HG 3 handstamp

Ootacamund, the headquarters of the Nilgiri District, Madras Presidency, IS situated 11°25' N and 76°42' E, on the Nilgiri plateau, about 7500 feet above sea level. It is 356 miles from Madras, 1053 from Bombay and 1374 from Calcutta. First discovered by two civilians in 1818, and recommended as a health resort. The first house was built in 1821 by the Collector at Coimbatore, and in 1827 the authorities established it as the sanitarium of the Presidency.

Ootacamund HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Ootacamund — the present-day Udhagamandalam — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1836 to 1838. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 3".

2 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 ootacamund pre stamp covers, ootacamund postal history or "Ootacamund HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Ootacamund marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Ootacamund HG 3 handstamp?: Ootacamund HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ootacamund (modern Udhagamandalam) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1836 to 1838. The "HG 3" 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 Ootacamund HG 3?: Ootacamund HG 3 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does an Ootacamund pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ootacamund 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. 2 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 an Ootacamund 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 (1836–1838). 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 Ootacamund

5 marks

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

View all Ootacamund 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: Ootacamund HG 3, Ootacamund HG3, Ootacamund Giles 3, Udhagamandalam postal history, Ootacamund handstamp, Ootacamund pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Ootacamund HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/ootacamund/hg-3 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026