What is the Palaveram HG 1 handstamp?

Palaveram HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Palaveram (modern Pallavaram) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1826 to 1837. 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 Palaveram HG 1?

Palaveram 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. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Palaveram pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Palaveram 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. 4 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 Palaveram 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 (1826–1837). 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.

Palaveram HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1826–1837, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Palaveram HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1826–1837
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 163
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

4 covers recorded

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

COV-2315

21 September 1826

NUDDEA/PALAVERAM - BOXED FANCY “POST OFFICE” OR PLAIN RED “POST PAID” TYPES; 12/16 Apr. 1829 EL to London with mainly fine rare large boxed “NUDDEA/POST OFFICE/Pt Pd [6as]/Sa. m ./1829” mark (HG1; earliest known mark of this P.O.?) across the join beside a partial boxed “INDIA LETTER/LIVERPOOL”; plus 21 Sept. 1826 E (side-flaps removed and flap cut for display) to Surrey with a very fine red boxed “PALAVERAM/POST PAID” (HG1; earliest known mark of this P.O.?) on the flap beside the Madras SL d.s. and a fine boxed “INDIA LETTER/DEAL”. Good early pair. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page 37

COV-2056

16 November 1834

Palaveram: 1834 (16 Nov.) entire letter to England, the reverse showing very fine strike of the oval framed "PALAVERAM/POST PAID" (HG 1) in red, with Madras and London transit datestamps adjacent, framed "INDIA LETTER/PORTSMOUTH" on address panel; fine and scarce. Interesting content.

COV-4203

27 December 1835

COV-3903

1837

India 1837 prestamp cover from PALAVERAM (Giles Type 1) via Madras, stamped w/ maritime mail cachet "India Letter/ Hastings" to England

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About this mark

The Palaveram HG 1 handstamp

Palaveram town and cantonment is in the Saidapet taluk of the Chingleput District, Madras Presidency, situated 12°59' N and 80°10' E, 3 miles from St Thomas's Mount. It was called the Presidency Cantonment, troops being kept there for garrisoning and protecting Madras City.

Palaveram HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Palaveram — the present-day Pallavaram — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1826 to 1837. 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".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Palaveram HG 1 handstamp?: Palaveram HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Palaveram (modern Pallavaram) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1826 to 1837. 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 Palaveram HG 1?: Palaveram 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. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Palaveram pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Palaveram 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. 4 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 Palaveram 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 (1826–1837). 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 Palaveram

3 marks

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

View all Palaveram 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: Palaveram HG 1, Palaveram HG1, Palaveram Giles 1, Pallavaram postal history, Palaveram handstamp, Palaveram pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026