What is the Pondicherry HG 11 handstamp?

Pondicherry HG 11 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Pondicherry (modern Puducherry) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1854. The "HG 11" 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 Pondicherry HG 11?

Pondicherry HG 11 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 a Pondicherry pre stamp cover with HG 11 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Pondicherry 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 11. 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 a Pondicherry HG 11 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851–1854). 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.

Pondicherry HG 11 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1851–1854, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Pondicherry HG 11

Handstamp French territory

Colour & date: Black1851–1854
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 171
Figure: 11
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 10 All Pondicherry HG 12 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Pondicherry HG 11 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2553

6 April 1852

COV-2492

4 March 1854

Compare HG 11 across every office →

About this mark

The Pondicherry HG 11 handstamp

Pondicherry was the chief of the French Settlements in India, and is situated on the Coromandel coast, 11°56' N and 79°49' E, about 12 miles north of Cuddalore, and 105 miles from Madras. It was founded in 1674, captured by the Dutch in 1693, but was restored in 1699. It was besieged 4 times by the British. First, unsuccessfully by Admiral Boscawen in 1748, then by Eyre Coote in 1761, captured and returned in 1765. In 1778 it was captured by Sir Hector Munro, and the fortifications destroyed, but returned in 1785 under the Treaty of Versailles of 1783. It was captured a fourth time in 1793 by Colonel Braithwaite, and finally restored in 1816.

Pondicherry HG 11 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Pondicherry — the present-day Puducherry — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1854. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 11".

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 pondicherry pre stamp covers, pondicherry postal history or "Pondicherry HG11" material can compare HG 11 across every office or browse the rest of the Pondicherry marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Pondicherry HG 11 handstamp?: Pondicherry HG 11 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Pondicherry (modern Puducherry) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1854. The "HG 11" 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 Pondicherry HG 11?: Pondicherry HG 11 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 a Pondicherry pre stamp cover with HG 11 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Pondicherry 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 11. 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 a Pondicherry HG 11 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851–1854). 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 Pondicherry

15 marks

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

View all Pondicherry marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Pondicherry HG 11, Pondicherry HG11, Pondicherry Giles 11, Puducherry postal history, Pondicherry handstamp, Pondicherry pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Pondicherry HG 11 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/pondicherry/hg-11 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026