What is the Poonamullee HG 3 handstamp?

Poonamullee HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Poonamullee (modern Poonamallee) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1829 to 1837. 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 Poonamullee HG 3?

Poonamullee 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 a Poonamullee pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Poonamullee 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 a Poonamullee 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 (1829–1837). 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.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Poonamullee HG 3

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1829–1837
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 174
Figure: 3
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 2 All Poonamullee HG 4 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-522

4 July 1832

1832 (July 4): Entire letter to the Secretary of War in London endorsed "From Agnes Sparling Pensioner's Wife" at top, struck on despatch by framed "POONAMALLEE / POST PAID" handstamp, with oval MADRAS datestamp (July 6) both in black and superb (for this) "MADRAS SOLDIERS LETTER / FREE" in red (July 6). Struck on arrival with fine circular "INDIA SOLDIERS / 3 / LONDON" handstamp in black (Robertson In. Sol. 4) - rarely found so fine; this charge deleted and struck with "♚ / FREE" London datestamp (Dec 3) in red. Some docketing but a very fine and rare entire. Note: Agnes Sparling, writing from Poonamallee's Depot, addresses her enquiry to the Secretary of War at Horse Guards. Her husband was invalided home some four years previously from his Regiment and had promised to send money for his wife's support which was not forthcoming. Her father and brother had both recently died and no funds were now available and she asks the Secretary to deduct money from her husband's pension to support herself and two children.

COV-2337

18 August 1837

LONDON/POONAMULLEE - “INDIA SOLDIER &c/3/LONDON” WITH UNFRAMED “POONAMULLEE/POST FREE”; 18 Aug. 1837 EL (some dusting & wear) from Poonamullee to Scotland headed & countersigned for the Concession Rate for a Private with a mainly fine large encircled “INDIA SOLDIER &c/3/LONDON” (Rob. In.Sol.3) on the front alongside a very fine unframed “POONAMULLEE/POST FREE” mark alongside. Attractive. PHOTO - see page 43.

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About this mark

The Poonamullee HG 3 handstamp

Poonamullee is a town and cantonment in the Saidapet taluk of the Chingleput District, Madras Presidency, situated 13°3' N and 80°7' E, on the west trunk road 13 miles west of Madras. There is a fort, built by the Muslims and of considerable use in holding the country, towards both Madras and Conjeeveram, during the wars of the Carnatic.

Poonamullee HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Poonamullee — the present-day Poonamallee — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1829 to 1837. 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 poonamullee pre stamp covers, poonamullee postal history or "Poonamullee HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Poonamullee marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Poonamullee HG 3 handstamp?: Poonamullee HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Poonamullee (modern Poonamallee) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1829 to 1837. 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 Poonamullee HG 3?: Poonamullee 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 a Poonamullee pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Poonamullee 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 a Poonamullee 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 (1829–1837). 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 Poonamullee

4 marks

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

View all Poonamullee 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: Poonamullee HG 3, Poonamullee HG3, Poonamullee Giles 3, Poonamallee postal history, Poonamullee handstamp, Poonamullee pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026