Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Poonamullee HG 6
- Colour & date
- Black1852
- Rarity
- Rare
- Figure
- 6
- Submitted by
- Stampbay
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Poonamullee HG 6 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Poonamullee HG 6 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 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Poonamullee — the present-day Poonamallee — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1852. Known strikes are in black. Its "HG 6" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for poonamullee pre stamp covers, poonamullee postal history or "Poonamullee HG6" material can compare HG 6 across every office or browse the rest of the Poonamullee marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Poonamullee HG 6 handstamp?
- Poonamullee HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Poonamullee (modern Poonamallee) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1852. The "HG 6" 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 6?
- Poonamullee HG 6 is graded "Rare" 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 a Poonamullee pre stamp cover with HG 6 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 6. 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 a Poonamullee HG 6 cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1852). 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 marks4 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.
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 6, Poonamullee HG6, Poonamullee Giles 6, Poonamallee postal history, Poonamullee handstamp, Poonamullee pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Poonamullee HG 6 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/poonamullee/hg-6 (accessed 16 August 2026).
Updated: 16 Aug 2026