Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Punjamal HG 1
- Colour & date
- Red1856
- Rarity
- Rare
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- Pragya Jain
Census
Census records
2 covers recorded2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Punjamal HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Punjamal HG 1 handstamp
Palayamkottai (பாளையங்கோட்டை) is a historic urban area in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India, situated on the eastern side of the Thamirabarani River. Often called the “Oxford of South India,” it is renowned for its educational institutions, colonial-era heritage, religious landmarks, and important role in the development of modern Tirunelveli.
Punjamal HG 1 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of the post office at Punjamal — the present-day Palayamkottai — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1856. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 1" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for punjamal pre stamp covers, punjamal postal history or "Punjamal HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Punjamal marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Punjamal HG 1 handstamp?
- Punjamal HG 1 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Punjamal (modern Palayamkottai) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1856. 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 Punjamal HG 1?
- Punjamal HG 1 is graded "Rare" 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 Punjamal pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Punjamal 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. 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 Punjamal 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 (1856). 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.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Punjamal HG 1, Punjamal HG1, Punjamal Giles 1, Palayamkottai postal history, Punjamal handstamp, Punjamal pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Punjamal HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/punjamal/hg-1 (accessed 17 October 2026).
Updated: 17 Oct 2026