What is the Rajamundry HG 1 handstamp?

Rajamundry HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Rajamundry (modern Rajamahendravaram) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1837 to 1855. 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 Rajamundry HG 1?

Rajamundry 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Rajamundry 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. 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 Rajamundry 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 (1837–1855). 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

Rajamundry HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1837–1855
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 177
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Rajamundry HG 1 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-545

1837

1837-38 Military Postmaster's postal record of letters posted with postmarks impressed within the notebook reflecting addressee, place of posting and cost of postage; the postmarks comprise unframed "chicacole/post paid" in red (unlisted by Hammond Giles), unframed "chicacole/post not paid" in black (unlisted), "chicacole/Bearing" (unlisted), "chicacole/Paid" in red, "vizianagram/Paid" in red (unlisted), "payakerowpet/Paid" in red-black (unlisted), "rajamundry/Paid", oval-framed "rajamundry/free" in red, "ellore/Paid", "comercolly/Paid", "monigalah/Paid" (unlisted), "secunderabad/Paid" d.s. in red, "secunderabad/Bearing" d.s. and "jaulnah/Paid" d.s. in red, most with multiple strikes ranging from poor to fine. A most remarkable record.

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About this mark

The Rajamundry HG 1 handstamp

Rajamundry is in Godavari District, Madras Presidency, on the left bank of the Godavari River, 360 miles from Madras, and is situated 17°1' N and 81°46' E. It was Bussy's headq uarters from 1754 to 1757. Portions of the fort still remain.

Rajamundry HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Rajamundry — the present-day Rajamahendravaram — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1837 to 1855. 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".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for rajamundry pre stamp covers, rajamundry postal history or "Rajamundry HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Rajamundry marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Rajamundry HG 1 handstamp?: Rajamundry HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Rajamundry (modern Rajamahendravaram) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1837 to 1855. 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 Rajamundry HG 1?: Rajamundry 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Rajamundry pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Rajamundry 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. 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 Rajamundry 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 (1837–1855). 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 Rajamundry

2 marks

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

View all Rajamundry 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: Rajamundry HG 1, Rajamundry HG1, Rajamundry Giles 1, Rajamahendravaram postal history, Rajamundry handstamp, Rajamundry pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026