What is the Samulcotah HG 3 handstamp?

Samulcotah HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Samulcotah (modern Samalkot) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1854. 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 Samulcotah HG 3?

Samulcotah 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. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Samulcotah pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Samulcotah 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. 3 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 Samulcotah 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 (1838–1854). 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.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Samulcotah HG 3

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1838–1854
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 184
Figure: 3
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 2 All Samulcotah

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-968

14 November 1838

Entire letter posted from Vizagapatam to Samulcotah on 14th November 1838, bearing the Vizagapatam HG-6 “Vizagapatam / 14 November / Bearing” handstamp in black. The letter was charged 4 annas postage due, which was collected at Samulcotah. The cover also bears the Samulcotah HG-3 “Samulcotah / Bearing” handstamp in black.

COV-2850

July 1839

Postal cover from waghorn (), bearing unknown handstamp in unknown. Dated July 1839. Scarce example of postal history from this office. Corinphila - 1839 (Feb 5): Entire letter started from Nice and completed in Toulon, France in May to Captain Cowper Rochfort, 27th Regiment of Native Infantry in Madras, India and redirected upon arrival, struck on reverse with oval framed "ROBERT GOWER / MARSEILLE / ALEXANDRIE / AUX SOINS DE THOMAS WAGHORN" handstamp in black - (Sidebottom unrecorded, Peter Smith lists as Type 12) - the unique example known annotated "159 - 3" inserted in manuscript. The entire was sent under cover via the steamer "Sesostris" from Marseille (May 21) to Syra (May 31) and thence on the French steamer "Tancrède" to Alexandria (June 4). From Suez on the EIC "Berenice" which left Suez (June 11) arriving in Bombay (June 27). Placed in the Mails there with framed BOMBAY handstamp in black, and redirected upon arrival with framed "SAMULCOTA / Bearing" handstamp in black (July 8) and again forwarded with framed "RAJAMUNDRY / Bearing" arrival (July 10). A wonderful entire with splendid contents with the lot - the entire also containing two superb hand-painted pictures. Unique and truly delightful entire. Signed Todd AIEP. Note 1: Part content: "I have long been wishing to write to you by this new conveyance of Mr. Waghorn's which will I believe convey this letter to you in 40 days, so that I will have answer from you in two months and half which really does sound pleasant to my ears...". Provenance: Collection of Rudi and Hilda Jeidel. See article in the Egypt Study Circle "Quarterly Circular", Number 118, June 1981, page 34.

COV-4202

1854

1854 : H.G. 2 & 3: Rajamundry is in Godavari District, Madras Presidency, on the left bank of the Godavari River 360 miles from Madras, it was Bussy's headquarters from 1754-57. Portions of the fort still remain. A letter sent from London to India in 1854, by sea from Southampton, at a postage rate of 1/~, prepaid, which first of all arrived in Madras GPO on the 30/03/1854, & was then sent to SAMULCOTAH, under Madras. All India slide type of despatch stamp "Madras/Date/Bearing", & 6 as. postage for the inland transit due.

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About this mark

The Samulcotah HG 3 handstamp

Samulcotah (Samalkot) is a town in the Cocanada taluk of Godavari District, Madras Presidency, situated 17°}' N and 82°10' E, 7 miles from Cocanada and 391 from Madras. It was formerly a military station, but was abandoned as such in 1869.

Samulcotah HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Samulcotah — the present-day Samalkot — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 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 3".

3 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 samulcotah pre stamp covers, samulcotah postal history or "Samulcotah HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Samulcotah marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Samulcotah HG 3 handstamp?: Samulcotah HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Samulcotah (modern Samalkot) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1854. 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 Samulcotah HG 3?: Samulcotah 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. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Samulcotah pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Samulcotah 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. 3 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 Samulcotah 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 (1838–1854). 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 Samulcotah

3 marks

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

View all Samulcotah marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Samulcotah HG 3, Samulcotah HG3, Samulcotah Giles 3, Samalkot postal history, Samulcotah handstamp, Samulcotah pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Samulcotah HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/samulcotah/hg-3 (accessed 13 November 2026).

Updated: 13 Nov 2026