What is the Secunderabad HG 1 handstamp?

Secunderabad HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Secunderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1828 to 1837. The "HG 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes occur in blue, red and purple.

How rare is Secunderabad HG 1?

Secunderabad HG 1 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 8 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Secunderabad 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. 8 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 Secunderabad 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 (1828–1837). 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

Secunderabad HG 1

Handstamp Hyderabad State

Colours & dates: Blue1828–1837
Red1828–1837
Purple1828–1837
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 187
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

8 covers recorded

8 pre-1854 covers bearing the Secunderabad HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-312

30 October 1832

India, Secunderabad, 1832, "SECUNDERABAD/POST PAID" Double-Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Mostly clear strike with manuscript "Ship ps pd A3, Inland A8" rate and "30th October 1832" date markings on back of folded cover (missing side flap) to London, England, sender's directive "Per 1st Ship for England", framed "DEAL/INDIA LETTER" (Robertson In.5) and framed "Rate 2" handstamps, Madras Out Station Ship Letter (Nov. 5, Giles SD11) and Madras (Nov. 5) transit and London (Apr. 10) arrival datestamps, manuscript "1/-" rate marking, minor opening tear affecting London arrival marking, Fine and scarce strike of this Secunderabad marking

COV-830

23 February 1834

1834 : H.G. 1: The "SECUNDERABAD / POST PAID" stamp was used in black, red and purple ink and the cover below provides a fine example of this mark in purple applied in Feb. 1834 and in manuscript the postage rates were added, being Ship Postage Paid 3 as. and inland ditto 8 as. the letter was receipt date stamped in MADRAS on 1st March and it was to be a ship letter to be sent overseas from the interior the "OUTSTATION / MADRAS" stamp of 1824-51 was added.

COV-691

27 November 1834

India, Secunderabad, 1834, "SECUNDERABAD/POST PAID" Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold double-oval strike in magenta with manuscript "27th November 1834" despatch docketing on back of large part of folded cover (missing side flaps), addressed to London, England with address crossed out, sender's directive "England Via Bombay", Greenock Apr. 7 transit and London Apr. 10 arrival datestamps, "GREENOCK/INDIA SHIP LR" boxed handstamp (Robertson In. 1), rated "1/6", boxed "1/2", and "TP Rate 2" handstamps, cover with slight wrinkling and missing small pieces of flap from opening, still Very Fine strike of this rare handstamp, particularly in magenta

COV-961

16 August 1835

Mourning letter posted from Secunderabad to Ahmednagar, bearing the rare circular Secunderabad Post Paid handstamp (HG-1) in red. Posted on 16th August 1835, the letter prepaid a postage of 7 annas.

COV-884

23 April 1836

1836 (April 21) Entire letter from Secunderabad via Hyderabad to Edinburgh, showing on back faint but clear impression of oval handstamp “SECUNDERABAD POST PAID”, and “OUT STATION MADRAS SHIP LETTER” April 29 1836. Red “INDIA LETTER/DOVER” struck on reverse, together with London receiver of October 30. Charged on delivery 2s 8d and ½d Scotland border charge. The first postmark used by the British in Secunderabad. An important item of British India postal history that opens up beautifully to display the range of postmarks and annotations.

COV-1852

26 September 1836

COV-2064

August 1837

Secunderabad: 1837 (Aug.) entire to Edinburgh showing, on reverse, double oval-framed "SECUNDERABAD/POST/PAID" (HG 1) in red (a little oxidised), double oval-framed "OUT STATION/MADRAS/SHIP LETTER" datestamp (HG SD11), Madras oval datestamp (HG MX4) and Deal India Letter handstamp; generally good strikes. Photo.

COV-2565

21 August 1837

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About this mark

The Secunderabad HG 1 handstamp

Secunderabad was a British cantonment in the Hyderabad State, 6 miles from Hyderabad City, situated 1r27' N and 78°30' E. British troops formerly stationed here were known as the Subsidiary Force, paid for by revenue from districts ceded by the Nizam under the Treaty of 1800.... "

Secunderabad HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Secunderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1828 to 1837. Known strikes occur in blue, red and purple. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Secunderabad HG 1 handstamp?: Secunderabad HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Secunderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1828 to 1837. The "HG 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes occur in blue, red and purple.
How rare is Secunderabad HG 1?: Secunderabad HG 1 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 8 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Secunderabad pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Secunderabad 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. 8 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 Secunderabad 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 (1828–1837). 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 Secunderabad

6 marks

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

View all Secunderabad marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Secunderabad HG 1, Secunderabad HG1, Secunderabad Giles 1, Secunderabad handstamp, Secunderabad pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026