What is the Ajmere HG 1 handstamp?

Ajmere HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ajmere (modern Ajmer) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1850 to 1853. The "HG 1" 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 Ajmere HG 1?

Ajmere 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. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does an Ajmere pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ajmere 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. 4 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 an Ajmere 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 (1850–1853). 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.

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Ajmere HG 1

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Black1850–1853
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 13
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

4 covers recorded

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

COV-1934

1850

Early Covers and Cancellations 1838-55 group of entire letters (5) all with boxed 'Paid' cachets comprising 1838 (Jan.) entire from an Army Officer in Karnaul to Calcutta with 'karnaul/ paid' cachet in red, 1838/40 native entire with 'jubulpore/ paid' cachet in red, 1848/49 native entire with 'bangalore/ paid' boxed cachet in red, 1850/53 native entire with 'ajmere/ paid' cachet in red and 1855 native entire letter with 'neemuch/ paid' cachet in red; a good to fine group of scarce hand struck markings

COV-2029

14 May 1850

1850 (May 14) AJMERE Paid Giles 1 on small fl (2 images)

COV-1186

Ajmere Paid/Bearing strike on fl

COV-3622

India Postal History Pre-Adhesive Folded Letter Fragment, Featuring a Clear Red Boxed 'AJMERE' Handstruck Postage Mark, Classified as Giles Type 1, Showing Native Script Annotations

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About this mark

The Ajmere HG 1 handstamp

Ajmere was an important city in an isolated British Province of Ajmer-Merwara in Rajpootana, 26°27' N and 74°37' E , 677 miles from Bombay, and 275 from Delhi. At the close of the Pindari War, it was ceded by Daulat Rao to the British under the Treaty of 25th June, 1818.

Ajmere HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Ajmere — the present-day Ajmer — in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1850 to 1853. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1".

4 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 ajmere pre stamp covers, ajmere postal history or "Ajmere HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Ajmere marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Ajmere HG 1 handstamp?: Ajmere HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ajmere (modern Ajmer) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1850 to 1853. The "HG 1" 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 Ajmere HG 1?: Ajmere 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. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does an Ajmere pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ajmere 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. 4 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 an Ajmere 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 (1850–1853). 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 Ajmere

5 marks

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

View all Ajmere 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: Ajmere HG 1, Ajmere HG1, Ajmere Giles 1, Ajmer postal history, Ajmere handstamp, Ajmere pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Ajmere HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/ajmere/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026