What is the Allahabad HG 1b handstamp?

Allahabad HG 1b is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Allahabad (modern Prayagraj) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use —. The "HG 1b" 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 Allahabad HG 1b?

Allahabad HG 1b has 1 example recorded 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 an Allahabad pre stamp cover with HG 1b look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Allahabad 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 1b. 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 an Allahabad HG 1b cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (—). 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

Allahabad HG 1b

Intaglio

Colour & date: Black—
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Catalogue: 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave) · p. 1
Figure: 1b
Submitted by: Chandak & Bhargave

← HG 1a All Allahabad HG 2 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-782

Unrecorded : Intaglio "ALLAHABAD / POST OFFICE" mark in double circle & having a addition line around outer & inner circle.

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About this mark

The Allahabad HG 1b handstamp

Allahabad is situated 25°26' N and 81°50' E, on the left bank of the River Jumna, on a wedge of land formed by its confluence with the Ganges. Headquarters for the District and, in the 19th Century, was the seat of Government in the United Provinces_

Allahabad HG 1b is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Allahabad — the present-day Prayagraj — in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use —. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave), where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1b".

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 "1 example recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for allahabad pre stamp covers, allahabad postal history or "Allahabad HG1b" material can compare HG 1b across every office or browse the rest of the Allahabad marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Allahabad HG 1b handstamp?: Allahabad HG 1b is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Allahabad (modern Prayagraj) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use —. The "HG 1b" 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 Allahabad HG 1b?: Allahabad HG 1b has 1 example recorded 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 an Allahabad pre stamp cover with HG 1b look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Allahabad 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 1b. 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 an Allahabad HG 1b cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (—). 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 Allahabad

14 marks

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

View all Allahabad 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: Allahabad HG 1b, Allahabad HG1b, Allahabad Giles 1b, Prayagraj postal history, Allahabad handstamp, Allahabad pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026