What is the Barelly HG 1 handstamp?

Barelly HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Barelly (modern Bareilly) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1819 to 1822. 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 Barelly HG 1?

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

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Barelly 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. 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 Barelly 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 (1819–1822). 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

Barelly HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1819–1822
Rarity: Scarce
Note: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 25
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-2434

23 June 1819

1819 Bareily – London entire via Calcutta & Cape route, with Bareily Giles 1 "BAREILY/Pt Pd" despatch handstamp, date "23rd June" (on front side) & rate "1Rs 2as" (paid 1R2A or 18A, comprising 15A single-letter inland postage to Calcutta + 3A outward sea postage) applied in manuscript. At Calcutta, Giles G4 "CALCUTTA/JLY 10/GENERAL POST OFFICE" receipt & Giles SD6 "CALCUTTA/10 July 1819/POST NOT PAID" (as British packet postage was not paid, sent bearing from India) applied. Sent to the UK through the Cape route via sailing ship TRIUMPH; in the UK, transited through Falmouth & sent to London after applying "INDIA LETTER/FALMOUTH" transit handstamp. At London, "A/31 DE 31/1819" receipt mark applied. "1/4" (1s 4d, comprising 4d India–UK reduced ship postage + 1s Falmouth–London single-letter inland postage) bearing postage applied, which was collected from the recipient.

COV-1252

28 June 1819

1819 BARELLY PPd HG 1 faint but scarce strike on fl to London with CALCUTTA POST NOT PAID HG SD6, INDIA LETTER FALMOUTH

COV-1885

17 May 1820

Barelly: 1820 (17 May) entire letter to London showing, on reverse, very rare framed "s,{tsttv/ppd" (HG 1, a little assisted) alongside Calcutta G.P.O. (HG SD8), India Letter Margate h.s. on face; interesting contents giving descriptive details of everyday 1iG of aJudge, both in and out of Court hours

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About this mark

The Barelly HG 1 handstamp

Barelly City, the Headquarters of the same named District in the United Provinces, with a cantonment, is situated 28°22' N and 79°24' E, 812 miles from Calcutta and 1031 from Bombay. It was first founded in 1537, and with the decline of the Moghal empire, came under the Rohilla power until 1774, when it fell into possession of the Nawab of Oudh, supported by the British, but passed into British hands by cession in 1801. During the uprising in 1857, it was an important centre of disaffection.

Barelly HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Barelly — the present-day Bareilly — in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1819 to 1822. 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".

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

Scarce

Frequently asked

What is the Barelly HG 1 handstamp?: Barelly HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Barelly (modern Bareilly) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1819 to 1822. 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 Barelly HG 1?: Barelly 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. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Barelly pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Barelly 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. 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 Barelly 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 (1819–1822). 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 Barelly

5 marks

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

View all Barelly marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Barelly HG 1, Barelly HG1, Barelly Giles 1, Bareilly postal history, Barelly handstamp, Barelly pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026