What is the Etawah HG 1 handstamp?

Etawah HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Etawah in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1824 to 1834. 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 Etawah HG 1?

Etawah 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 an Etawah pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Etawah 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 an Etawah 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 (1824–1834). 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.

Etawah HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1824–1834, Black

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Etawah HG 1

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1824–1834
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 87
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

All Etawah

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-1953

17 June 1824

Etawah: 1805 (18 Oct.) entire letter to Scotland shor.r,.ing manuscript "Post F '13 Anas" and showing, on reverse across join, ovai-framed "Benga1,/c.p.o./ocr:/posr pArD" (HG SD2), and 1824 (17 June) entire letter to Devon showing, on reverse, largely fine oval-framed "rrawan/pr ro" (HG 1, the earliest recorded date of use), fiamed "INoIa LETTER/DEAL" and, on face Calcutta G.P.O. c.d.s. (HG SD8). Photo for 1ast

COV-1059

11 December 1829

Etawah: 1829 (11 Dec.) entire (side flaps missing) to Chittore showing a good strike of the rare double oval "Erawan/..pr po.. d.s. with "ro Nagpore 9as"below

COV-414

9 February 1834

India, Etawah, 1834, "ETAWAH PTPD/18__" Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Mostly clear strike with manuscript " (18) 34 18 Feby" date and "13 as" rate added on back of folded letter datelined "Camp Nawulgunge, 9th Feby 1834", addressed to London, England, framed "INDIA LETTER/BRIGHTON" handstamp (Robertson In. 2), Calcutta (Feb. 27) transit and London (Jul. 14) arrival backstamps, manuscript "1/-" rate marking, intricate green wax seal (split due to opening), Very Fine, noted as "scarce" by Giles

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About this mark

The Etawah HG 1 handstamp

Etawah, headquarters of the same named District, United Provinces, is situated 26°46' N and 79°1' E, at the junction of the road from Farruckhabad to Gwalior with the old imperial road from Agra to Allahabad.

Etawah HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Etawah in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1824 to 1834. 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 etawah pre stamp covers, etawah postal history or "Etawah HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Etawah marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Etawah HG 1 handstamp?: Etawah HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Etawah in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1824 to 1834. 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 Etawah HG 1?: Etawah 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 an Etawah pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Etawah 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 an Etawah 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 (1824–1834). 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.

Suggest a correction

Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.

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

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026

Etawah HG 1

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The Etawah HG 1 handstamp

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