North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Hurdwar HG 1
- Colour & date
- Black1848
- Rarity
- Common
- Category
- Bearing
- Note
- Boxed "HURDWAR / 1848 / BEARING"
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
3 covers recorded3 pre-1854 covers bearing the Hurdwar HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Hurdwar HG 1 handstamp
Hurdwar, an ancient town and place of pilgrimage in Saharunpore District, United Provinces, situated 29°58' N and 78°10' E is on the right bank of the Ganges at the foot of the Siwaliks.
Hurdwar HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Hurdwar — the present-day Haridwar — in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1848. 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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for hurdwar pre stamp covers, hurdwar postal history or "Hurdwar HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Hurdwar marks.
Boxed "HURDWAR / 1848 / BEARING"
Frequently asked
- What is the Hurdwar HG 1 handstamp?
- Hurdwar HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Hurdwar (modern Haridwar) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1848. 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 Hurdwar HG 1?
- Hurdwar 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. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
- What does a Hurdwar pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Hurdwar 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 Hurdwar 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 (1848). 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: Hurdwar HG 1, Hurdwar HG1, Hurdwar Giles 1, Haridwar postal history, Hurdwar handstamp, Hurdwar pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Hurdwar HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/hurdwar/hg-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026