What is the Landour HG 1 handstamp?

Landour HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Landour in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1830 to 1831. 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 Landour HG 1?

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

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Landour 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 a Landour 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 (1830-31). 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

Landour HG 1

Handstamp

Date Span: 1830-31
Colour: Black
Rarity: Scarce
Note: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 124
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

4 covers recorded

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

COV-651

12 July 1830

India, Landour, 1830, "LANDOUR" Straightline Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold strike on back of 1830 folded letter datelined "Mussoree July 12th", addressed to Ludlow, England, framed "INDIA LETTER/DEAL" handstamp (Robertson In. 1), red Calcutta Ship Letter and London (Dec. 13) transit backstamps, manuscript "1/3" due rate marking, Very Fine strike of this rare marking, Giles shows the “LANDOUR” straightline with “POST PAID”, but this example does not have the “POST PAID”

COV-512

8 April 1831

1828-53, Specialised collection of 23 pre-stamp entires all neatly mounted and written up on album pages, some with letters including transcripts, showing straight-line mkgs LANDOUR (Hammond Giles unlisted), LANDOUR POST PAID on three entires, boxed markings in red Landour Paid two types, plus Landour boxed ds in red (Hammond Giles Type 5), Mussooree Paid, Sultapore Bearing in black, Hansi Bearing (Hammond Giles Type 1) also in black etc., plus 1842 soldier’s entire from Landour convalescent hospital, a wonderful assembly for the specialist (23)

COV-423

May 1831

India, Landour, 1831, "LANDOUR/POST PAID" Tete-Beche Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike on back of folded letter (sealed) dated May 1831 to Lasswade, Scotland, forwarded to Edinburgh, framed "INDIA LETTER/DEAL" handstamp which has been affected by opening, Calcutta (May 14), London, "Dalkeith" straightline, and other transit datestamps, framed "1/2" and "1" handstamps and numerous manuscript rate markings, cover with overall soiling and heavy tape stains at top affecting both sides and interior panels, Fine strike, while the condition of the cover is poor, this is a rather scarce marking from Landour

COV-1101

27 May 1831

Landour: 1831 (27 May) entire letter to Edinburgh and severai times redirected, showing fine strikes of the rare "r,A.r\oouR" "rrd "posi'PAID" (HG 1, but not in our opinion a combined h.s.) also various_route and rate markings and forwarding notations; a portion of the back is missing where a seal has been removed

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About this mark

The Landour HG 1 handstamp

Landour was a hill cantonment in Dehra Doon District, United Provinces, situated 30°27' N and 78°7' E. A convalescent station for European soldiers was established in 1827, the year after the founding of Mussourie, which adjoins Landoor.

Landour HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Landour in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1830 to 1831. 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 "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for landour pre stamp covers, landour postal history or "Landour HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Landour marks.

Scarce

Frequently asked

What is the Landour HG 1 handstamp?: Landour HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Landour in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1830 to 1831. 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 Landour HG 1?: Landour 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. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Landour pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Landour 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 a Landour 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 (1830-31). 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 Landour

9 marks

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

View all Landour 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: Landour HG 1, Landour HG1, Landour Giles 1, Landour handstamp, Landour pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026