What is the Landour HG 7 handstamp?

Landour HG 7 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Landour in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1853 to 1854. The "HG 7" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Landour HG 7?

Landour HG 7 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 Landour pre stamp cover with HG 7 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 7. 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 Landour HG 7 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1853–1854). 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.

Landour HG 7 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1853–1854, Red

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Landour HG 7

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1853–1854
Rarity: Common
Note: Revised impression
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 19
Figure: 7
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

3 pre-1854 covers bearing the Landour HG 7 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1284

1853

1853 LANDOUR Paid HG 7 in red on fl to Scotland via Calcutta and Marseilles

COV-2395

29 September 1853

1853 Landour – London overland cover via Bombay & Southampton route, with Landour Giles 7 "LANDOUR/Sep 29 1853/Paid" despatch handstamp, rate "12" (indicating 12A double-letter inland postage to Bombay, applied on the back side) & "1–4" (indicating 12A inland to Bombay + 8A India–UK British Packet rate, for a letter under ½ oz, sent via the Southampton route) applied in manuscript. At Bombay, Giles SD8 "INDIA/PAID" port transit applied & "Pd/8a" applied in red manuscript (indicating the 8A steamer postage was fully prepaid by the sender), & sent to Aden via the EIC regular steamer SEMIRAMIS II, then to Suez via P&O steamer BENTINCK, travelled overland to Alexandria, & sent to Southampton via P&O steamer RIPON, reached London via Southampton & there "V/PAID/17 NO 17/1853" receipt mark applied, & delivered to the recipient.

COV-59

21 June 1854

Mussouri, 1854, "M.P.O" Negative Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike of red handstamp on flap of folded letter datelined Mussouri Jun. 21, 1854, to Ayrshire, Scotland, sender's directive "via Bombay & Marseilles, Paid to Bombay" , Landour Jun. 21 (Giles 7, Supplement) and Bombay transit and Irvine arrival datestamps, Very Fine, the only example of this marking recorded in Giles, who incorrectly notes this is dated 1851, ex Dr. Contractor.

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About this mark

The Landour HG 7 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 7 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Landour in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1853 to 1854. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 7".

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 landour pre stamp covers, landour postal history or "Landour HG7" material can compare HG 7 across every office or browse the rest of the Landour marks.

Revised impression

Frequently asked

What is the Landour HG 7 handstamp?: Landour HG 7 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Landour in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1853 to 1854. The "HG 7" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Landour HG 7?: Landour HG 7 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 Landour pre stamp cover with HG 7 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 7. 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 Landour HG 7 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1853–1854). 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 7, Landour HG7, Landour Giles 7, Landour handstamp, Landour pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Landour HG 7 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/landour/hg-7 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026