What is the Lucknow HG 1 handstamp?

Lucknow HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Lucknow in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1809 to 1835. 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 Lucknow HG 1?

Lucknow 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. 20 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Lucknow 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. 20 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 Lucknow 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 (1809–1835). 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.

Lucknow HG 1 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1809–1835, Black

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Lucknow HG 1

Handstamp Ex-territorial British

Colour & date: Black1809–1835
Rarity: Common
Note: Scarce – 51x34 mm
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 126
Figure: 1
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

20 covers recorded

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

COV-2075

31 December 1809

Lucknow: 1809 (31 Dec.) entire "pr Lord Duncan East Indiaman" showing, on reverse, oval-framed "LUCKNOW/POST PAID" (HG 1, an early date), completed for 13a., partially overstruck by oval-framed "Bengal/G.P.O./POST PAID" across join, London Ship Letter c.d.s. on face. Photo.

COV-426

25 February 1810

India, Lucknow, 1810, "LUCKNOW/POST PAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold and complete strike with manuscript "25 Feby" date and "13 As" rate added on back of 1810 folded cover to Sittingbourne, England, sender's directive "Pr. Earl Howe" , Calcutta "Bengal/G.P.O./MARCH/POST PAID" (Giles SD2, affected by opening tears), crowned Ship Letter London (Aug. 8), and London (Aug. 8) transit datestamps, manuscript "8" crossed out and "1/8" updated rate markings, Very Fine, an early strike of this Lucknow postal marking which is recorded from 1809 onwards, particularly scarce this well-struck

COV-1555

5 August 1810

1810 LUCKNOW POST PAID Giles 1, magnificent and scarce strike on folded letter to Madras via Calcutta, Calcutta G.P.O. Giles G2 alongside

COV-2327

20 January 1811

1811 part entire to Sittingbourne, Kent bearing good strike of LUCKNOW/ POST PAID handstamp with manuscript charge at base, red G.P.O. handstamp (of Calcutta) applied at left that shows missing last digit in year, front with good strike of circular Ship Letter London dated AUG 26/ 1811.

COV-806

5 February 1811

1811 : H.G.1 1: Entire letter from LUCKNOW [5 Feb.] to CALCUTTA [18 Feb.].Postage paid at LUCKNOW

COV-2083

8 April 1811

Lucknow: 1811 (8 Apr.) entire letter from Lucknow to Calcutta showing, on reverse, a superb strike of the oval-framed "LUCKNOW/POST PAID" (HG 1) completed for 11a., and Calcutta G.P.O. c.d.s. (HG G2). Photo.

COV-2461

15 April 1811

1811 Lucknow – Calcutta inland entire, with Lucknow Giles 1 "LUCKNOW/POST PAID" despatch handstamp, date "15 April" & rate "2Rs 1as" (11A per single-letter rate, paid 2R1A or 33A as between 2 & 3 Tolah weight) applied in manuscript. At Calcutta, Giles G2 "G.P.O./APR. 24/180." receipt mark applied prior to delivery.

11 August 1811

15 October 1816

25 May 1817

15 August 1817

3 November 1817

INDIA, Lucknow, 1817, "LUCKNOW/POSTPAID" Handstamp (Giles 1). Excellent and bold oval strike with manuscript "11 as" rate over the flap of folded letter datelined Nov. 3, 1817, addressed to Calcutta, red Calcutta Nov. 12 arrival backstamp (Giles G3), Very Fine strike, noted as scarce by Giles, particularly rare this choice as it is often found partially or weakly struck, ex Frenkle

COV-1095

24 November 1822

Lucknow: 1822 (24 Nov.) entire letter to Calcutta with a fair to good strike of the very scarce oval framed "LUCKNOW/POST PAID" with date and rate in manuscript (HG 1). Photo.

COV-1285

7 September 1823

1823 LUCKNOW POST PAID 4as scarce HG 1 on fl from Mary Duncan to her niece Mrs. Duncan

COV-264

1 July 1834

India, Lucknow, 1834, "LUCKNOW/POSTPAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Exceptionally bold strike with manuscript "1 July 1834" date and "13 as" rate added on back of folded letter to Plymouth, England, framed "GREENOCK/INDIA SHIP Lr" handstamp (Robertson In. 1), Calcutta G.P.O. (Jul. 9) and Greenock (Dec. 27) transit datestamps, manuscript " 2/6 " rate marking, cover with edge faults (affecting Ship Letter marking) and small piece missing from opening (affecting Calcutta marking), the Lucknow strike Extremely Fine, easily one of the finest strikes of this scarce marking known

COV-652

19 January 1835

"LUCKNOW/POST PAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Mostly complete strike.

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About this mark

The Lucknow HG 1 handstamp

Lucknow, former capital of the province of Oudh and cantonment, is situated 26°52' N and 80°56' E, on the banks of the Gumti River, 666 miles from Calcutta and 885 miles from Bombay. With the decline of the Moghal empire, Lucknow became a place of some importance under the Suri kings, and rose to greatness as the capital of the dynasty which established itself in Oudh. Ghazi-din Haidar in 1814 was the first of his line who bore the title of king, and Wajid Ali Shah, the fifth and last king of O udh (1847-56). In 1856 Oudh was annexed and came under British rule. Lucknow will long be remembered for the notorious seige of the Residency in the 1857 uprising.

Lucknow HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Lucknow in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1809 to 1835. 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".

20 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 lucknow pre stamp covers, lucknow postal history or "Lucknow HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Lucknow marks.

Scarce – 51x34 mm

Frequently asked

What is the Lucknow HG 1 handstamp?: Lucknow HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Lucknow in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1809 to 1835. 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 Lucknow HG 1?: Lucknow 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. 20 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Lucknow pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Lucknow 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. 20 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 Lucknow 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 (1809–1835). 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 Lucknow

15 marks

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

View all Lucknow marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026