What is the Kussowlee HG 6 handstamp?

Kussowlee HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kussowlee (modern Kasauli) in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1850. The "HG 6" 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 Kussowlee HG 6?

Kussowlee HG 6 has 2 examples recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Kussowlee pre stamp cover with HG 6 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kussowlee 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 6. 2 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 Kussowlee HG 6 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1848–1850). 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.

Punjab · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Kussowlee HG 6

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1848–1850
Rarity: 2 examples recorded
Figure: 6
Submitted by: Gowtham BJ

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Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Kussowlee HG 6 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-571

1848

Here is a cleaned and corrected version: 1848 entire letter from Agra, dated July 8th, addressed to Simla, received July 11th, and redirected to Mussoorie via Meerut. The cover bears redirected “Bearing” datestamps filled in with manuscript charge marks, with further markings on the reverse. A fine and important pre-stamp letter, showing the uncommon boxed Meerut “Bearing” handstamp and the unusual U.P.O. / “Bearing” marking dated July 12th.** **Famously known as the “Quadruple Bearing Cover,” this is one of the most important pre-stamp covers of India. Both the U.P.O. and Kussowlie/Kussowlee Bearing handstamps are unrecorded. This is believed to be the only known cover bearing both the U.P.O. and Kussowlie/Kussowlee Bearing handstamps.

COV-2925

January 1850

FRANCE, 1850, 1fr Dark Carmine on Yellowish (9; Yvert 6). Mostly large balanced margins, tied by boxed grid cancel with Rochet sur Mer Jan. 1850 double-circle datestamp on folded letter to Mirzapore, India, sender's directive "Paquebot de la mediterannee pour Marseille", small red boxed "PD" handstamp, Bordeaux, French & British Alexandria, and Bombay transit and boxed Kussowlee Bearing arrival datestamp (Giles unrecorded with "Bearing") with manuscript "10/3/50" VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 1850 ONE-FRANC CARMINE ON COVER TO INDIA, AN ESPECIALLY SCARCE DESTINATION. From the Magnolia collection.

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About this mark

The Kussowlee HG 6 handstamp

Kussowlee (Kasauli) is a hillstation and cantonment in the Punjab, si tuated 30°53' N and 76°58' E, 6335 feet above sea level.

Kussowlee HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Kussowlee — the present-day Kasauli — in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1850. Known strikes are in black. Its "HG 6" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

2 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 "2 examples recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for kussowlee pre stamp covers, kussowlee postal history or "Kussowlee HG6" material can compare HG 6 across every office or browse the rest of the Kussowlee marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Kussowlee HG 6 handstamp?: Kussowlee HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kussowlee (modern Kasauli) in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1850. The "HG 6" 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 Kussowlee HG 6?: Kussowlee HG 6 has 2 examples recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Kussowlee pre stamp cover with HG 6 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kussowlee 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 6. 2 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 Kussowlee HG 6 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1848–1850). 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 Kussowlee

6 marks

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

View all Kussowlee 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: Kussowlee HG 6, Kussowlee HG6, Kussowlee Giles 6, Kasauli postal history, Kussowlee handstamp, Kussowlee pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Kussowlee HG 6 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/punjab/kussowlee/hg-6 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026