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Hand Struck Stamps
Bugwah HG 2 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1850–1856, BlackBugwah HG 2 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1850–1856, Black (sketch)

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Bugwah HG 2

Colour & date
Black1850–1856
Rarity
Common
Catalogue
1989 Catalogue · p. 44
Figure
2
Submitted by
D. Hammond Giles

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

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About this mark

The Bugwah HG 2 handstamp

Bugwah is 30 miles from Rungpore, and 332 miles from Calcutta, in the District of Rungpore.

Bugwah HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Bugwah in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1850 to 1856. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 2".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for bugwah pre stamp covers, bugwah postal history or "Bugwah HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Bugwah marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Bugwah HG 2 handstamp?
Bugwah HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bugwah in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1850 to 1856. The "HG 2" 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 Bugwah HG 2?
Bugwah HG 2 is graded "Common" 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 Bugwah pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?
A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Bugwah 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 2. 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 Bugwah HG 2 cover?
Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1850–1856). 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 Bugwah

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Bugwah is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

View all Bugwah marks and postal history →

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Also searched as: Bugwah HG 2, Bugwah HG2, Bugwah Giles 2, Bugwah handstamp, Bugwah pre stamp cover.

How to cite

Bugwah HG 2handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/bugwah/hg-2 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026