What is the Burdwan HG 2 handstamp?

Burdwan HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Burdwan (modern Bardhaman) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1828 to 1836. 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 Burdwan HG 2?

Burdwan HG 2 is graded "Scarce" 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 Burdwan pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Burdwan 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. 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 Burdwan 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 (1828-36). 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.

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Burdwan HG 2

Handstamp

Date Span: 1828-36
Colour: Black
Rarity: Scarce
Note: Scarce; used with 1
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 45
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Burdwan HG 3 →

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-37

22 April 1828

Siegel - Burdwan, 1829, "BURDWAN/POSTOFFICE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold strike with "Post Paid s/WT Rs As 3" (Giles 2), "3" added by hand, on folded letter datelined Burdwan Apr. 22, 1829, addressed to Chowringhee, lightly struck red Calcutta transit datestamp, sealed tear through one marking, Very Fine, superb strike of this rare marking, Giles notes this handstamp was used only from 1828 to 1829 and lists it as scarce, ex Manning. Cavendish - BURDWAN - THE DISTINCTIVE OVAL “POST OFFICE” MARK WITH THE BOXED “Post Paid/Sa Wt/Rs As” MARK; Fine 22 Apr. 1829 2-sheet EL from “Burdwan” to Chowringhee with a very fine rare small oval-framed “BURDWAN/POST OFFICE” (HG1; “Scarce”, only known 1828-29) on the flap beside a fair matching boxed “Post Paid...” mark (HG2 “Scarce”; closed tear). [The similar cover from this correspondence in the 1999 Contractor Collection auction realised £437.] PHOTO - see page 33

COV-1039

12 December 1828

Burdwan: 1828 (12 Dec.) entire letter (interesting military contents) to Chowringhee showing oval framed "BURDWAN/POST OFFICE" (HG 1) in combination with boxed "POST PAID" rate handstamp (HG 2). A fine and very scarce exhibition item.

COV-372

1831

India, Burdwan, 1831, "BURDWAN/POST OFFICE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold and mostly complete strike, used with "Post Paid/Sd/WT/Rs As" (Giles 2) on 1831 native wrapper to Berhampore, wrapper slightly reduced at right, cover with some toning at top due to adhesive used, several insect holes which just affect both markings, otherwise Very Fine and "scarce" according to Giles

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About this mark

The Burdwan HG 2 handstamp

Headquarters of the Burdwan District, Bengal, situated 23°14' N and 87°51' E, on the Banka River. The District of Burdwan was ceded to the East India Company in 1760.

Burdwan HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Burdwan — the present-day Bardhaman — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1828 to 1836. 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".

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

Scarce; used with 1

Frequently asked

What is the Burdwan HG 2 handstamp?: Burdwan HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Burdwan (modern Bardhaman) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1828 to 1836. 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 Burdwan HG 2?: Burdwan HG 2 is graded "Scarce" 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 Burdwan pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Burdwan 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. 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 Burdwan 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 (1828-36). 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 Burdwan

4 marks

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

View all Burdwan 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: Burdwan HG 2, Burdwan HG2, Burdwan Giles 2, Bardhaman postal history, Burdwan handstamp, Burdwan pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Burdwan HG 2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/burdwan/hg-2 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026