What is the Cherapunjee HG 2 handstamp?

Cherapunjee HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Cherapunjee (modern Cherrapunji) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1845 to 1855. The "HG 2" 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 Cherapunjee HG 2?

Cherapunjee HG 2 is graded "Rare" 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 Cherapunjee pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Cherapunjee 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 Cherapunjee 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 (1845–1855). 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

Cherapunjee HG 2

Colour & date: Red1845–1855
Rarity: Rare
Note: (c.36 x 25mm) Note the spelling CHIRA PUJEE India Study Circle IP214 Giles Unrecorded. CHIRA PUNJE/Paid framed handstamp. Clear strike in red with manuscript "7th Sept. 47" date and "6 as" rate on folded letter to Lyon, France, via Marseille. Red framed INDIA and INDIA PAID handstamps, Calcutta and Marseilles transit, Lyon arrival datestamps. Chira Punje (Cherapunjee) is in the far northeast of India, known as one of the wettest places on earth. Ex Magnolia Collection (Siegel Sale 9054, Lot 10024).
Figure: 2
Submitted by: Siegel Auctions

← HG 1 All Cherapunjee

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-3405

30 July 1855

COV-26

Clear strike in red with manuscript "7th Sept. 47" date and "6 as" rate on back of folded letter to Lyon, France, sender's directive "via Marseille, Direct from Calcutta by the Steamers", red framed INDIA and INDIA PAID handstamps, red Calcutta and Marseilles (Nov. 7) transit and Lyon (Nov. 10) arrival datestamps, various manuscript rate markings. Fine strike of this rare marking, unrecorded by Giles. Chira Punje is in the far northeast of India, known as one of the wettest places on earth.

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About this mark

The Cherapunjee HG 2 handstamp

Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra, is a sub-divisional town in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, famed as one of the wettest places on earth.

Cherapunjee HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Cherapunjee — the present-day Cherrapunji — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1845 to 1855. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 2" 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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for cherapunjee pre stamp covers, cherapunjee postal history or "Cherapunjee HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Cherapunjee marks.

(c.36 x 25mm) Note the spelling CHIRA PUJEE India Study Circle IP214 Giles Unrecorded. CHIRA PUNJE/Paid framed handstamp. Clear strike in red with manuscript "7th Sept. 47" date and "6 as" rate on folded letter to Lyon, France, via Marseille. Red framed INDIA and INDIA PAID handstamps, Calcutta and Marseilles transit, Lyon arrival datestamps. Chira Punje (Cherapunjee) is in the far northeast of India, known as one of the wettest places on earth. Ex Magnolia Collection (Siegel Sale 9054, Lot 10024).

Frequently asked

What is the Cherapunjee HG 2 handstamp?: Cherapunjee HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Cherapunjee (modern Cherrapunji) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1845 to 1855. The "HG 2" 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 Cherapunjee HG 2?: Cherapunjee HG 2 is graded "Rare" 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 Cherapunjee pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Cherapunjee 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 Cherapunjee 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 (1845–1855). 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 Cherapunjee

1 mark

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

Cherapunjee HG 1handstampRed1847

View all Cherapunjee marks and postal history →

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Also searched as: Cherapunjee HG 2, Cherapunjee HG2, Cherapunjee Giles 2, Cherrapunji postal history, Cherapunjee handstamp, Cherapunjee pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Cherapunjee HG 2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/cherapunjee/2 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026