What is the Chittagong HG 2 handstamp?

Chittagong HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chittagong (modern Chattogram) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1813 to 1837. 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 Chittagong HG 2?

Chittagong 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. 8 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Chittagong pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chittagong 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. 8 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 Chittagong 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 (1813–1837). 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.

Chittagong HG 2 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1813–1837, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Chittagong HG 2

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1813–1837
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 68
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Chittagong HG 3 →

Census

Census records

8 covers recorded

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

COV-2704

9 June 1813

COV-2150

1816

1816 London – Chittagong 3s 6d rate entire via Cape route, with "INDIA PACKET LETTER/LONDON" despatch & bearing rate "3/6" (3s 6d single letter UK–India packet postage) applied in manuscript, sent via Cape route through HMS British Hero & offloaded at Chittagong Port. There, Giles 2 "CHITTAGONG/POST OFFICE/11 of Nov. 1816" handstamp applied, date applied by manuscript, sent to Calcutta & there Giles SR7 "KINGS POSTAGE/Co's INLD. Do/181." bearing handstamp, date "17th Nov. 1816" & rate "2R6A" (comprising 1R8A single letter packet postage equivalent of the British 3s 6d packet rate + 14A double letter Chittagong–Calcutta inland due) applied in manuscript, which was collected from the recipient.

COV-2832

12 November 1816

COV-1827

11 March 1825

Chittagong: 1825 (11 Mar.) entire letter to Calcutta, the front with double-framed "Post Paid/Sa. Wt./Rs. As." (HG 2), reverse with double-framed "CHITTAGONG/POST OFFICE" (HG 3) with details completed in manuscript; slightly worn fold clear of the strikes. Scarce. Photo.

COV-742

14 October 1825

1825 : H.G. 2 / 3 : A letter from CHITTAGONG [14 Oct.] to CALCUTTA [19 Oct.]. Postage paid at CHITTAGONG These handstamp: Both these black handstamps are used always simultaneously, "CHITTAGONG/POST OFFICE/ of 18". The other being in thin double line "PoST Paid/Sa. Wt./Rs. As.", was used during 1816-37. Other Mark: A black colour octagonal "CALCUTTA/G.P.O." receiving stamp was used during 1825 only.

COV-624

1832

19th/20th CENTURY MAIL; Range on annotated leaves inc. 1832 E to England with framed "CHITTAGONG/POST OFFICE" d.s., framed "Post paid....", framed Calcutta Ship Letter and framed "INDIA LETTER/COWES" h.s. on front or rear, 1876 env. to Cambridge franked India 8a tied by Rangoon duplex with a Yandoon and Calcutta cds on rear, 1915 printed colour advertising parcel label to England franked India KEVII 1r tied by Rangoon cds, with matched reg. label affixed, 1923 Parcel wrapper to England franked India KGV 1r + 8a with intact Parcel Post Customs Declaration and printed 'VP/89' label tied by framed "MAYMYO ALEXANDRA BARRACKS" h.s. and a few others. (11 covers/cards) Cross Reference: INDIA, SHIP LETTERS, PARCEL POST LABELS, REGISTERED MAIL

COV-1200

23 September 1832

1834 folded entire from Chittagong to Ireland with scarce CHITTAGONG POST OFFICE HG 2 and faint Post Paid 10as HG 3

COV-560

2 July 1834

1834 (2 July) entire letter from Chittagong to Calcutta, the face struck with boxed Post Paid/Sa Wr/Rs 7a" (Giles Type 3), the reverse with boxed "chittagong/post office" (Giles Type 2) both in black, Calcutta circular arrival d.s., boxed "a.m." and "p.m." in red. Scarce.

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About this mark

The Chittagong HG 2 handstamp

Chittagong, in East Bengal, is situated 22°21' N and 91°50' E, on the right bank of the Kamaphuli River, 12 miles from its mouth. In the possession of the Moghals until 1760, when it was ceded to the East India Company, to become the headquarters of their Bengal trade.

Chittagong HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Chittagong — the present-day Chattogram — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1813 to 1837. 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".

8 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 chittagong pre stamp covers, chittagong postal history or "Chittagong HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Chittagong marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Chittagong HG 2 handstamp?: Chittagong HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chittagong (modern Chattogram) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1813 to 1837. 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 Chittagong HG 2?: Chittagong 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. 8 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Chittagong pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chittagong 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. 8 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 Chittagong 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 (1813–1837). 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 Chittagong

3 marks

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

View all Chittagong 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: Chittagong HG 2, Chittagong HG2, Chittagong Giles 2, Chattogram postal history, Chittagong handstamp, Chittagong pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026