What is the Kedgeree HG 2 handstamp?

Kedgeree HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kedgeree (modern Khejuri) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1821 to 1827. 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 Kedgeree HG 2?

Kedgeree 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. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kedgeree 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. 7 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 Kedgeree 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 (1821–1827). 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.

Kedgeree HG 2 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1821–1827, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Kedgeree HG 2

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1821–1827
Rarity: Common
Note: 3 Es in Kedgree
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 115
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Kedgeree HG 3 →

Census

Census records

7 covers recorded

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

COV-255

1823

India, Kedgeree, 1823, "KEDGREE/POST OFFICE" Double-Oval Handstamp (Giles 2). Clear strike in transit with manuscript "13 Dec" date marking on 1823 folded letter from Calcutta, Calcutta "G.P.O./Decr/PtPd" oval despatch handstamp (Giles 10) with manuscript "12" date and "5" (annas) rate, Very Fine

COV-4068

6 May 1823

Entire posted from Kedgree to Einburgh with oval "Kegree/ Post Office" handstamp HG2 in black color with 15 annas postage paid as idicated in manuscript, posted on 6th May 1823 and reached Edinburgh on 22nd November 1823 along with "Misent to Glasgow" handstamp and other transit and delivery marks

COV-1864

March 1825

Kedgeree: 1825 (March) entire to Batavia, the reverse showing very fine strike of the oval "rrocnm/posr oFFICE" datestamp (HG 2) completed in manuscript; fine. Scarce. Photo

COV-609

1827

Chandernagor 1827 (Feb 9): Entire letter from Kedgree on the Hooghly River to Chandernagor from a ship's Captain awaiting favourable winds to sail, struck on reverse with fine oval "KEDGREE / POST OFFICE" handstamp (Feb 13) in black (Hammond Hiles type 2), oval "G.P.O. / Pt. Pad." handstamp in black (Feb 14) and framed "CALCUTTA / G.P.O. / in red and rated at "5" annas in manuscript. A fine and appealing entire.

COV-1891

14 February 1827

1827 (14 Feb.) entire from Calcutta "pr Inverness" to Lieut. Kelly at Martaban showing Calcutta G.P.O. double-ring datestamp and, on reverse, fine oval-framed "kedgree/post office" handstamp, both with date complete in manuscript

COV-1168

Kedgeree HG 2 in red on cover

COV-4185

This handstamp was used during 1822 to 1827. No postage was paid at KEDGREE and on arrival at the CALCUTTA G.P.O. the cover was stamped in black with the receipt mark "G.P.O. / AUG'/ Bg Pg" and the rate of postage due was added in manuscript as 5 annas.

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About this mark

The Kedgeree HG 2 handstamp

Kedgeree, a small village in the Contai division of Midnapore District, situated 21°52' N and 87°59' E, on the right bank of the Hooghly River. Formerly an important anchorage, being the first landfall up the river, 20 miles from Calcutta, where mails on incoming vessels would be off-loaded, and letter-packets put on board vessels departing.

Kedgeree HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Kedgeree — the present-day Khejuri — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1821 to 1827. 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".

7 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 kedgeree pre stamp covers, kedgeree postal history or "Kedgeree HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Kedgeree marks.

3 Es in Kedgree

Frequently asked

What is the Kedgeree HG 2 handstamp?: Kedgeree HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kedgeree (modern Khejuri) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1821 to 1827. 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 Kedgeree HG 2?: Kedgeree 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. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Kedgeree pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kedgeree 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. 7 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 Kedgeree 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 (1821–1827). 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 Kedgeree

14 marks

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

View all Kedgeree 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: Kedgeree HG 2, Kedgeree HG2, Kedgeree Giles 2, Khejuri postal history, Kedgeree handstamp, Kedgeree pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026