What is the Kedgeree S2 handstamp?

Kedgeree S2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kedgeree (modern Khejuri) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1822 to 1828. The "S2" 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 S2?

Kedgeree S2 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 10 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Kedgeree pre stamp cover with S2 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 S2. 10 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 S2 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1822-28). 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

Kedgeree S2

Handstamp

Date Span: 1822-28
Colour: Black
Rarity: Common
Category: Ship Letter
Note: 3 Es in Kedgree. Ship letter
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 116
Figure: S2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← S1 All Kedgeree S3 →

Census

Census records

10 covers recorded

10 pre-1854 covers bearing the Kedgeree S2 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1450

1824

1824 KEDGREE POST OFFICE SHIPLETTER HG S2 on folded letter to Calcutta, ship letter receipt stamp of Calcutta HG SR9 and receipt stamp of Calcutta GPO HG G5

COV-2365

1824

“KEDGREE/POST OFFICE/SHIP LETTER” - PAIR OF DIFFERENT TYPES ON MAIL EX BATH/LIVERPOOL; 22 Apr. 1824 EL ex Bath to Calcutta with v. fine 2nd-Type (HG S2) nicely placed on the flap; plus 10 Apr. 1830 EL (flap cut and glued for display) from Liverpool to Meerut with v. fine 3rd-Type (HG S3; closed seal tear) nicely placed on the flap. Good pair. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page 67

COV-1988

28 April 1824

COV-258

August 1824

India, Kedgeree, 1824, "KEDGREE/POST OFFICE/SHIP LETTER" Framed Handstamp (Giles S2). Clear strike in transit on back of folded letter with "1824, February 27th, Kensington (London) " despatch docketing, addressed to "William Fraser Es, in the Civil Service of the H.E.I.Co., Bengal, care of Messr. Mackintosh & Co., Calcutta" , forwarded to Delhi, "Inld Ptge/Ship Do" rate handstamp (Giles SR9), Calcutta G.P.O. and red "Calcutta Genl Post Office, 9 AUG 9, 1824" transit (Giles G5) datestamps, cover with some slight soiling, otherwise Very Fine strike of the scarce "Kedgree" marking, William Fraser (1784-1835) was a British civil servant and Commissioner of the Delhi Territory until his death (assassination) in 1835

COV-2156

1826

1826 London – Calcutta – Jubblepore entire privately carried to India via Cape route & directly posted at the ship, sender's directive "Per Frances/Capt: Robert Heard", that's why no British handstamp or postage applied. Offloaded at Kedgree & there Giles S2 "KEDGREE/POST OFFICE/SHIP LETTER" transit mark applied, sent to an agent at Calcutta. At Calcutta GPO, Giles SR9a "Inld Ptg/Ship Do" & rate 7A comprising 5A inland to Calcutta from Kedgree & 2A inward ship postage, and Giles G8 "CALCUTTA/GPO/29 NO 28/1826" receipt applied. The agent paid the bearing 7A & redirected the letter to Jubblepore. For that, Giles 15 "G.P.O./NOVr 3/Pt Pd 13" despatch mark, date "28 Novr." & rate "13" (13A Calcutta–Jubblepore single letter inland postage, as under 1 tolah wt., paid by the agent) applied in manuscript. Delivered at Jubblepore, but no delivery mark applied.

COV-1077

8 January 1826

Kedgeree: 1826 (8 Jan.) entire letter from Chedula to Calcutta showing a very fine strike of the scarce boxed "KEDGEREE/POST OFFICE/SHIP LETTER" (HG S2), also unframed "Inld Pge./Ship Do" arrival handstamp (HG SR9).

COV-1614

1827

1827 KEDGREE POST OFFICE SHIPLETTER Giles S2 on folded letter from William Fraser Esq In the civil service of Bengal UK to Calcutta, redirected to Delhi

COV-1736

1827

1827. French India to Canton. Datelined “Namlu le 17 Juillet 1827”. Re-directed to St. Malo, France, with a wide array of Calcutta and Indian transits along the way. Unusual.

COV-2281

January 1828

COV-2742

21 August 1828

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About this mark

The Kedgeree S2 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 S2 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 1822 to 1828. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "S2".

10 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 S2" material can compare S2 across every office or browse the rest of the Kedgeree marks.

3 Es in Kedgree. Ship letter

Frequently asked

What is the Kedgeree S2 handstamp?: Kedgeree S2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kedgeree (modern Khejuri) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1822 to 1828. The "S2" 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 S2?: Kedgeree S2 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 10 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Kedgeree pre stamp cover with S2 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 S2. 10 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 S2 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1822-28). 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 S2, Kedgeree Giles S2, Khejuri postal history, Kedgeree handstamp, Kedgeree pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Kedgeree S2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/kedgeree/s2 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026