What is the Tirhoot HG 2 handstamp?

Tirhoot HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Tirhoot in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1849. 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 Tirhoot HG 2?

Tirhoot 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. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Tirhoot 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 Tirhoot 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 (1838-49). 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

Tirhoot HG 2

Handstamp

Date Span: 1838-49
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 203
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Tirhoot HG 3 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-1622

1839

1839 TIRHOOT Paid Giles 2 on folded letter to Calcutta, with boxed PM and Calcutta G.P.O.

COV-449

19 November 1844

India, Tirhoot, 1844, "TIRHOOT/18__ ? November/Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 2). Very faint and mostly illegible strike with manuscript "1 a" rate on back of folded mourning letter datelined "Tirhoot, 19 Nov 1844" , addressed to London, England, sender's directive "Overland by Marseilles" , red "INDIA" oval handstamp, bold strike of framed "James Barber & Co./EAST INDIA AGENTS/17 ST. MARY AXE." forwarder handstamp (Rowe Rarity 4), London (Jan. 3) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, a scarce forwarder handstamp

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About this mark

The Tirhoot HG 2 handstamp

Tirhoot was formerly a District of Bengal situated between 25°54' and 26°28' N and 84°53' and 85°45' E, and was later divided into two Districts, Muzafferpur and Dhabahnga. The Tirhoot Post Office seems to have been near Buxar.

Tirhoot HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Tirhoot in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1849. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 2".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Tirhoot HG 2 handstamp?: Tirhoot HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Tirhoot in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1849. 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 Tirhoot HG 2?: Tirhoot 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. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Tirhoot pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Tirhoot 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 Tirhoot 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 (1838-49). 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 Tirhoot

3 marks

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

View all Tirhoot 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: Tirhoot HG 2, Tirhoot HG2, Tirhoot Giles 2, Tirhoot handstamp, Tirhoot pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026