Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Baroda HG 2
- Colour & date
- Black1853–1854
- Rarity
- Common
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 25
- Figure
- 2
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Baroda HG 2 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Baroda HG 2 handstamp
Baroda City, the capital of the important Indian State, is situated 22°18' N, and 73°15' E, on the River Vishwamitri, 244 miles from Bombay. The Peshwa had designs on the territory, but suddenly gave way and signed a treaty at Poona in 1817, under which the Gaikwar became independent of the Peshwa. The cantonment lies to the north-west of the city, where a British Residency was set up at this time.
Baroda HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Baroda — the present-day Vadodara — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1853 to 1854. 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".
A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 baroda pre stamp covers, baroda postal history or "Baroda HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Baroda marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Baroda HG 2 handstamp?
- Baroda HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Baroda (modern Vadodara) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1853 to 1854. 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 Baroda HG 2?
- Baroda 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
- What does a Baroda pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Baroda 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Baroda 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 (1853–1854). 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 Baroda
2 marks2 other pre-1854 postal markings of Baroda are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Baroda HG 2, Baroda HG2, Baroda Giles 2, Vadodara postal history, Baroda handstamp, Baroda pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Baroda HG 2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/baroda/hg-2 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026