Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Belgaum HG 2
- Colour & date
- Orange1832–1837
- Rarity
- Common
- Note
- also 1836 R
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 28
- Figure
- 2
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
6 covers recorded6 pre-1854 covers bearing the Belgaum HG 2 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Belgaum HG 2 handstamp
After having been held by the Mohammedan rulers, the fort passed to the Peshwas about 1754, and was taken by the British in 1818 with the overthrow of the Peshwa. It becam e a large military cantonment and, in 1838, the civil headquarters for the Poona District.
Belgaum HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Belgaum — the present-day Belagavi — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1837. Known strikes are in orange. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 2".
6 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 belgaum pre stamp covers, belgaum postal history or "Belgaum HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Belgaum marks.
also 1836 R
Frequently asked
- What is the Belgaum HG 2 handstamp?
- Belgaum HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Belgaum (modern Belagavi) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 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 orange.
- How rare is Belgaum HG 2?
- Belgaum 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. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
- What does a Belgaum pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Belgaum 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. 6 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 Belgaum 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 (1832–1837). 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 Belgaum
7 marks7 other pre-1854 postal markings of Belgaum 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: Belgaum HG 2, Belgaum HG2, Belgaum Giles 2, Belagavi postal history, Belgaum handstamp, Belgaum pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Belgaum HG 2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/belgaum/hg-2 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026