What is the Mahableshwar HG 2B handstamp?

Mahableshwar HG 2B is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mahableshwar (modern Mahabaleshwar) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1849 to 1854. The "HG 2B" 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 Mahableshwar HG 2B?

Mahableshwar HG 2B 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 Mahableshwar pre stamp cover with HG 2B look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mahableshwar 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 2B. 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 Mahableshwar HG 2B cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1849–1854). 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.

Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Mahableshwar HG 2B

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1849–1854
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave) · p. 15
Figure: 2B
Submitted by: Chandak & Bhargave

← HG 2a All Mahableshwar HG 3 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Mahableshwar HG 2B handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2372

30 October 1854

IMPERFORATE ISSUES ON INTERNAL COVERS - FIRST MONTH OFFICIAL USAGE COVER WITH ½a BLUE EX "MAHABLESHWUR" TO BOMBAY; 30 Oct. 1854 EL (slight creasing; contents ref. a 'fallen' lady teacher) franked by 4m 1854 ½a blue (Die I; A stone, pos.23, very minor gum-stains) tied (clearly through the stamp) by a light dotted diamond cancel with fine black Bombay "G.P.O/2 A.M" cds (1 Nov.) beside a very fine red boxed "MAHABLESHWUR/Paid" ds (this "...WUR" spelling not recorded by Hammond Giles) on the front with clear ms "1854 OCT 30" date in the centre. Fine early usage.

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About this mark

The Mahableshwar HG 2B handstamp

Mahableshwar is 4500 feet above sea level, situated 1r56' N and 73°40' E, in Satara District, in the Bombay Presidency. It was established by Sir John Malcolm, Governor of Bombay, in 1828, as a sanitarium.

Mahableshwar HG 2B is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Mahableshwar — the present-day Mahabaleshwar — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1849 to 1854. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave), where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 2B".

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 mahableshwar pre stamp covers, mahableshwar postal history or "Mahableshwar HG2B" material can compare HG 2B across every office or browse the rest of the Mahableshwar marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Mahableshwar HG 2B handstamp?: Mahableshwar HG 2B is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mahableshwar (modern Mahabaleshwar) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1849 to 1854. The "HG 2B" 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 Mahableshwar HG 2B?: Mahableshwar HG 2B 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 Mahableshwar pre stamp cover with HG 2B look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mahableshwar 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 2B. 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 Mahableshwar HG 2B cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1849–1854). 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 Mahableshwar

6 marks

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

View all Mahableshwar 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: Mahableshwar HG 2B, Mahableshwar HG2B, Mahableshwar Giles 2B, Mahabaleshwar postal history, Mahableshwar handstamp, Mahableshwar pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Mahableshwar HG 2B — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/mahableshwar/hg-2b (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026