What is the Nagpore HG 2 handstamp?

Nagpore HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Nagpore (modern Nagpur) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1822 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 red.

How rare is Nagpore HG 2?

Nagpore 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. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Nagpore 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. 7 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 Nagpore 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 (1822–1837). 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.

Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Nagpore HG 2

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1822–1837
Rarity: Common
Note: Previously described as "B" in error
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 153
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Nagpore HG 3 →

Census

Census records

7 covers recorded

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

COV-4061

6 May 1822

COV-845

22 May 1826

1826 : H.G.1/2: Letter posted from NAGPORE [22 May] to Fort William. The spelling of Nagpur in H.G. 1 is as NAUGPORE and in H.G. 2 is as NAGPORE. This handstamp : Black colour double oval, "NAUGPORE.RESIDENCY. 18" in the outer ring and "POST / OFFICE" in the centre. This stamp was generally used with the unframed circular "NAGPORE / PAID / POST". But this stamp was recorded in black colour only, whereas this cover bears the stamp in red colour recorded for the first time. Both the stamps are noted as Scarce mark.

COV-1138

6 June 1826

Nagpore: 1826 (6 June) entire letter to Scotland showing good strike of the rare double oval "NAGPORE pEsroENcv/POST OFFICE/r8" (HG 1) partly overstruck by transit h.s. and circular "NAGPORE/POST/parn" in red (HG 2, unrecorded in red) also showing double boxed "INDIA lrttrn/poprsttoura"etc. Ful1 ofcharacter

COV-2001

12 June 1836

Nagpore: 1836 (12 June) entire to Inverness showing, on reverse, circular "NAGPORE/POST/PAID" (HG 2) in red alongside manuscript "Nagpoor Residency Post Office paid 12 annas 12 June 1836", framed India Letter Liverpool on face. Photo.

COV-2344

April 1837

LYMINGTON - NAGPORE/RAJPOOTANA - PAIR OF COVERS CARRIED ON THE SAME VOYAGE; 6/16 Apr. 1837 pair of Es (first with faults; latter with amusing part contents - typed transcript) ex “Nusseerabad”/”Nagpore Residency Post Office” to London/Scotland each with mainly v. fine orange-red boxed “INDIA LETTER/LYMINGTON” marks (Rob. In.1 - scarce colour) on the reverse (part overstruck or across join) with fair encircled “RAJPOOTANA/Pt Pd” (HG3) or mainly fine small red circular “NAGPORE/POST/PAID” (HG2; “Scarce”) alongside. Both arrived on the same ship with 9 Sept. London backstamps. Good pair. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page 55.

COV-287

6 July 1837

India, Nagpore, 1837, "NAGPORE POST PAID" Circular Handstamp (Giles 2). Faint but legible red frameless strike on top flap of folded letter with manuscript "Nagpore Residency Post Office, 6th July 1837, Postage Paid 12 As" despatch docketing, addressed to Inverness, Scotland, forwarded to Edinburgh, framed "INDIA LETTER/LIVERPOOL" handstamp (Robertson In. 4a), two different "1/2" handstamps (one framed), two red Liverpool (Nov. 12) and Inverness (Nov. 14) transit datestamps, manuscript "1/6" rate crossed out and rerated, Very Fine, noted as "scarce" by Giles

COV-100

19 June

Siegel - INDIA, Nagpore, 1820s, "NAUGPORE RESIDENCY 18_/POST OFFICE" Handstamp (Giles 1). Clearly struck double-oval handstamp with red "Nagpore Post Paid" handstamp with manuscript "19 June" added (Giles 2), both on back of ca. 1820s folded cover to Secunderabad, manuscript "PPd" (Paid), Very Fine, both handstamps are noted as scarce by Giles Cavendish - MOUNT/NAGPORE - PAID & POST OFFICE MARKS INC. LARGE DOUBLE-OVAL NAGPORE TYPE; c.1822 (wmk. “1820”) E to Secunderabad with fine to very fine large black double-oval “NAUGPORE RESIDENCE/POST/OFFICE” (HG1; “Scarce”) and red circular unframed “NAGPORE/POST/PAID” (“Scarce”) both on the top flap (note the differing spellings!), stained 24 Nov. 1834 E (side-flaps removed) to Madras with fine boxed “MOUNT/POST NOT PAID” (HG2; scarce), and 1840/56 env./part E with boxed “ST THO’ MOUNT” marks for “Bearing” (HG6; black) or “Paid” (HG5; red with India ½a - fault - tied by “112” Numeral). (4 covers) PHOTO - see page 41

Compare HG 2 across every office →

About this mark

The Nagpore HG 2 handstamp

Nagpore became the capital of the Central Provinces, and is situated 21°9' N and 79°7' E, 520 miles from Bombay and 701 from Calcutta. It stands on a small stream called The Nag, from which it takes its name. It was founded in the 18th century by the Gond Raja, Bakht Buland, and became the headquarters of the Bhonsla Raja. The battles of Sitabaldi and Nagpore were fought here in 1817.

Nagpore HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Nagpore — the present-day Nagpur — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1822 to 1837. 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".

7 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 nagpore pre stamp covers, nagpore postal history or "Nagpore HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Nagpore marks.

Previously described as "B" in error

Frequently asked

What is the Nagpore HG 2 handstamp?: Nagpore HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Nagpore (modern Nagpur) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1822 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 red.
How rare is Nagpore HG 2?: Nagpore 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. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Nagpore pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Nagpore 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. 7 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 Nagpore 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 (1822–1837). 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 Nagpore

4 marks

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

View all Nagpore 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: Nagpore HG 2, Nagpore HG2, Nagpore Giles 2, Nagpur postal history, Nagpore handstamp, Nagpore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026