What is the Seerpore HG 2 handstamp?

Seerpore HG 2 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Seerpore in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1857 to 1859. 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 Seerpore HG 2?

Seerpore HG 2 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Seerpore 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. 3 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 Seerpore 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 (1857–1859). 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

Seerpore HG 2

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1857–1859
Rarity: Scarce
Figure: 2
Submitted by: davidfeldman

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Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-5391

1854

India: 1854-55 4a. used selection, comprising die I frame I (3), die II frame I (7), die III frame II (7), die III A frame II, also three covers, most cut to shape, mixed condition.

COV-2774

10 July 1857

DATESTAMPS: 1857 (Jul 10) Envelope from Seerpoor to England with 1854 2a green and 4a blue & red, cut to shape and both touched, tied by JC type 4 « 40 » diamond barred numerals, with unrecorded Seepor boxed ds, reverse with Bombay and London ds, some soiling otherwise fine

COV-4996

1859

1859 (Apr) envelope from Seerpore to England with 1854 4a, fourth printing, cut-square and just touched at top, neatly tied by “40” in barred diamond and “INDIA PAID” boxed hs, with pre-stamp “Seerpoor / Paid.” hs at lower left, reverse with Bombay and Bath arrival ds, minor cover imperfections, attractive franking.

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About this mark

The Seerpore HG 2 handstamp

Seerpore was a small place in the Central Provinces, a branch office of Wardha, situated approximately 21° N and 79° E. (Giles 1993 Supplement)

Seerpore HG 2 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of the post office at Seerpore in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1857 to 1859. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 2" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

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

Frequently asked

What is the Seerpore HG 2 handstamp?: Seerpore HG 2 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Seerpore in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1857 to 1859. 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 Seerpore HG 2?: Seerpore HG 2 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Seerpore pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Seerpore 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. 3 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 Seerpore 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 (1857–1859). 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 Seerpore

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Seerpore is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Seerpore HG 1handstampBlack1854

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

How to cite

“Seerpore HG 2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/seerpore/hg-2 (accessed 17 October 2026).

Updated: 17 Oct 2026