What is the Chittoor HG 2 handstamp?

Chittoor HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chittoor in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1816 to 1820. 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 Chittoor HG 2?

Chittoor 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. 17 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chittoor 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. 17 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 Chittoor 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 (1816–1820). 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.

Chittoor HG 2 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1816–1820, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Chittoor HG 2

Intaglio

Colour & date: Black1816–1820
Rarity: Common
Note: Intaglio black on white
Catalogue: 2000 Supplement · p. 6
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Chittoor HG 3 →

Census

Census records

17 covers recorded

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

COV-3406

31 October 1816

COV-590

11 November 1816

1816 (Nov 11): Entire letter from Chittoor to Madras, with negative circular "CHITTOOR / POST OFFICE" postmark (Giles No. 2, 1816-19, 'rare'), manuscript "ppd 3 As" (postage paid 3 annas) rate, full content from the well known correspondence to Thomas Fiott de Havilland, at that time Major and Superintending Engineer at Madras.

COV-1380

24 November 1816

1816 CHITTOOR POST OFFICE intaglio Giles 2 addressed to Thomas Fiott de Havilland, manuscript 24th November 1816, 3 fannams post paid. One of the earliest known examples from first year in 1816

COV-1216

24 March 1817

1817 Rare intaglio CHITTOOR POST OFFICE Giles 2 addressed to Thomas Fiott de Havilland with scarce Madras GPO MX1 very early usage

COV-227

9 June 1817

India, Chittoor, 1817, "CHITTOOR POST OFFICE" Negative Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 2). Mostly legible strike over flap with manuscript "Chittoor the 9th June 1817" despatch date marking on folded letter to Madras, manuscript "Post Paid 3 fs" rate notation, Madras (Jun. 11) arrival datestamp, cover with couple minor file folds, still Fine, noted as rare by Giles

COV-1984

25 July 1817

COV-3408

29 July 1817

COV-27

15 August 1817

India, Chittoor, 1817, "CHITTOOR POST OFFICE" Negative Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 2). Unusually strong strike though watery as often seen, with manuscript "the 15th August 1817" date added on back of folded letter to Major de Havilland in Madras, Madras (Aug. 17) arrival datestamp, small piece missing on flap from opening and mild vertical file folds, Fine strike which is noted as "rare" by Giles

COV-726

21 September 1817

CHITTOOR/POST OFFICE. 1817 : H.G. 2 : Letter from CHITTOOR [21 Sept.] to MADRAS [23 Sept.] Total Transit time 2 days. Postage prepaid for a single letter for more than 100 miles. 3 fanam = 1 an. Intaglio double circle with outer line CHITTOOR/POST OFFICE was in use from 1816-1819, described by Giles as a very rare mark. Other Mark: H.G.-MX 1 Oval GPO/SE23/1817 applied on arrival at MADRAS, also a very Scarce mark by Giles.

COV-86

5 January 1818

INDIA, Chittoor, 1818, "CHITTOOR POST OFFICE" Negative Handstamp (Giles 2). Mostly complete and clear strike with star in center on top flap of folded letter with Jan. 5, 1818 despatch docketing, addressed to de Havilland in Madras, Madras Jan. 8 arrival backstamp, Very Fine strike of this rare postal marking, noted as rare by Giles , the recipient Lieut. Col. Thomas Fiott de Havilland (1775-1866) was a decorated British army officer who was stationed in India before returning to Guernsey

COV-2632

1 October 1818

COV-589

14 November 1818

1818 (Nov 14): Entire letter from Chittoor to Madras, with a very good strike of negative circular "CHITTOOR / POST OFFICE" postmark (Giles No. 2, 1816-19, 'rare'), manuscript 'pp 4 As' (postage paid 4 Annas) rate, obverse with oval "GPO NO 17 1818" arrival datestamp, full content from the well known correspondence to Thomas Fiott de Havilland, at that time Major and Superintending Engineer at Madras.

COV-390

7 January 1819

India, Chittoor, 1819, "CHITTOOR POST OFFICE" Negative Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 2). Fairly well-struck and legible strike on back of folded letter datelined "Chittore 7th January 1819" , addressed to Madras, manuscript "Pd 4 As" rate marking, Madras (Jan. 9) arrival datestamp, couple slightly toned file folds (mild one affecting Chittoor marking), otherwise Very Fine, noted as "rare" by Giles

COV-2512

24 March 1819

COV-2437

19 December 1819

1819 Chittoor – Madras inland entire, with Chittoor Giles 2 "CHITTOOR/POST OFFICE" handstamp, date "The 19th Decr. 1819" & rate "P. Pd 4As" (paid 4 annas or 3 fanams inland postage for a letter between 100 to 200 miles; distance from Chittoor to Madras was 123 miles via Tappal Road). At Madras, Giles MX2 "MADRAS/GPO/DE 21/1819" receipt mark applied.

COV-1114

12 October 1820

COV-2181

16 October 1820

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About this mark

The Chittoor HG 2 handstamp

Chittoor, headquarters of North Arcot District, Madras Presidency, is situated 15°13'N and 79°6'E, in the valley of the Poini River, 100 miles from Madras. It was a military station of importance until 1874.

Chittoor HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Chittoor in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1816 to 1820. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 2000 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 2".

17 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 chittoor pre stamp covers, chittoor postal history or "Chittoor HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Chittoor marks.

Intaglio black on white

Frequently asked

What is the Chittoor HG 2 handstamp?: Chittoor HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Chittoor in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1816 to 1820. 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 Chittoor HG 2?: Chittoor 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. 17 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Chittoor pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Chittoor 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. 17 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 Chittoor 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 (1816–1820). 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 Chittoor

4 marks

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

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

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026