What is the Cumbum HG 2 handstamp?

Cumbum HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Cumbum in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1840. 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 Cumbum HG 2?

Cumbum 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Cumbum 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. 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 Cumbum 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 (1840). 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.

Cumbum HG 2 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1840, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Cumbum HG 2

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Red1840
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 74
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Cumbum

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-398

19 March 1840

India, Cumbum, 1840, "CUMBUM/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 2). Faint but legible strike in red with manuscript "19 March 1840" date and "8 As Double to Bombay" rate added on back of long folded letter to Devon, forwarded to Bideford, sender's directive "Pr Steamer via Marseilles to England" , red "INDIA" oval handstamp, London (May 8) transit backstamp, manuscript "2/8" rate marking, letter with fascinating contents (fully transcribed) which highlights current events and potential issues arising from the "unsettled state of the Frontiers" , Burma, Afghanistan, China, and even Egypt, Very Fine

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About this mark

The Cumbum HG 2 handstamp

Cumbum, a town in the Kurnool District, Madras Presidency, situated 15°35' N and 79°6' E. Formerly the headquarters of a Head Assistant Collector, and a regiment was stationed here, but unhealthiness, due to bad drinking-water, Government offices and military removed from it.

Cumbum HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Cumbum in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1840. 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".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Cumbum HG 2 handstamp?: Cumbum HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Cumbum in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1840. 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 Cumbum HG 2?: Cumbum 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Cumbum pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Cumbum 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. 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 Cumbum 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 (1840). 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 Cumbum

1 mark

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

Cumbum HG 1handstampBlack1816

View all Cumbum marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Cumbum HG 2, Cumbum HG2, Cumbum Giles 2, Cumbum handstamp, Cumbum pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026