What is the Masulipatam HG 2 handstamp?

Masulipatam HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Masulipatam (modern Machilipatnam) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1814. 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 Masulipatam HG 2?

Masulipatam HG 2 is graded "Rare" 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 Masulipatam pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Masulipatam 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 Masulipatam 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 (1814). 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.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Masulipatam HG 2

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1814
Rarity: Rare
Note: Rare
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 138
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Masulipatam HG 3 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-822

4 September 1814

1814 : H.G. 2: The English traded in MASULIPATAM since 1611. In 1686 the Dutch tried to interfere but the Mogul Emperor granted the MADRAS Government a Farman to continue trading. In 1750 MASULIPATAM was seized by the French but recaptured in 1759. This letter from one James Noble was sent per HE. Ship Asia. The letter bears the postmark of "POST PAID / MASULIPATAM" Rated Rare, used only during 1814 as per Giles. The Presidency postage was 7 Rs., being almost a triple letter. Sent on 4th September, 1814.

Compare HG 2 across every office →

About this mark

The Masulipatam HG 2 handstamp

Masulipatam is situated 16°11' N and 81° 8' E, in Kistna District, Madras Presidency, on the Bay of Bengal, 215 miles from Madras. The English traded there as early as 1611, and later established a factory there. In 1686 the Dutch tried to interfere with this trading, but the Moghul emperor granted the Madras GoverI)ment a farman to continue trading there. In 1750, Masulipatam was seized by the French, but recaptured in 1759, and under a treaty signed in May 1759 Masulipatam and the adjacent territory passed to the Company.

Masulipatam HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Masulipatam — the present-day Machilipatnam — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1814. Known strikes are in black. 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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for masulipatam pre stamp covers, masulipatam postal history or "Masulipatam HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Masulipatam marks.

Rare

Frequently asked

What is the Masulipatam HG 2 handstamp?: Masulipatam HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Masulipatam (modern Machilipatnam) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1814. 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 Masulipatam HG 2?: Masulipatam HG 2 is graded "Rare" 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 Masulipatam pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Masulipatam 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 Masulipatam 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 (1814). 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 Masulipatam

12 marks

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

View all Masulipatam 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: Masulipatam HG 2, Masulipatam HG2, Masulipatam Giles 2, Machilipatnam postal history, Masulipatam handstamp, Masulipatam pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026