What is the Seringapatam HG 2 handstamp?

Seringapatam HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Seringapatam (modern Srirangapatna) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1801. 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 Seringapatam HG 2?

Seringapatam HG 2 has 1 example recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Seringapatam 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. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.

How do I identify or submit a Seringapatam 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 (1801). 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

Seringapatam HG 2

Handstamp Mysore State

Colour & date: Black1801
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Note: 55 X 40 double oval frame - reported but not seen
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 189
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Seringapatam HG 3 →

Census

Census records

0 covers recorded

No pre stamp cover bearing the Seringapatam HG 2 handstamp has been recorded yet. If you hold one, submit it below.

No covers bearing this mark have been recorded yet. If you hold one, your submission — once reviewed — will appear here.

Compare HG 2 across every office →

About this mark

The Seringapatam HG 2 handstamp

Seringapatam (Srirangapattana) is in Mysore District, on an island in the Cauvery, 10 miles north-east of Mysore, situated 12°25' N and 76°42' E. Haidar Ali took possession of the place in 1761, and withstood sieges of the Marathas in 1771. The British made two sieges in 1792 and 1799. Tipu Sultan submitted to the terms imposed in 1792, but prolonged resistance in 1799, until it was stormed and he lost his life. Seringapatam then became the property of the British, who leased it to Mysore for Rs.50,000 per annum.

Seringapatam HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Seringapatam — the present-day Srirangapatna — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1801. 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".

No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "1 example recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for seringapatam pre stamp covers, seringapatam postal history or "Seringapatam HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Seringapatam marks.

55 X 40 double oval frame - reported but not seen

Frequently asked

What is the Seringapatam HG 2 handstamp?: Seringapatam HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Seringapatam (modern Srirangapatna) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1801. 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 Seringapatam HG 2?: Seringapatam HG 2 has 1 example recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example.
What does a Seringapatam pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Seringapatam 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. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
How do I identify or submit a Seringapatam 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 (1801). 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 Seringapatam

12 marks

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

View all Seringapatam 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: Seringapatam HG 2, Seringapatam HG2, Seringapatam Giles 2, Srirangapatna postal history, Seringapatam handstamp, Seringapatam pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026