North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Bhopal HG 2A
- Colour & date
- Black1852
- Rarity
- Scarce
- Figure
- 2A
- Submitted by
- Private
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Bhopal HG 2A handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Bhopal HG 2A handstamp
Bhopal is the capital of the Indian State, situated 23°16' N and 77°25' E, 521 miles from Bombay.
Bhopal HG 2A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Bhopal in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1852. Known strikes are in black. Its "HG 2A" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
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 "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for bhopal pre stamp covers, bhopal postal history or "Bhopal HG2A" material can compare HG 2A across every office or browse the rest of the Bhopal marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Bhopal HG 2A handstamp?
- Bhopal HG 2A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bhopal in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1852. The "HG 2A" 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 Bhopal HG 2A?
- Bhopal HG 2A is graded "Scarce" 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 Bhopal pre stamp cover with HG 2A look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Bhopal 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 2A. 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 Bhopal HG 2A cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1852). 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 Bhopal
4 marks4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Bhopal are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Bhopal HG 2A, Bhopal HG2A, Bhopal Giles 2A, Bhopal handstamp, Bhopal pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Bhopal HG 2A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/bhopal/hg-2a (accessed 9 August 2026).
Updated: 9 Aug 2026