What is the Ghazeepore HG 2 handstamp?

Ghazeepore HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ghazeepore (modern Ghazipur) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1824 to 1826. 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 Ghazeepore HG 2?

Ghazeepore HG 2 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 Ghazeepore pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ghazeepore 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 Ghazeepore 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 (1824–1826). 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.

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Ghazeepore HG 2

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1824–1826
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 96
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Ghazeepore HG 3 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-236

8 November 1824

Siegel - India, Ghazeepore, 1824, "GHAZEEPORE FULL POST Pd" Double-Circle Handstamp (Giles 2). Mostly complete handstamp with manuscript "10as" rate and "8 Nov. 1824" date marking on back of folded letter to London, England, framed "INDIA LETTER/SOUTHAMPTON" handstamp (Robertson In. 3a), Calcutta General Post Office (Nov. 24, Giles SD8a) transit and red London (Apr. 14, 1825) arrival datestamps, manuscript "1/-" rate marking, Very Fine, noted as "scarce" by Giles Cavendish - SOUTHAMPTON/GHAZEEPORE - BOXED INDIA LETTER & RARE 2-RING “FULL POST Pd” MARKS, ETC.; Fine 7 Nov. 1824 EL (long family letter; full typed transcript) from “Ghazipore” to London with a mostly fine large rare distinctive 2-ring “GHAZEEPORE FULL POST Pd” (HG2; “Scarce” - believed to be only one other example recorded!) on the top flap alongside a very fine boxed “INDIA LETTER/SOUTHAMPTON” (Rob. In.1); plus 5 Jan. 1822 EL (typed transcript) from “Nuseerabad” to London “Per Ship Fairlie” with a Calcutta c.d.s. (25 Jan.) and a very fine boxed “INDIA LETTER/SOUTHAMPTON” (Rob. In.1) both nicely placed on the front. Good pair; the Ghazeepore mark is an Important Indian Prestamp Exhibition Item. (2 covers) PHOTO - see opposite

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About this mark

The Ghazeepore HG 2 handstamp

Ghazeepore, situated 25°35' N and 83°36' E on the left bank of the Ganges River, in the United Provinces, 421 miles from Calcutta. Lord Cornwallis died here in 1805. Important trade centre, including opium, as the tract north of the Ganges, until the river was transversed by the railway.

Ghazeepore HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Ghazeepore — the present-day Ghazipur — in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1824 to 1826. 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 "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for ghazeepore pre stamp covers, ghazeepore postal history or "Ghazeepore HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Ghazeepore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Ghazeepore HG 2 handstamp?: Ghazeepore HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Ghazeepore (modern Ghazipur) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1824 to 1826. 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 Ghazeepore HG 2?: Ghazeepore HG 2 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 Ghazeepore pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Ghazeepore 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 Ghazeepore 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 (1824–1826). 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 Ghazeepore

10 marks

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

View all Ghazeepore 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: Ghazeepore HG 2, Ghazeepore HG2, Ghazeepore Giles 2, Ghazipur postal history, Ghazeepore handstamp, Ghazeepore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Ghazeepore HG 2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/ghazeepore/hg-2 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026