North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Hatras HG 2
- Date Span
- 1854
- Colour
- Black
- Rarity
- Common
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 99
- Figure
- 2
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
0 covers recordedNo pre stamp cover bearing the Hatras 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.
About this mark
The Hatras HG 2 handstamp
Hatras, in the Aligarh District, United Provinces, is situated 27°36' N and 78°4' E, on the road from Muttra to the Ganges, and from Agra to Aligarh. In 1817 a spirited seige of the Fort was made by the E. I. Company under Major General Marshall, agains t the troublesome talukdar, Daya Ram. The Fort was blown up, but Daya Ram escaped.
Hatras HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Hatras — the present-day Hathras — in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1854. 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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for hatras pre stamp covers, hatras postal history or "Hatras HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Hatras marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Hatras HG 2 handstamp?
- Hatras HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Hatras (modern Hathras) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1854. 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 Hatras HG 2?
- Hatras 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. 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 Hatras pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Hatras 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 Hatras 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 (1854). 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 Hatras
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of Hatras is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place 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: Hatras HG 2, Hatras HG2, Hatras Giles 2, Hathras postal history, Hatras handstamp, Hatras pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Hatras HG 2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/hatras/hg-2 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026