What is the Mooltan HG 2 handstamp?

Mooltan HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mooltan (modern Multan) in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 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 Mooltan HG 2?

Mooltan 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mooltan 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 Mooltan 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 (1851–1854). 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.

Punjab · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Mooltan HG 2

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1851–1854
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 143
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-4515

24 September 1854

Part 1: The Main Letter[Page 1: The Greeting & Family Business Right Side]Mooltan 24 Septr 1854 My own dearest Sister Many thanks for y[ou]r kind kind notes of [?] which we were truly rejoiced to hear of y[ou]r safe lodgement at Cheltenham & the Hall plate on which Aunt says have the desired effect of letting the good people know where a first rate Homeopathic Dr is to be found. I am also glad to hear you have succeeded in getting a good Governess. When talking of it pray do not let [it] disturb y[ou]r peace of mind about p[ound]s I will send you a D[raft] from Bear to meet it. I... it is this [vile?] America town for Bear to send to Delhi for it. So you see I cannot positively rely on that account. They are both...[Page 2: Rosa's Wedding & The Snake Incident Right Side]...[cake?] which we had at Rosa's Wedding Breakfast. But the other is too old to eat though nearly done up in tin (Conceal) the Salmon [forgot?] was very good. We hear nothing of [Theresa?]ditto of [?] Hanker. Night & day I am heartily sick & tired of them. I have just heard from Rosa all well. We have had a [horrid] Escape from losing White [by a] Snake. We are just going to Crawl up her [dress?] while drinking her Coffee in the Veranda the little boy who she was feeding gave the Alarm. Shortly after a Lizard fell down on her head so you may [think] she has had a million panics her!!! M. A... goes well at Sydney, the boys to sales have had a note from E[?] Aunt which I will send to y[ou]r Aunt Charles. A little [Polly?] calls her...[Page 3: Children & Parcels]& hope sincerely the dear Child will do his early credit. If [you] [assist?] in their education to [put?] her, we have not or will have any thing short over here & you shall not fall half short for I am much on the Fidgets till we do. I have just heard from Charlotte Heiden [?] - Aunt the [Hair] oil. It has been sent to Bombay some time ago & will go Home by the Steamer which leaves on the 28 th. Ind... [addressed] to Y[ou]r Uncle King Snuff which I hope will prove of service to his Old friendsMalady. By last Mail I had a long letter from Auntie dear which I will acknowledge by next mail. We are if opp[ortunity] to send [?] [?] help to do so. Consequently to our [?] peace. the last Aunt says that R. was kind enough to order for me. I...Part 2: The Cross-Writing & Flaps[The Stamp Act & Frontier News] (This is the valuable /"Meta-Philately/" section describing the new stamps)....in Mooltan. On the 1 st Oct our New Postage Act comes into play when we can send letters not exceeding 1/4 tola from one end of India to the other for 1/2 an Anna. I think they will find they have overdone it. One Anna would have been an equal Boon to the Public & not such a loss to Govt. After this will be a clamour we shall see. the Stamps are small sheets Blue. by or rather on the next letter you will see one. but this must go off on the 28 th. I hope Jane & [early?] in July was received. You hope. Aunt M. Watch did duly reach Bombay till 3 Augt. I

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About this mark

The Mooltan HG 2 handstamp

Mooltan, headquarters of the same named District, in the Punjab, is situated 300 12'N and 71°31' £, 576 miles from Karachi, and 1429 from Calcutta. It was stormed by Ranjit Singh in 1818, and in 1821 biwan Sawan Mal became its Governor. It was not affected in the 1st Sikh War, but the murder of two British officers, by Mulraj, the Governor's son, led to the 2nd Sikh War, and it was captured in 1849..

Mooltan HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Mooltan — the present-day Multan — in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 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".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for mooltan pre stamp covers, mooltan postal history or "Mooltan HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Mooltan marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Mooltan HG 2 handstamp?: Mooltan HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mooltan (modern Multan) in the Punjab, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 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 Mooltan HG 2?: Mooltan 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Mooltan pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mooltan 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 Mooltan 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 (1851–1854). 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 Mooltan

4 marks

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

View all Mooltan marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Mooltan HG 2, Mooltan HG2, Mooltan Giles 2, Multan postal history, Mooltan handstamp, Mooltan pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Mooltan HG 2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/punjab/mooltan/hg-2 (accessed 24 September 2026).

Updated: 24 Sept 2026