What is the Noorpoor HG 2 handstamp?

Noorpoor HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Noorpoor (modern Nurpur) in the Punjab, British India, recorded in use around 1852. The "HG 2" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Noorpoor HG 2?

Noorpoor HG 2 is graded "Very 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 Noorpoor pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Noorpoor 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 Noorpoor 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 (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.

Noorpoor HG 2 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1852, Red

Punjab · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Noorpoor HG 2

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1852
Rarity: Very scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 158
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1 All Noorpoor

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-3990

24 July 1852

Entire posted from Noorpoor to Cardiff whales via Palmouth and Marsellies addressed to George Taylor Officer of the 20th Regiment with "Noorpoor/ Jul 24 1852/ Paid" HG2 handstamp with 14 annas postage paid as indicated in manuscript along with Calcutta Ship Letter and "India" handstamp in red along with other delivey marks. Letter written by John Hobart (1831-1918). Officer of the 20th Regiment Native Infantry (BENGAL ARMY - later in the 60th Rifles and a lieutenant colonel). - Letter to his father, Sir George TYLER of COTTRELL (1792-1862), Vice-Admiral, Member of Parliament (Glamorganshire, 1851-1857), at Cardiff (Wales).

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About this mark

The Noorpoor HG 2 handstamp

Noorpoor, in the Kangra District, Punjab, is situated 32°18' N and 75°55' E, 37 miles from Dharmsala on the road to Pathankot. The Rajas of Noorpoor made their capital here and stoutly defended it against the Sikhs, until Ranjit Singh finally reduced it in 1815.

Noorpoor HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Noorpoor — the present-day Nurpur — in the Punjab, British India, recorded in use around 1852. Known strikes are in red. 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 "Very scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for noorpoor pre stamp covers, noorpoor postal history or "Noorpoor HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Noorpoor marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Noorpoor HG 2 handstamp?: Noorpoor HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Noorpoor (modern Nurpur) in the Punjab, British India, recorded in use around 1852. The "HG 2" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Noorpoor HG 2?: Noorpoor HG 2 is graded "Very 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 Noorpoor pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Noorpoor 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 Noorpoor 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 (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 Noorpoor

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Noorpoor is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Noorpoor HG 1handstampRed1851-52

View all Noorpoor 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: Noorpoor HG 2, Noorpoor HG2, Noorpoor Giles 2, Nurpur postal history, Noorpoor handstamp, Noorpoor pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026