What is the Madras SD13 handstamp?

Madras SD13 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Madras (modern Chennai) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1837. The "SD13" 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 Madras SD13?

Madras SD13 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Madras pre stamp cover with SD13 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Madras is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like SD13. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each 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 Madras SD13 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1832–1837). 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.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Madras SD13

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1832–1837
Rarity: Common
Category: Ship Letter
Note: Ship letter. 3rd setting. Also used as receipt markings.
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 131
Figure: SD13
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

6 covers recorded

6 pre-1854 covers bearing the Madras SD13 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-3113

14 June 1833

1833 Handstruck stamp of MADRAS PRESIDENCY SHIP LETTER to Calcutta with ``MADRAS / G.P.O./14 JU 14/1833/SHIP LETTER`` in black along with illegible Red and boxed black pmk

COV-3231

24 May 1834

Letter is written by a Danish traveler while stopped shortly at St. Helena on his way home from Tranquebar for his ship to take in fresh provisions and water. He is approached by a forwarding agent, who convinces him to write the letter and is helpful in providing writing material. The agent is the then 17 year old Saul Solomon (1817-1892). The traveler writes in Danish to his friend and college, the Rev. Pastor K.E. Móhi at the Zion Church in Tranquebar.

COV-4022

30 October 1834

COV-1233

1836

1836 POST PAID Giles 4 of Madras very late usage with MADRAS SHIP LETTER SD13 on fl to London

COV-2045

January 1836

Madras: 1836 (Jan.) entire letter to Cornwall, rated "2/6", showing red framed "POST PAID" (HG SD15) with black oval unframed datestamp across join; fine. Interesting content. Photo.

COV-1557

16 March 1836

1836 MADRAS SHIP LETTER Giles SD13 and POST PAID Giles SD15 alongside folded letter to London via Plymouth

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About this mark

The Madras SD13 handstamp

Chennai, also known as Madras, is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in south-eastern India.

Madras SD13 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Madras — the present-day Chennai — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1837. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "SD13".

6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each 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 madras pre stamp covers, madras postal history or "Madras SD13" material can compare SD13 across every office or browse the rest of the Madras marks.

Ship letter. 3rd setting. Also used as receipt markings.

Frequently asked

What is the Madras SD13 handstamp?: Madras SD13 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Madras (modern Chennai) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1837. The "SD13" 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 Madras SD13?: Madras SD13 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Madras pre stamp cover with SD13 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Madras is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like SD13. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each 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 Madras SD13 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1832–1837). 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 Madras

81 marks

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

View all Madras 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: Madras SD13, Madras Giles SD13, Chennai postal history, Madras handstamp, Madras pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Madras SD13 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/madras/sd13 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026