COV-696 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Tellicherry, Madras Presidency of 1834, bearing the Tellicherry HG 4 handstamp in black. "TELLICHERRY/POST FREE" Handstamp (Giles 4). Complete clear strike in red oval.

How scarce is the Tellicherry HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Tellicherry HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1834-37.

When was COV-696 posted?

COV-696 is dated 1834, within the recorded period of use of Tellicherry HG 4 (1834-37).

COV-696

1834 Tellicherry Cover

Back to census|Tellicherry HG 4 · 2 covers recorded

COV-2727 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1834, Tellicherry HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-696) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Tellicherry HG 4, front (COV-696) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1834

Description

"TELLICHERRY/POST FREE" Handstamp (Giles 4). Complete clear strike in red oval.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3071, (2025)

Provenance

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3071

Same office

Other recorded marks at Tellicherry

5 marks

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

View all Tellicherry marks and postal history →

About this Tellicherry pre stamp cover

COV-696 is a Tellicherry pre stamp cover of 1834 bearing the Tellicherry HG 4 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Tellicherry postal history — the office known today as Thalassery, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

"TELLICHERRY/POST FREE" Handstamp (Giles 4). Complete clear strike in red oval.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3071 (2025).

2 images of COV-696 are recorded (front); the Tellicherry HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1834-37.

Questions about COV-696

What is COV-696?: COV-696 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Tellicherry, Madras Presidency of 1834, bearing the Tellicherry HG 4 handstamp in black. "TELLICHERRY/POST FREE" Handstamp (Giles 4). Complete clear strike in red oval.
How scarce is the Tellicherry HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Tellicherry HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1834-37.
What is the provenance of COV-696?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3071 (2025).
When was COV-696 posted?: COV-696 is dated 1834, within the recorded period of use of Tellicherry HG 4 (1834-37).

About this record

This 1834 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Tellicherry HG 4 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3071, (2025).