What is the Tranquebar HG 4 handstamp?

Tranquebar HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Tranquebar (modern Tharangambadi) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1849. The "HG 4" 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 Tranquebar HG 4?

Tranquebar HG 4 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Tranquebar pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Tranquebar 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 4. 7 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 Tranquebar HG 4 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1849). 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.

Tranquebar HG 4 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1838–1849, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Tranquebar HG 4

Handstamp Danish territory

Colour & date: Red1838–1849
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 204
Figure: 4
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 3 All Tranquebar HG 5 →

Census

Census records

7 covers recorded

7 pre-1854 covers bearing the Tranquebar HG 4 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-3233

16 July 1842

The postage paid stamp is dated '16 July 1842' and paid '1 A' (one anna). The letter is further marked in upper right corner by 'Paid.'

5 January 1843

21 March 1844

12 July 1845

11 November 1846

Posted: Tranquebar 8 November 1846 Transit: Madras 11 November 1846 Forwarded: London 5 January 1847 Endorsed: Pre Paid and Via Southampton Paid 1 A for inland postage and 8 As for steamer packet. Forwarding paid as accessed in London at 1/-.

COV-70

7 April 1849

Tranquebar, 1849, "TRANQUEBAR PAID" Red Boxed Datestamp (Giles 4). Clearly struck with manuscript "7 April 59" date on flap of greenish folded letter to Port Louis, Mauritius, sender's directive "via Point de Galle per Ceylon Packet" , "Packet" handstamp and Mauritius Post Office arrival datestamp, Very Fine, a scarce strike of the ex-Danish territorial cancel, Tranquebar was predominately a Danish territory from 1620 (British from 1801-04) but was sold to the British in 1845

COV-2214

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About this mark

The Tranquebar HG 4 handstamp

Tranquebar is a town and a port in Tanjore District, Madras Presidency, 18 miles north of Negapatam, situated 11°2' N and 79°52' E. It was a Danish settlement with fort built in 1620. It was taken by the East India Company in 1801, but restored to Denmark in 1814. It was finally purchased by the British in 1845.

Tranquebar HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Tranquebar — the present-day Tharangambadi — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1849. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 4".

7 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 tranquebar pre stamp covers, tranquebar postal history or "Tranquebar HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Tranquebar marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Tranquebar HG 4 handstamp?: Tranquebar HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Tranquebar (modern Tharangambadi) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1849. The "HG 4" 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 Tranquebar HG 4?: Tranquebar HG 4 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Tranquebar pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Tranquebar 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 4. 7 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 Tranquebar HG 4 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1849). 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 Tranquebar

7 marks

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

View all Tranquebar 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: Tranquebar HG 4, Tranquebar HG4, Tranquebar Giles 4, Tharangambadi postal history, Tranquebar handstamp, Tranquebar pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Tranquebar HG 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/tranquebar/hg-4 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026