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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-4709

7 May 1855 Tranquebar Cover

Back to census|Tranquebar HG 6 · 13 covers recorded
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Pre-stamp cover of India — 7 May 1855, Tranquebar HG 6 handstruck folded letter (COV-4709)
front
Pre-stamp cover of India — Tranquebar HG 6, back (COV-4709)
back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

7 May 1855

Description

India, 1854, 1a Red, Die I (4; SG 12). Large to clear margins, tied by bluish diamond of dots on 1855 cover to Kent, England, sender's directive "via Marseilles", faint red framed "TRANQUEBAR/?/Paid" despatch datestamp on back, Madras (May 7) and London Jun. 15) transit datestamps, manuscript "1/10" rate marking, cover with edgewear due to thin nature of paper with small tear at top and small piece missing at bottom STILL VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 1854 ONE-ANNA DIE I USED FROM THE FORMER DANISH TERRITORY OF TRANQUEBAR. Tranquebar was a Danish territory from 1620 until the British captured it during the Napoleonic Wars in 1808 and held it until 1814 (before being sold back to the British in 1845). Ex Dr. Kornan.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction GalleriesRobert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5, Lot 71, (09/30/2025)

Provenance

Ex Dr. Kornan Magnolia

Same office

Other recorded marks at Tranquebar

8 marks

8 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.

+2 more at this office.View all Tranquebar marks and postal history →

About this Tranquebar pre stamp cover

COV-4709 is a Tranquebar pre stamp cover of 7 May 1855 bearing the Tranquebar HG 6 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Tranquebar postal history — the office known today as Tharangambadi, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

India, 1854, 1a Red, Die I (4; SG 12). Large to clear margins, tied by bluish diamond of dots on 1855 cover to Kent, England, sender's directive "via Marseilles", faint red framed "TRANQUEBAR/?/Paid" despatch datestamp on back, Madras (May 7) and London Jun. 15) transit datestamps, manuscript "1/10" rate marking, cover with edgewear due to thin nature of paper with small tear at top and small piece missing at bottom STILL VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 1854 ONE-ANNA DIE I USED FROM THE FORMER DANISH TERRITORY OF TRANQUEBAR. Tranquebar was a Danish territory from 1620 until the British captured it during the Napoleonic Wars in 1808 and held it until 1814 (before being sold back to the British in 1845). Ex Dr. Kornan.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5 lot 71 (09/30/2025).

2 images of COV-4709 are recorded (front, back); the Tranquebar HG 6 mark itself is recorded in use 1850–1858.

Questions about COV-4709

What is COV-4709?
COV-4709 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Tranquebar, Madras Presidency of 7 May 1855, bearing the Tranquebar HG 6 handstamp in red. India, 1854, 1a Red, Die I (4; SG 12). Large to clear margins, tied by bluish diamond of dots on 1855 cover to Kent, England, sender's directive "via Marseilles", faint red framed "TRANQUEBAR/?/Paid" despatch datestamp on back, Madras (May 7) and London Jun. 15) transit datestamps, manuscript "1/10" rate marking, cover with edgewear due to thin nature of paper with small tear at top and small piece missing at bottom STILL VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 1854 ONE-ANNA DIE I USED FROM THE FORMER DANISH TERRITORY OF TRANQUEBAR. Tranquebar was a Danish territory from 1620 until the British captured it during the Napoleonic Wars in 1808 and held it until 1814 (before being sold back to the British in 1845). Ex Dr. Kornan.
How scarce is the Tranquebar HG 6 mark on this cover?
The census grades Tranquebar HG 6 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1850–1858.
What is the provenance of COV-4709?
Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5 lot 71 (09/30/2025).
When was COV-4709 posted?
COV-4709 is dated 7 May 1855, within the recorded period of use of Tranquebar HG 6 (1850–1858).

About this record

This 7 May 1855 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Tranquebar HG 6 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 13 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5, lot 71, (09/30/2025).