What is the Trichinopoly HG 13A handstamp?

Trichinopoly HG 13A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Trichinopoly (modern Tiruchirappalli) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1852. The "HG 13A" 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 Trichinopoly HG 13A?

Trichinopoly HG 13A is graded "Common" 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 Trichinopoly pre stamp cover with HG 13A look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Trichinopoly 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 13A. 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 Trichinopoly HG 13A cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1848–1852). 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.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Trichinopoly HG 13A

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1848–1852
Rarity: Common
Figure: 13A
Submitted by: Arvind

← HG 13 All Trichinopoly HG 14 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Trichinopoly HG 13A handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2519

1 February 1848

Postal cover from trichinopoly (madras), bearing HG 13A handstamp in Red. Dated 1 February 1848. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

Compare HG 13A across every office →

About this mark

The Trichinopoly HG 13A handstamp

Trichinopoly, headquarters of the District of the same name, Madras Presidency, is situated 10°49' N and 78°42' E on the right bank of the Cauvery River, 195 miles from Madras. Scene of frequent hostilities between the English and French during the Carnatic Wars. In 1781 the Nawab of the Carnatic assigned the revenues of the Carnatic, including Trichi,nopoly, to the East. India Company, but in 1792 the assignment was surrend.ered, although Trichinopoly continued to be commanded by the Company officers. In 1801 it was ceded to the Company, with the rest of the Carnatic, by the Nawab of Arcot.

Trichinopoly HG 13A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Trichinopoly — the present-day Tiruchirappalli — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1852. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 13A" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for trichinopoly pre stamp covers, trichinopoly postal history or "Trichinopoly HG13A" material can compare HG 13A across every office or browse the rest of the Trichinopoly marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Trichinopoly HG 13A handstamp?: Trichinopoly HG 13A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Trichinopoly (modern Tiruchirappalli) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1852. The "HG 13A" 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 Trichinopoly HG 13A?: Trichinopoly HG 13A is graded "Common" 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 Trichinopoly pre stamp cover with HG 13A look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Trichinopoly 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 13A. 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 Trichinopoly HG 13A cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1848–1852). 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 Trichinopoly

20 marks

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

View all Trichinopoly 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: Trichinopoly HG 13A, Trichinopoly HG13A, Trichinopoly Giles 13A, Tiruchirappalli postal history, Trichinopoly handstamp, Trichinopoly pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Trichinopoly HG 13A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/trichinopoly/hg-13a (accessed 27 August 2026).

Updated: 27 Aug 2026