What is the Trichinopoly HG 15 handstamp?

Trichinopoly HG 15 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Trichinopoly (modern Tiruchirappalli) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1857 to 1858. The "HG 15" 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 Trichinopoly HG 15?

Trichinopoly HG 15 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Trichinopoly pre stamp cover with HG 15 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 15. 2 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 Trichinopoly HG 15 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1857–1858). 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.

Trichinopoly HG 15 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1857–1858, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Trichinopoly HG 15

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1857–1858
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 206
Figure: 15
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 14 All Trichinopoly HG 16 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Trichinopoly HG 15 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2766

18 June 1851

COV-3904

9 February 1858

India 1858 small stampless native cover from Trichinopoly to Madras w/ boxed Receiving House & red oval cachets

Compare HG 15 across every office →

About this mark

The Trichinopoly HG 15 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 15 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of the post office at Trichinopoly — the present-day Tiruchirappalli — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1857 to 1858. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 15".

2 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 trichinopoly pre stamp covers, trichinopoly postal history or "Trichinopoly HG15" material can compare HG 15 across every office or browse the rest of the Trichinopoly marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Trichinopoly HG 15 handstamp?: Trichinopoly HG 15 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Trichinopoly (modern Tiruchirappalli) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1857 to 1858. The "HG 15" 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 Trichinopoly HG 15?: Trichinopoly HG 15 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Trichinopoly pre stamp cover with HG 15 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 15. 2 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 Trichinopoly HG 15 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1857–1858). 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 15, Trichinopoly HG15, Trichinopoly Giles 15, Tiruchirappalli postal history, Trichinopoly handstamp, Trichinopoly pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Trichinopoly HG 15 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/trichinopoly/hg-15 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026