What is the Trichinopoly HG Add handstamp?

Trichinopoly HG Add is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Trichinopoly (modern Tiruchirappalli) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1788 to 1790. The "HG Add" 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 Add?

Trichinopoly HG Add has 2 examples recorded 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 Add 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 Add. 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 Add cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1788–1790). 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 Add — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1788–1790, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Trichinopoly HG Add

Colour & date: Black1788–1790
Rarity: 2 examples recorded
Note: Rare – one example recorded
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 205
Figure: Add
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-2659

6 February 1790

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About this mark

The Trichinopoly HG Add 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 Add 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 1788 to 1790. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG Add".

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

Rare – one example recorded

Frequently asked

What is the Trichinopoly HG Add handstamp?: Trichinopoly HG Add is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Trichinopoly (modern Tiruchirappalli) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1788 to 1790. The "HG Add" 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 Add?: Trichinopoly HG Add has 2 examples recorded 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 Add 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 Add. 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 Add cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1788–1790). 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

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Also searched as: Trichinopoly HG Add, Trichinopoly HGAdd, Trichinopoly Giles Add, Tiruchirappalli postal history, Trichinopoly handstamp, Trichinopoly pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026