What is the Madras MX7 handstamp?

Madras MX7 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Madras (modern Chennai) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1840 to 1854. The "MX7" 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 Madras MX7?

Madras MX7 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Madras pre stamp cover with MX7 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Madras is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like MX7. 3 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 Madras MX7 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1840–1854). 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 MX7 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1840–1854, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Madras MX7

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1840–1854
Rarity: Common
Note: Royapettah Receiving House. Opened 1834
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 133
Figure: MX7
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

3 pre-1854 covers bearing the Madras MX7 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-3827

20 October 1840

Entire posted from Madras to Scotland per overland mail with scare handstamp of "RS House/ No 1" MX7 in black color which is the first receiving house of India at Royapettah R.H which was opened in 1834 along with All India type "Madras/ Paid" HG22 handstamp in red color. This is the earliest recorded entire having receiving house No 1 handstamp in 1840.

COV-3681

6 October 1842

COV-3696

5 October 1854

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About this mark

The Madras MX7 handstamp

Chennai, also known as Madras, is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in south-eastern India.

Madras MX7 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Madras — the present-day Chennai — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1840 to 1854. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "MX7".

3 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 madras pre stamp covers, madras postal history or "Madras MX7" material can compare MX7 across every office or browse the rest of the Madras marks.

Royapettah Receiving House. Opened 1834

Frequently asked

What is the Madras MX7 handstamp?: Madras MX7 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Madras (modern Chennai) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1840 to 1854. The "MX7" 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 Madras MX7?: Madras MX7 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Madras pre stamp cover with MX7 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Madras is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like MX7. 3 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 Madras MX7 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1840–1854). 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 Madras

81 marks

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

View all Madras 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: Madras MX7, Madras Giles MX7, Chennai postal history, Madras handstamp, Madras pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Madras MX7 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/madras/mx7 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026