Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Manuscript
Salem MN 1
- Type
- Manuscript
- Date Span
- —
- Rarity
- 1 example recorded
- Figure
- MN1
- Submitted by
- D Pittie
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Salem MN 1 manuscript marking is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Salem MN 1 marking
Salem City, headquarters of Salem District, Madras Presidency, is 206 miles from Madras, and situated 11°19' N and 78°10' E. By treaty with Haidar Ali's son in 1792, the whole District, except Oosoor fell to the Company.
Salem MN 1 is a pre-1854 manuscript postal marking of the post office at Salem in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use —. Its "MN 1" 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 "1 example recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for salem pre stamp covers, salem postal history or "Salem MN1" material can compare MN 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Salem marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Salem MN 1 marking?
- Salem MN 1 is a pre-1854 manuscript postal marking of Salem in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use —. The "MN 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
- How rare is Salem MN 1?
- Salem MN 1 has 1 example 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 Salem pre stamp cover with MN 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Salem is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by manuscript rate marks like MN 1. 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 Salem MN 1 cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (—). 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 Salem
5 marks5 other pre-1854 postal markings of Salem are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Salem MN 1, Salem MN1, Salem Giles MN 1, Salem handstamp, Salem pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Salem MN 1 — manuscript,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/salem/mn-1 (accessed 16 July 2026).
Updated: 16 Jul 2026