How rare is Seringapatam MN 1?

Seringapatam MN 1 is graded "Rare" 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 Seringapatam pre stamp cover with MN 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Seringapatam 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 Seringapatam 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 (1810). 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 Manuscript

Seringapatam MN 1

Manuscript

Type: Manuscript
Date Span: 1810
Rarity: Rare
Note: As there was no post not paid handstamp in Seringapatam
Figure: MN1
Submitted by: Gowtham BJ

← HG 12 All Seringapatam

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Seringapatam MN 1 manuscript marking is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2987

9 April 1810

Entire posted from Col. Forbes' Detachment, 80th Regiment, at Seringapatam to Madras in manuscript "Care of Hunter & Hay", who were the forwarding agents at Madras. This is a heavy weight cover weighing 2¼ weight of a silver Rupee and considered as Treble postage with 30 Fanams postage not paid on 9th April 1810. As Seringapatam didn't have a "Post Not Paid" handstamp, it was manually written.

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About this mark

The Seringapatam MN 1 marking

Seringapatam (Srirangapattana) is in Mysore District, on an island in the Cauvery, 10 miles north-east of Mysore, situated 12°25' N and 76°42' E. Haidar Ali took possession of the place in 1761, and withstood sieges of the Marathas in 1771. The British made two sieges in 1792 and 1799. Tipu Sultan submitted to the terms imposed in 1792, but prolonged resistance in 1799, until it was stormed and he lost his life. Seringapatam then became the property of the British, who leased it to Mysore for Rs.50,000 per annum.

Seringapatam MN 1 is a pre-1854 manuscript postal marking of the post office at Seringapatam — the present-day Srirangapatna — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1810. 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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for seringapatam pre stamp covers, seringapatam postal history or "Seringapatam MN1" material can compare MN 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Seringapatam marks.

As there was no post not paid handstamp in Seringapatam

Frequently asked

What is the Seringapatam MN 1 marking?: Seringapatam MN 1 is a pre-1854 manuscript postal marking of Seringapatam (modern Srirangapatna) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1810. The "MN 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
How rare is Seringapatam MN 1?: Seringapatam MN 1 is graded "Rare" 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 Seringapatam pre stamp cover with MN 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Seringapatam 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 Seringapatam 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 (1810). 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 Seringapatam

12 marks

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

View all Seringapatam 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: Seringapatam MN 1, Seringapatam MN1, Seringapatam Giles MN 1, Srirangapatna postal history, Seringapatam handstamp, Seringapatam pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Seringapatam MN 1 — manuscript,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/seringapatam/mn-1 (accessed 24 July 2026).

Updated: 24 Jul 2026