How rare is Vizagapatam MN 1?

Vizagapatam 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 Vizagapatam pre stamp cover with MN 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Vizagapatam 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 Vizagapatam 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 (1793). 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

Vizagapatam MN 1

Manuscript

Type: Manuscript
Date Span: 1793
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Figure: MN1
Submitted by: Gowtham BJ

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Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-584

1793

**1793 entire letter posted from Guernsey on 10th June 1793, addressed to Mr. Thomas Fiott de Havilland at Madras. The letter reached Madras after 177 days, carried by the East Indiaman *Earl Cornwallis*, a 755-ton ship which completed eight voyages between 1784 and 1800.** **The ship first arrived at Vizagapatam, situated on the coast north of Madras, approximately 490 miles away. This is confirmed by the manuscript endorsement: “Post Not Paid 5 Fannams from ship Vizagapatam 4th Dec 93.” As Vizagapatam did not have a “Post Not Paid” handstamp, the bearing postage of 5 fanams was recorded in manuscript.** This is the only recorded letter showing bearing postage in manuscript from Vizagapatam.

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About this mark

The Vizagapatam MN 1 marking

Vizagapatam, headquarters of Vizagapatam District, Madras Presiden·cy, 484 miles from Madras and 547 from Calcutta, situated on the east 1r42' N and 83°18' E. In the seventeenth century, the East India Company established here one of its earliest factories. Historically the town can boast of little interest, the only events of any importance that have occurred being the two occupations of the factory, in 1669 by Aurangzeb's forces, and 1757 by the French under Bussy.

Vizagapatam MN 1 is a pre-1854 manuscript postal marking of the post office at Vizagapatam — the present-day Visakhapatnam — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1793. 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 vizagapatam pre stamp covers, vizagapatam postal history or "Vizagapatam MN1" material can compare MN 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Vizagapatam marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Vizagapatam MN 1 marking?: Vizagapatam MN 1 is a pre-1854 manuscript postal marking of Vizagapatam (modern Visakhapatnam) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1793. The "MN 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
How rare is Vizagapatam MN 1?: Vizagapatam 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 Vizagapatam pre stamp cover with MN 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Vizagapatam 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 Vizagapatam 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 (1793). 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 Vizagapatam

7 marks

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

View all Vizagapatam marks and postal history →

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Also searched as: Vizagapatam MN 1, Vizagapatam MN1, Vizagapatam Giles MN 1, Visakhapatnam postal history, Vizagapatam handstamp, Vizagapatam pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Vizagapatam MN 1 — manuscript,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/vizagapatam/mn-1 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026