Manu propria

Manu propria (Latin for '[signed] with one's own hand'), abbreviated to m.p. or mppr.[1] or mppria is a phrase sometimes used at the end of typewritten or printed documents when there is no handwritten signature. It is typically found just after the name(s) of the person(s) who would have signed the document if it had not been printed or typewritten.

Example of medieval manu propria
Jodoc Pein mppria in the Certificate of Nobility for André Falquet

It is also found in several ancient documents in front of or after the writer's signature at the end of the document.

History

Medieval period

Richly decorated manu propria signs were frequently used by medieval dignitaries and literates to verify the authenticity of handwritten documents.

18th century

mppria was commonly used in the 18th century. However, it was not only used for Latin documents.

From the 19th century

Later, official documents were routinely accompanied by this abbreviation, for example, the declaration of war on Serbia by Emperor Franz Joseph from 1914 ends with m.p.

Usage today

Ordinary personal cheques frequently include the abbreviation at the end of the signature line.

By country

Some of the countries that still regularly use manu propria include:

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Manu propria.

References
  1. Pufendorf, Samuel. Sam. L.B. a Pufendorf De jure naturæ et gentium, libri octo. Francofurti & Lipsiæ : Ex Officina Knochiana, MDCCXLIV. v. 1, page [3]. https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/010431595
  2. Early Music, Vol. 10, No. 4 (Oct., 1982), pp. 496 and footnote nr. 5: 5The contraction of manu propria and of the date is usual
  3. Diploma Nobilitatis Andrea Falquet
  4. See e.g. Czech Technical Norm ČSN 01 6910 6910:2007 Úprava písemností zpracovaných textovými editory. Online Language Handbook in Czech
  5. See Oxford Duden German Dictionary, 1990, p.337
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