Manu propria


Manu propria, abbreviated to m.p. 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 of the person who would have signed the document if it had not been printed or typewritten.
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 with this abbreviation, for example 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: