Description – District Post PM type 31 (JC) type 28 (RF) latticed diamond, with or without numerals no clearly defined inset - making them sometimes difficult to discern. 

Those without numerals are thought experimental, and those with in use in the Madras postal sub-region, with notable examples in the Tanjore district, accompanied with Talook Tapal marks. Cooper notes their usage 1855-1869, and he lists only a few PO numbers: 26 Coompta (Kumta KA), 31 Waltair (Vizagapatam AP), 148 Mayaveram (Tanjore), 150 Nagapatam (Tanjore). Renouf (1951) notes active between 1863-70, and Martin indicates number 31 as earliest recorded June 1863’ possibly leaning on Renouf’s notes. Probably the 1855 Cooper instance is in question?! Examples are considered very scarce.

These same numbers are found in this collection. Be warned some printed notes on album pages seem incorrect or confused. An example in this collection without numeral dates to 29th July 1862 Ludhiana – This Die II example (13)8 on post 1873 issued stamp makes it very late usage, perhaps latest recorded! Single examples seem mainly on DLR issues of 1855-65, one lithographic example.