Australia - Brown years: 1923-1939.
Ordinary rate delivery form: AB-DO-3.

General characteristics:

Heading and notes: Form number E.T. No. 2.
Heading is TELEGRAM.
Message area: Blank - occupies about 40% of total area.
Reverse side: Blank.
Colours (text & form): Blue on white.
Size of form overall: 127 × 222 mm.
Size of datestamp box: 3A: 26 × 33 mm.
3B: 24 mm diameter.

Distinctive characteristics of the form:

  • The heading has two side by side sections plus a space for a date stamp;
  • Date stamp box is rectangular except for the last format (DO-3D);
  • The main distinctions amongst the varieties are:
    • 3A: thin letters for TELEGRAM;
    • 3B: thick letters for TELEGRAM and M has straight legs;
    • 3C: thick letters for TELEGRAM and M has slanted legs;
    • 3D: circular date stamp box.
AB-DO-3A Harefield to Sydney, NSW - with relay at Wagga Wagga
26 September 1924.

Wagga Wagga was an intermediate station.
When it was received there, the message was transcribed onto this form and then retransmitted to Sydney.
Hence this form was left in the office and was never intended for delivery.
The date stamp is really an office record.
AB-DO-3A.

Characteristics:

  • thin letters for heading;
  • rectangular date stamp box;
  • the vertical line is below EG in the word "TELEGRAM";
  • no schedule number;
  • light blue printing;
  • "COMMONWEALTH" starts above "r" of "From".
AB-DO-3Ba Bendigo to Richmond - C.E.T.O. Melbourne.
31 December 1923.
AB-DO-3Ba.
Printed in October 1923.

Characteristics:

  • thick letters for heading;
  • rectangular date stamp box;
  • the vertical line is below the 2nd E of "TELEGRAM";
  • schedule number in the lower left corner;
  • "COMMONWEALTH" starts above the space between
    "STATION FROM";
AB-DO-3Bb Deniliquin to Bendigo.
25 November 1925.
AB-DO-3Bb.
Printed in March 1925.

Characteristics:

  • thick letters for heading;
  • rectangular date stamp box;
  • the vertical line is below the G of "TELEGRAM";
  • schedule number in the lower left corner;
  • "COMMONWEALTH" starts above the space between "STATION FROM".
AB-DO-3Ca Albion to Southport.
17 December 1925.
AB-DO-3Ca.

Characteristics:

  • thick letters for heading;
  • M of TELEGRAM has slanted legs;
  • rectangular date stamp box;
  • vertical line is below 2nd E of "TELEGRAM";
  • no schedule number;
  • "COMMONWEALTH" starts above ON of "STATION".
AB-DO-3Cb
Delivery envelope for above telegram to Southport.
AB-DO-3Cb Newcastle to Windsor.
6 July 1925.
AB-DO-3Cb.

Characteristics:

As for type DO-3Ca but with a horizontal line 5 mm above the heading.

AB-DO-3D Newcastle to Windsor, NSW.
29 May 1926.
AB-DO-3D.

Characteristics:

  • thick letters for heading;
  • circular date stamp box - 24 mm diameter;
  • vertical line is below EL of "TELEGRAM".
  • stores number in the lower left corner;
  • "COMMONWEALTH" starts above "Fr" of "From".

Details of use and rarity.

Form
sub-number		 Schedule number Earliest recorded date Rarity rating
DO-3A No number. 23 October 1923 at Adelaide. C
DO-3Ba B. 1416/10.23. - C.15171. 31 December 1923 at C.E.T.O. Melbourne. C
DO-3Bb B. 1416/3.25 - C.1947. 31 July 1925 at M.O. Richmond, Vic. C
  B. 1416/8.25 - C.11550 (?) 12 August 1926 at St. Arnaud, Vic. NC
DO-3Ca None 2 January 1925 at Leura, NSW. C
DO-3Cb None 6 July 1925 at Windsor, NSW. NC
DO-3D B1130 29 May 1926 at Windsor (double circle rubber date stamp). C
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