Australia - Brown years: 1923-1939.
1939 Congratulatory Telegram: AB-GC-39.
General characteristics:

Heading and notes: Form Number T.G. 42G (form).
Heading changed to CONGRATULATIONS.
Message area: Blank.
Reverse side: Blank.
Colours (text & form): Pink, orange and blue on cream.
Size of form overall: 151 × 203 mm.
Distinctive characteristics of this form:
  • centre line "Received..." ends with "message";
  • line above sender details ends with "Tasmania".
 
   
   

Details of use and rarity.

Form
sub-number		 Schedule number Earliest recorded date Rarity rating
DO-1A None 4 July 1905 at Burnie. NC
       
       
       
Where do you want to go next? Return to the top. 1934 Congratulatory Telegram (AB-GC-34). 1954 Congratulations Telegram (AW-GC-54). Overview page of ornamental Telegram forms.

 

 

In 1939, the Congratulations, Mothers' Day and Birthday Greetings forms and matching envelopes were all redesigned.
This form was probably issued in August 1939 although dates in 1939 are very scarce.

AB-GCF-39A.

Adelaide GPO to South Plympton
10 August 1939.

Characteristics:

  • "Origin" finishes before the ribbon above;
  • the side shading lines at the top and the ribbon at the base are orange;
  • left hand has only the fingers shaded;
  • both "G"s in the form number have a horizontal bar.
GCF-39B AB-GCF-39B.

Probably a later printing.

Abbotsford to Richmond
(22 September 1941).

Characteristics:

  • "Origin" finishes below the ribbon above;
  • the side shading lines at the top and the ribbon at the base are more red than orange;
  • the main heading is in a lighter blue;
  • left hand has more shading on the back;
  • hearts on the bells in slightly different locations;
  • balloons in the wreaths slightly deflated;
  • neither "G" in the form number has a horizontal bar.
GCF-39C

AB-GCF-39C.

Used with scarce TELEGRAPH rubber date stamp of Williamstown 20 June 1942.

Characteristics:

  • reduced in size to 187 × 115 mm;
  • no decorations under CO or under ONS of CONGRATULATIONS;
  • text has additional words after REGULATIONS at the base;
  • the note at the base in not printed in an orange band.
GCE-39A AB-GCE-39Aa.

Unused opaque delivery envelope.

Characteristics:

  • form number T.G. 65.G located at top right;
  • no inscription at the base;
  • both "G"s in the form number have a horizontal bar.

 
GCE-39Ab AB-GCE-39Ab.

Used opaque delivery envelope.
Used to deliver the above telegram AB-GCF-39C on 20 June 1942.

Characteristics:

  • form number T.G. 65.G located at top left;
  • balloons moved to outer sides beyond bells;
  • curved outlines less complicated;
  • less pronounced scrolls coming from the letters of TELEGRAM;
  • the scrolls from the two As in Congratulations are very constrained;
  • neither "G" in the form number has a horizontal bar.
GCE-39B AB-GCE-39B.

Window delivery envelope from a Specimen set (shown by the 358 handstamp).

Characteristics:

  • form number T.G. 65.O located at top left;
  • left hand has only the fingers shaded;
  • the"G" in the form number has a horizontal bar.
GCE-39C AB-GCE-39C.

Broken Hill to Goodwood, SA. (21 December 1940 - from the accompanying telegram).

Characteristics:

  • form number T.G. 65.O located at top left;
  • T of the form number is smaller than the G;
  • the G of the form number has no horizontal bar;
  • left hand has more shading on the back;
  • balloons in the wreaths slightly deflated.

Details of use and rarity.

Form
sub-number		 Schedule number Earliest recorded date Rarity rating
GCF-39A. None. 10 August 1939 at Plympton, S.A. NC used
GCF-39B. None. 20 January 1940 at Hawthorn, Vic. NC used
GCF-39C. None. 23 April 1942 at Caulfield East, Vic. RRR
Envelopes      
GCE-39Aa. None.   NC
GCE-39Ab None. 20 June 1942 at Williamstown, Vic. RR
GCE-39B None.   NC
GCE-39C None. 21 December 1940 at Goodwood (probably). NC