Australia - 1917 - 1988.
Urgent rate transmission forms.


 

Urgent rates for telegrams were introduced during the Colonial years - espeially in Queensland. For a discussion of the way in which the Colonies adapted to this new concept, see elsewhere.

There were 15 main types of urgent rate transmission forms issued between 1917 and 1974. The instruction about the phasing out of Urgent Rate forms is given elsewhere.

The images in the right column below represent the general type of format for the heading of each of these issues. There are variations in colour and layout within each type of form indicated. Further details of each type are obtained by clicking on the appropriate hyperlink.

The early formats are rated between "Scarce" to "Rare" unused while used forms are almost unknown - especially for the War period and before.

All except for one form (type 10), the urgent rate delivery forms were printed on various shades of pink/salmon/orange paper.

The first form for an URGENT RATE telegram in Australia was introduced in Queensland in 1893.

AE-TU-1: URGENT TELEGRAM in two lines.

Form number E.T. 1a.

Telegraph charges in CASH REGISTER box on left.

ATU-1
AE-TU-2: URGENT TELEGRAM in one line.

Panel of text with charges underneath heading.

 
AB-TU-3: URGENT TELEGRAM in one line.

Charges begin underneath CASH REGISTER box.

Text under heading begins with "Accepted".

Has CONSECUTIVE No. in lower left corner.

 

AB-TU-4: TELEGRAM/URGENT RATE in one (TU-4B) or two (TU-4A) lines.

Open panel of text under heading with charges.

In "Office Use" box, second entry is "To".

 

ATU-4
AB-TU-5: TELEGRAM - Urgent Rate in smaller letters.

Form number changed to T.G. 41A.

The same format as above (for AU-TU-4B) - open panel of text under heading with charges.

Has an advertisement at the top and the message across the centre of the form refers to the reverse side where there are three advertisements.

AB-TU-6: TELEGRAM/URGENT RATE in two lines in a central box.

Has boxes on either side of central boxed heading. No advertisements or telegraph charges. Three advertisements on reverse.

 

Yet to be confirmed. Probably exists. Would be a combination of features from TU-7 and TU-8.
AB-TU-7: TELEGRAM/URGENT RATE in two lines.

Has boxed advertisement for telegram in the lower left corner.

No telegraph charges.

 

ATU-7
AB-TU-8: TELEGRAM/URGENT RATE in two lines.

Charges included in "AFFIX STAMPS" box in top right corner.

Has boxed advertisement for MULTIPLE TELEGRAMS in the lower left corner.

Has a single advertisement on the reverse side.

AB-TU-8

ATU_8B

AW-TU-9. Heading has a wide pink stripe an emergency measure because of war-time restrictions. AW-TU-9 menu
AW-TU-10. Heading changed to
URGENT TELEGRAM in two lines in a central box.

Boxes on both sides of heading but only the left box references CASH REGISTER..

Has a box in the lower left corner for telegraph charges.

Reverse side has a single line
URGENT TELEGRAM in blue.

AW-TU-10
AW-TU-11. URGENT TELEGRAM in two lines in a central box. Printed in red on white paper.

Has a box in the lower left corner for telegraph charges.

Reverse side has a single line
URGENT TELEGRAM in red.

ATU-10
ATU_10B
AW-TU-12. URGENT TELEGRAM in two lines in a central box.

Four dotted lines in "TO" box.

Has CASH REGISTER entries on both sides.

Lower left corner is either blank or has the "sender's ..." notice. Reverse side is blank.

ATU-12
AW-TU-13: URGENT TELEGRAM in two lines in a central box but much narrower than that for types 9 and 10.

Two or three dotted lines in "TO" box.

Lower left corner has the "Sender's ..." notice.

ATU-13
AA-TU-14: URGENT TELEGRAM in two lines in a central box.

New heading of POST OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS AUSTRALIA.

ATU-14
AA-TU-15: URGENT TELEGRAM
in a reverse printed box under AUSTRALIAN POST OFFICE heading.

Printed on light brown or bright yellow or pink paper.

ATU-15