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 this form:
 
B-DO-3A
This telegram was sent from Harefield to Sydney. 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 stamps is really an office record.		 AB-DO-3A.

Harefield to Sydney, NSW
(with relay at Wagga Wagga
26 September 1924).

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
Printed in October 1923.		 AB-DO-3Ba.

Bendigo to Richmond - C.E.T.O. Melbourne (31 December 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
Printed in March 1925.		 AB-DO-3Bb.

Deniliquin to Bendigo
(25 November 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 AB-DO-3Ca.

Albion to Southport
(17 December 1925).

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".

 

 
AE-EO-1Ab AE-EO-1Ac.

Delivery envelope accompanying telegram above from Albion to Southport (17 December 1925).
AB-DO-3Cb AB-DO-3Cb.

Newcastle to Windsor
(6 July 1925).

Characteristics:

  • as for type DO-3Ca but with a horizontal line
    5 mm above the heading.
AB-DO-3D AB-DO-3D.

Newcastle to Windsor, NSW.
29 May 1926.

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