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:

 

 

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