Generic envelope AW-GGE-1

Following the introduction of the generic Greetings ornamental delivery form, featuring the orchids, in 1954, the first generic delivery envelope was issued during 1955.

The general practice at this time was to place the telegram in the window envelope - obviating the need for addressing the envelope - and to post it or deliver it generally without date stamping the envelope. Hence appropriately used delivery envelopes for post-1950 are scarce.

	AW-GGE-1A. Unused opaque delivery envelope. Form number TG. 65E. Characteristics: rounded peak with curved sides; no schedule number. The opaque envelope, even unused, is much scarcer than the window envelope.
	AW-GGE-1Ba. Unused window-type delivery envelope. Form number TG. 65D. Characteristics: thick light blue border around window; flap with curved peak and curved sides; no security pattern; no schedule number.
	AA-GCE-1Ba (reverse). Flap with curved peak and curved sides.
	AA-GGE-1Bb (reverse). Characteristics: thin light blue border around window; rectangular flap with curved sides; faint, close, green wavy lines for the outside security pattern; schedule number under the flap.
	AA-GGE-1Bb (reverse). Rectangular flap with curved sides and a faint, close, green wavy lines for the outside security pattern.

Details of use and rarity.

Form sub-number	Schedule number	Earliest recorded date	Rarity rating
GGE-1A	None.	31 August 1957 at Townsville, Qld	RR if genuinely used and can be explicitly associated with telegram.
GGE-1Ba	None.
GGE-1Bb	C.T.B. 1303 - 9/55.
	C. 7539 7/56.

Heading and notes:	TELEGRAM reverse printed in red with two stylised birds in gold above. Issued in both window and opaque envelope formats.
Message area:	Not applicable as it is a delivery envelope.
Reverse side:	Blank.
Colours (text & envelope):	Red, gold and green on cream.
Size of envelope overall:	80 × 136 mm.