Australia - Brown years: 1923-1939.
Ordinary rate delivery envelopes: AB-EO-8.

  
General characteristics:

Heading and notes: Form number T.G. 65.
TELEGRAM is right justified.
Message area: Boxed advertisement for ORNAMENTAL telegram forms in the top left corner with "FOR QUICK SERVICE ... " above the window.
Reverse side: Two slogans.
Colours (text & envelope): Blue on white.
Size of envelope overall: 80 × 136 mm.
Distinctive characteristics of this form:

 

 


This format, first printed in late 1937 to mid-1938, standardised the format for both types of delivery envelope until about 1955. Although there were small variations over the years, the basic arrangement was TELEGRAM with a boxed advertisement together with one slogan on the front and two slogans on the reverse side.

The advertisements on the front were the same for all EO-8 printings. The reverse side had a wide variety of combinations across the main themes of Telegrams, Telephone, Postal Use and Postal Services. These combinations are summarised in a separate page. The major aspect was the introduction of the first war-related slogan on the last format.

AB-EO-8A AB-EO-8A.

Used delivery envelope with no markings.

Characteristics:

  • line for right border of advertising box, if extended, passes between C and E of SERVICE;
  • form number in very small letters.
AB-EO-8C rev AB-EO-8A (reverse).

Reverse side of the above delivery envelope showing the slogans.
1937 AB-EO-8B.

Window delivery envelope used at Edgecliff 16 March 1937.

Characteristics:

  • line for right border of advertising box, if extended, passes between C and E of SERVICE;
  • form number in normal letters.
AB-EO-8B slog 2 AB-EO-8B (reverse).

Reverse side of the above delivery envelope with the EO-8B format showing one set of slogans.
AB-EO-8A rev AB-EO-8B (reverse).

Reverse side of a second delivery envelope showing another set of slogans.

Also known with the top slogan being:

FOR YOUR URGENT LETTERS -
THE AIR MAIL
AB-EO-7B AB-EO-8C.

Unused window delivery envelope.

Characteristics:

  • line for right border of advertising box, if extended, passes at end of 2nd E of SERVICE;
  • form number in normal letters.
AB-DO-8B rev AB-EO-8C (reverse).

Reverse side of above delivery envelope showing one set of slogans. Both advertisements have peace-time themes.
Collingwood

AB-EO-8C.

Used at Collingwod, Vic. to deliver form
AB-DO-8H (printed Oct. 1939) - which also has the same problematic date stamp.
23 April 1941.

Has an oval rubber date stamp (RO6-PO) which has started to break apart but has been temporarily repaired by the local postal officials with twine!!!!

Three loops of the twine across the face of the date stamp can be clearly seen (see also the Collingwood entry).
AB-EO-8C slog AB-EO-8C (reverse).

Reverse side of the above delivery envelope with the EO-8C format showing an alternative set of slogans - both of which have peace-time themes.
AB-EO-9D AB-EO-8D.

Used at Townsville on 11 May 1942.

Characteristics:

  • line for right border of advertising box, if extended, passes between C and E of SERVICE;
  • form number in normal letters.
In all respects, this format is, on the front, identical to AB-EO-8C - but on the reverse side ...

 
AB-EO-9D rev AB-DO-8D (reverse).

Reverse side of the above delivery envelope.
Flap is rectangular with deeply curved sides.

The lower slogan was used on both EO-7 and EO-8 formats.

The slogan on the flap is the first example of the introduction of war-related slogans on ordinary rate window envelopes.

See also AB-EU-5C.

 

 

Details of use and rarity.

Form
sub-number		 Schedule number Earliest recorded date Rarity rating
EO-8A None.   NC
EO-8B None. 16 March 1937 at Edgecliff, NSW. C (RR if used and tied)
EO-8C None. 23 April 1941 at Collingwood, Vic. C (RR if used and tied)
EO-8D None. 17 September 1941 at Elizabeth St. PO, Melbourne. R