Australia: 1917-1988.
Markings on delivery envelopes when telegrams could not be delivered.


Delivery envelopes were marked in manuscript or handstamps to recorded the actions taken by a Telegraph Messenger. Examples of these markings are provided below.
Office closed Handstamp in violet applied to delivery envelope AB-EO-6A.

The Office in Little Collins Street was closed when the messenger arrived to deliver the telegram and so the telegram was returned to the Despatch Clerk at the Telegraph Office.

Carded Manuscript CARDED written on 30 August (year unknown) on delivery envelope AA-EO-18A.
Telephoned

Telephoned Telegram - perhaps the most common of all handstamps applied to delivery envelopes.

Is known in a variety of fonts, sizes and formats.