The Send Birthday Greetings ... slogan was used in Melbourne from 15 July 1937 to 1 November 1940.
The 11 identified dies used at Melbourne with this slogan:
- have a circular date stamp with no box number and VIC. AUST. at the base; or
- have a box date stamp with no code number and VICTORIA at the base.
Within each of these broad types of dies, there are variations.
The date stamp usually had TIME then DAY/MONTH then YEAR although there are several examples with variations to that order.
The listing below is type of date stamp and then Code number within that grouping. The following Table provides a guide with hyperlinks:
Shape and
words at the base |
Die number |
Earliest date |
Latest date |
% of Melbourne Census |
| Circle - VIC AUST |
1 |
19 April 1940 |
|
3% |
| |
3A |
3 October 1938 |
|
3% |
| |
5A |
3 February 1938 |
|
3% |
| |
5B |
15 July 1937 |
3 October 1938 |
3% |
| Box - VICTORIA |
1 |
29 May 1939 |
|
3% |
| |
2A |
31 October 1940 |
|
10% |
| |
2C |
4 October 1938 |
17 October 1939 |
46% |
| |
5A |
1 November 1940 |
|
3% |
| |
5B |
1 February 1938 |
11 September 1939 |
17% |
| Box - PAID |
3B |
14 September 1939 |
|
3% |
There are 32 Melbourne slogans in the Census.
| Datestamp: Circle;
Number: None;
Base inscription:
VIC AUST.
Characteristics:
Die 1 - the G (of GREETINGS) is slightly outdented from the S (of SEND).
Only recorded date of this format:
19 April
1940.
Number in the Census: 1. |
19 April 1940. |
| Datestamp: Circle;
Number: None;
Base inscription:
VIC AUST.
Characteristics:
Die 3A: G begins about the middle of S above.
The T of TELEGRAPH is aligned under the middle of the R above.
Only recorded date of this format:
3 October
1938.
Number in the Census: 1 |
3 October 1938. |
| Datestamp: Circle;
Number: None;
Base inscription:
VIC AUST.
Characteristics:
Die 5A: G begins about the middle of S above.
The T of TELEGRAPH is aligned with the right side of the R above.
N starts above the L below.
Only recorded date of this format:
3 February
1938.
Number in the Census: 1. |
3 February 1938. |
| Datestamp: Box;
Number: None;
Base inscription: VICTORIA.
Characteristics:
Die 1: The G of GREETINGS is slightly outdented from the S of SEND above.
Only date of this format:
29 May 1939.
Number in Census: 1. |
29 May 1939. |
| Datestamp: Box;
Number: None;
Base inscription: VICTORIA.
Characteristics:
Die 2A: S and G are aligned as are the O and C in lines 4 and 5.
Time is in the middle line.
Earliest date of this format:
29 October 1940 (in Wallen).
Latest date of this format:
31 October 1940.
Number in Census: 2. |
31 October 1940. |
| Datestamp: Box;
Number: None;
Base inscription: VICTORIA.
Characteristics:
Die 2C: S and G are aligned as are the two Os in lines 4 and 5.
Time is in the top line as is intended.
Earliest date of this format:
4 October 1938.
Latest date of this format:
20 April 1940.
Number in Census: 9. |
4 October 1939.
|
Characteristics:
Die 2C: S and G are aligned as are the two Os in lines 4 and 5.
Time is in the middle line.
Earliest date of this format:
17 July 1938.
Latest date of this format:
17 October 1939.
Number in Census: 2. |
17 July 1938.
|
| Datestamp: Box;
Number: None;
Base inscription: VICTORIA.
Characteristics:
Die 5A:
The T of TELEGRAPH is aligned with the right side of the R above.
N (of ON) begins above the vertical of L below.
Earliest date of this format:
1 November 1938.
Number in Census: 1. |
1 November 1940. |
| Datestamp: Box;
Number: None;
Base inscription: VICTORIA.
Characteristics:
Die 5B: G begins at the right of S above.
The T of TELEGRAPH is aligned with the right side of the R above.
N (of ON) begins well past the vertical of L below.
Earliest date of this format:
1 February 1938.
Latest date of this format:
11 September 1939.
Number in Census: 2. |
1 February 1938.
First Day of Issue of the 4d green Koala. |
Characteristics:
Die 5B: G begins at the right of S above.
The T of TELEGRAPH is aligned with the right side of the R above.
N (of ON) begins well past the vertical of L below.
Date line (DD-MM) at the top and time (11:30 pm) as the centre line.
On the reverse side, there is another cancellation of this slogan for 4 October at 4:30 am and the order has been corrected to that normally used.
Earliest recorded date of this format:
2 February 1938.
Latest recorded date of this format:
3 October 1938.
Number in Census: 3. |
3 October 1938.
|
Characteristics:
Die 5B: G starts at the end of the S.
The N (of ON) begins well after the vertical of L (of COLOURED).
Year date slug is inverted.
Only recorded date of this format:
7 October 1938.
Number in Census: 1. |
7 October 1939.
Year inverted. |
Datestamp: Box;
Number: None;
Top inscription: MELBOURNE/VIC.
Base inscription: PAID.
Characteristics:
Die 3B: G starts about the middle of S.
The T of TELEGRAPH is aligned with the right side of the R above.
O (of ON) is to the right of O below.
No time slug but 2D.
Only recorded date of this format:
14 September 1939.
Number in the Census: 1. |
14 September 1939. |