AB-GC-39

Australia - Brown years: 1923-1939.
1939 Congratulatory Telegram: AB-GC-39.

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Special aspects

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:

the main items printed are:
Forms:
F-39A: orange band at the base and both Gs in the Form number T.G.42G have horizontal bars;
F-39B: orange band at the base and neither G in the Form number T.G.42G has a horizontal bar;
F-39C: no orange band at the base and the form is smaller in size;
Envelopes:
E-39A opaque window envelope with the form number T.G. 65.G. (2 formats);
E-39B: window envelope with a navy blue border and the hand in the decoration with shading only on the fingers - Form number T.G. 65.O.;
E-39C: window envelope with a light blue border and and shading on the back of the hand in the decoration - Form number T.G. 65.O.

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.
	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.
	AB-GCF-39C. Used with scarce TELEGRAPH rubber date stamp of Williamstown 20 June 1942. Characteristics: reduced in size to 187 × 115 mm; text more condensed; the note at the base in not printed on an orange band.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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
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