1939 Mothers' Day

Australia - Brown years: 1923-1939.
1939 Mothers' Day Greetings: AB-GM-39.

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Special aspects

General characteristics:

Heading and notes:	Form number T.G. 42F. Envelopes have form numbers T.G. 65F (opaque) and T.G. 65M (window).
Message area:	Blank.
Reverse side:	Blank.
Colours (text & form):	Black on cream.
Size of form overall:	153 × 205 mm then, in 1941, reduced in size to 115 × 187 mm..

Distinctive characteristics of this form:

first issued in 1939;
smaller form and envelopes printed in 1941;
the main items printed are:
Forms:
F-39A: sheet format with form number TG 42F;
F-39B: sheet format but reduced in size due to war time paper restrictions;
Envelopes:
E-39A opaque window envelope with form number TG 65F (large and small sizes) later changed to TG 65M;
E-39B: window envelope with a dark blue border and larger in size;
E-39C: window envelope with a light blue border and smaller in size.

This design for Mother's Day Greetings was issued on 13 May 1939. The sizes of both the form and the envelope were reduced in 1941 and then ornamental telegram forms were discontinued during 1942 as part of the war-time economy measures.

Newspapers carried the following press release in the week before:

MOTHERS' DAY - new greeting telegram form.

"The series of ornamental telegram forms has been further enhanced by the introduction this year, for the conveyance of messages of remembrance on Mothers' Day, of new, artistically, decorated stationery. Graceful lettering, a quaintly modernistic symbol, the whole executed in colors of cream, blue and gold skillfully blended, combine to present a dignified form eminently appropriate for the important occasion for which it was designed.

As the bearer of messages of remembrance in connection with the celebration of Mothers' Day, the telegram, in recent years, has become increasingly popular, and it is anticipated that this new extension of an already accepted facility will further add to that popularity.

To ensure the delivery of messages on the special new form, the word "Greeting" should be written just prior to the address when lodging a telegram in the ordinary way. No charge is made for this word nor is there any extra charge for the use of this distinctive stationery.

Telephone subscribers may ask for "Telegrams" and dictate a greeting telegram indicating to the attendant the desire that it be delivered on the ornamental form.

Those wishing to send Mothers' Day greeting telegrams for delivery on Saturday, 13th May, are advised to lodge them early, especially if lodgment is made on Saturday, because some post offices close at 1 p.m. on that day.

Full particulars of the facility are obtainable at any post office".

	AB-GMF-39A. Albany to Belmont, Vic (13 May 1939). Probably the first day of issue. Characteristics: normal size (153 × 205 mm).
	AB-GMF-39B. Military service to Elsternwick, Vic. (9 May 1942). Characteristics: smaller size (115 × 187 mm) as a war-time economy measure.
	AB-GME-39Aa. Unused opaque delivery envelope. Characteristics: size: 90 × 145 mm; form number T.G. 65F in lower right corner of border.
	AB-GME-39Ab. Unused opaque delivery envelope. Characteristics: smaller size: 79 × 136 mm; form number T.G. 65F in smaller letters in the lower right corner but indented to the left. Smaller size due to War-time paper restrictions.
	AB-GME-39Ba. Used window delivery envelope (normal size). Characteristics: size is 90 × 146 mm; window aligned right and occupies 75% of the width; window border in black; form number T.G. 65 M is located in the lower right corner of the border and not going beyond inner border above. The legs of M are splayed at an angle.
	AB-GME-39Bb. Unused window delivery envelope. Has the same overall characteristics as above (AB-GME-39Ba) but the form number T.G. 65M is placed lower and to the right. Also the legs of M are straight.
	AB-GME-39C. Used window delivery envelope. Characteristics: smaller size: 78 × 135 mm; window centered and extends across 90% of width; window border in light blue; form number T.G. 65 M with legs in M more vertical but still slightly splayed.

Details of use and rarity.

Form sub-number	Schedule number	Earliest recorded date	Rarity rating
GMF-39A	None	13 May 1939 at Belmont, Vic.	NC used but C unused.
GMF-39B	None	9 May 1942 at Elsternwick, Vic.	NC used but C unused.
GME-39Aa	None		NC
GME-30Ab	None
GME-39Ba	None		NC
GME-39Bb	None	8 May 1948 at Gawler, SA.	NC
GME-39C	None		NC