AW-GX-53

Australia - War years: 1939-1957.
1953 Christmas and New Year Greetings: AB-GX-53.

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Special aspects

General characteristics:

Heading and notes:	Form number T.G. 42C (sheet format) and T.G. 42D (roll format).
Message area:	Blank.
Reverse side:	Blank.
Colours (text & form):	Multicoloured on cream.
Size of form overall:	Sheet format: 152 × 204 mm. Roll format: 114 × 196 mm.

Distinctive characteristics of this form:

first ornamental telegram to be issued without a special matching envelope;
a form overprinted with a typed SPECIMEN and a set number of 358 is known.

Greetings telegrams to convey Christmas and New Year wishes were reintroduced in 1953 after an 11 year pause (since 1942) because of the war and the recovery effort and the consequent paper shortages.

The Post Office Monthly Circular for December 1953 announced:

"Christmas and New Year Greetings Telegrams - An extensive advertising campaign has been arranged to draw public attention in all States to the new ornamental telegram form which will be available for Christmas and New Year greeting messages this year.

The publicity campaign will include the use of press advertising, radio advertising, counter stands for leaflets, publicity leaflets, posters, short films, window displays, etc.

The co-operation of Postmasters and their staffs in bringing the new firms prominently under the notice of the public, would be appreciated" (N.385/1/17).

AW-GXF-53A.

Unused ornamental Christmas delivery form printed in sheet form.

Form number: T.G. 42C

Size: 152 × 203 mm.

It appears that the issue date may have been 23 December 1953.

A generic ornamental delivery envelope was issued at the same time.

AW-GXF-53B.

Sydney to Carlton, NSW
(Chief Telegraph Office
23 December 1955).

Form number: T.G. 42C.

Size: 116 × 196 mm.

Smaller size for use on a teleprinter roll - see heading is printed at the top and bottom of the formbecause this telegram was incorrectly torn from the roll.

AW-GXF-53A (Specimen).

Form in sheet format overprinted SPECIMEN and with advertising set number 358.

Only known form of this design overprinted Specimen.

Details of use and rarity.

Form sub-number	Schedule number	Earliest recorded date	Rarity rating
GXF-53A	None.	13 December 1953 at Stawell, Vic.	R (used)
GXF-53B	None.	23 December 1955 at C.T.O. Sydney.	R (used)
GXF-53A (Spec)	None.	Unused.	RRRR