General characteristics:
| Heading and notes: | Form number E.T. 18 changed to T.G. 56. Heading is POSTMASTER-GENERAL's DEPARTMENT (changed in the late 1950s). |
| Message area: | Printed essential aspects of a basic message. |
| Reverse side: | Blank. |
| Colours (text & form): | Black on various shades - see below. |
| Size of form overall: | Various - see below. |
Distinctive characteristics of the form:
- printed on thin card;
- all dockets here have the heading POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT;
- up until the 1950s, the message had the same printed words and began
"Please note that no person ...".
The 1922 Regulations indicating the need to use these dockets are included elsewhere. These regulations also applied to telegrams from outside the Commonwealth.
There was little change in the nature of the regulations over time.
The cards shown below had no direct means for the Telegraph Messenger to record the information about the card having been left for the recipient.
One alternative, implemented at an unrecorded date, was to use a small gummed docket which could be affixed to a delivery envelope (see AB-AD-4A).
AI-AD-3.
Used 15 April 1916 at Melboune;
Printed in July 1914.
TELEGRAPH MESSENGER is below the dotted line;
Size is 78 × 116 mm.
Used 15 April 1916 at Melboune;
Printed in July 1914.
TELEGRAPH MESSENGER is below the dotted line;
Size is 78 × 116 mm.
AB-AD-4Aa.
Unused telegram advice docket.
Printed in November 1934.
Characteristics:
Unused telegram advice docket.
Printed in November 1934.
Characteristics:
- heading is underlined and indented from the left side;
- date begins 193...;
- TELEGRAPH MESSENGER is below the dotted line;
- has an advertisement at the base for REGISTER VALUABLE MAIL;
- size is 77 × 104 mm.
AB-AD-4Ab.
Printed in October 1935.
Unused telegram advice docket.
Same format as for the above docket but with the advertisement INSTALL A TELEPHONE;
Size is 79 × 107 mm.
Printed in October 1935.
Unused telegram advice docket.
Same format as for the above docket but with the advertisement INSTALL A TELEPHONE;
Size is 79 × 107 mm.
AB-AD-4Ac.
Telegram advice docket used on 2 July 1941 at South Brisbane.
Printed in November 1936.
Characteristics:
The 1938 printing has the same advertisement but the date is "19..." not "193..".
Telegram advice docket used on 2 July 1941 at South Brisbane.
Printed in November 1936.
Characteristics:
- heading is underlined and indented from the left side;
- same message as previously;
- same advertisement as for AD-4Ab;
- printed on different coloured card;
- size is 75 × 108 mm.
The 1938 printing has the same advertisement but the date is "19..." not "193..".
AB-AD-5 (reverse side).
Telegram advice docket used on 19 February 1946 at Cygnet, Tasmania.
Printed in November 1938.
Form number T.G. 61.
Telegram advice docket used on 19 February 1946 at Cygnet, Tasmania.
Printed in November 1938.
Form number T.G. 61.
AB-AD-5.
Front of the above docket.
AW-AD-6A.
Telegram advice docket used on 21 January 1952 (see AW-DO-10A (48)).
Printed in July 1947.
Characteristics:
Telegram advice docket used on 21 January 1952 (see AW-DO-10A (48)).
Printed in July 1947.
Characteristics:
- heading is not underlined and is aligned left;
- Form number T.G. 56;
- signature for TELEGRAPH MESSENGER is now at the same level as the text;
- same message as previously;
- no advertisement;
- size is 75 × 108 mm.
AW-AD-6B.
Unused telegram advice docket.
Printed in August 1952.
Characteristics:
Unused telegram advice docket.
Printed in August 1952.
Characteristics:
- heading is not underlined and is aligned left in large letters;
- same message as previously;
- signature for TELEGRAPH MESSENGER is at the same level as the text;
- no advertisement;
- size is 77 × 127 mm - much larger than the previous dimensions.
AW-AD-7.
Unused telegram advice docket.
Printed in August 1958.
Characteristics:
Unused telegram advice docket.
Printed in August 1958.
Characteristics:
- form number T.G. 61;
- signature is by Issuing Officer.
Details of use and rarity.
| Form sub-number |
Schedule number | Earliest recorded date | Rarity rating |
| AI-AD-3 | B.424 / 7.14. - C.7769. | 15 April 1916 at Melbourne | RRR (used) |
| AB-AD-4Aa | Sch. C 1237 - 11/1934. | RR (used) | |
| AB-DA-4Ab | Sch. C1449 - 10/1935 | RR (used) | |
| AB-AD-4Ac | Sch. C.1672 - 11/36 | 2 July 1941 at South Brisbane. | RR (used) |
| Sch. C.2233 - 11/38 | 31 December 1940. | RR (used) | |
| AB-DA-5 | Sch. C1449-10/1935. | RR (used) | |
| Sch. C2233-11/1938. - 6693 | 19 February 1946 at Hobart. | RR (used) | |
| AW-AD-6A | Sch. C.5398 -7/1947-D1600 | 21 January 1952. | RR (used) |
| AW-AD-6B | Sch. C.6815 - 8/52 | RR (used) | |
| AW-AD-7 | Sch. 7969-8/58 | RR (used) |