AB-GB-39

Australia - Brown years: 1923-1939.
1939 Birthday Greetings: AB-GB-39.

General characteristics:

Heading and notes:	Form number T.G. 42H. Last line of heading starts "Office of Origin".
Message area:	Blank.
Reverse side:	Blank.
Colours (text & form):	Blue on cream.
Size of form overall:	153 × 204 mm.

Distinctive characteristics of this form:

both forms and envelopes show the image of a Bluebird (although flying in opposite directions);
the main distinctions amongst the varieties are:
Form 39A: text at base;
Form 39B: smaller and text moved to be under heading;
Cover E-39A: opaque envelope;
Cover E-39B: window envelope with no border;
Cover E-39C: window envelope with blue border and Form number TG. 65P;
Cover E-39D: window envelope with blue border and Form number TG. 65H.

The Bluebird design replaced the previous 1934 Scroll design in May 1939.

An alternative, smaller size was introduced in 1941 as a war-time economy measure (AB-GBF-39B).

The telegram delivery forms with ornamental designs were all discontinued in 1942 also as part of the War effort.

Thanks to Ross Ewington of Tasmanian Stamp Auctions for finding this early date and letting me know.	AB-GBF-39A. Moonah to Hobart. (11 December 1938). Characteristics: size is 152 × 202 mm; has line of text at base; line under heading contains "Words" and "Time Lodged";
	AB-GBF-39B. Melbourne to Elwood (10 February 1942) with scarce oval P&T date stamp. Characteristics: size is smaller at 115 × 190 mm; line of text at base has been moved to be under the heading; line under heading contains "No. of Words" and "Time of Lodgement"; hills in the background of the heading are lighter in colour and more distinguishable from the sky.
	AB-GBE-39A. Unused opaque delivery envelope. Characteristics: has form number TG. 65H.
	AB-GBE-39B. Unused window envelope with no border around the window. Characteristics: form number is TG. 65P.
	AB-GBE-39C. Used window envelope. Characteristics: navy blue border around the window; form number is TG 65P. - the same number as the window delivery envelope with no border (GBE-39B).
	AB-GBE-39D. Used on 24 March 1939 at Elizabeth Street/Melbourne (date stamp on reverse) Characteristics: dark blue border around the window. form number is TG. 65H. - the same number as the opaque delivery envelope (GBE-39A).

Details of use and rarity.

Form sub-number	Schedule number	Earliest recorded date	Rarity rating
GBF-39A	None	17 December 1938 at Monah, Tas	Rated: C as unused; R if used on forms or on envelopes. RR if a form and envelope are demonstrably tied together.
GBF-39B	None	8 January 1942 at Hindmarsh, SA.
GBE-39A	None	13 September 1939 at Coburg, Vic.
GBE-39B	None
GBE-39C	None
GBE-39D	None.	24 March 1939 at Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.