Australia - APO years: 1957-1975.
Ordinary rate delivery envelopes: AA-EO-17.

 
General characteristics:

Heading and notes: Form number T.G. 65 in the lower left corner.
TELEGRAM in the top left corner.
Message area: In the first printings, there is a slogan between TELEGRAM and the window.
Reverse side: Two slogans.
Colours (text & envelope): Blue on cream/white paper.
Size of envelope overall: 80 × 135 mm.
Distinctive characteristics of this form:

 

 

 

This format was the first to be printed during the change-over to the Australian Post Office Commission. The white paper used for the printings reflects the greater availability of paper supplies after the restrictions imposed during and immediately after the War.

AA-EO-17AaPrinted in February 1955. AA-EO-17A.

Used window delivery envelope.
17 October 1955.

Characteristics:

  • TELEGRAM in thick sans serif letters
    7 mm high;
  • slogan for A REPLY PAID TELEGRAM ... under TELEGRAM;
  • window is 33 mm high with thin border printed in dark blue.
AA-EO-17Aa_rev Reverse side of the above window delivery envelope.

Characteristics:

  • two slogans;
  • top slogan "FOR GREETINGS ..." in small bold type. This slogan supported the reintroduction of Congratulations and Greetings ornamental telegram forms in 1954;
  • lower slogan "PLEASE POST ..." in larger and thicker font;
  • rectangular flap with curved sides;
  • wavy line security pattern.

 

AW-EO-17Ab_rev
Printed in March 1956.
Reverse side of another DO-17A window delivery envelope showing top slogan changed to "TO EXPEDITE DELIVERY ..." in small thin type. This slogan was continued on the other DO-17 delivery envelopes.
AA-EO-17B
Printed in January 1958.
AA-EO-17B.

Used window delivery envelope
G.P.O. Sydney 115.
24 November 1958.

Characteristics:

  • TELEGRAM in thick sans serif letters
    7 mm high;
  • window is 39 mm high with a thin border printed in dark blue;
  • no slogan on the front.
AA-EO-17B_rev Reverse side of the above window delivery envelope.

Characteristics:

  • two slogans the same as for the AA-EO-17Ab.
  • rectangular flap with curved sides;
  • wavy lines security pattern printed outside.

 

AA-DO-17C
Printed in December 1960.
AA-DO-17C.

Used window delivery envelope.

Characteristics:

  • TELEGRAM in thick sans serif letters but reduced to 6.3 mm high;
  • window is 52 mm high with a thick border printed in dark blue.
AA-EO-17C_rev AA-DO-17C (reverse).

Characteristics:

  • security pattern has been printed inside;
  • flap is rounded with curved sides.
AB-EO-17D
No date of printing but probably printed in 1960..
AA-DO-17D.
Sydney GPO 10 June 1960.

Used window delivery envelope.

Characteristics:

  • TELEGRAM in thick sans serif letters but reduced to 6.3 mm high;
  • window is 48 mm high with a thick border printed in dark blue.

 

AA-EO-17D
Used at GPO Sydney on 10 June 1960 (very early usage).
Reverse side of the above window delivery envelope.

Characteristics:

  • security pattern again printed on the outside;
  • rectangular flap with curved sides.

 

AA-EO-17E
Printed in April 1961.
AA-EO-17E.

Unused window delivery envelope.

Characteristics:

  • TELEGRAM in thin serif letters
    but is back to the original 7 mm high;
  • large window 48 mm high with thick border printed in blue.
AA-EO-17E AA-EO-17E (reverse).

Characteristics:

  • security pattern printed on the outside;
  • rectangular flap with curved sides.

Details of use and rarity.

Form
sub-number
Schedule number Earliest recorded date Rarity rating
EO-17A SCH. C.T.B. 1258 - 2/55. 17 October 1955. C
  SCH. C.T.B. 1356 - 3/56.   C
EO-17B SCH. C.T.B. 1443 - 3/57 1 August 1958 at L.C. Room Melbourne. C
  SCH. C.T.B. 1521 - 1/58 24 November 1958 at G.P.O. Sydney. C
EO-17C SCH. C.T.B. 1774 - 12/60   C
EO-17D SCH. C.T.B. 1634 10 June 1960 at G.P.O. Sydney. C
EO-17E SCH. C.T.B. 1774    
  SCH. C. 8583 - 4/61. 26 October 1961 at North Sydney, NSW. C
  SCH. C.T.B. 2183 - 62.   NC
  SCH. C.T.B. 2675 - 12/63. 27 June 1967 at C.T.O. Hobart. NC