TC-DO-5

Tasmania - Colonial period: 1857-1900.
Ordinary rate delivery form: TC-DO-5.

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Special aspects

General characteristics:

Heading and notes:	Form number T. No. 8 used only on the last printing. TASMANIA above POST AND TELEGRAPH which spans the crest.
Message area:	25 numbered boxes in 5 lines.
Reverse side:	Blank.
Colours (text & form):	Black on white.
Size of form overall:	183 × 183 mm (without tab).
Size of datestamp box:	26 × 30 mm.

Distinctive characteristics of this form:

heading changed to POST AND TELEGRAPH following the 1894 reorganisation;
uses boxes for message not lines;
the main distinctions between the varieties are:
5A: POST is out-dented to the left of No. below;
5B: POST is indented to above No. below;
5C: POST is indented beyond No. below;
5D: incorporates a form number on top right corner:
the only two known forms complete with tabs for this format are included below (see TC-DO-5C and TC-DO-5D).

TC-DO-5A.

Ringarooma to Scottsdale.
26 August 1896.

Characteristics:

no form number;
POST is outdented slightly to the left of "NO. (of words)";
has serrated edge at left.

Has a one line serif Office name Stamp (just above the boxes to the right) -
see Scottsdale.

Amazing telegram message -

"Can I inter body. Awaiting reply".

TC-DO-5B.

Orford to Hobart
19 July 1902.

Annotated 1/- COLL(ECT) for charges to pay.

Characteristics:

no form number;
TASMANIA has letters closer together - for example S and M and I and A;
POST is indented to right of "N (No. of words)";
font in more rounded than for DO-5Aa;
heading is 148 mm wide;
has serrated edge at left.

TC-DO-5C.

Moonee Ponds, Vic to Launceston.
21 July 1900.

Characteristics:

no form number;
POST is indented to right of "NO. (of words)";
heading is 152 mm wide.

A very rare complete form with the tab/butt at the left for recording the message details.
This form and that for TC-DO-5D following are perhaps the only complete (DO-5) forms still in existence as no others have been sighted.

Used at Apslawn for a telegram from Campbell Town on 19 April 1902.
The Apslawn date stamp is in manuscript as usual for 1902.

TC-DO-5D.

Mt. Magnet to Hobart
11 November 1903.

Characteristics:

incorporates a form number for the first time on a Taasmanian delivery form;
POST is indented to right of "NO. (of words)" like DO-5Ab;
has serrated edge at left.

Is a rare use of this datestamp on a telegram form.

Delivery envelope used for the 1903 Mt Magnet to Hobart telegram above.

Note the number "28" ties the two items together.

A very rare complete form with the tab/butt at the left (Schedule number A6081...12) for recording the message details.
This form is perhaps the only complete (DO-5D) form still in existence as no other has been sighted.

Used at Kellevie for a telegram from Waratah on 24 June 1904.

Provenance: Clemente, Johnstone.

Details of use and rarity.

Form sub-number	Schedule number	Earliest recorded date	Rarity rating
DO-5A	None.	26 August 1896 at Scottsdale.	NC
DO-5B	None.	16 April 1902 at Launceston.	NC
DO-5C	None.	21 July 1900 at Launceston.	NC
DO-5D	None.	11 November 1903 at Hobart.	NC