WA - Perth CTO

Western Australia.
The Perth Chief Telegraph Office.

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Special aspects

The following information is provided below:

details and images of the Central Telegraph Office;
date stamps in the Colonial (pre-1901) and Interim periods:
Chief Telegraph Office/ Perth, WA - these are all oval and made from rubber;
Chief Telegraph Office / G.P.O. Perth;
Perth/W.A.;
date stamps in the Australian period:
Perth E.T.O.;
C.E.T.O./Perth WA;
Chief Telegraph Office/Perth (circular and rectangular);
Chief Telegraph Office/Perth W.A.;
Chief Telegraph Office /G.P.O. Perth (bicoloured);
Telegraph Receiving Office/Perth. W.A.;
Telegraphs/Perth W.A.;
Telegraphs Perth/Western Australia;
Telegraphs/G.P.O. Perth (oval).
C.T.O. Perth.
See also Slogan cancellations used at Perth.

The Central Telegraph Office in Perth.

The first telegraph office in Perth was in a room in the Town Hall on the Barrack Street frontage.

On 15 April 1874, the Inquirer reported that "The Telegraph and Post Office is being proceeded with rapidly, and will, I think, be completed before the wire is placed. This building, no doubt, will be useful and fill a place, but as an ornament, pray don't mention it! The plan of the building is a lean to adjoining the cells at the lock-up".

A new Perth P&TO was scheduled to be completed in about 1885.

Date stamps used at Chief Telegraph Office, Perth.

Colonial/Interim period rubber date stamps.

Chief Telegraph Office/ Perth, W.A.
RO2 - CTO. 8 pointed stars separate text. Used in violet: 16 June 1899. Size: 28 × 43 mm (e = 0.76). Rated: RRR. Number in the Census: 1.	16 June 1899. Used on WC-DO-5A.
RO6 - CTO. Uncoloured boxes with dot in centre in the text band. Right box is horizontal. Used in blue: 7 September 1891 - 21 July 1893. Dimensions: 26 × 41 mm (e = 0.77). Rated: RR. Number in the Census: 4.	7 September 1891. Applied in light blue. Used on WC-DO-4B.
Used in green: 24 April 1894. Dimensions: 26 × 41 mm (e = 0.77). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	Used on WC-DO-4B.
Used in purple: 1 November 1894 to 27 November 1895. Dimensions: 26 × 41 mm (e = 0.77). Rated: RR. Number in the Census: 4.	1 November 1894. Used on WC-DO- 4C.
	27 November 1895. The left box is over-inked.
RO6 - CTO. Stars in text band. Used in purple: 19 September 1896. Dimensions: 27 × 45 mm (e = 0.80). Rated: RRR. Number in the Census: 1.	19 September 1896. Used on WC-DO-4Cb.
RO6 - CTO. Stars in text band. Used in magenta: 10 May 1906. Dimensions: 29 mm × 44 mm (e = 0.75). Rated: RRR. Number in the Census: 2.	10 May 1906. Major break in outer frame. Applied in magenta. Used on WI-DO- ?
	6 June 1906. Major break has deteriorated further. Used on WI - DO - 1B.
RO7 - CTO. Coloured squares in text box. Left box horizontal. Used in red: 22 February 1901. Dimensions: 30 × 42 mm (e = 0.70). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	22 February 1901. Used on WC-DO-5A.
RO7 - CTO. Filled circles separate text. Used in violet: 30 January 1906 and 7 February 1906. Size: 29 × 50 mm (e = 0.81). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 2.	30 January 1906.
	7 February 1906.
Chief Telegraph Office/ G.P.O. Perth.
RO2 - CTO. Used in violet: 27 January 1950 and 6 February 1950.. Size: 29 × 48 mm (e = 0.80). Rated: RRRR (not recorded elsewhere). Number in the Census: 2.	27 January 1950.

Perth/W.A. RC2 - P: PERTH at top and W.A. at base but there is no reference to Telegraph Office. Unrecorded in PMI or elsewhere. Applied in various colours - see below.
Thick letters. Double circle indistinct in parts. Used in green: 2 October 1912. Size: 34 mm. Rated: RRR. Number in the Census: 1.	2 October 1912. Used on Collect telegram WI-DO-5Ab with rare COLLECT hand stamp.
Thick letters. Double circle indistinct in parts. Top appears to be broken. Used in violet. 9 and 19 September 1913. Size: 33 mm. Rated: RRR. Number in the Census: 2.	9 September 1913.	10 September 1913. Used on WI-DO-5.
Thin letters. Distinct double circle. Used in blue: 14 November 1913, 15 November 1915 (2). Size: 33 mm. Rated: RRR. Number in the Census: 3.	14 November 1913. Used on WI-DO-5.	15 November 1915. Used on WI-DU-3.
	22 July 1916. On piece - used on an interim period delivery form.
Thin letters. Distinct double circle. Used in magenta: 31 July 1912 and 4 May 1917. Size: 34 mm. Rated: RRR. Number in the Census: 2.	31 July 1912. Used on WI-DO-5Ab.	4 May 1917. Used on AE-DO-1C.

Australian steel circular date stamps.
Perth / E.T.O./ (Electric Telegraph Office) Western Australia. O index above base. 3 mm side arcs. Used in violet: 1 September 1906. Diameter: 25 mm. Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	1 September 1906.
Characteristics: O index above base. 3 mm side arcs. Used in black: 22 April 1907 to 22 February 1912. Diameter: 25 mm. Rated: RR. Number in the Census: 15.	22 April 1907 Earliest recorded date. Used on WI-DO-3.	22 May 1909. Used on WI-DU-2.
	10 December 1910. Used on WI-DO-2.	22 February 1912. Latest recorded date. Used on WI-DO-4.
C.E.T.O./ Perth W.A.
There are two types of date stamp with this inscription: date stamp with a 28 mm diameter: Used: 30 January 1918 and 6 July 1921. Diameter: 28 mm. Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 2.	30 January 1918. Used on AE-DU-1A.	6 July 1921. On piece with a circular steel COLLECT handstamp in blue (just visible in the top left corner).
larger date stamp : Used in black: 30 January 1918 and 24 June 1925. Diameter: 32 mm. 5 mm side arcs Rated: RRR. Number in the Census: 2.	24 June 1925.
C.E.T.O. Perth/W.A. Perth moved to top heading. Used in purple: 26 October 1929. Diameter: 30 mm. 3 mm side arcs. Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	26 January 1929.
Chief Telegraph Office/ Perth - W.A. Circular steel date stamp. Has an upright G and 3 mm side arcs. Used in black: 28 September 1936 to 23 December 1936. Diameter: 28 mm. Rated: RR. Number in the Census: 5.	28 September 1936. Used on AB-GSF-36. A variation of this date stamp (dated 7 November 1930), is shown elsewhere on a telegram to Penfold's Wines. It appears to have had CHIEF removed.	23 December 1936.
Has a wider G than earlier format and dots for separation. Has a 1 mm arc between Perth and WA. Used: 29 May 1939 to 17 November 1947. Diameter: 30 mm. Rating: RRRR (unrecorded by P.M.I.). Number in the Census: 3.	29 May 1939. Premier Auction 116 Lot 3374.	17 November 1947. On AW-DO 10B (45).
Chief Telegraph Office/ Perth. Letters are more rounded. Used: 8 April 1953 to 26 December 1956. Diameter: 31 mm. Rated: R.	8 April 1953.	5 February 1955. Used on AW-DO-10C (52) , on AW-GG-54A and AW-GCF-54B.
Chief Telegraph Office/ Perth. Has a dash between CHIEF and PERTH. Used in violet: 28 May 1960.. Diameter: 32 mm. Rated: RRR. Number in the Census: 1.	28 May 1960.

Rubber rectangular date stamps - Chief Telegraph Office.

Chief Telegraph/ Office/ Perth - W.A.

Rectangular rubber date stamp (RRH - CTO).

Used: 12 January 1905.

Size: 27 × 37 mm.

Rated: RRRR (not listed elsewhere).

Number in the Census: 1.

12 January 1905.

Used on WI-DO-1A.

Chief Telegraph Office/G.P.O. Perth.

Rectangular rubber date stamp
(RRH - CTO).

Used: 11 Feb 1957 to
24 March 1958.

Size: 25 × 52 mm.

Rated: RRRR (Unrecorded by P.M.I.).

Number in the Census: 3.

11 February 1957.
Used on AA-DO-13A (ERD).

Chief Telegraph Office/ G.P.O. Perth.

Rectangular rubber date stamp
(RRH - CTO).

Used: 29 May 1963 to
1 February 1966.

Size: 25 × 47 mm.

Rated: RRRR (Unrecorded by P.M.I.).

Number in the Census: 2.

1961
31 July 1961.

Used on AA-DO-13B.

1 February 1966.

Used on AA-DO-13D.

Chief Telegraph Office/G.P.O. Perth.

Rectangular rubber date stamp (RRH - CTO).
Bicoloured date stamp - blue and red.
(Only bi-colour date stamp recorded across
all Australia/Colonial Postal administrations).

Used: 12 June 1976.

Size:30 × 49 mm.

Rated: RRRRR (Unrecorded elsewhere).

Number in the Census: 1.

12 June 1976.
Used on AA-DO-13D sent by Charles Court (Premier of Western Australia) to Charles Pegler for his Queen's Birthday Honour).

Telegraph Receiving Office/
Perth, W.A.

Oval rubber date stamp RO7 - TRO.

Unlisted elsewhere.

Used in purple: 14 April 1905 (and 3 April ????.

Size: 31 × 49 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

14 April 1905
(year blocked out but a 2nd date stamp on the form
for confirmation of the year).

Used on WI-DO-1A.

3 April (no year discernable).

Telegraphs/Perth W.A. There are four formats for this inscription: 1. Two line date - month before day. Has letter "A" under the heading above the date. Small dots for separation. Used: 23 August 1902 to 19 September 1902. Diameter: 21 mm. Rated: RRRR.	23 August 1902.	19 September 1902. Inscription below the heading is unclear.
2. Two line date - month before day. More pronounced dots for separation. Used: 5 April 1905 to 28 May 1910. Diameter: 21 mm. Rated: RRR. Number in Census: 5.	5 April 1905.	28 May 1910. Used on WI-TO-2Aa.
3. Two line date - day before month. More pronounced dots for separation. Used: 6 November 1906 to 28 May 1910. Diameter: 21 mm. Rated: RRR. Number in Census: 2.	6 November 1906. Used on a notification of a non-delivery.
4. One line date and larger size. Used: 3 May 1917 to 10 January 1935. Diameter: 28 mm. Rated: RRRR. Number in Census: 4.	3 May 1917.	10 January 1935. Premier Auction 116 Lot 3373.
Telegraphs. Perth/ WESTERN AUSTRALIA. No separation markers. Usage: 3 April 1930 to 30 March 1931. Diameter: 26 mm. Rated: RRRR.	3 April 1930. Used on AB-DO-6B.	30 March 1931.
Telegraphs/ G.P.O. Perth. Rubber oval date stamp (RO2 - T). Usage: 1 December 1949. Size: 34 × 43 mm (e = 0.61). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	1 December 1949.
Perth C.T.O. Unframed date stamp like for other Capital City Chief Telegraph Offices. Used: Possibly 1966. Size: Rated: RRR.	No example seen for imaging.