TRINIDAD 1905 SG132/3a Var 1/2d and 1d LINE PERF 13.75 The UNIQUE STRIPS U/M

1905 (circa) Lower marginal horizontal strips of 6 of 1904-09 1/2d grey-green and 1d black/red both chalk-surfaced paper wmk MCA PRINTED FROM A SPECIAL TRIAL PLATE OF 12 (6X2) LINE PERF 13.75. Ex De La Rue archives. The Stamps are Fine U/M the margins have been mounted to card and show remains of such. The trial status is demonstrated by the LINE perforation the side margins (of equal width on BOTH sides) and the jubilee lines which differ from those of the normal stamp printing plate. In the case of the 1d piece the surviving left margin shows that the jubilee line did not extend beyond the row above proving the 6×2 format with these strips being the lower rows. These trials appear to have been prepared for use in ink and cancellation trials undertaken in Feb-March 1905. No other examples appear to have been recorded and these strips are undoubtedly unique. An extraordinary pair of items. Purchased from Stanley Gibbons (still on their card)