1963 Arms LUSAKA TRIAL PRINTING: Bottom marginal IMPERF BLOCK OF FOUR UM from the single trial sheet. Some handling bends as affecting the whole sheet (of which excerpt from original description hereunder). A rare and desirable proof piece for this popular issue. "Trial printing of the 1d value in pale grey-blue made by the Government Printer in Lusaka during October/November 1963 at the request of the G.P.O. in the event of the new issue of stamps which were being printed in the U.K. by Harrisons & Sons not arriving in time for issue at the beginning of December. There was in fact a small delay with the stamps only being received in time for placing on sale at post offices on 10th December 1963 but in view of the fact that delivery was promised for early December the printing of the 'provisionals' in Lusaka was not pursued. This is the only imperf proof sheet on unwatermarked gummed paper from the trials which appears to have survived other than a copy in the same pale grey-blue shade that has been lodged in the National Archives in Lusaka and which has been suitably endorsed re Government Printers 'Proof'. The spacing between the images in the 120 format sheet (10 x 12) are 5,5 mm horizontally and 6,5 mm vertically compared with 2,5 mm and 3 mm respectively on the Harrison printing."
