Cyprus 1934 (1 Dec) 1pi black and red-brown "Soli Theatre", left marginal block of four comprising TWO VERTICAL PAIRS, ERROR IMPERFORATE BETWEEN, SG136a.
Very fine mint quality with original gum, the left pair are unmounted.
A unique and wonderful multiple of the highest importance, from the original find of five such pairs made at Paphos in December 1937 and acquired by C.G. Constantinides.
The sixth (right-hand) pair in the row having been severed and used as singles. Of the three other unused pairs preserved from columns 3 to 5 of that sheet. Only two now survive in fine condition, the third having tragically been ruined, one of which (Spink "Aphrodite" sale February 24, 2009, lot 301, ex Richardson 410) realised £25,000 at auction twelve years ago.
What makes this item particularly remarkable is the exemplary quality control carried out by the printers, De La Rue throughout their empire-wide printing contract. Vanishingly few production errors of this magnitude were allowed to escape the factory floor, and it is testament to their impeccable standards that imperforate pairs are of such extreme rarity and philatelic importance.
Truly a star item of Cyprus King George V philately.
