US Confederate - Memphis Tenn. 5c

 These stamps were issued by Col. M. C. Galloway in July, 1861 as Confederate Postmaster Provisionals

Printed from electrotypes in sheets as well as press printed on individual envelopes. 

Found in shades of red on pelure and normal paper.

Tete-beche pairs exist

Original & features

1 - D has 2 lines inside

2 - Diamond cut off by ball of 5

3 - Large dot between M & E

4 - Blob at end of lower branch of E

5 - Small diamond between M & P

6 - 2 large diamonds at base of 5

Moens Image

This image appeared in his 1864 catalog and is probably the example for some forgeries

Note the frame around the center image

Dietz Facsimile

Litho created in blocks of 4 with advertising by Dietz in 1931 for a Memphis stamp exhibition

Noted as a replica on the stamp

Also found in red on dark buff paper.

Forgeries

S.A. Taylor forgery

- Possibly taken from a Scott 1886 catalog

- Bottom left frame line of the numeral 5 is broken

- Bottom branch of "E" of "MEMPHIS has no small triangle at tip.

- Position & size of diamond backgrounds do not match

Upham forgery

- The most dangerous of the forgeries

- Center bar of the A is broken

- Bottom branch of "E" of "MEMPHIS has no small triangle at tip.

- Position & size of diamond backgrounds do not match

Type 4 forgery

- Source unknown

- Letters are uneven

- Very small I in MEMPHIS

- Large letters in PAID

- 5 appears to lean left

- No large diamonds under the 5

Type 5 forgery

- Rather rough printing

- Right side of design trimmed short

- Outline of numeral "5" broken at foot and thin curve

- bottom arm of "E" of "MEMPHIS has large blob at the tip