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
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
- 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
- Rather rough printing
- 5 appears to lean left
- No large diamonds under the 5
Type 5 forgery
- 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
