Memphis Tenn., 5c Red (56X2, 56X2b). Block of 37 comprising Positions 4-9/11-19/21-29/31-38/41-45 with three sideways tete-beche positions at right (Positions 9/19/29), unused (no gum), brilliant color, few small scissors-cuts where stamps were taken out, few creases including one ending in small tear, toned spots

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 5-CENT MEMPHIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL. WIDELY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE GREATEST OF ALL SOUTHERN POSTMASTERS' PROVISIONALS MULTIPLES.

The stereotype plate used to print the Memphis 5c provisional in sheets of 50 was created with ten subjects (two rows of five) at right turned 90 degrees clockwise relative to the other 40 subjects. This arrangement is confirmed by the existence of corner-margin multiples that have precisely the same alignment, which would be impossible if the sideways positions resulted from work-and-turn printing. Only a few multiples exist that show this unusual tete-beche format. Multiples are also known that show the work-and-turn printing method, including three tete-beche pairs (vertical head-to-foot, vertical foot-to-foot, and horizontal head-to-foot).

Ex Walcott, Matz, Pope, Boshwit and "D.K." collection. Illustrated in the Pratt book on page 27

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