This uncut W553 five card strip is new to the hobby. It's been sitting in a desk drawer for a long time and still resides there. The order of the strip is as expected, the only monkey wrench is the cut. The top and bottom borders appear to be machine cut as opposed to hand cut.
5 card w-553 strip.jpg
Robert Groves-top card.jpg
Thus, the latest - latest - latest "most recent" new theory is that these puppies were definitely sold/distributed/smuggled out of the factory in "FIVE" and "TEN" card strips, while the W553 film star version was definitely distributed individually and with gum . I believe Frank Ward called the "5" and "10" card strip theory about six years ago. You were right Frank. As you were.
Not my card but for comparison sake, here is one of the W553 film star cards.
w553 montgomery.jpg
Lovely Day...