Using Firefox:
specifying two values:
Doesn't work with any combination of syntax -- as several pointed out above. Using Firebug, I get "Error in parsing value for 'background-position'. Declaration dropped." until the animation ends.
'backgroundPosition': '17.5em' -- specifiying 1 value:
works in FF and CHrome OPera, SF(Safari) and IE, with a caveat that the 2nd value or y position (vertical) gets set to "center". From Firebug, the element's style gets set to:
style="background-position: 17.5em center;"