Ryterband collection of superb quality U.S. stamps in Dec. 16-17 Siegel auction

By Charles Snee

Daniel J. Ryterband’s collection of superb quality United States stamps, which Ryterband carefully assembled as a tribute to his late father, will entice a new generation of collectors when Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries presents the collection in a Dec. 16-17 sale at the firm’s office in New York City.

The 895 lots, presented in a 222-page catalog, will be offered in two sessions that commence at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on each day of the sale .

In the catalog introduction, Scott R. Trepel, president of Siegel Auction Galleries, offers insights about Ryterband’s passion for the hobby and his magnificent collection.

“Daniel J. Ryterband became a stamp collector when he discovered his father’s collection in a closet at the age of seven,” Trepel said. “From that time until his father, Mel, passed away in 2020, philately formed the foundation of a father-son relationship that made them inseparable. … To honor his father and their lifelong bond, upon inheriting his collection Dan decided to expand upon it by acquiring stamps of exceptionally high quality and beauty. While continuing his research-oriented, award-winning postal history collections, Dan enjoyed adding stamps to his ‘Dad’s album,’ an experience that evoked nostalgia and maintained the eternal bonds of a strong father-son relationship.”

Trepel highlights various attributes of the collection that give it particular appeal to a broad variety of collectors.

“This collection is of consistently high quality, and yet the stamps are both Old School and New School,” Trepel said. “Among the classic issues are rare types and plate varieties, unusual and colored cancellations, distinctive shades and printings, and multiples that graced many of the most important collections ever formed, such as Caspary, Newbury, Haas and Grunin. There is depth that one does not usually encounter in a ‘stamp album’ collection. In the later issues from 1869 on, stamps with original gum take center stage, including examples with high numerical grades and many Mint Never-Hinged stamps in superb quality.”

According to Trepel, the vast majority of the lots are accompanied by expertizing certificates from the Philatelic Foundation or Professional Stamp Experts.

“Between the Siegel firm’s research and careful examination, and the third-party certificates, bidders can bid with confidence,” Trepel said.

Opening the sale on Dec. 16 is an unlisted plate variety of the 1847 5¢ red brown Benjamin Franklin (Scott 1) that shows a recut left frameline.

The large-margined stamp also exhibits a “slip of the engraver’s tool that curves to the right of the left frameline (where recut) and extends beyond the top left corner of the frameline,” according to Siegel.

In the lot description, Siegel emphasizes the significance of the variety’s attributes.

“ … this stamp with its distinctive early impression proves that the weak or broken frameline at left was recut on a few positions from the start of the 5c 1847 printings, the curved line from the slip of the engraver’s tool on this particular position (1L) shows very clearly on this early impression and is not the same as the similar slip on a different recut position — this is all to say that not only is this stamp a significant plate variety in superb condition, it is also a key to understanding the composition of the 5c 1847 plate, particularly the left pane, which still presents mysteries that have not been fully explained.”

A 2014 Philatelic Foundation certificate confirms the variety and specifically mentions the slip of the engraver’s tool at upper left.

Siegel is offering this exceptional recut left frameline variety of the 1847 5¢ red brown Benjamin Franklin with an estimate of $1,000 to $1,500.

A highlight of the newspaper and periodical stamps in the Ryterband collection is mint, never-hinged 1895 50¢ carmine Justice on unwatermarked paper (Scott PR107).

Siegel describes the stamp as “probably the finest example extant.”

“This is the only Mint N.H. example of this rare stamp graded XF-Superb 95 by Professional Stamp Experts,” Siegel said. “In fact, it is the only Mint N.H. Scott PR107 certified by P.S.E. The highest grade below this 95 is one hinged stamp graded 90 (followed by one at 75).”

In addition to the 2024 graded extra fine-superb 95 Professional Stamp Experts certificate, the stamp comes with 1992 and 2004 certificates from the Philatelic Foundation.

Siegel notes that the stamp was offered in Siegel’s 2016 sale of part 1 of the Grant Inman collection of newspaper and periodical stamps, where it realized $7,762.50. That total includes the 15 percent buyer’s premium that Siegel added to the hammer price of $6,750.

In mint, never-hinged condition, the 1895 50¢ carmine Justice is valued at $6,250 in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers. That value applies to a stamp in the grade of very fine 80, the benchmark grade in the Scott catalog.

Siegel lists this exceptional mint, never-hinged 1895 50¢ carmine Justice newspaper stamp with an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000.

“We anticipate a record realization for this stamp,” Siegel said.

Full details of the auction of the Daniel J. Ryterband collection of superb quality United States stamps, including the detailed catalog and online bidding options, are available on the Siegel website at www.siegelauctions.com.

For additional information, contact Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, 21 W. 38th St., Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10018.

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