Sale 1368 — The Daniel J. Ryterband Collection: Superb Quality United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 16-17 December, 2025
Category — 1902-08 Issue (Scott 300-319r)
2c Carmine (301). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, ex Merlin, "Clipper City" and Grace, with 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), only five grade higher (three at 98, one each at 98J and 100) and only five others share this grade
3c Bright Violet (302). Mint N.H., crisp impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2021 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), SCV $140
4c Brown (303). Mint N.H., fresh rich color, near perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Killien, Merlin and "Golden Oak", with 2001, 2014 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (latter two XF-Superb 95), only three grade higher
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., wide margins and outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1979 and 2023 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95), SCV $150
6c Claret (305). Mint N.H., rich color, detailed impression, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
8c Violet Black (306). Mint N.H., choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), SCV $160
10c Pale Red Brown (307). Mint N.H., bright shade and crisp impression, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. and 2013 P.F. certificates (both XF-Superb 95), only two grade higher (at 95J and 98J)
13c Purple Black (308). Mint N.H., choice margins and centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. and P.S.E. certificate (both XF 90)
15c Olive Green (309). Mint N.H., wide margins and well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 2021 P.F. certificate (XF 90), SCV $450
50c Orange (310). Mint N.H., vibrant color, gorgeous centering with unusually wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1902 ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY BOTH P.S.E. AND THE P.F.
The 1902-03 Regular Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforation method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. Furthermore, stamps issued in choice condition seldom stayed that way, because the boom in stamp collecting that began with the Roosevelt administration caused hordes of hinge-bearing philatelists to mount stamps over and over again. For this reason, today's collectors have grown accustomed to paying many multiples of Scott value for Extremely Fine stamps in Mint Never-Hinged state. Anyone who has pursued this set can testify that the 50c is rarely encountered in such condition. Apart from the $2.00 and $5.00 values, it is more elusive than any other value of the set in superb Mint N.H. condition. This example probably ranks among the ten highest-quality examples in existence.
With 2010 P.S.E. and 2011 P.F. certificates (both XF-Superb 95). Only four grade higher (three at 95J and one at 98) and four others share this desirable grade.
$1.00 Black (311). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression on crisp paper, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1902 ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY BOTH P.S.E. AND THE P.F.
Ex Curtis. With 2009 P.S.E. and 2015 P.F. certificates (both XF-Superb 95). Only three grade higher (at 98).
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Original gum, in a 2006 sale we described "barest trace of what may be hinging", but this was likely just a tiny skip and the accompanying P.S.E. certificate obtained shortly after the sale (with their knowledge of our description) states Mint N.H., deep rich color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE, GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E.
With 1981 P.F. certificate stating "o.g. genuine". With 2006 P.S.E. certificate as Mint N.H. (XF 90). Only four grade higher (highest is 95).
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, phenomenal margins and centering, long and full perforations
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE, GRADED XF 90 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The 1902-03 Regular Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforation method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. Furthermore, stamps issued in choice condition seldom stayed that way, because the boom in stamp collecting that began with the Roosevelt administration caused hordes of hinge-bearing philatelists to mount stamps over and over again. For this reason, today's collectors have grown accustomed to paying many multiples of Scott value for Extremely Fine stamps in Mint Never-Hinged state. This is especially true when it comes to the $5.00 denomination. This fact is made abundantly clear when one realizes that the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a $5.00 value in Never-Hinged condition is a 90, given to only five stamps.
Ex Wingate. With 2000 and 2018 P.F. certificates (XF 90). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. As mentioned above, 90 is also the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. SCV $10,000.
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. top, right, left and bottom arrow blocks of four, first three with Ball Marker, left arrow block with some plate printers' initials, large margins all around, deep rich color
EXTREMELY FINE GEMS. A STUNNING AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED SET OF THE FOUR POSITIONS ON THE SHEET OF 400 THAT YIELD ARROW BLOCKS.
The blue Ball Marker, caused by ink settling into indentations from a Brinnell plate hardness measuring device, is only found on the top, right and left arrow blocks. Some arrow blocks do not have the Ball Markers at all. This set, showing the markers on all three possible positions, is highly desirable.
Each with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in block form). Scott value as three Mint N.H. ball marker blocks and four singles.
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Centerline block of four, original gum, h.r. at center, deep rich color, large and balanced margins, top right stamp small natural gum wrinkle
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM CENTERLINE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1908 5-CENT LINCOLN IMPERFORATE. VERY FEW CAN EXIST.
According to Johl, only 29 sheets of 400 of the 5c imperforate were issued. Most were sent to Indianapolis and the majority was used by manufacturers of private coils. Some unused were acquired by collectors (including 825 copies distributed to members of the Detroit Philatelic Society). As scarce and desirable as plate blocks are of this issue, centerline blocks are in an entirely separate category of rarity. For each sheet of 400 stamps there would have been eight plate blocks — and only one centerline block. Johl notes that not more than ten centerline blocks could possibly have remained intact after the private coil production broke most of the sheets, and it is likely the actual number to survive is significantly less than ten.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80). A grade is meaningless on a rarity such as this.
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 4075 block of six, large margins other sides, wonderful depth of color and detailed impression
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
Ex Field. With 2020 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF-Superb 95).
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., large and even margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), SCV $600
5c Blue, Coil (317). Pair, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color
VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND UNUSUALLY WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE RARE 5-CENT 1908 VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 317.
According to Johl, these first government coils were an experiment, and collectors and dealers were generally unaware of their existence. Regular sheets of 400 were printed and then perforated in only one direction. They were then cut into strips of 20. The strips were hand pasted together to form rolls. As such, they are almost always strongly centered to one side.
Ex Abramowitz. With 1994 and 2021 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue Green, Horizontal Coil (318). Pair, lightly hinged, dark color, choice centering with wide and well-balanced margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE PAIR OF THE RARE ONE-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL.
Ex Dr. Graves ("Argentum") and Przybyl. With 1983, 2021 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates.
2c Carmine, Ty. I (319). Mint N.H., vibrant color, choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. I (319b). Mint N.H., intense color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2014 P.S.A.G. and 2022 P.F. certificates (both XF-Superb 95), SCV $45
2c Carmine, Ty. II (319Fi). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice margins and centering, Extremely Fine, with 1975 P.F. (as the old 319i) and 2022 P.S.A.G. certificates (XF 90), SCV $150
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Imperforate (320). Mint N.H. centerline block of four, large even margins, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Vertical Pair, San Francisco Roulette (319r, formerly 319e var). Strip of three with left selvage showing plate printers' initials, rouletted between the top and middle stamps, normal perfs between the middle and bottom stamps which are Mint N.H., bright shade distinctly different from No. 319d
VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS FAMOUS AND FASCINATING BUREAU ISSUE PERFORATION VARIETY.
There are three distinct imperforate errors for the 1903 2c Shield Issue, listed in Scott as Nos. 319d, 319e and 319r, offered here.
The imperforate-horizontally multiples (Scott 319d) come from a block of 25 purchased from the Washington D.C. post office. All known examples of Scott 319d are printed in a deeper shade of Carmine than 319e or the San Francisco Roulette. The imperforate-between multiples (Scott 319e and the San Francisco Roulette 319r) come from two sources, according to research by Roger Brody. All multiples listed as Scott as 319e (without roulette) have very faint blind perf holes between the stamps; the shade and centering of all Scott 319e's are identical, but as a group they differ from the rouletted examples. The imperforate-between with roulettes come from a small number of sheets received by the San Francisco postmaster that were missing a line of perforations between the first and second rows at top (unlike No. 319e without roulette, which comes from the bottom two rows). Rather than destroy or return the problem sheets, the postmaster applied his own roulette for separation. The existence of top position blocks confirms the position of the error stamps in the sheet.
Ex Brody and Getlan. Scott value $4,000 as an ordinary pair.