Yankee Stadium memorabilia prices

[bigtrain]

There was a guy from Steiner Sports on the radio yesterday talking about the "artifacts" from Yankee Stadium that they are going to sell to the fans. They are selling seats for about $2,000.00 a pair. What is interesting is that if you check their website, the seats are described as "seats from the original Yankee Stadium" which is technically accurate. However, that is quite different from "original Yankee Stadium seats". The latter would be from the opening of the stadium in 1923, while the seats that are on sale are only about 35 years old. "Original Yankee Stadium seats" sold in conjunction with the 1970s renovation went for $7.50 each plus a few box tops. You can probably buy them today for around the same price as the new "original seats". They are also selling, among other things, Brian Cashman's desk chair for $5,000 and Men's Room signs for $250.00. And Steiner says that they probably won't make much of a profit on this deal, they are doing it as a service to the fans. They are as out of touch with reality as Yankee ticket prices.

[Jim VB]

These are original Yankee Stadium seats!

[bigtrain]

Exactly my point Jim. The plastic ones may be more comfortable to sit on but they are not original.

[Jay Wolt]

I heard that it cost the Yankees $11.5 million to acquire the contents
of Yankee Stadium from the city to sell the artifacts via Steiners auction.
With the slumping economy, who know...maybe Steiner is right, that they
may not make much on the auction.

[bronxbomber609]

This is the only seat I need

Capture (2).JPG

[drc]

High prices from Steiner on Yankees stuff is nothing new.

[David Atkatz]

Here's what I like the best about those greedy, shameless, bastards.

This is from their site when the artifacts first went on sale:



Can you imagine being proud to have destroyed Yankee Stadium?

(They have since changed their slogan to "Ruth built it, now you can take it home.")

[barrysloate]

The whole thing is pretty tacky..and who wants to pay all that money for plastic seats? I hope most of it goes unsold, like the premium seats behind home plate.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

They are selling seats for about $2,000.00 a pair. .. They are as out of touch with reality as Yankee ticket prices.

I just took a look at their site. They are asking $750 for single seats. $1499 for doubles. And $1999 if you want your specific season ticket seats.

I won't be buying anything, but it's not as unreasonable as it originally sounds.

[bigtrain]

I believe that the $750.00 seat is a "commemorative" seat. Only the plastic back and seat are from the stadium. The sides are newly manufactured and were never used in the stadium.

[Jim VB]

Yep. I just looked. You are correct. But think about it logistically. As constructed, each seat shares an armrest with the adjoining seat. If they tried to sell a seat individually, (with 2 armrests), every other seat would be unusable (no legs, no armrests.) By pulling them in 2 seat sections, only 33% of the seats are left this way. Rather than throw them out, they manfactured arms and legs that could be used.

Since those 1973 seats (the $7.50 ones) are now worth close to $2000 per single, I guess I don't find $1500 so outrageous for a double. If it is outrageous, we'll see them come down in price, either direct or on the secondary market.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by bronxbomber609

This is the only seat I need

Attachment 464

Very nice!

(You do know that the curved back and seats were not original to the 1923 Stadium. David would know for sure, but I believe they were added sometime in the 1940's. Until then, the box seats used folding chairs.)

This means that your seat, while newer, is from the more expensive seating areas.

In 1973 both the straight seats and curved seats were pulled for the plastic ones now on sale.

[Jay Wolt]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

who wants to pay all that money for plastic seats? I hope most of it goes unsold, like the premium seats behind home plate.

If someone want to puchase 'em good for them.
Why is a grand for a plastic seat any better or worse then a grand
on a small cardboard photo we call cards?

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

Why is a grand for a plastic seat any better or worse then a grand
on a small cardboard photo we call cards?

Hey buddy! Watch it! You're starting to get personal now!

[Jay Wolt]

Jim - Don't worry, I collect vintage memorabilia as well as cards.
So I spend all I can on the "gotta have it" stuff I desire.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Here's what I like the best about those greedy, shameless, bastards.

This is from their site when the artifacts first went on sale:



Can you imagine being proud to have destroyed Yankee Stadium?

(They have since changed their slogan to "Ruth built it, now you can take it home.")

I have to laugh: David, that has got to be the worst advertising I have ever seen. Not only are they proud to destroy the stadium but of course they had to rip off NYC at the same time. For these reasons I stopped buying anything from Steiner years ago. To me it felt the same as if I were buying a fur coat.

[Jim VB]

Lichtman, on casual Friday...

[barrysloate]

Just my feelings Jay. At least the little pieces of cardboard people collect have some character to them. Plastic seats...all ticky tack. It's subjective of course.

[MVSNYC]

well, call me crazy, but i thought it was a fair price, so i bought a "new" old single seat...will sit next to the original seat i got from Jay Wolt.

[yanks12025]

MVSNYC,
I thought that the seat and back were the only original parts on the single seats because the one side shows wear on the bottom.

[Jay Wolt]

Sarno I miss my old seat but know its in good hands, and I like the idea
of getting the newer version (1976-2008) to display next to it.
When we go to the new Stadium next week, bring some tools and grab the 3rd version

[MVSNYC]

Originally Posted by yanks12025

MVSNYC,
I thought that the seat and back were the only original parts on the single seats because the one side shows wear on the bottom.

not sure, all i know is that the seat & back are definitely from the stadium, maybe some of the sides were salvaged as well?

jay- i owe you a phone call, probably later tonight.

[Jim VB]

Jay, Michael,

These guys have lots available. (Bring a big checkbook!)

http://yankeestadiumseats.com/_wsn/page2.html

[Jay Wolt]

Jim, I have seen that website before as I was trying to determine a
fair value for my seat. Though my cost was $35 in 1981.

Here's the incomprable Mike Sarno sitting in the seat at my office.
Seconds later it was loaded in his car. I was (and still am) sad to
see it go.

[Jim VB]

My cost basis is a little lower than yours. My sister bought it for me for my 18th birthday, in 1973. Cost her $7.50. Of course she didn't smoke, so she had to spring for some cigarettes she never used and drive to Korvette's to pick it up.

[Jay Wolt]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

My cost basis is a little lower than yours. My sister bought it for me for my 18th birthday, in 1973. Cost her $7.50. Of course she didn't smoke, so she had to spring for some cigarettes she never used and drive to Korvette's to pick it up.

Jim - I remember the E.J. Korvettes promotion as well & pleaded w/ my old man
to switch to Winston's so we could grab a seat. He just didn't understand why I
would want one.