Yankee Stadium Ticket Booth/Kiosk

[Ronnoco]

I don't think I've ever had anything good enough to post, but I think I've finally made the cut.

There were reportedly only three Yankee Stadium ticket booths saved from the scrap heap in 1973. All three were red. One went to the Smithsonian, one went to Cooperstown, and a third was sold to a private collector for $500.

I'm reasonably sure I found the third one.

It's in rough condition, but the vast majority of it is here. The original copper-covered dome has survived as well. The grates for the ticket windows, I'm told, are not here because fans removed them in September 1973, after the last home game. I found a photograph of someone chiseling them out from one ot the booths.

I'm going to restore it, but I also want to keep some of the Bronx charm spray-painted and marked on the exterior panels opposite the ticket windows. The one in Cooperstown is almost unrecognizeable due to its restoration (http://waswatching.com/wp-content/up...-Thru-1973.jpg), while the one in the Smithsonian looks more like it did when it was removed (http://newsdesk.si.edu/snapshot/yank...m-ticket-booth). I would like to display the copper-covered dome hidden beneath the many layers of paint. In any event, here's a couple of photos.

[FourStrikes]

Nice!

+1000 on the graffiti "Bronx charm" - if only you can photo-match it for eternity (NOT implying it ain't otherwise legit) - but that would be some tremendous provenance!

IMHO, I vote for non-restored.

[Kawika]

Don't recall the ticket booths ever being red. I wonder when they changed the color from the familiar drab green. Picture is a screen cap from some home movies from 1958 (kid in the middle wearing the Yankees cap is me).

[Lordstan]

Great photo David,
Looks like the BB HOF's restoration is correct, but perhaps older.

[Ronnoco]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Don't recall the ticket booths ever being red. I wonder when they changed the color from the familiar drab green. Picture is a screen cap from some home movies from 1958 (kid in the middle wearing the Yankees cap is me).

This is amazing, David! Do you have any other footage from outside the Stadium or inside the gate?

[ruth-gehrig]

I, like many have already said, would love to see this project to completion! Hopefully completion is minimal restoration

[Ronnoco]

Here are some additional photos of the kiosk, which is coming together slowly. Getting a better idea of the dome and booth color changes over time.

1) Multiples of $1.50 stenciled on the interior frames of both windows, just in case some wise guy ordered nine tickets. This is my favorite stuff.

2) The booth was the far right kiosk when facing the Stadium at Gate 4. It housed windows 18 and 19. The one in Cooperstown was to the far left at the same gate, windows 8 and 9. Still trying to determine the number of the Smithsonian booth.

3) The configuration of the counters when inside the booth. The red-ended pieces were the actual ticket counters. There's math all over these too. The tops of both were reinforced with heavy steel plate.

4) An area of the dome where the paint layers have peeled off, exposing the familiar "battleship gray", the copper covering, and what looks to be two shades of green. The green may just be tarnished copper.

5) One of the two rolling, illuminated banners. These were added in 1956, some time before the World Series

[whitehse]

This is like a piece of history, long lost, coming back to life! Excellent work so far.

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by Ronnoco

This is amazing, David! Do you have any other footage from outside the Stadium or inside the gate?

Sorry for slow reply. Missed your question until I saw Ben's recent post. Unfortunately no other footage outside the gates save two or three seconds of us same kids goofing around.

[Ronnoco]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Sorry for slow reply. Missed your question until I saw Ben's recent post. Unfortunately no other footage outside the gates save two or three seconds of us same kids goofing around.

Thanks, David!

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Don't recall the ticket booths ever being red. I wonder when they changed the color from the familiar drab green. Picture is a screen cap from some home movies from 1958 (kid in the middle wearing the Yankees cap is me).

This photo rules. More please. The ticket booth is simply incredible. Wow.

[mattjc1983]

Wow, amazing find.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[David Atkatz]

Wow is right! That's the coolest old Yankee Stadium artifact I've ever seen!

[khkco4bls]

Remember the turnstiles were also red back then.

[ooo-ribay]

That is a fantastic piece! Was the copper dome bare copper at any point? I see it's painted in both restorations.

[frank461]

This is an amazing and historic find. can you share the story on how you were able to acquire it?

[Vintage Yankee]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Wow is right! That's the coolest old Yankee Stadium artifact I've ever seen!

+++++1

[Bestdj777]

Very cool piece. I love the graffit as well. If you ever get a chance, read about R@y Ne.gron and it will give you a greater appreciate for graffiti in connection with Yankee stadium.

[DeafSports]

amazing post and booth.

Do you have mancave waiting for the booth to join?

Best of luck!

[Ronnoco]

I wish!

Originally Posted by SirGabel

amazing post and booth.

Do you have mancave waiting for the booth to join?

Best of luck!

[daves_resale_shop]

Found this pic in a Yankees book dated April 19, 1923

[Ronnoco]

I'm very happy to say that the owner of the kiosk has followed through with the planned donation. VERY HAPPY! The booth will be on its way to the New York State Museum in Albany later this month.

The museum plans to stabilize the booth, but there won't be much more in the way of restoration. The graffiti will be retained. Not sure what will be done regarding the missing ticket window grates.

Thanks to everyone who helped with photographs and research for this. You guys are incredible.

[ksfarmboy]

Was just watching the movie from 1959 called the FBI story. They go to Yankee stadium and show the ticket booths. Also inside they show a stadium vendor selling pennants and stuff. Ronnoco might want to check it out.