Crosley Field Seats

[steve B]

Option B is possible, but it's slow tedious work even on a good surface. I'm not sure I'd attempt it on a bit of wood that has a surface as cracked as the one shown in the closeup.

I think a bit of research is in order, if the gray was done at Crosley I'd be inclined to leave it as-is. Except that the metal bits look like some rust is starting. That can be dealt with without wrecking the paint, but the seats won't be pretty.

If it wasn't done at Crosley, where was it done? Lots of seats got sold to towns or minor league teams. Probably not much monetary value in keeping the gray, but a bit of history/provenance. If the guy did it himself it's no big deal.

I have 3 seats, Fenway unrestored, Arlington stadium - Plastic, And Atlanta Fulton county - Sold to a minor league team rescued and restored. That one came with a packet of documentation including the color matching info.

Steve B

[RedsFan09]

Ok, I got the seats today. The wood actually seems very solid and in pretty good shape. There is some minor rusting, but I don't think that will be too difficult to take care of. At first glace, it doesn't look like there is the original green paint on the actual seats. I am not sure about the backs, but the original numbers are clearly visible through the gray paint.

How would I go about researching this particular set of seats? I would like to make them as original as possible, but I have no idea how to find out where they have been/what color they were.

Any tips?

Thanks again for all the advice, I really appreciate it.

[RedsFan09]

Ok, after looking at them a little further, I have decided to refinish them. The original paint is under the gray on the seat backs, but not on the seats. Also, I don't really ever plan on reselling them.

So is "Crosley Green" the name of the original shade of green? Where can I purchase this paint (or the closest shade)?

[John V]

I made up the name "Crosley Green". I don't know the real color. With some research, you may be able to find the real color.

[3and2]

I'd contact the Cincinnati Reds museum located at the Great American Ballpark. I'm sure a historian there can point you in the right direction. Good Luck and nice seats!

[wmullis]

I have the exact same set of seats, the same color with the same wood slats under the legs. An auction house located in Ohio had hundreds of these sets in both 4 and 5 seat configurations. No doubt this is where your set came from. I just called them and they said they came from a fairground and he is guessing they had painted them at some point.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for your set?

[autograf]

There was a guy in Cinci named Bobby Dotson (I think) who sold MANY, MANY Crosley field seats over the years.......he consigned most, if not all, the figural Crosley seats to the Lelands and other auctions. He used to be a figure at the Moeller shows but not sure anything about him now. Might be a good name to look up in the phone book........