Uncovered what I believe are Yankee Stadium Seats...

[jeffshep]

Hello - found these recently in Brooklyn. The green initially had me thinking back to Fenway games as a kid, but while running down the auction history of Yankee seats through Legendary/Mastro over the years, it appears as though Yanks seats were originally green. Also found several auctions with an exact match on shape and structure. My guess is that these were decommissioned during the '73 reno on the stadium, treasured for a while, and eventually put in someone's backyard - hence the rotting of the top slat.

As a more than capable woodworker myself, I'd like to bring these beauties back. Replicating slats won't be a problem - I'm more concerned with painting. In your experience, would someone prefer the Yankee green or blue - if indeed these are Yankee seats? Personally I feel original paint is always best, but these are chipping quite a bit. Would hate to lose that No.27 on the side because of the significance (the '27 team, 27 series wins etc). - which can always be repainted.

Any thoughts on these seats are greatly appreciated, as well as any insight on preferred renovation methods.

A few Legendary examples, then my pics...
http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...entoryid=18323
http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...entoryid=34355
http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...entoryid=21943

[mrozie21]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but these are Milwaukee County Stadium seats, easily identified by the yellow row number on the side. Seats are from 1953

I should have replacement wood from County stadium if you're interested.

Mike

Originally Posted by jeffshep

Hello - found these recently in Brooklyn. The green initially had me thinking back to Fenway games as a kid, but while running down the auction history of Yankee seats through Legendary/Mastro over the years, it appears as though Yanks seats were originally green. Also found several auctions with an exact match on shape and structure. My guess is that these were decommissioned during the '73 reno on the stadium, treasured for a while, and eventually put in someone's backyard - hence the rotting of the top slat.

As a more than capable woodworker myself, I'd like to bring these beauties back. Replicating slats won't be a problem - I'm more concerned with painting. In your experience, would someone prefer the Yankee green or blue - if indeed these are Yankee seats? Personally I feel original paint is always best, but these are chipping quite a bit. Would hate to lose that No.27 on the side because of the significance (the '27 team, 27 series wins etc). - which can always be repainted.

Any thoughts on these seats are greatly appreciated, as well as any insight on preferred renovation methods.

A few Legendary examples, then my pics...
http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...entoryid=18323
http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...entoryid=34355
http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...entoryid=21943

[whitehse]

Not that I doubt what is being said because I don't but, one can only wonder how in the world Milwaukee Country Stadium seats made it to Brooklyn before the explosion of these things being collectible. I live in the Milwaukee area and I have never seen a seat like this anywhere yet two show up in Brooklyn.

Good luck with the restoration!

[eastonfalcon19]

Mike is correct these are from Milwaukee County Stadium.

[Butch7999]

Hopefully no one will mind too much if we tack an only slightly related question onto this thread rather than starting a new one.
Jeff's stadium seats remind us of a project we've put off for a long time, being at somewhat of a loss as to how to proceed,
and maybe someone here will have answers or suggestions.
We have a joined pair of arena seats in pretty nice shape, but the problem is that unlike the Milwaukee seats, they have no base per se.
Look at the side view of the Milwaukee seats, and picture them without that lateral ground-level folded bar and upright support --
that's how ours are, as they were bolted not into a metal support like Jeff's are but instead bolted right into the concrete riser behind them.
What would you stadium/arena seat guys do to make them usable, without a huge expenditure? We had anticipated that having
a professional metalworker duplicate something like the bases for the Milwaukee seats would cost quite a pretty penny...

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by Butch7999

Hopefully no one will mind too much if we tack an only slightly related question onto this thread rather than starting a new one.
Jeff's stadium seats remind us of a project we've put off for a long time, being at somewhat of a loss as to how to proceed,
and maybe someone here will have answers or suggestions.
We have a joined pair of arena seats in pretty nice shape, but the problem is that unlike the Milwaukee seats, they have no base per se.
Look at the side view of the Milwaukee seats, and picture them without that lateral ground-level folded bar and upright support --
that's how ours are, as they were bolted not into a metal support like Jeff's are but instead bolted right into the concrete riser behind them.
What would you stadium/arena seat guys do to make them usable, without a huge expenditure? We had anticipated that having
a professional metalworker duplicate something like the bases for the Milwaukee seats would cost quite a pretty penny...

I don't know anything about the company selling these, but the product they advertise is I think what you're looking for. Pretty sure they are not the only folks making or selling them.

http://www.stadiumseatdepot.com/

[Butch7999]

Wow, great lead -- thanks for the info!

[murphusa]

Butch
you can also get them here

http://www.archerseating.com/category/faq/

[Butch7999]

Hi Jim -- thanks to you as well for the heads-up!

[ooo-ribay]

A buddy of mine made these....for 5 Seals Stadium seats....as you can see, the material cost was minimal and they work great. I had an extra set, which I sold for $20 on ebay. Some jerk had to email me while they were for sale to tell me they were junk (they weren't) and that his $100 stands were way better. I think I replied, "who asked you, anyway?"

[JMEnglish27]

I hope the OP wasnt too disappointed to find out they're Milwaukee and not Yankee Stadium. They're absolutely gorgeous regardless of origin...what a find.

Personally? I'd paint or restore the distressed wood slats but NOT the metal. Leave that original aside from matched-color touch up on the rusted portions, then maybe a clear lacquer over top - preserve the original numbering.

I dont know if that a hobby-proper way to go about it (and I'd certainly ask around before proceeding if they were mine)...but it's a good start.

[khkco4bls]

That's what I did with my triple row Polo grind seats. Replaced wood and left the cast alone.

[jeffshep]

Hello - thanks all for the replies and apologies for not getting back to the post sooner. Not disappointed at all in finding out they're Milwaukee County Stadium seats - I do think it's odd they'd be in Brooklyn, but then again a good portion of the population here if from somewhere else. I'd also assume it's safe to bet some of the chairs sold through Mastro/Legendary over the years as Yankee Stadium seats were in fact Milwaukee seats repainted. This style matches exactly - can't see a difference besides Milwaukee top seat slats having the seat number carved in.

Mike (or anyone else), I'd be interested in replacement slats if you had some. I was going to make some on the band saw but if they exist pre-made, that would be a time saver! Some of the slats should be fine with an epoxy fill and a sanding - prime/paint etc. Thanks for the great options regarding feet as well - the current ones seem pretty solid but will have to be bent back a bit.

John E. - love the idea of preserving the original paint, but it is chipping quite heavily. Kevin, great pic! Thanks for the visual reference.

Any additional input or leads towards slats is welcomed - love to post some before and after pics if it works out. Thanks again!

[khkco4bls]

Look up stadium seat guys that sell. They have plenty from other chairs and not to expensive. In fact I think the co. That made the stadium seats are still in business