Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

[Swoboda4]

As I took in my last game at Shea Stadium last Sunday night,I looked around with my son and wondered what piece of the Stadium I could afford. I couldn't afford to purchase seats but there is so much that can be sold I didn't worry. As I left that night I noticed the hanging directional signs at the bottom of the ramps with the Mr Met logo. The sign that so many times directed my father and I, and now me and my son to our seats. I knew I had found the item. I guessed with an eye of someone who knew of these things that this item may go for around $300-$600. When the price list was made available yesterday,that particular sign(with Mr Met)was listed at $1,995. To be fair there are many affordable items,but none that perfectly memorialize my interaction with the Stadium. I'll pass on the $50 napkin holder and the large concourse player banners that can't hope to fit in anyones residence. I guess as far as the Stadium is concerned it's already gone. Like someone you visit at the hospital for the last time. And as far as taking memories,we already have them.

[costas]

congratulations on picking this up. While the price might look steep, the sentimental value is priceless. Your son will appreciate this as much, when he passes it down to his children and sharing the warmth stories and memories he shared with you at Shea.

[Swoboda4]

I apologize for not making my point clear. I COULDN'T afford the ramp sign as I couldn't afford the seats. I was surprised at the high price.

[costas]

Thank you for clarifying Swoboda. While it is none of my business to ask about your financial status, perhaps you could make some adjustments in your other expenses so you're able to save enough funds to purchase this piece. Really, you're probably going to only spend this much once and it is a well invested piece because of the sentimental association with it.

[Vintagedeputy]

I'll pass on the $50 napkin holder .

I thought that the napkin holders were only $35........

When you consider how many fans last year grabbed a napkin from those holders to wipe away the tears during the collapse, I think the price tag is quite a steal.......

[BarryMeisel]

Hi everybody,

Those of you who have already dealt with MeiGray already know ... or I hope they know ... that we are collectors who are very sensitive and very respectful of everyone's opinions.

I started this company because of my love for memorabilia and my desire to improve the integrity of hobby, the quality of authentication, and the professionalism of a service that does ask quite a lot of money for these unique items.

I say this so you know I don't often jump into public threads to comment. But I wanted to share with you some of the realities of the Shea Memorabilia Project so you understand how we come to our procedures, and pricing, etc.

One of the major hurdles to making this work was the incredibly tight window between Shea closes, and when it must come down. Because Citi Field cannot be completed until Shea gets demolished, there is only 15 days between the final out (whenever that is) and the day that Shea begins to come down.

Because of that reality, the cost to preserve, remove, authenticate and distribute the relics is enormous. MeiGray was faced with that reality when it elected to partner with the Mets.

We felt it was worth the cost for a team of contractors (we expect to have at least 50 union members working 10 hour-days for 15 days removing, inventorying, authenticating, packaging and trucking) to work solely to preserve the artifacts that we are offering.

I am not making excuses for our pricing. I just felt it a good idea to try to offer a little insight into the scope of the project.

And this project will ensure that items are protected for Citi Field, for donations to charity, and for other worthy causes.

Thanks for reading,

Barry

[metsbats]

Just to put things into perspective, there are approximately 41 turnstiles available at $1500 a piece. Just compare the rich history of these turnstiles which were used at the stadium during the course of 44 years verses a Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter game used bat from one single year of which of there may be 40+ legit gamers with really great use and typically sell for $1500-$2500 by Steiner and other dealers.

As Barry states there are additional costs built into the cost to market the turnstiles and other pieces of stadia which are definitely not involved in getting these game used bats to the consumer.

While we all cannot afford the real high end pieces (myself included) I was glad to be able to pick up some napkin holders which I hopefully will not have to use wiping tears away in 2 weeks.

David

[Vintagedeputy]

I was glad to be able to pick up some napkin holders which I hopefully will not have to use wiping tears away in 2 weeks.

David

David - I hope you are right! I'd like to see the Mets make it this year.

[Swoboda4]

Barry-
You're right about the realities and nothing today is the way we would prefer it. But the same union worker removing the $1,995 sign is getting paid the same to remove the $500 one. Your total costs are not more for removal of the 371 outfield pad as opposed to the regular one. This situation is not unlike a funeral. A loved one passes and time is a factor. The funeral director gives you prices that are unexpected,there's no where else to go...and union people wait impatiently with shovels.

[metsbats]

Swoboda4,

I agree the cost may be the same but can make an argument that they may not in some cases. The contractors/workers who is charged with removing a Men's room door sign of the Napkin holders have a much easier task than the ones who has operate the crane or climb up the Stadium to retrieve the Giant "S" in "Shea" from the roof. I would think their pay grades reflect the skill set and difficulty of tasks.

When I had work done in my home I observed that the electricians and plumbers were more expensive than the guys who came in to plaster the walls.

Irregardless, we need to look at the type of items that are being costed out. It would make sense that the items that come off the playing field, items which has the name "Shea Stadium", items that are rarer or one of kind would be higher priced than others.

David