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]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

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]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

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]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

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]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

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]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

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]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

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]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

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]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

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]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

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

[Swoboda4]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

David,
The Mets just announced on TV that "ALL" procedes from the sale of Mets artifacts from Shea are going to charity. Does Barry know this?
Robert

[metsbats]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

I"m sure that means all proceeds net after contractors and MeiGrey are paid out. It is most likely that the Mets proceeds are going to their charity is my guess.

I'm sure Barry can talk to this.

David

[melotime]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

how much is a seat?

[Swoboda4]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

melotime,
Hello. MeiGray is not selling the seats and for that we can be thankfull. The Mets alone are selling them and two (2) go for $869. Go to Met.com for details.The Mets ,who probably don't have the time or inclination to deal with the other items teamed up with The MeiGray Group to handle the removal and selling of everything else of value. Because two entities are involved in the items other than the seats the prices are twice as high,and then some.
MeiGray on this thread sited construction,union,packaging and time constraints as the reason for their higher prices while maintaining their high level of product.I want to say here in fairness that the main concern for collectors is authenticity, and Meigray is in my estimation of the highest entegrity,the best in the hobby and leaps and bounds ahead of Steiner,when it comes to that.
But the Mets who are facing the same problems ,at the same time and the same place didn't see the need to gouge us(The seats at Shea are rusted to the ground and will be impossible to unscrew in one piece after all this time. Couple this with the fact they have to take the lead paint off and repaint, package and ship-they have the harder job).
Now for those who are buying the two foul poles and two dugout removed as intack as possible,along with the letters atop Shea Stadium, all bets are off . But again,if the Mets can offer a high end item under the same conditions with a fair price what did we need MeiGray for?

[MRMusial]

Re: Shea Stadium memorabilia prices

how much is a seat?

$869 a pair plus applicable taxes.

www.mets.com/shea

www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=18485