1923 TERRA-COTTA CORNERSTONE FIGURAL PIECE FROM THE ORIGINAL YANKEE STADIUM ENTRANCE FACADE

This large and extraordinarily historic piece is one of the original terra-cotta architectural features that formerly adorned the facade above the main entrance to the original Yankees Stadium. This defining decorative element greeted every player and the millions of fans who came to the hallowed grounds from the day of its grand opening in 1923 until it was carefully removed during renovations in 1973. Its placement above the front entrance can be seen in many iconic Yankees Stadium photographs and even in the original blueprints for the building. The decorative design consists of two baseballs in the center of a scrolled pattern, below which is a yellow “sunrise.”

From the day of its opening, Yankee Stadium has been the most celebrated of all sporting venues, home to baseball’s greatest slugger, Babe Ruth, and has long been referred to as “The House That Ruth Built” in his honor. The history of the stadium includes the feats of legends such as Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and Mantle and countless other Yankee greats who contributed to an astounding 20 championship seasons between 1923 and 1973. The stadium was also home to the football Giants as well as many other significant sporting events, including the famous Joe Louis/Max Schmeling heavyweight championship fight. The piece exhibits some natural wear from having endured the elements for fifty years but, aside from a few minor chips and a section chipped away a bit about 3/4-inch wide and 3 inches long on the lower right-hand corner, remains in Excellent condition overall with a wonderful vintage patina.

 Photos show that nine such pieces adorned the original stadium, but a smaller number is thought to have survived, perhaps a half dozen. Legendary collector Barry Halper had a section of a wall removed from his collecting room in his home to allow for one of the Yankee cornerstones to be inserted directly into the wall, and another was long ago exhibited at the American Museum of Folk Art. The Halper-owned piece was sold for nearly $53,000 in a July 2007 auction. Dimensions: 16-by-19 inches and approximately 5 inches tall at the point of highest relief. Weight: Approx. 80 pounds. A custom metal stand is included.