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Superb 1902 Cincinnati Reds "Palace of the Fans" Sterling Silver Season Pass
Displayed is a gorgeous and very rare 1902 Cincinnati Reds Palace of the Fans sterling silver season pass. It is legend that Cincinnati Reds owner John T. Brush took his inspiration for the new Palace of the Fans Ball Park, which opened in 1902, from the neoclassical architecture on display during his visit to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The Palace of the Fans Ball Park was a state-of-the-art facility when it opened. It was a concrete and iron facility in a time when ballparks were often still made of wood. The new stadium featured 22 hand-carved Corinthian columns. The ballpark had "CINCINNATI" chiseled into the frieze atop the grandstand. There were also 19 opera-styled "Fashion Boxes" for the wealthiest fans. The Reds had a 70-70 record in 1902, and they finished in fourth place in the eight team National League, but there was nothing average about the Palace of the Fans Ball Park. It was grandiose and designed to impress, and there is nothing average about the beautiful season pass, measuring approx. 2.625x 3.875" and weighing 1.1 ounces. The pass features ornate raised lettering and a striking raised image of the grandstand section of the stadium, showing four tiny players and myriad miniature images of fans. On the top right of the pass is "No. 5." Underneath the above pass number reads, "1902 At the Cincinnati Ball Park." Under the above, beautifully engraved script shows the owner of the season pass as "Master Gordon B. Hempstead." The aforementioned Gordon B. Hempstead was the son of Harry Hempstead, the son-in-law of John T. Brush and later an owner of the New York Giants. The season pass also functioned as an invitation to the dedication of the stadium, and so under the pass holder's name is imprinted, "Dedication May 16th - YOU ARE INVITED." Engraved on the bottom of the pass is the signature of John T. Brush and the printed word "PRESIDENT." On the back of the pass is imprinted "STERLING." Although beautiful, the stadium only lasted for ten seasons. Cracked floors, crowded seating, and a damaging fire caused the facility to close, and the Reds moved their games to Redland Field, later called Crosley Field. The Sterling Silver pass has terrific eye appeal, and it is a wonderful keepsake of vintage baseball. Other than a bit of tarnish, the season pass is NRMT.
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