Now available – A colorized panoramic photo of the Polo Grounds from the Pictorial News, taken either October 13 or October 14, 1910. The photo was taken during the popular New York City Series between the Giants and the Highlanders (who would later become known as the Yankees).

In the photo, the photographer is seated behind the home team’s dugout in the upper tier of the stands. From here, you have approximately a 180 degree view of the stadium and its surroundings. What an incredible photo this is, which is why I spent so much time enhancing and colorizing it.

Although records state that the photo was taken in October 13, 1910, I believe the photo was taken October 14. The pitchers of record on the 13th were Christy Mathewson for the Giants and Russ Ford for the Highlanders. The photo shows a lefty pitcher on the mound – neither of those pitchers was left handed, and they both pitched at least 8 innings. By the look of the scoreboard, it seems to be the first inning. On October 14, George “Hooks” Wiltse was on the mound for the Giants, and he was left handed. I strongly feel that the man on the mound is Hooks Wiltse. The man squatting in the coach’s box along the 3rd base line is most likely John McGraw himself.

The Polo Grounds had a number of development phases over its history. In this phase of development, called Polo Grounds III, the two-tiered stands were extended into part of the outfield. The particular look of the stadium you see here only existed between around 1908 and April of 1911, when a fire destroyed the stands, and they were rebuilt with concrete and steel.

The photo took nearly 40 hours to enhance, restore and colorize. Each small detail you see was separately colorized. Research was taken to determine colors. I cannot guarantee everything you see is the color in which it really was…but as much research as possible was performed – down to visiting a railroad car of that time to determine the colors you see in the photo.

The grass color is not too bright green, and had lots of areas of dirt, as grounds keeping wasn’t the quality it is today. In working on the photo, if you look closely, you will notice what the vendors of the time looked like, and what the spectators wore.

The print measures 42 inches wide by 10 inches high. Anything larger would impact the photo quality. It is suitable for framing, which is what I have done for my own home.

 

This colorized photo is available now for $199.95. You can send payment via Paypal, which takes Visa, Mastercard or through your checking account: