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"The First Nine" 1868 Cincinnati Red Stockings Oversized Mounted Photo
This stunning albumen cabinet photo is merely one of the most profoundly important -- and profoundly rare -- survivors of baseball antiquity ever found. It bears no less than an original photograph from 1868 of the Cincinnati Red Stockings, who are somewhat charitably billed as "The First Nine" though clearly other teams predated them. However, the date here is extremely important, as it was the last year baseball was officially an amateur sport. The following year, the Red Stockings would openly go pro (4 were already being paid under the table), courting great players for $200 a month to play under HOF pitcher/manager Harry Wright, seen in this picture seated second from left holding a ball in his right hand. The "Reds" would win 68 straight games. They weren't bad in '68 either, going 31-7. Though the players' names are not identified in the gorgeous copper-tinted photo, they also include Asa Brainard, Rufus King, Charles Grant, and Fred Waterman, as well as team President A.B. Champion, who appears in an inset, as do other team officers. One of the earliest original pieces in existence with a photo of Harry Wright -- arguably the greatest manager of all time -- and of an organized team. What's more, the condition is astonishingly good. The golden tone is strong and bright, the looks on the faces brilliantly clear, and only a smattering of wear and darkening around the edges. 13 1/2 x 16 1/2". For early baseball collectors, the ultimate. Period.
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