Incredibly rare, never before seen 1868 mounted photograph of the Lowell Base Ball Club of Boston, Massachusetts, one of the top teams of the day. Established by John A. Lowell, a Boston engraver whose knowledge of the field undoubtedly impacted the quality of this early gem. In fact, the graphics are at least a decade ahead of its time in comparison to photography of the era with the use of additional graphics designed by hand which are in fact IN the image. We are speaking of such elements as the typography of "Lowell Baseball Club Season of 1868" in there different hand-lettered fonts. Plus, the creation of the diamond with players at their positions and even the equipment between first and second base is more like a shrine to the holiness of the game. Although it is like a giant cabinet photograph or Carte-de-Visite, the craftsmanship far exceeds the graphics of an 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings or 1870 Athletics CdV. Created just three short years after the Civil War, starting nine here even have hand colored ties in blue. That is EXTREMELY unusual for the period. It shows: Bradbury, Joslin, Lovett, Conant, Jewell, Sumner, Alline, Rogers, and Newton. It is extremely illustrative and the players ties have been hand-colored in light blue. Lowell actually went on a tour of New England and this may have been used as a promotional device for their "big year." High grade and virtually unimprovable piece measures about 16.5x12.5" and is overall EX-MT to NM.