Tremendously rare Rube Foster Type I Studio Photo by Arthur P. Bedou Studios nicely captures the man known as the "Father of Black Baseball." Measuring 3.75x5.5" the image shows Foster seated in plain clothes while looking at the camera, and this definitive snapshot is one of 5-or-less Type I examples known to exist. Back is blank and looks to have minor water damage at top and bottom, and while the border shows some minor discoloration from age, Foster's piercing gaze and overall image remains crisp and clean. A standout pitcher at the turn of the 19th century, Foster was credited with 44 straight wins in the 1902 season. He became the owner/manager of the Chicago American Giants in 1911, and was instrumental in the 1920 formation of the Negro National League, the first successful league for Black players. Foster was still managing at that time, and his Giants captured the first three NNL pennants. Stellar look at the man who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981 and played a formidable role in evolving the sport as it is presented today, making him one of baseball's most significant pioneers.