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Exceedingly rare CDV featuring the 1859 Brooklyn Atlantics. The 1859 Brooklyn Atlantics CDV has long been recognized as one of the most significant and greatest rarities of all nineteenth-century team cards. It has always been a nearly impossible-to-obtain "dream card" for advanced collectors. This particular CDV is one of only three known copies and comes with impeccable provenance (originated from a player's family member). The formal studio photograph captures 11 members of the Brooklyn Atlantics posing together, with nine players in uniform, including Dickey Pearce, the game's first great shortstop and the player credited with practically inventing the position. He is also credited by many today with introducing the bunt, known back then as his "tricky hit." The photographer's credit "Farach & Lalumia/308 Fulton St./Brooklyn" is stamped on the reverse. A vintage newspaper clipping, which identifies the players pictured, has likely been affixed to the reverse by the original owner. In part: The members of the Atlantic nine who played in a majority of games during the season of 1859 were: Boerum, catcher; M. O'Brien, pitcher; Price, Oliver and Smith on the bases; Pearce, short, and Hamilton, P. O'Brien and McMahon, in the outfield. The two gentlemen dressed in formal attire are identified in vintage pencil on the reverse as the team president and secretary.The Brooklyn Atlantics were founded in 1855, and just four years later won recognition as one of the top clubs in New York. They were also one of the original members of the National Association of Base Ball Players in 1857, which was the first organized sports league in history. The Atlantics' high level of play continued through the following decade, during which time they were the unofficial "champions" for a number of years on the strength of a star-studded roster that included Pearce, Charlie Smith, Fred Crane, Joe Start, and Tom Pratt. In 1870 the Brooklyn Atlantics made history when they defeated the legendary Cincinnati Red Stockings (baseball's first all-professional team), thereby dealing Cincinnati its first loss in 130 games (spanning nearly two years).The CDV (3-15/16 x 2-7/16 inches) displays a small area of paper loss in the upper-left corner and moderate edge and corner wear. The reverse has minor toning. The photograph displays exceptional clarity and contrast. This is a remarkable example of one of the nineteenth century's most significant and elusive rarities. The 1859 Brooklyn Atlantics CDV also holds the distinction of being one of the earliest-known baseball cards. SGC has encapsulated the CDV and certified it as "Authentic." Reserve $50,000.