It's not from the 1800s, but is from early 1900s and is antique. And, from all evidence, it is very rare.
In the early 1900s and 1800s they sometimes made "re-printed" images like this. There are those 1927 Old Judge large display pieces, for example (Different than the vermon find), and they made late 1800s and early 1900s cabinet cards of, say, Civil War generals.
Due to its large size and perhaps being unique, it appears to have been made for some exhibit. Perhaps the team or town anniversary or some town festival or something. That's a matter or speculation, but a bif photo like this was for display. For a public display, it makes sense they would make just one
So it is a nice, rare and unusual (in the good way) photograph.
Bryan asked me about after he originally bought it, and I examined the photo in person. So I'm talking about having seen the actual photo in person.
I'm surprised the auction house didn't offer it for sale, and my guess another one might. Not being able to pinpoint the exact year is nothing unusual for a rare and esoteric piece like that. You just want to be sure it's antique, which it is.
Last edited by drcy; 06-10-2020 at 12:44 PM.
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