Going Blind and Crazy- where are my photo experts?

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Posted By: jamie

Picked up this baseball cabinet photograph:


It measures about 7x10 (counting the mount which is very thick cardboard). An unusual measurement which did little to help identify it. I took a hi-res scan in an effort to help date it a little better.







It's definitely an albumen and not a silver gelatin print.

I can make out wire catchers' masks, what looks like a horse cart in the background and a style of dress that all seem to me to point to 1870's- early 1880's (bibbed shirts, knickers, painter's caps). Does this seem like fair estimate?

Now here's the part I've been going back and forth on. I initially thought this was just a local team but the fellas on the left all seem to be wearing matching uniforms- right down to the belts, shirts, hats, and shoes. These seems pretty ambitious and extravagant for a local team or am I completely off?

And the last part of my little puzzle is this player:


The resolution is obviously not the greatest and he's shading his face, but am I crazy or is he black?

Finally, I'm really interested in getting this piece restored. What's the take on photographic restoration? Is it as taboo as card restoration?

Thanks in advance- I'm always appreciative of the knowledge this board has to share and offer.