James Naismith invented the game of basketball in 1891 while a teacher at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Seven years later he was athletic director at the University of Kansas where he founded the school’s basketball program. Naismith was fortunate to live long enough to see the game he originated turn into an international sport that was featured in the Olympic Games.

This photo was taken of basketball’s founding father proudly posing with a modern basketball. What makes this original Type 1 even more outstanding is that it is one of just three in existence. The photo appears to have been slightly modified from its original size to current dimensions of 5.5 x 7.25 inches. There are two small wrinkle creases on the right side near the ball Naismith is holding and vintage tape residue on a small area along the right edge. The reverse has a newspaper clipping showing how this image was used by the media along with a "March 19, 1933" press stamping and handwritten notations in pencil.

The photo has been authenticated Type 1 by PSA/DNA and is encapsulated in a jumbo holder.