BOSTON -- A Red Sox photo of the team's first spring training is heading home. It was one of several items stolen from the Boston Public Library more than 30 years ago.

The picture dates back to the birth of the Red Sox, and Red Sox Nation. In it, pitcher George Cuppy is winding up to deliver a fastball.

“It's called a cabinet photo,” said Memorabilia expert and McGreevy's pub owner Peter Nash. “These set of pictures are from the Red Sox first spring training in 1901 - the first year of the club.”

It's one picture out of 60 Red Sox photos that were stolen from the Boston Public Library in the late 70's. It resurfaced last week when a baseball collector in Iowa bought it on eBay for $66. But it's really worth $1,000.

“When he got it, noticed that the Boston Public Library stamps could have been defaced and covered up,” said Nash.

The collector did the right thing and notified authorities. The picture is one of 200 photos that Boston Pub Owner Michael McGreevy donated to the Boston Public Library in the 1920's.

“It's one of the most important baseball picture collections, and when you tie it into Red Sox history…McGreevy is literally the godfather of Red Sox nation,” said Nash.

There are about 30 photos that are still missing from the McGreevy collection. Boston police and the FBI continue to track down leads.

The George Cuppy photo is still in route to the public library.

Before it heads home, it will stop by McGreevy's Pub in Boston just for old time's sake.

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