Researchers have uncovered a photo of Helen Keller with her Teacher Anne Sullivan from 120 years ago, and

Helen Keller and Doll AP Photo

Experts believe that researchers have discovered one of the first, if not the first, rare photographs of Helen Keller holding one of her dolls.

The photo, which was taken in Cape Cod in 1888 when Helen was 8-years-old, shows Helen holding one of her dolls. According to experts, Helen had many dolls - but she was never photographed with them.

This photo is also believed to be one of the earliest photos taken of Helen and her teacher Anne Sullivan - they met in 1887. 

Archivist at the American Foundation for the Blind Helen Selsdon says: "It's really one of the best images I've seen in a long, long time."

"This is just a huge visual addition to the history of Helen and Annie."

The New England Historic Genealogical Society has the photo now, but where did it come from? The family of 87-year-old Thaxter Spencer. The AP reports:

Spencer's mother, Hope Thaxter Parks, often stayed at the Elijah Cobb House on Cape Cod during the summer as a child. In July 1888, she played with Keller, whose family had traveled from Tuscumbia, Ala., to vacation in Massachusetts. Spencer, who doesn't know which of his relatives took the picture, told the society that his mother, four years younger than Helen, remembered Helen exploring her face with her hands. In June, Spencer donated a large collection of photo albums, letters, diaries and other heirlooms to the genealogical society, which preserves artifacts from New England families for future research.

Anne Sullivan stayed by Helen Keller's side until her own demise in 1936. Helen Keller lived on until 1968 after becoming a world-famous author and humanitarian.

"Doll" was the first word Helen Keller learned to spell.

Click here to see a larger version of the amazing photo.