Sharpshooter ANNIE OAKLEY Cabinet Card Photograph By Stacy C. 1890 Old West Icon

Title:
Rare Cabinet Card of Annie Oakley by Stacy, Brooklyn, NY – Iconic Portrait of the Wild West Star

Description:
Presented here is an original cabinet card photograph of legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley, taken by Stacy Photography of Brooklyn, New York. This sepia-toned image captures Oakley in three-quarter profile, wearing her trademark wide-brimmed hat adorned with a star pin and an elaborate display of medals and shooting awards across her bodice. The card features the photographer's imprint at the bottom: "Stacy" with "5th Ave. & 9th St., Brooklyn, N.Y." and Oakley's name, "Annie Oakley," printed elegantly in period script. The cabinet card remains in excellent condition, with only minor wear at the edges — remarkably well-preserved for its age.

Historical Context – Annie Oakley and Her Act:
Born Phoebe Ann Mosey in 1860, Annie Oakley rose from humble beginnings in Ohio to become America's most celebrated sharpshooter. Joining Buffalo Bill's Wild West show in 1885, Oakley dazzled audiences across the United States and Europe with her extraordinary shooting feats. She could shoot distant targets while aiming backward using a mirror, split playing cards edge-on, and hit coins tossed in mid-air. Oakley's persona blended the toughness of a frontier woman with a ladylike demeanor, challenging gender norms of the era. Her fame extended beyond performance, making her a symbol of American opportunity, precision, and resilience. Photographs of Oakley, especially in her performance attire adorned with medals, are highly prized for capturing the spirit of the Wild West at its peak.

Historical Context – Stacy Photography:
The Stacy studio, operated by George G. Stacy, was one of Brooklyn's premier photography establishments in the late 19th century. Located at the corner of 5th Avenue and 9th Street, Stacy specialized in portrait photography, producing cabinet cards noted for their clarity, composition, and elegant presentation. Unlike the larger New York City studios, Stacy maintained a regional reputation for capturing prominent figures who toured the Northeast. Cabinet cards by Stacy featuring major national celebrities like Annie Oakley are particularly rare, as many of Oakley's more common portraits were produced by larger studios like Sarony. Thus, an Oakley cabinet card from a distinguished but less widespread photographer like Stacy enhances its scarcity and collectible value.

Rarity of Cabinet Cards Like This:
Original cabinet cards featuring Annie Oakley are exceedingly rare, especially those issued by lesser-known studios outside of New York City proper. Most extant Oakley images come from larger, heavily circulated editions. A regional studio cabinet card like this, capturing Oakley at the height of her fame and in full regalia, offers collectors a scarce and significant piece of Wild West and American entertainment history. Such items are coveted for their direct connection to Oakley's persona and the photographic artistry of the Gilded Age.

Closing Appeal:
This outstanding cabinet card represents a rare convergence of American photographic craftsmanship and Wild West legend. With its striking composition, period authenticity, and direct association with Annie Oakley's celebrated career, it stands as a significant acquisition for collectors of Wild West memorabilia, early American photography, and historic Americana.