Bust-length studio portrait of Col. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917). Albumen cabinet card. Brooklyn, New York: Stacy, [ca.1880-1890]. Publisher's imprint printed to mount recto. Facsimile signature to mount verso reads "Yours truly, / W.F. Cody." Modern inventory mark to upper left margin verso. 

A striking promotional cabinet portrait of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846–1917) at the zenith of his worldwide fame with the American frontier touring show, Buffalo Bill's Wild West. Founded by Cody in 1883, Buffalo Bill's Wild West show was a massive outdoor production, colorfully reanimating a version of life in the West for audiences around the world. Running for nearly three decades, the show included reenactments of battles, stagecoach attacks, buffalo, horse races, and featured performances from stars such as Annie Oakley and Lakota leader Sitting Bull. 

Cody is captured in a striking three-quarter bust pose wearing his wide-brimmed felt Stetson, long flowing hair, signature mustache and goatee, a floral-embroidered silk shirt, and a heavily fringed and floral-beaded buckskin coat.

Stacy's studio in Brooklyn produced some of the most widely circulated and sought-after portraits of Cody and his troupe during the show's extended residencies in the New York metropolitan area, including triumphant seasons at Erastina on Staten Island and Ambrose Park in Brooklyn. These high-quality studio sittings were sold directly as souvenirs to audience members eager for a memento of the celebrated plainsman and showman.

[Buffalo Bill Cody, William F. Cody, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, Wild West Shows, Frontiersmen, Scouts, Buckskin, Stetsons, Western Legends, Brooklyn New York, American West, 19th Century Celebrities] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Cabinet Cards, Albumen Photographs, Stacy Studio, Brooklyn Photographers]

Very good condition overall. The mount is sturdy, showing only faint peripheral age toning and minor corner softening. Verso is very clean with a bold facsimile signature print and faint ink mark at the right edge.