Manchester New Hampshire Rose Breton Sharpshooter Cowgirl with Pistol Real Photo Postcard
This postcard captures a studio portrait of a woman embodying the "cowgirl" archetype, popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dressed in a wide-brimmed hat, fur chaps or skirt, and holding a revolver and coiled lasso, she represents the romanticized image of the American West. Such posed photographs were common, allowing individuals to embrace or project the adventurous spirit associated with frontier life and the emerging cultural phenomenon of the Western heroine.
The imagery reflects the profound influence of Wild West shows, like Buffalo Bill's, which toured extensively and showcased female sharpshooters, trick riders, and ropers. These performances, alongside dime novels and early cinema, solidified the cowgirl as a figure of independence and skill, challenging conventional gender roles of the era. This portrayal contributed to a lasting cultural icon that celebrated strength and self-reliance in the American imagination.
The imagery reflects the profound influence of Wild West shows, like Buffalo Bill's, which toured extensively and showcased female sharpshooters, trick riders, and ropers. These performances, alongside dime novels and early cinema, solidified the cowgirl as a figure of independence and skill, challenging conventional gender roles of the era. This portrayal contributed to a lasting cultural icon that celebrated strength and self-reliance in the American imagination.
