Little Sure Shot: The Incredible Life of Annie Oakley

Before baseball cards took over pop culture, cigarette companies included collectible cards to boost sales. Most featured boxers, stage actors, or royalty—but Annie Oakley broke that mold. Her image, rifle in hand and hair neatly braided, was printed on a series of cards in the 1890s.

Kids traded her cards on the playground. Collectors prized them. Some still survive today, commanding high prices at auction. In a male-dominated promotional world, Annie proved that skill and charisma, not gender, made you worthy of admiration.