FEATURES: LONGHAIR – ‘COSEY’ AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SHORTHAIR – CHAMPION WANKEE (SIAMESE) PURRSONALITY – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. WEIR MAY 2021 Volume 1. No.11
FELINE HEALTH – WHY HCM TESTING IS TRICKY A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS - AND MORE……
INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE FOR LINECHASERS & FANCIERS OF FELINE HISTORY
“Today’s achievements are part of tomorrow’s history”
HARRISON WEIR COLLECTION © A-Cat-Emy Concepts
PUBLISHED BY A-CAT-EMY CONCEPTS for THE HARRISON WEIR COLLECTION
MAY 2021 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 11
EDITOR
John G. Smithson editor@felishistorica.com HISTORY PARTNERS The CFA Foundation COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTORS
Karen Lawrence (St. Catharines, Canada)
Lorraine Shelton (California, USA)
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Chloe Chung (Hong Kong)
Laura Vocelle (Muscat, Oman)
Dr. Victor Zaalov (Acre, Israel)
Valerie Sheldrake Feline Historian (Suffolk, UK)
Jamie Christian (Ohio, USA)
PHOTOGRAPHY & GRAPHICS
Helmi & Ken Flick (Florida, USA)
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CONTRIBUTING TEAM MEMBERS Gallery of our Team of Columnists, Contributors & Correspondents
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COSEY at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN – by Karen Lawrence The iconic story of the First Madison Square Garden Cat Show
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GENETICS YOU CAN LEARN FROM YOUR CAT! PART 11 - by Dr. Leslie Lyons A word to the wise – Bigger is not always better! A Gallery of Maine Coons
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THE HARRISON WEIR BOWL – by John Smithson Celebrating a Tribute from Cat Fanciers - now 120 years old!
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INTRODUCTION of our newest contributor – Dr. Victor Zaalov. President of the World Organisation of Cats
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BEHIND EVERY FAMOUS PERSON IS A CAT – TEN CATS - Cartoons by Graham Harrop
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LATEST FINDS ADDED TO THE HARRISON WEIR COLLECTON Grover B. Medallion (1895) Blotting Paper doodles, by Harrison William Weir
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CHAMPION WANKEE – by John Smithson The story of the first Champion Siamese cat in the world
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NEW BOOKS - ‘A Persian Rhapsody in Blue’ by John Smithson ‘The Descendants of Bastet’ by Karen Lawrence
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CELEBRATING MODERN CATS – IN OUR FEATURED HISTORICAL BREEDS Short-hair Breed Type – Blue Point Siamese CFA GC, BWR, NW INJOI OLYMPIA OF SHERA LYN Long-hair Breed Type – Brown Tabby & White Maine Coon CFA GC, BWR, NW JASPURRCATS GIMME THREE STEPS
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. WEIR - by John Smithson
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Dr. Leslie Lyons (Missouri, USA)
EDITORIAL The Editor outlines topics covered in Issue 11 of Felis Historica!
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Jack Terry (Florida, USA)
CONTENT All Rights Reserved © A-Cat-Emy Concepts
Owner of the ‘Lee’ Cattery, and eclectic lover of many breeds. SUBSCRIPTIONS Published Monthly Single Issue $4.00 USD ANNUAL $48.00 USD
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Editorial ’FELIS HISTORICA’ JOHN G. SMITHSON EDITOR
OUR COVER Mrs. Jeannine Parfitt holds The Harrison Weir Bowl, which now forms part of the Town Plate of Lewes, in Sussex. The bowl was presented to Weir as a Testimonial by cat fanciers for having instituted the first National Cat Show at the Crystal Palace, in 1871. It was presented to him in 1901, to commemorate 30 years.
COPYRIGHT ISSN: 2744-4430 National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa © A-CAT-EMY CONCEPTS / FELIS HISTORICA THE HARRISON WEIR COLLECTION No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, screen capture, or otherwise, without prior written permission. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED www.felis-historica.com www.harrisonweir.com
It’s hard to believe that it is already May 2021, and many countries around the world are still struggling to cope with Covid-19 lockdowns and are unable yet to hold shows. There are some shows taking place in Europe (although still few), China, the United States, while in New Zealand and Australia the new season has started afresh, with travel in those countries not as restricted due to no community outbreaks. But we must all continue to be careful, and more importantly mindful of those less fortunate than ourselves. In my own country, we have been lucky to start the new show year with unfettered access to shows and travel, which means I have been able to officiate at two shows thus far, with three more coming up in May. Our local judges are being well used, as clubs cannot be guaranteed access to judges from further afield, for the usual blended mix of overseas and local judges. May and July are special months historically for the cat show world, as in May we have two things to celebrate, one being the Madison Square Garden Show, which inaugural event took place in May 1895, in New York of course. It is now 126 years since that memorable event took place, and we celebrate it, along with the historic win by an early Maine cat named ‘Cosey’ with an article about the show and the big name winners, written by Karen Lawrence (Manager of the Feline Historical Museum at Alliance). The ‘Cosey’ winning artifacts, of medal, silver collar and photograph are featured in this article, as well as other images of cats that attended this prime early fixture of significance on the North American continent. The other May dated event, is the Birthday of the Father of the Cat Fancy, artist and naturalist Harrison William Weir, who was born May 5th 1824. In only three years from now, we will be celebrating the bi-centenary of his birth!
MAY 2021
IN CELEBRATION OF
MAINE COON CATS
know that his 50th birthday in 1874 was also celebrated publicly and attended by some of his fleet street compatriots and that he organised a flower competition for local children, including the awarding of prizes and finishing with fireworks! This was held in the grounds of his country property ‘Weirleigh’ near Brenchley, in Kent. At the time it was duly reported in the popular press and we even have an image of the Garden with the many children in attendance for the floral display competition, with Mr Weir, his wife and daughters in attendance. This month we celebrate the Maine Coon cat, to coincide with the win by ‘Cosey’ at Madison Square Garden in 1895. We hope that you will enjoy the gallery of Maine Coons from around the world. Dr Lyons also gives us sage advice on why ‘bigger – is not necessarily better! Lastly, we give a warm welcome to Dr Victor Zaalov, President of the World Organisation of Cats, onto our panel of contributors. The CFA and WOC have signed a partnership agreement which takes effect immediately and shows how co-operation between Associations can work wonders for everyone, especially our breeders and exhibitors. As the saying goes, ‘Stay safe, and be kind to one another.’ Enjoy!
John EDITOR
Maine Coon Cats © Helmi Flick Cat Photography