Felis Historica - May 2021 - Volume 1, Number 11

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

OUR TEAM OF COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTORS

KAREN LAWRENCE

LORRAINE SHELTON

LESLIE A. LYONS Ph. D

ADVERTISING MANAGER advertising@felis-historica.com Director: CFA Foundation, Inc Manager: Feline Historical Museum Co-Editor: The History Project

AUTHOR/LECTURER ‘Robinson’s Genetics for Cat Breeders & Veterinarians’ Director: CFA Foundation, Inc www.wegies.net www.featherland.net

RESEARCHER/COLUMNIST FELINE GENETICS SPECIALIST Prof. of Comparative Medicine Dept. of Vet. Medicine & Surgery University of Missouri

JAMIE CHRISTIAN

CHLOE CHUNG

LAURA A. VOCELLE

WRITER/COLUMNIST TICA INTERNATIONAL JUDGE OF THE YEAR 2016

COLUMNIST/PRESENTER CAT BEHAVIOURALIST/LECTURER CFA ALL BREEDS JUDGE Based in China & Hong Kong

COLUMNIST/AUTHOR FELINE HISTORY & ART HISTORIAN Creator and Founder The Great Cat www.thegreatcat.org

DR. VICTOR ZAALOV

HELMI & KEN FLICK

JACK TERRY

CEO – WORLD GOLDEN CAT

HELMI FLICK CAT PHOTOGRAPHY

‘THE RESTORIAN’ Photo & Graphics Specialist Photo Humourist

President of World Organisation of Cats

www.helmiflick.com

OUR TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

DARRELL NEWKIRK

PAM DELABAR

GAVIN CAO

(CFA, USA)

(CFA, EUROPE)

(CFA, CHINA)

NEVADA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT CFA

TAMPERE, FINLAND

CFA DIRECTOR, REGION 9

CHENGDU, CHINA CFA CHINA BUSINESS ADVISOR

JOHN HANSSON

CHERYLE U’REN

ANNELIESE HACKMANN

(GCCF, UK)

(CCC of A, AUSTRALIA)

(WCF, EUROPE)

LONDON, ENGLAND CHAIRMAN GCCF

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA PRESIDENT CCC of A VICE-PRESIDENT WCC

ESSEN, GERMANY PRESIDENT WCF

JOHAN LAMPRECHT

BOB GLEASON

JANE WEBSTER

(SOUTH AFRICA)

(CCA, CANADA)

(NZCF, NEW ZEALAND)

DURBANVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA PRESIDENT, C.A.S.A. (WCF)

LONDON, CANADA CHAIR - CANADIAN CAT ASSOC. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

PALMERSTON NORTH, NZ NZCF HISTORIAN

OUR TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

JUN KOHNO

RUSSELL LAW

CHATE RUENGRUGLIKIT

(CFA, JAPAN)

(CFA, HONG KONG)

(CFA, THAILAND)

TOKYO, JAPAN SEC: MICINA CAT FANCIERS

HONG KONG SEC: UNITED FELINE ODYSSEY

CHAYAPON PUCHAROENYOS

ROBBIE WALKER

BANGKOK, THAILAND SEC: SIAM BLE-EYED CAT FANCIERS

SANDRA ALSUMAIT

(WCF, ASIA)

(ACF, AUSTRALIA)

(CFA, KUWAIT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND CHAIR: WCF DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION

GOLD COAST, QLD, AUSTRALIA PRESIDENT, FCCQ. QLD

KUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT PRESIDENT, K-CATS CLUB

IZADDIN SYAH YUSOF

FARAH DIANA

BAMBI J. EDWARDS (ANCATS, AUSTRALIA)

(CFA, MALAYSIA)

(CFA, INDONESIA)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA NAT.SEC: ANCATS AUSTRALIA

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA CFA INT.DIV. CLERK OF THE YEAR 2016

JAKARTA, INDONESIA RICIMACKA CATTERY

OUR TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

ELLEN CROCKETT

STEVEN MESERVE

LUIZ PAULO FACCIOLI

(TICA, UNITED STATES)

(TICA, EUROPE SOUTH)

(TICA, SOUTH AMERICA)

PORT TOWNSEND, WA, USA TICA DISTINGUISED JUDGE

VILA DE CUCUJAES, PORTUGAL TICA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

PORT ALEGRE, SOUTH BRAZIL TICA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

LIESBETH VAN MULLEM

EVA PORAT

DONATELLA MASTRANGELO

(TICA, EUROPE NORTH)

(FIFe, SWEDEN)

(FIFe, BELGIUM)

UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS TICA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

OREBRO, SWEDEN PRESIDENT SVERAK, (FIFe)

ROME, ITALY CHAIR: JUDGES & STANDARDS COMM.

STEVEN JONES

JINSON CHOI

LISBETH FALLING

(FIFe, NORWAY)

(CFA, SOUTH KOREA)

(NRR, NORWAY)

STAVANGER, NORWAY SEC: JUDGES & STANDARDS COMM

PAJU-SI, SOUTH KOREA PRES. CAT FANCIERS OF KOREA

OSLO, NORWAY PHOTOGRAPHER/EDITOR - ARISTOKATT

‘COSEY’ AT

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN (126th ANNIVERSARY IN MAY 2021)

BY KAREN LAWRENCE PHOTOS: Left: ‘COSEY’ the Maine Cat who was a big winner at the 1895 National Cat Show at Madison Square Garden Photo by Julius A. Gross Brooklyn.

Above: Silver Medallion and Winners Collar from the National Cat Show Madison Square Garden, 1895.

Photo: Larry Johnson Both images courtesy of The CFA Foundation

England had the iconic Crystal Palace as the setting for its first cat show in 1871. The United States had Madison Square Garden as its iconic site, with the first national exhibition, dubbed the "National Cat Show", being held there on May 8-11, 1895.

The 1895 "National Cat Show" wasn't the first show held in the United States, nor was it necessarily the biggest. It was, however, the first show in New York, dedicated totally to cats. Previous agricultural shows had included cats as a group, among with the dogs, chickens, pigs, cattle, mice, etc., but they weren't the main event in New York, until this 1895 show. The show itself is very memorable because we have a show catalog available as well as the silver collar and medal awarded to one of the major show winners, in addition to several book articles describing individual entries, plus newspaper reports and illustrations from that era.

John Smithson, in his upcoming book ‘A Persian Rhapsody in Blue’, says "The Fancier shows, which catered for a variety of animals were a well-known event, but the concept of a show which specialized only in cats, was new to the New York public and brought with it a great deal of publicity."

'Leslie's Weekly' promoted this novelty event on May 9th, 1895: "… on May 8th all, or most all, of the really beautiful, charming, exquisite cats of this city, as well as of several other more distant localities, will appear before the public in a manner as novel to them as it will be to all the cat admirers who may frequent the Madison Square Garden."

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, as it looked circa 1879.

Image: Public Domain, Wikimedia.org

The Show Manager was Mr. Frank W. Sanger, and judges listed were Dr. Rush Huidekoper, Miss E.N. Hurlbut, and Mr. T. Farrer Rackham.

The 1895 show attracted 183 feline entries, numerous of which are mentioned in 'High Bred Cats in America', a chapter in Helen Winslow's 1900 book, Concerning Cats. Among them are: *

PERSIA, a dark chinchilla owned by Mrs. Fabius M. Clark, described as "one of the finest cats in this country", took "first prize at the National Cat Show in 1895."

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SYLVIO, a long-haired male silver tabby imported from England, "took a first prize at the New York show in 1895, but unfortunately was poisoned before he was a year old."

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ELLEN TERRY, an orange/white Angora female, about which is written, "Another one which has won several prizes, and took the silver bowl offered for the Best Cat and litter of kittens in the 1895 cat show of New York is Ellen Terry." It should be noted that one of her kittens at the 1895 show, PRINCESS DINAZARDE, show "won second prize for long-haired white female in New York in March 1896."

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AJAX, a white Angora, "one of the finest in this country," was owned by Mr. D.W. Stevens of Massachusetts. "At the New York show in 1895, and at several other shows, he has won first prizes."

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CHICHO, "an imported Persian of great beauty" was owned by Miss Ethel Nesmith Anderson, and "took second place after Ajax".

COSEY’S entry in the Show Catalogue. Cosey was a Black and Grey, possibly Black Silver Tabby (with white) Image: The CFA Foundation, Inc.

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SNOW, an imported Angora belonging to Mr. George A. Rawson, was the third prize winner.

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MUSTAPHA, a "magnificent brindled Persian gelded cat" was entered on exhibition only by one of the show's judges, Dr. Huidekoper.

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TOMMY, "a white Persian, imported in 1889 and valued at $500" was an entry owned by Master Edwin J. Pettet. "He was brought from the interior of Persia, where he was captured in a wild state."

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COLUMBIA, an imported fawn Australian, owned by Dr. H.L. Hammond of Connecticut. "They are very sleek cats, with fur so short, glossy, and fine that it looks like the finest satin. Their heads are small and narrow, with noses that seem pointed when compared to other cats."

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GROVER B, a white Maltese, was the mascot cat of photographer William P. Buchanan. He "took the twenty-five dollar gold medal in 1895, at the New York show, as the heaviest white cat exhibited."

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DICK, a tiger cat weighing twenty-two pounds, was owned by Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett.

He "attracted a great deal of attention at the first New York show."

*

TAFFEE, THE LAIRD, and LITTLE BILLEE, "a trio of black cats that were the centre of attraction at that first New York show belonged to Colonel Mann. They took a first prize but two of them have since come to an untimely end."

*

KING HUMBERT, a Brown Tabby Persian, owned by Mrs. E.N. Barker.

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MUSJAH ( aka MOUSZAH), an "Algerian" Persian, owned by Mr. Ferdinand Danton. "He was a magnificent pure blue Persian, brought over from Algiers in 1894, and of uncommon size and beautiful coloring."

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COSEY, a black and grey tabby Angora, gelded, owned by Mrs. Frederick A. Brown of Long Island.

ABOUT COSEY AND HIS WINS The story of 'COSEY', a winner at that first MSG show will forever be enigmatically linked with his historic win as Best Longhaired Cat in Show, 'irrespective of class', at the first National Cat Show, held at Madison Square Garden, New York, in May 1895. Cosey, we have learned from the show catalog, was entry number 166 in the "gelded" class at the show which attracted 183 entries.

Above left: Mr. Ferdinand Danton’s ‘Algerian’ Blue Persian cat, ‘MUSJAH’ imported in 1894.

Above right: Mr. George A Rawson’s White Persian ‘SNOW’ a winner at the Crystal Palace, England.

Images from ‘Iroquois’ Magazine, August 1, 1897. © The Harrison Weir Collection.

This glamorous White Persian is likely to be an image of Miss Ethel Nesmith Anderson’s ‘CHICHO’ Illustrated by J. Carter Beard, for ‘Leslie’s Weekly’, May 9, 1895. © The Harrison Weir Collection

Mr. D.W. Stevens of Massachusetts, Blue-eyed White Angora ‘AJAX’ a first prize winner.

Photo: by Coleman. ‘The Book of The Cat’ (1903) by Frances Simpson.

Above left: Dr. Huidekoper’s brindled Persian gelded cat ‘MUSTAPHA’ (not in competition).

Above right: Mrs. E. N. Barker’s Brown Tabby Persian, ‘KING HUMBERT’.

Images from ‘High Bred Cats in America’ by Helen Winslow’ (1897)

Above left: A COON Kitten entry at the 1896 Madison Square Garden Show. From the March 1896 issue of ‘The Press’. Photo: From the Samuel C. Perkins scrapbook, in the collection of the CFA Foundation.

Above right: An artist’s sketch of ‘Cosey’ as entry No. 118, in the March 1896 Madison Square Garden Show.

Note the mention of three prizes from the wins taken in 1895.

Photo: From an article published March 5, 1896 in the Samuel C. Perkins scrapbook, in the collection of The CFA Foundation.

For years, Cosey had been assumed to be a female (probably because of the "gentle" name) so discovery of the show catalog and the listing of entries provided the real information that "she" was actually a neutered "he".

We also learn from the catalog listing that he was a "black and grey Tabby Angora", and was 1 year and 9 months old at the time of the show. This places his date of birth at some time in 1893. It also brings into question whether he was actually a "Maine" or "Coon" cat as has been assumed for numerous years, and in several publications.

Perhaps, being listed as an "Angora" meant instead that he was one of the very early Longhairs (Persian) to be shown in North America. Angora was the generic name given to most long-haired cats, including those from Persian or East Mediterranean origin, and in particular to the many thousands of 'Angora' cats being bred on farms around Boston, most of which had their roots in long-haired stock out of the state of Maine. Folklore prefers to accept Cosey as one of the first Maine Coon cats, and indeed an illustration from the 1896 show has a "Coon Kitten" as one of the exhibits. Another shows a "Coon Cat" with their awards from the 1895 show - this can only be Cosey. Regardless of what breed the cat actually was, we do know that Cosey was a major winner at the 1895 show.

THE COLLAR AND MEDAL FROM 1895 The discovery of Cosey's silver collar and medal is a story in itself. We do learn, again from the show catalog, about the award donors. The silver collar, to be awarded to "the Best Long-Haired cat in the Show irrespective of Class" was donated by Mrs. Richard F. Carman. The silver medal, also awarded to Cosey, was donated by the cat show itself. Their discovery, almost 100 years later, is due to a Persian cat fancier.

The Silver Collar won by ‘COSEY at the National Cat Show, Madison Square Garden, in May 1895, duly engraved with his name.

Photo: by TETSU. In the collection of The CFA Foundation, Inc.

In 1990, Bobara Pendergrast, a Persian breeder and antique dealer, got a tip from a friend about several unique pieces at an antique shop in Central New Jersey. When she got there she found three stunning items: a silver medal marked "National Cat Show, 1895," with a cat face in the middle, a silver cat collar with "National Cat Show, 1895, Won By Cosey," and a picture of a cat wearing a collar ribbon marked "National Cat Show." Unbelievably, all of them were in perfect, mint condition. The antique dealer said that they had been found packed safely away in the attic of a house near Lambertville, New Jersey where they were discovered during an estate sale. Naturally, Ms. Pendergrast recognized the items for what they were - beautiful silver pieces, valuable cat fancy artifacts - and purchased them.

Ms. Pendergrast began displaying the items in her jewelry booth at cat shows and everyone who saw them had theories about their significance. A friend, Donna Wiley, found a reference to a 'Cosie' in a book titled That Yankee Cat: "In May of 1895, when the most famous and largest of the early shows was held at Madison Square Garden in New York. The show was won hands down, first place and best of show by a brown tabby female Maine Cat named Cosie. It must have been a spectacular show, numbering 176 animals in all and including two ocelots, two wildcats, and three civet cats."

A visit to the New York Public Library resulted in the finding of a New York Times article that confirmed Mrs. Fred Brown's 'Cosey' had been named Best in Show.

Mrs. Brown must have been very proud of Cosey's victory as shown in the care she obviously took to preserve the awards and photograph. We owe her a debt of gratitude for that!

In 1990, The CFA Foundation became the proud owner of this wonderful set of historical artifacts.

These important pieces of cat fancy history were purchased from Ms. Pendergrast by the Foundation thanks to a generous specified donation from the National Capital Cat Show.

The Silver Medal won by ‘COSEY at the National Cat Show, Madison Square Garden, in May 1895, duly engraved with his name.

Photo: by TETSU. In the collection of The CFA Foundation, Inc.

THE NATIONAL CAT SHOW CATALOG Discovery of the National Cat Show catalog was an equally interesting and surprising find by John Smithson, noted feline historian in New Zealand. During a routine process of purchasing feline-based antiquarian books, John unwrapped an item that had been delivered and found a hand-written note from the seller asking if he would be interested in a 19th century show catalog. He responded by email and asked the seller to send details about the catalog, plus one or two images related to it. You can imagine his surprise when he discovered it was the catalog of entries from the 1895 Madison Square Garden show!

Then it became a case of simply choosing not to dilly-dally or quibble about price, but to close a deal on this item of feline historical significance! Consequently, an agreement to purchase was struck that same day! The catalog has, in turn, been purchased by The CFA Foundation so that it can be displayed alongside Cosey's photo and awards.

The original photograph of ‘COSEY’ by Julius A Gross, 176 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, showing front and back.

This photograph came with the Silver Collar and Silver Medal.

Photo: In the collection of The CFA Foundation, Inc.

THE SAMUEL C. PERKINS SCRAPBOOK Additional details about the 1895 show have come from a scrapbook donated to The CFA Foundation

by Peace Bridge Aby Fanciers. In 1999, Karen Lawrence attended the Cat Nation Fanciers cat show in Erie, PA and during a break in judging perused through the vendor booths. Always interested in old books, Karen was particularly drawn to a bookseller's booth, and thrilled to find an old scrapbook on sale. Upon opening it, and flipping a few pages, she knew that it was a "must have" for The CFA Foundation. A discussion with the vendor indicated that he either sold the scrapbook whole that weekend, or he intended to pull it apart and sell it page by page on eBay. Karen knew that selling it piecemeal couldn't be allowed to happen and, after a brief discussion with members of Peace Bridge Aby Fanciers about the possible importance of the scrapbook's content, the scrapbook was purchased on the spot and sent immediately to be included in the CFA Foundation's holdings at CFA's Central Office in Manasquan, New Jersey.

It was months later before Karen got to the New Jersey office of CFA, which was housing the Foundation's collection at the time. Impatient to take an extensive look at each and every page of the scrapbook, it had been an excruciating six month wait. Once opened and explored, it was discovered that each and every page of the scrapbook contained article after article about cats and their activities, of all sorts, during the period between 1880 and 1897. In addition, each and every article also had the source newspaper and date handwritten written on it!

COSEY’S 1895 wins headlines this ‘Felines of High Degree at the Cat Show,’ – in an illustration by J.K. Bacon, printed in the March 5, 1896 issue of ‘The World’.

From the Samuel C. Perkins Scrapbook, in the collection of The CFA Foundation, Inc.

RIVALS with their entries at the 1896 Madison Square Garden Show.

Printed in the March 5, 1896 issue of ‘The Press.’

From the Samuel C. Perkins Scrapbook, in the collection of The CFA Foundation, Inc.

It took a while to determine just who had compiled such an interesting history, but several clues were found throughout the book, including a photo of the pet cat, appropriately named "Sam", plus letters addressed to "Mr. Perkins". References to Sam being the pet cat at the office for the Commissioner of Public Buildings in Philadelphia was an important clue.

A quick search took us to the City of Philadelphia where it was discovered that Samuel C. Perkins (1828-1903) was a noted lawyer and Masonic Lodge Grand Master. He served as President of the Commissioners for the Erection of Public Buildings from 1871 to 1891. A great deal was learned about Mr. Perkins from the Philadelphia Historical Society, including that he was responsible for planning and building of the Philadelphia City Hall. It was also noted that the Historical Society owns thirty-one scrapboooks, compiled by Mr. Perkins, confirming that he was indeed an avid scrapbooker. In a short biographical piece, "The Cats on City Hall" by Roger Butterfield, published in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, we found what we were looking for - Samuel Perkins was a known cat lover!

TWO images of ‘PRINCESS DINAZARDE’ First Prize winner and Silver Bowl winner, 1896.

Left: Illustration published in March 5, 1896 ‘New York Daily Tribune’ From the Samuel C. Perkins Scrapbook, in the collection of The CFA Foundation, Inc. Right: Photo from ‘Iroquois Magazine’ August 1, 1897. Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection.

"Samuel C. Perkins was fond of cats. When he was not attending to his large law practice or his duties as President of the Commission for the Erection of the Public Buildings of Philadelphia, Mr. Perkins was likely to be found at home, pasting up clippings about his new City Hall in leather-bound scrapbooks, while a feline pet or two arched against his legs, or nestled happily in his lap. " Additonal authenication of Mr. Perkins' love of his cats can be found in the Hall of Justice in the Philadelphia City Hall, where a permanent reminder of Mr. Perkins' cats remains, carved into the granite frieze of the walls. Butterfield writes: "That is why today one can walk into Philadelphia's City Hall from the south and see Mr. Perkins' catseight of them-carved out of stone around the walls of a chamber which bears above its doorway the single word 'JUSTICE'."

The scrapbook itself is in fragile condition, and hence not on display in the Feline Historical Museum.

We extend our sincere thanks to Larry Johnson, for his incredible patience in photographing each page of the scrapbook, so that its contents are preserved and allowing the content of its pages to be devoured without further damage to this very valuable artifact.

Within the pages of the scrapbook, we find newspaper articles giving us details of the 1896 cat show held at Madison Square Garden, with references to Cosey and his wins at the 1895 show.

A tidbit about Cosey's temperament is gleaned from this Mar 5, 1896 article in The World: "And all these cats behaved with the greatest decorum. Some posed as consciously as men and women are wont to do on parade; others stretched out gracefully and blinked lazily at the spectators.

This illustration shows Miss Rose Beckett’s ‘GROVER CLEVELAND’ another entry at both the 1895 and 1896 shows.

Printed in the March 5, 1896 issue of ‘The World’.

From the Samuel C. Perkins Scrapbook, in the collection of The CFA Foundation, Inc.

"Only the very young and the very foolish cats deigned to take notice of the straws and strings that were dangled before them to play with.

"Cosey, a big Angora, stood the flippant insults of the crowd until patience was exhausted, and the next gloved hand that was poked through the bars of his cage received a sharp blow."

The photo at left is of ‘GROVER B’ who was described as a White Maltese cat, and a mascot cat of his owners Mrs. & Mr. William P. Buchanan, who was a photographer based in Philadelphia.

His name appears in the Show Catalogue as an entry into the 1895 Show, in cage no: 137 (valued at $1,000).

He won the ‘twenty-five dollar’ Gold Medal in 1895 at the New York Show, as the heaviest white cat exhibited.

An illustration of entries at the 2nd Madison Square Garden Show in 1896. Printed in ‘The Press’ on March 4, 1896.

From the Samuel C. Perkins Scrapbook, in the collection of The CFA Foundation, Inc.

The March 4, 1896 issue of The Press confirms Cosey's 1895 wins and gives clues about his diet: "Miss Rosa Beckett's shorthaired tabby, Grover Cleveland, No 33A, who wears two necklaces and sleeps on satin, received as much of this sort of adulation as any of them. He took a first prize last year and is used to it. But Mrs. Frederick A. Brown's dark grey Angora, Cosey, No. 118, was admired a great deal also. He won three special prizes last year. He is a peculiar sort of cat and prefers vegetables to eat."

The history of early cat shows in North America is becoming clearer as more and more pieces of that history are discovered and purchased. Where, previously, all we surmised about this 1895 Madison Square Garden show were tidbits lacking in clear evidence and actual documentation, the discovery of Cosey's awards, the show catalog, and the Perkin's scrapbook has all provided a clearer picture of the cats and shows of this very early time in the US cat fancy history.

Everything you need to know about Genetics…

You can learn from your Cat! BY

DR. LESLIE LYONS

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

PART ELEVEN – A WORD TO THE WISE BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER! The Maine Coon represents the first cat breed developed from the United States, established at the inception of the cat fancy in North America in the early 1900’s.

The breed has been amongst the more popular in the USA and has gained attention around the world. Maine Coons have strong genetic diversity, come in many different color varieties and have a large breeding pool.

Maine coons commonly battle hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and they are trending to a larger and larger cat breed, which increases the risk for feline hip dysplasia. Here I discuss some of the knowns and unknowns of the genetics of the breed.

A long-haired breed, the Maine Coon must have two copies of any of the four DNA variants causing long fur, which were identified in the gene fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5).1,2 More frequently than any other breed, the Maine Coon has the variant termed c.474delT, indicating this mutation likely occurred in the USA and helps to define the Maine coon breed.

EDITOR: This is the Eleventh in a series of articles based on feline genetics

by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2021 period Article Graphics ©www.gograph.com

Maine Coons will also have the common FGF5 variant termed c.475C>A, which likely travelled from the Old World to the New World with cats on ships, hitching a ride with the pilgrims and other immigrants and for vermin control on trade ships.

The c.475A>C mutation can be found in most all cat breeds and is highly prevalent, thus this variant was likely the first long hair mutation in cats and very highly prevalent in the random bred cat populations before cat breeds were established.

Overall, the Long locus (L) has five alleles, L+ > l = lMCC, = lRag = lSib, implying the variant alleles are all recessive and each act equally on hair coat, to our current knowledge. Additional long hair variants have been identified in Ragdolls and Siberians.

‘A MAINE COON FAMILY’ An exquisite study by acclaimed photographic duo Helmi & Ken Flick.

Photo © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

Polydactylism Some lines of Maine Coon cats have also been associated with polydactylism, meaning having extra digits (i.e., toes). The polydactylism locus (Pd) has been identified as the gene called sonic hedgehog (SHH).3 Mutations in this gene are shown to cause extra toes and fingers in humans and other species as well. For cats, the mutations are dominant and three different variants have been identified.

Because Ernest Hemingway was famous for having polydactyl cats at his home in Key West, Florida, the DNA variant associated with cats in the USA has been designated the “Hemingway mutation” (PdHw).

The other two polydactylism mutations are more common in the United Kingdom. Most cats on the eastern seaboard of the USA with polydactylism have the Hemingway mutation.

Cats can be heterozygous (one copy) or homozygous (two copies) for polydactylism mutations, but no correlation has yet been made with the number of extra digits produced nor which paws will be affected.

Therefore, breeders should be cautious when producing cats with this mutation because severe abnormalities can occur and can’t be predicted.

Sonic hedgehog and polydactylism is another example of a gene with variable expression where likely other genes and mutations interplay with the overall phenotype.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) A neuromuscular weakness has been identified in Maine coon cats.4,5 The spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) are a group of inherited disorders characterized by loss of the muscles of the legs (atrophy) due to degeneration of the nerves coming from the spine to the leg muscles.

The first neurological signs, including tremors, in Maine coon cats affected with SMA occurs at ~10 and 12 weeks. By 5 months of age, affected kittens walk with wide-based forelimbs and a side-to-side sway of the hindquarters. Cats may adopt a “bunny hop” type of gait in the hind legs.

EDITOR: This is the Eleventh in a series of articles based on feline genetics

by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2021 period

Muscle loss is usually apparent by 4–5 months of age in upper limb muscles, particularly of the hindlimbs, which causes a characteristic stance with the tibiotarsal joints nearly touching and the hind feet rotated laterally to an angle of 30–40° from the midline, apparently taken to gain stability.

Cats can have shallow rapid breathing and they often need to sit or lay down when walking across a room. Blood work will show a 2- to 3-fold elevation of creatine phosphokinase activity over normal range (83–317 IU/L). Disease progression reaches a plateau around 8 months and the life expectancy of the disabled cats is ~8 years.

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

‘A MAINE COON FAMILY – MOTHER & HER LITTER’ Another exquisite study by acclaimed photographic duo Helmi & Ken Flick.

Photo © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

This neuromuscular disease was originally identified in an extended family of Maine Coon cats in the USA including thirteen affected cats produced in three privately owned catteries. Feline SMA is a fully penetrant, simple autosomal recessive trait. A large DNA deletion of 140,000 bases occurs between two genes, which disrupts the tail of one gene and the head of the second gene.6 The DNA deletion disrupts expression of the genes limb expression 1 (LIX1) and leucyl/cystinyl

Photo © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

EDITOR: This is the Eleventh in a series of articles based on feline genetics

by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2021 period

gene and the head of the second gene.6 The DNA deletion disrupts expression of the genes limb expression 1 (LIX1) and leucyl/cystinyl aminopeptidase (LNPEP).

Most likely, the disruption of LIX1 causes the disease because this gene is highly expressed in the spinal cord. A genetic test is available for Maine Coon SMA and the disease is fairly rare within the breed.

Because of the large population size of Maine coons and the rareness of the disease, breeders should be discouraged from mating carriers for the disease and should attempt to eradicate the disease.

Photo © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy A more prevalent concern for Maine Coon cats is the presence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is a heart disease causing thickening of the heart muscle, particularly the ventricle, which makes it harder to pump blood.7 Cats can be identified with murmurs and may also have heart valve and papillary muscle problems. Affected cats can have an early death due to heart and or respiratory failure and or blood clots.

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

Unfortunately, HCM is a disease that is tricky to manage. The disease can be a primary genetic or a secondary condition, brought on by hyperthyroidism for example.

As a primary genetic condition, a DNA variant has been identified in the gene called myosin binding protein C 3 (MYBPC3).8 More commonly recognized by the amino acid designation, A31P, which means an alanine at position 31 in the protein sequence has been changed to a proline, this mutation is highly associated with disease, but not perfectly. Most diseases and traits discovered in the cat to date are

Photo © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

proline, this mutation is highly associated with disease, but not perfectly.

Most diseases and traits discovered in the cat to date are monogenic and simple – one gene causes a condition, plain and simple.

However, HCM is a complex disease, which by the way, is far more usual and common as no single gene really functions all by itself in the body of any animal!

EDITOR: This is the Eleventh in a series of articles based on feline genetics

by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2021 period

Scientists have investigated the easy monogenic traits firstly – because they are relatively easily to find! With the HCM MYBPC3 variant, cats have an increased risk for disease, a low risk, but higher than normal, when one copy of the variant is present, a higher risk when two copies of the variant is present.9,10 The disease also has what is termed a delayed or late age – of – onset. Cats with the mutation may not develop disease until they are older. If two copies of the variant are present, then, the cat could have earlier and more severe disease.

This complex presentation causes great difficulty for management of this disease because a cat may be fairly older and has been bred many times before a breeder finds out the cat has the disease. Ultrasound can be used to monitor a cat’s heart, thus, at least a breeder will know if the cat clearly has disease at the time of breeding, but, even with ultrasound, management

Photo © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

to monitor a cat’s heart, thus, at least a breeder will know if the cat clearly has disease at the time of breeding, but, even then, with an ultrasound, management is difficult. Not all cardiologists consider the same degree of heart thickness as normal, equivocal (unsure), or affected and not all measurements are conducted at the same point of the heart wall.

The DNA test for the HCM mutation will indicate a cat is at risk, however,a negative HCM test does not indicate a cat has no risk of HCM or a different heart disease.

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

Cats without the A31P DNA variant have been identified with HCM, indicating the disease can be caused by other factors, including likely other genes and other mutations (i.e., disease heterogeneity). In humans, dozens of genes cause HCM and often, people have their own “private” mutation.11,12 Likely the same scenario will be true for cats, especially since many other breeds have HCM as well.

The responsible breeder can only do their best to slowly eradicate the disease associated variant and HCM: 1) Monitor cats before breeding with ultrasound, 2) Don’t breed cats with indications of HCM based on ultrasound, 3) Get a genetic test for the known mutation,

4) Don’t breed cats with one copy of the mutation that have early sign of HCM, 5) Don’t breed cats with 2 copies of the mutation, 6) Don’t breed a sire and dam that both have one copy of the mutation each, and, 7) Inform owners of their cats if their lines develop HCM. Overall, the goal should be to eradicate the HCM mutation from breeding lines, but slowly, so as to not cause other inbreeding problems in the cats of the future. The HCM mutation is very prevalent, thus, best to slowly reduce the presence over a period of time and not create new genetic bottlenecks within the breed. Keep in mind, the genetic background of a cat with the A31P mutation may allow this particular cat to have mild or no disease presentation.

But, when that mutation is passed on, and is now in a new genetic background of a new cat, this cat may have the wrong combination of genetics and may have more severe disease. We cannot predict which cats will have mild or severe or early versus late disease onset.

Hip dysplasia Maine coons are the largest breed of cat in physical size, getting larger as we speak – but not fat cats! They are being bred to be taller, longer and to have bigger bone structure. Some genes and DNA variants for larger size have been identified in dogs, but, like HCM, these DNA variants are associations and their presence indicate only a higher likelihood of bigger size.

The same type of studies for size have not been conducted in cats but could be an interesting genetic project. Like HCM, here too, breeders should act with caution, bigger is not always better!

Many of the larger dog breeds have a condition called hip dysplasia (HD), which is a very complex disease with a definite heritable component!

EDITOR: This is the Eleventh in a series of articles based on feline genetics

by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2021 period

Hip dysplasia has been identified in cats, specifically the Maine Coon breed.13,14. Hip dysplasia typically develops due to an abnormally developed hip joint, but can also be caused by cartilage damage from a traumatic fracture. With cartilage damage or a hip joint that isn’t formed properly, over time, the existing cartilage will lose its thickness and elasticity.

This breakdown of the cartilage will eventually result in pain with any joint movement. Physical examination may demonstrate muscle atrophy and restricted hip motion; crepitus or pain on manipulation may occur in the more advanced case.

The presentation of feline HD (FHD) is gradual with subtle behavioral changes such as inactivity or aggression, lack of response to human attention, reluctance to go up or down stairs, and resistance to handling.

Photo © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

In an OFA-based study of hip dysplasia including 2708 Maine Coon cats submitted up to 2015,18 the overall prevalence of feline hip dysplasia (FHD) was 24.9% (635/2548), falling in the mild, moderate and severe categories.

A slightly higher incidence was identified in males (279/1023 [27.3%]) than females (356/1525 [23.3%]). The cats with more severe dysplasia were older.

The percentage of bilateral FHD was 56%, and bilateral cases had more severe dysplasia than unilateral cases but with no age difference.

Scoring by PawPeds for FHD includes three categories: Hip score = 0 (HS0) normal hip with no evidence of FHD; Hip score = 1 (HS1) hip with acetabulum covering < 50% of the femoral head; Hip score = 2 (HS2) moderate radiographic signs associated with FHD including shallow acetabulum and deformation of the femoral head with some evidence of new bone formation around the joint. Hip score = 3 (HS3) severe radiographic signs associated with FHD with very poor joint congruency, deformation of the femoral head and major changes associated with new bone formation around the joint.

A PawPeds-based investigation of 20 years (2000 – 2019) of data representing 5038 Maine Coon cats showed approximately 37% of Maine Coons had some suggestion of FHD, including cats with a hip score 1 = 22%, score 2 = 12% and score 3 = 4%.19 The overlap of the OFA and PawPeds scoring is not precise and radiologists need to remember cats have a shallower acetabulae (hip joint) and more hip laxity than dogs, thus scoring does not perfectly match with scoring in dogs.

Residual body mass and age were related to the severity of FHD expression, with heavier and older cats having higher than average hip scores compared to lighter or younger cats.

Thus, individuals with a genetic predisposition to be larger than average also had higher than average FHD scores because of some genetic linkage between these traits.

No differences were noted between male and female cats. In addition, clear evidence was noted for a reduction in body size (mean ~0.25 kg after 8 generations) when breeders select against FHD. Nutritional studies in dogs have shown that by keeping a young dog, < 2 years, light in weight during their growth period, these dogs will have less joint subluxation and less degenerative joint disease.20 Therefore, breeders and show judges should not be encouraged to produce a massively large and heavily cat while the cat is still in its growth phase, younger than 1 – 2 years of age.

EDITOR: This is the Eleventh in a series of articles based on feline genetics

by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2021 period

Several genetic studies in dogs have failed to identify a genetic cause for hip dysplasia. Both the OFA and PawPeds studies suggest a strong heritable component for FHD, thus, genetics is definitely involved. However, this disease has proven difficult to eradicate or find association DNA mutations to help breeding decisions.

Thus, best that Maine Coon breeders try to stop the advance of hip dysplasia before it becomes a highly debilitating and widespread disease.

First steps would be to slow attempts to rapidly increase the size of cats. A second step is to continue the radiographical monitoring to identify the level of HD in Maine Coon lines.

Photo © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

Thirdly, lines with moderate to severe HD should be very limited in breeding.

Good breeding practices may very well be more productive and feasible than any type of genetic testing for cats with HD. Please remember, bigger is not always better!

References

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

Kehler et al., J Hered. 2007 Sep-Oct;98(6):555-66.

Drögemüller et al., Anim Genet. 2007 Jun;38(3):218-21.

Lettice et al., Hum Mol Genet. 2008 Apr 1;17(7):978-85.

He et al., Pediatr Res. 2005 Mar;57(3):324-30.

Wakeling et al., J Comp Neurol. 2012 Jun 1;520(8):1737-50.

Fyfe et al., Genome Res. 2006 Sep;16(9):1084-90.

Kittleson et al., Circulation. 1999 Jun 22;99(24):3172-80.

Meurs et al., Hum Mol Genet. 2005 Dec 1;14(23):3587-93.

Fries et al., J Vet Intern Med. 2008 Jul-Aug;22(4):893-6.

Longeri et al., J Vet Intern Med. 2013 Mar-Apr;27(2):275-85.

Kittleson et al., J Vet Cardiol. 2015 Dec;17 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S53-73.

Maron & Fox, J Vet Cardiol. 2015 Dec;17 Suppl 1:S6-9.

Peiffer et al., Feline Pract 1974; 4: 40–43.

Köppel & Ebner, Klientierpraxis 1989; 35: 281–298.

Perry, K. J Feline Med Surg 2016; 18: 203–218.

Langenbach et al., J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998; 213: 1439–1443.

Keller et al., Vet Radiol Ultrasound 1999; 40: 460–464.

Loder & Todhunter, 2018 Apr;20(4):302-307.

Low et al., Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 20;9(1):17164.

Kealy et al., J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1992 Sep 15;201(6):857-63.

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

Photoset © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

Photoset © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

MAINE COONS ON THE JUDGE’S BENCH in the United States Above: CFA AB Judge Jim Thompson and Below: CFA AB Judge Darrell Newkirk assessing Maine Coon exhibits.

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

Above: CFA AB Judge Karen Lawrence awards a Maine Coon exhibit in Hong Kong.

Below: NZCF Judge John Smithson assesses a Maine Coon female in Victoria, Australia.

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

Above: ANCATS AB Judge Bambi Edwards assessing a Maine Coon exhibit in Australia.

Below Left: GCCF Judge John Hanssen with a Maine Coon exhibit in the United Kingdom.

Below right: CFA AB Judge Brian Pearson with exhibitor and Maine Coon in a final.

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

EXHIBITORS WITH THEIR MAINE COON CATS AT USA SHOWS Photos, Abizaq Cattery.

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

Above: Abizaq Bella and Abizaq Robinette on the couch.

Photoset, courtesy of Abizaq Cattery.

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

Photoset © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

Photoset © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

A GALLERY OF MAINE COONS

Photoset © Helmi Flick Cat Photography

HARRISON WILLIAM WEIR (1824-1906) ‘Father of the Cat Fancy’ Photo: ‘British Poultry Husbandry’ by Sir Edward Brown, (1930)

Photo: Jeannine Parfitt (2017) in the Council Chambers, Lewes.

BY

JOHN G. SMITHSON John is both founder and curator of The Harrison Weir Collection, which is today the world’s largest repository of original art, ephemera and artifacts related to the life and work of Harrison William Weir (1824-1906). Weir is a British born naturalist, artist and book illustrator, famous for his passion and ability to depict and promote a respect for all forms of animal life; and known affectionately as ‘Father of the Cat Fancy’

THE STORY BEHIND A CAT FANCY COMMEMORATIVE ARTIFACT NOW 120 YEARS OLD Few cat fanciers today, would be aware that Harrison Weir, while yet alive, bequeathed to the Town and Corporation of Lewes, where he was born, the above three pieces of silver plate, two of which directly commemorate important dates in the establishment of the cat fancy.

With 2021 being the 150th anniversary of the world’s first organised cat show and the birth of the Fancy in general, this seems the perfect time to celebrate these milestones, and with May being the month in which Harrison Weir was born, the time seems appropriate to share the history behind the generous testimonial piece, simply known as ‘The Harrison Weir Bowl’.

This finely worked bowl, was produced in 1897, by the silversmith William Hutton of London. It weighs 38 ounces (1077 gms). It was presented to Harrison Weir, in 1901, as a mark of appreciation from cat fanciers of the era, as an appreciation on his having instituted the first National Cat Show at the Crystal Palace, in July 1871.

One of the earliest announcements regarding the first organised Cat Show, was published in ‘The Era’ on May 21, 1871, in which a list of forthcoming events to be held at the Crystal Palace were published.

Among them were the Grand Summer Concerts in which eminent members of Her Majesty’s Opera would appear, a principal event being the Handel Festival beginning on June 19th and running through to June 23rd, followed by a four day Show of Dogs, and then announcing “while the 13th of July has been appointed for a Cat Show, and it will be the first that has ever been held.”

The story of ‘The Harrison Weir Bowl’ first comes to light, in the July 13 th edition of ‘Our Cats’ magazine, exactly 30 years after the inaugural show of 1871. It is clear that the managing editor of the magazine, (established November 1899), was not going to allow this commemorative date to be forgotten! The following notice appeared in advance of all following announcements:

AN APPEAL TO THE GRATEFUL THE name of Harrison Weir is still a household word among us, and his good work is not forgotten. What cat lover can ever forget the originator of Cat Shows, the first President of the National Cat Club, the Founder of the Cat World? In 1872 (sic) Mr. Harrison Weir invented and established Cat Shows, and for the benefit of the cat gave hour after hour of unceasing work to make them a success, and to-day we are reaping the benefit of all his years of labour.

Why not testify our proud appreciation, our heartfelt sympathy with this noble old fellow in a more substantial fashion than a string of phrases. Let us place on record an acknowledgement by the Cat World of the good work done, the end achieved. We have good reason to think that such a testimonial coming as it must do in a burst of spontaneous gratitude, would be accepted in the spirit of its givers.

Increasing age and bodily infirmity have long prevented Mr. Weir from taking the active part in the cat fancy he used. He has unfortunately suffered considerable pecuniary loss which has necessitated his again taking up the pen and abandoning his hopes of a quiet rest for the remaining years of his life.

Let us sit quiet no longer, indolently and passively neglectful of the claims of a great man upon our gratitude.

We may not be able to do much, but such as we can let us do with all our heart. Give and give freely for our cats’ sakes, for our own sakes, so that we may prove that neither our cats or ourselves are ungrateful.

OUR CATS will be pleased to acknowledge all sums sent in for the Harrison Weir Testimonial from week to week, and we sincerely hope the result will prove that the Cat World is what we believe it to be, the most liberal, appreciative, and responsive body of fanciers there is. We look to all who love cats to respond to our appeal.

We appeal to the secretaries of Specialist Societies to help in the good work by sending round subscription lists to all their members. We appeal to the members themselves to bring forward the subject at the next meeting for discussion or, better still, for action. Let all the Cat Clubs join hands in this. Trample jealousy and cliquism under foot and put your shoulders to the wheel.

At the time this appeal and entreaty was published, the Cat Fancy was in the throws of a series of politically charged dramas. 1901 was in fact, a year of tremendous upheaval and change.

THE HARRISON WEIR BOWL – Part of the official town plate of LEWES, UK. Photo: Jeannine Parfitt, in the Council Chambers, Lewes Town Council, April 2017

Many individuals and clubs were voicing dissatisfaction over the clarity and interpretation of the rules of the two opposing National bodies, one being the National Cat Club and the other being the Cat Club. While these two bodies divided the Fancy, individuals were looking ways to apply pressure to both via any means available and noticeably in 1901, that was with the formation of new Specialist Societies, each of which had their own internal battles to fight in order to be established!

This included the establishment of the Blue Persian Cat Society, the Siamese Cat Club, the Shorthair Cat Club, the Chinchilla Cat Club, the British Cat Club and the Manx Cat Club. Nevertheless, in the following issue of Our Cats, dated July 20th, the first donation towards the testimonial was received and under the bolded heading HARRISON WEIR TESTIMONIAL is noted: The Limes, Stewardstone, Essex. July 12th.

SIR, - I enclose £5 towards the testimonial to Mr. Harrison Weir. Perhaps he would kindly out of his vast store of experience help us with suggestions regarding the deserted cats of London.

S. LYDIA LYDDINGSEN Then again, a week later in the July 27th edition of Our Cats, under the same bolded heading: Carried forward …

Mrs. Stennard Robinson The Editor, OUR CATS A.F.W. … …

Fluffy and Tim …

… … … … …

£.

5 1 1 0 0 £7

s.

0 1 1 5 1 8

d.

0 0 0 0 0 0

Close up of the Inscription on the HARRISON WEIR BOWL, which reads: “Presented to the Mayor and Corporation of Lewes, by HARRISON WILLIAM WEIR, as a lasting testimony of the love he bore for the People of, and the OLD TOWN in which he was born. MAY 5th 1824” Photo: Jeannine Parfitt, in the Council Chambers, Lewes Town Council, April 2017

Immediately following the tabulation of donations, the editor added: The Editor of OUR CATS solicits subscriptions, however small, with the object (which must appeal to all lovers of cats) of presenting Mr. Harrison Weir with a testimonial of his long and useful work on behalf of the cat fancy and OUR CATS. The smallest donations will be thankfully received and acknowledged in OUR CATS. 5, Great James St, Bedford Row, London, W.C. In the August 3rd issue of Our Cats, an updated list was published: Carried forward C.H. Lane …

B. B. …

J. Robertson …

Mrs. Smythe …

Tiss Kiss …

Poultry Fancier A. Chasedale Mrs. Clark …

… … … … … … … … …

… … … … … … … … …

£. s.

7 8 0 10 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 £8 5

d.

0 6 0 0 0 6 6 6 6 6

The Editor’s previous call for subscriptions was reprinted beneath, but a few pages further on, we find a letter from one of the subscribers to the Testimonial, Mr. C. H. Lane, who obviously felt duty bound to comment on the appeal made through OUR CATS. Mr. Lane was well-known to Mr. Weir, and later dedicated his book, ‘RABBITS CATS and CAVIES’ to him, when it was published in 1903. His

Portraits of Mr. Charles H. Lane and Mr. Harrison Weir; the latter taken close to the time of the Testimonial.

Images from: ‘Dog Shows and Doggy People’ (1900); and by Walter Gardiner, from ‘Our Poultry’ (1902).

published letter follows: THE HARRISON WEIR TESTIMONIAL SIR, - I am pleased to see the question of a testimonial to my valued friend, Harrison Weir, F.R.H.S.,is being taken up, and have great pleasure in enclosing my mite.

I may say I am not in favour of testimonials in general, as in scores of cases I have seen them given when not at all deserved; but the whole English-speaking race are indebted to our friend for the valuable work he has done during a long term of years, with pencil and pen, and although his work in respect to many other branches of the Fancy has been useful and beautiful, I think in no other section has his influence and services been of more direct value than in respect to cats, which before he gave them the benefit of his support were in a very depressed and isolated condition. Not only was he the means of getting up, and carrying out, the first show of any importance of cats only at the Crystal Palace, but for years he and his late lamented brother, Jenner Weir, F.Z.S, etc., judged a great many classes there and at other places, and the present generation of Cat Fanciers owe more than they are aware of to both those gentlemen for many years’ gratuitous services and help to a Fancy , which they practically brought into being, and gave up much of their valuable time, and what was better, their personal support and patronage to make it the success it has now become.

I ought, perhaps, to add that so convinced was I that some recognition should be given to our friend, that I have been in correspondence with him to learn his wishes, and nothing but the pressure of a busy life has prevented my taking the matter up singlehanded, making a personal appeal to Fanciers for a small sum each, to purchase some useful remembrance for our friend, of the respect and esteem in which he is held by a large section of the public.

The official photograph of the HARRISON WEIR BOWL for the Lewes Town Council Civic Insignia and Plate.

Photo: Tom Reeves. Image courtesy of the Lewes Town Council.

I learnt from Mr. Weir that what he would like would be a ‘Swan Fountain Pen,’ but as you have started on much more ambitious lines than either our friend or I had in contemplation, I hope sufficient funds will be found to provide a handsome silver salver, as a stand for the Fountain Pen (which he said he should always use), or something else equally useful and ornamental.

Apologising for the length of these lines and hoping your kindly object will be quickly and fully accomplished.

C.H. LANE The August 10, 1901 issue of Our Cats, a revised list of subscriptions was published along with news of a new development further afield: Several donations which were received last week, were just too late to include in the list.

We have pleasure in announcing that the following further sums have been contributed: Carried forward Messrs. Carter Mrs. E. Smythe Mrs. Ward …

Miss K. Ward …

… … … … …

… … … … …

£. s.

8 5 2 2 1 1 0 5 0 1 £11 13

d.

6 0 0 0 0 6

We also have to thank the Editor of Field and Fancy, the only weekly American organ of catdom, for opening up a list with the same object in the United States.

The usually published call for subscriptions was again appended.

The official ‘close-up’, of the HARRISON WEIR BOWL for the Lewes Town Council Civic Insignia and Plate.

Photo: Tom Reeves. Image courtesy of the Lewes Town Council.

The following August 17 issue of Our Cats, the latest additions to the list were published as: Carried forward …

Messrs. F.A. Kinder …

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Little

… … …

£. s.

11 13 0 5 0 5 £12 3

d.

6 0 0 6

In the August 24 issue of Our Cats, the newest list of contributions, were preceded by this notice: A most generous donation comes this week from Messrs. Spratts, the well-known animal caterers of 24 and 25, Fenchurch Street, E.C. This brings our fund to a very handsome total.

We hear incidentally that Mr. Louis Wain was good enough to sell one of his sketches for the testimonial to the Rev. P.L. Cosway, and that it has realised the sum of 30s., but as we have not as yet received the money we cannot include this amount.

Carried forward … …

Messrs. Spratt’s Patent Ltd …

Mrs. Walland … … …

Mrs. Martin … … …

£. s.

12 3 5 5 0 1 0 1 £17 10

d.

6 0 0 0 6

The as yet not included sum earned from the sale of Mr. Louis Wain’s sketch to the Rev. P.L. Cosway was subsequently included in the subscriptions report published in the August 31 issue of Our Cats:-

Carried forward … …

Louis Wain, sale of sketch to Rev. Cosway … …

Miss Frances Simpson …

Miss F.A. Kinder … …

£. s. d.

17 10 6 1 10 0 10 0 2 £19 13

0 6 0 0

The latter contribution from Miss F.A. Kinder, was followed by the publication of her letter in which it came which was published in the September 7 issue of Our Cats: Harrison Weir Testimonial SIR, - Please kindly accept another small subscription towards the testimonial for the darling old gentleman Mr. Harrison Weir. May it yet reach a large sum, God bless him. I often look at his dear face in his book of OUR CATS with pleasure. I have been a cat helper although unknown all my life, but at present my health is so shattered through a fall down a flight of stairs that I can do little now in that way. I hope to send again yet.

(Miss) FLORENCE A. KINDER The next contribution report does not appear until the September 28 issue of Our Cats: Carried forward Mrs. Clarke …

… …

… …

£. s.

19 13 0 3 £19 16

This fund will shortly be closed.

In fact, this was the last entry for some months, and it was not until the February 8, 1902 edition of Our Cats, that a letter written by Mr. Harrison Weir, from his home at Poplar Hall, Appledore dated January 26, 1902 was published.

In that letter, only a portion of which is reproduced here, Mr. Weir provides reasons for his delay in responding. As to the sum collected, we can only speculate, but no doubt some contributions from cat fanciers on the American continent would have swelled the fund to allow for the purchase of the Harrison Weir Bowl, and possibly also the Fountain Pen that Mr. Charles Lane had mentioned that he so much desired. The wording of Mr. Weir’s letter certainly appears to allude to that distinct possibility!

MR. HARRISON WEIR’S TESTIMONIAL Hitherto, I have been too unwell to be able to acknowledge the very handsome gift of those who, like myself, love cats. But now feeling somewhat better and a little stronger, I hasten to pen my thanks (the first use of that also presented to me by my generous friends). Kindest and best wishes to those warm-hearted and truly unforgettable friends that have contributed towards the very handsome testimonial of feeling towards myself, just received. Though they are indeed somewhat small in number, their trueness, appreciation of my services, and sympathy with myself and the past is indeed great, and while lip and memory lasts I shall lovingly treasure their gifts, not so much for the intrinsic value, but as a lasting memorial that among the numberless that now enjoy the outcome and profit by both in pleasure and substance, by my work done in days gone by, there are at least some few, both by word and stronger deed, are not only anxious to prove that they have not forgotten the one that planned, nor the touch of the now almost “vanished han

Photo: John Smithson (2017) in the Mayoral Chambers, Lewes In April 2017, the author/editor spent a month in the United Kingdom, hosted by Jon and Jeannine Parfitt in Oxford, Valerie Sheldrake in Suffolk, and Chris and Carolyn Littlejohns in Wales. Jeannine Parfitt and John Smithson spent a day in Lewes, which included morning tea with the then Mayor, Dr. Graham Mayhew (pictured) and a truly memorable opportunity to photograph the Silver Plate bequeathed by Harrison Weir.

Photo: John Smithson (2017)

Photo: Jeannine Parfitt (2017)

hand” that never tired until success was achieved. To these, one and all of these – Thanks, lasting thanks. Hearty thanks! to them, though few out of the boundless many, thanks again and yet again, and may tranquil pleasures and never failing be theirs, at all times and places, and may their lives and days be bright and long in the land.

After a lengthy further discourse about the first shows, he signed off…

Poplar Hall, Appledore, Kent, January 26th, 1902.

HARRISON WEIR, F.R.H.S.

A hearty welcome to our newest contributor…

Dr. Victor Zaalov I was born in Leningrad, now Saint Petersburg, to a family of a Prof.

Physicist and a Prof. Philologist. There were always pets in the house, and yet it would be me who would take took up the reins of professional cattery management.

Having graduated from Saint-Petersburg State Pediatric University as a Pediatrist, I then entered the Dentistry Department at the Pavlov State Medical University of St. Petersburg to study Maxillofacial Surgery, successfully completing my doctorate at Oxford university.

Ever-enthralled with genetics, I sought to continue my professional growth in this field, and soon graduated from Charite Berlin’s forensic genetics and medical criminology department.

These days I find myself as an owner of a private dentist cabinet in Israel, among leading forensics specialists in Israel’s MoD, and a criminology adviser to Israel General Administration for Security.

Despite everything, I have always had free time for cats, and started breeding Don Sphynxes back in St. Petersburg, and used to hang around cat shows and have been an active official at a the largest local fancier club. Back in 2008, I became the WCF’s treasurer and a President of my own club. To date, my cat career spans over 20 years, and I remain a dedicated Don Sphynx and Norwegian Forest Cat breeder. As a judge I have been active since 2001 in several Cat Federations.

In 2020, myself and my dedicated team have decided that the felinology scene needed, like no other, a progressive development, sophisticated technology and could use more dedication to both breed development and democratic principles.

So, the triumvirate has decided, and clubs from 3 different countries have formed the World Organisation of Cat (WOC). This organisation is created for the people, by the people, with an objective to improve on the most important aspects of felinological development and club-system-breeder interaction - basically our form of democracy.

To this date, WOC is among the few systems accredited to work on almost all continents, enabling us to spread our love of people and cats from China to Oceania and with Europe in between.

The CFA and WOC have signed a partnership agreement in 2021, now all experts, pedigrees and work standards are mutually recognized between the two systems.

My love is cats, cat shows and diving, and professional medicine as well!

Dr. Victor Zaalov. MD, DMD, MSc, PhD President, Weltorganisation von Katzen World Organisation of Cats https://woc.center/

W.Ch. Rosinka My Joy

The Harrison Weir Collection’s Grover B… & H. Weir doodling…

For those of you who have read the first article in this issue, about the ‘The Madison Square Garden Cat Show’ written by Karen Lawrence, will you have noted the entry in the catalogue, for a white Maltese cat, named ‘Grover B’ who was already a celebrity cat, well known in both Philadelphia and New York.

In it, there is a rare photograph taken of ‘Grover B’, who was exhibited at the Madison Square Garden show of May 1895, and was awarded a donated Silver Fruit spoon for the Best Shorthaired Cat in the Show, irrespective of class; and a Silver Medal by the show organisers, plus a Gold Medal, awarded for the Heaviest White Maltese Cat in the Show, (of which he was the sole entry). Amazingly this Bronze Medallion became available not long before we went to press, so the timing could not have been better!

Our other pieces, shown on the opposite page fall into a peculiar category within our Collection with regard to the British listed artist, Harrison William Weir, for whom our Collection of Cat Fancy memorabilia is named. Our primary goal has been the preservation of any and all original art, and ephemera related to the artist created during his lifetime.

Among the more than 50 pieces of original art, including paintings, pen and ink drawings, pencil drawings and over 50 pieces of assorted ephemera, including letters under his hand, are these recently acquired snippets which give insight into his daily life.

Bronze Medal or Token, featuring ‘Grover B’ the ‘Mascot’ of Mr. & Mrs. W.P. Buchanan, (Photographer) based in Philadelphia.

Upon going to his local Bank of London branch, Mr. Weir sat waiting for his passbook to be updated, and while doing so, took out his fountain pen and doodled on the blotting paper block before him. He was well known for drawing horse racing events for the Illustrated London News and appears to have doodled a race and a portrait of a lady (perhaps in attendance).

It is distinctly possible that the lady in question,

latest finds… may have been Lady Dorothy Nevill. as Weir is known to done sketches of her on other occasions, including at race meetings. These blotter jottings, were retained in a blue envelope which has written on it: “Scraps on blotting papers by Harrison Weir.

Dashed off while waiting for his passbook and give me by Mr. Miller at the Bank of London.”

Images © The Harrison Weir Collection.

CHAMPION WANKEE Bred by Mrs. Hastings, born September 28, 1895, in Hong Kong. (NCC: 3221). Owned by Mrs. Mary Robinson Photo: by E. Landor, Ealing. ‘The Book of The Cat’ (1903) by F. Simpson. Article background ©www.gograph.com

AN HISTORICAL PORTRAIT OF

BY

JOHN G. SMITHSON

THE WORLD’S FIRST SIAMESE CHAMPION CAT! Adapted from the author’s text for ‘Wankee’ @ The History Project www.cat-o-pedia.org

PREAMBLE As a breed, the ‘Royal Cat of Siam’, (or ‘Wichien Maat’) is one of the great “pillars” or “cornerstones” of the Cat Fancy. In this regard, it is very likely unsurpassed, as it has the distinction to date, of being the most widely used parent breed, and/or at the very least, a contributing breed, in the genetic make-up of so many of the latter-day felines. Every breed today which sports its genetically unique ‘pointed’ pattern, has been developed and hybridised by an introduction of its bloodlines.

This variety at the very least, dates back to period of the Ayudhya Empire ,(c.1350AD) and its vast city of temples based at Ayutthaya. The breed is inextricably linked to the Ayutthaya precincts, and it is due to the efforts of the ‘Chakri’ dynasty and their predecessors, who had the responsibility and foresight to nurture and preserve this unique breed of cat, that we can enjoy the benefit of its existence today.

However, the invasion the great inland temple city eventually necessitated the relocation of the royal court to the southern city of Bangkok.

In ‘The Siamese Cat’ (1934) by Phyl Wade, the author refers to the work of M. Oldfield Howey, who, in ‘The Cat in the Mysteries of Religion and Magic’ (1930) says: “For two hundred years Siamese cats were only to be found in that portion of the Royal City of Bangkok, where the monarch and his court resided.” ¹⁸ Historians appear to divide themselves into two camps with regard to whether the breed was the exclusive province of the royal family and whether the Kings of Siam were personally involved in their breeding, or whether this is a myth and the majority of writers sit in one camp or the other, some claiming the link to royalty as mere myth.

Taking a very pragmatic view, the truth is most likely to sit somewhere in the middle, with clear royal patronage, but highly unlikely to have had much in the way of personal involvement.

It is clear, that in the high culture of Siam, cats were linked to the transmigration of souls, were known to be buried with their royal owners.

owners and were cared for and bred both within the palace and temple compounds. The cats, in their various forms, were the responsibility of the priestly cast and were certainly reverenced and prized. There is also a distinct possibility that there were several types retained, some bred by priests or monks in the Royal household, and some by the priests in the Temple compounds.

Were they used in royal ceremonies? Yes. Were they personally bred by members of the Royal family, likely not. But it is always important to view this in context; i.e. Were the Royals aware that they were unique? ‘Yes’.

Did they recognise western amazement in the unique distribution of their pattern? ‘Yes’.

Were there instances of ‘Siamese’ gifted by the King, or his representatives, to western ambassadors and dignataries? Absolutely, ‘Yes’.

Does this mean that the King of Siam bred them?

A reserved ‘Yes’, but not strictly speaking, in the ‘personal’ context.

The Kings of Siam were ‘absolute’ monarchs, so everything in the palace compounds, belonged to the King. So if someone were to ask an official for a cat, permission would still need to come from the King’s secretariat, for it to be released.

A similar procedure would have applied to the Royal household in England, where the ruler was a constitutional monarch, unlike in Siam, where the monarchy was still ‘absolute’. Did Queen Victoria breed cattle and poultry? ‘Yes’. Was she personally involved? ‘Not necessarily’. Did they belong to her? ‘Yes’. Was permission needed to move the stock? ‘Yes’, under the strict supervision and recommendation of a manager.

So why would we expect anything different from the Royal house of Siam?

And it is equally ludicrous to think that examples of the breed were not being simultaneously bred and distributed outside of the Royal district, in at least small numbers. The cats had been in existence for centuries, during which time, they had been gifted to members of the extended Royal family over succeeding generations, into what would today be Laos and Cambodia, including the possibility that some had been gifted to officials and dignatories of eastern origin. So this meant that Siamese cats were very likely to have been available from other sources, but that does not mean, that they were necessarily any less ‘Siamese’ than those obtained directly from the palace precincts in Bangkok, or that the Palace cats were not still a relatively ‘protected enclave’.

The first specimens of this utterly unique and much-loved breed of cat, were brought to England most likely around the 1860’s. We know from the notes on this breed by Harrison Weir, that among those lucky few who first possessed them, was Lady Dorothy Nevill, whose cats were “imported and presented by Sir R. Herbert of the Colonial Office. The late Duke of Wellington imported the breed, also Mr Scott of Rotherfield.” ¹⁴ In context, Lady Dorothy was an avid importer of plants and animals, particularly birds, all of which were cultivated and displayed in the extensive grounds of her estate at ‘Dangstein’ in Kent.

It is also known that Siamese cats were in attendance at the very first Crystal Palace Cat Show, in July of 1871, and in that case the owner/exhibitor is named as Mr Maxwell, and were reported as “said to be the first of their kind ever brought to this country”

This exceptional photograph dates from the 1890’s in England, and shows a seal-point Siamese cat with a beautifully contrasted coat. His lady owner is ‘as yet’, unidentified.

Image: © Archives of The Harrison Weir Collection

Mr J. Walters Siamese ‘Myrriee’ in 1875 aged 5 years. This puts her date of birth as 1870, one year before the Crystal Palace Cat Show of July 1871.

Front page illustration: ‘The Pictorial World’ October 16, 1875. © Archives of The Harrison Weir Collection

We also know that Lady Dorothy, also entered some of her cats, most likely at the subsequent show held at the Crystal Palace in December of 1871 and then again in May 1872, where one of them was a prise winner.

whom he gifted to his sister, Lilian Gould, (later Mrs Veley). Their subsequent kittens, ‘Duen N’gai’, ‘Kalahom’ and Kromata’ were shown at the Crystal Palace in 1885, but they sadly died shortly afterwards.

The breed however, was still exceedingly rare in England, and it did not take serious hold of the fancy until a pair from the Palace in Siam, were given in 1884 to Mr Gould, who was Consul General in Bangkok. These were ‘Pho’ and ‘Mia,’ th

In 1886, another pair with kittens, were imported by Lady Vyvyan and her sister Miss Forestier Walker, from which eventually sprang the famous ‘Tiam O’Shian’ strain of Siamese.

Nevertheless, on the question of the difficulty in obtaining Siamese,

Siamese exhibits at the Crystal Palace Show of July 1871 ‘The Graphic’, July22, 1871. Image Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

in obtaining Siamese, we need only again refer to Harrison Weir’s book published in 1889, in which he quotes Mr Young of Harrogate, who had purchased his Siamese cat from Mr Brennand: “I have heard a little more regarding the Siamese cats from Miss Walker, the daughter of General Walker, who brought over one male and three females. It seems the only pure breed is kept at the King of Siam’s palace, and the cats are very difficult to procure, for in Siam, it took three different gentlemen of great influence, three months before they could get any.”

Harrison Weir then provides illumination:

“From the foregoing it will be seen how very difficult it is to obtain the pure breed, even in Siam, and on reference to the Crystal Palace catalogues from the year 1871 to 1887, I find that there were fifteen females and only four males, and some of these were not entire; and I have always understood that the latter, were not allowed to be exported, and were only got by those so fortunate as a most extraordinary favour, as the King of Siam is most jealous of keeping the breeding entirely in Siam as royal cats.” ¹⁴ During the 1880’s, the Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison,

‘Champion Wankee’. This image shows the decided ‘kink’ in his tail.

Photo: ‘Cats for Pleasure and Profit’ (1920 edition) by Frances Simpson. Image: © The Harrison Weir Collection.

Morrison, who spent a great deal of time outside of the United Kingdom in the middle and far east, was an “importer extraordinaire” of many breeds and varieties of both cats and dogs, including, (to mention only a few) Persians and other Longhairs, (via India and Afghanistan), as well as Siamese, Chinese and Japanese cats!

Certainly, the demand for new imports was considerable as evidenced by the large number of privately imported Siamese cats which are recorded in both the Registers of the National Cat Club and The Cat Club, as well as in the Siamese Cat Register, compiled by Major R. Sydney Woodwiss. In the latter document, there are over 50 cats which are either direct imports, or are the

progeny of unidentified between 1880 and 1920.

imported

cats,

So, by the mid 1890’s, direct importation was no longer a novelty and it was during this period that ‘Wankee’ made his appearance, being born in Hong Kong, and imported into the United Kingdom around March of 1896.

‘Wankee’ is therefore, one of the primary key progenitors of the modern Siamese breed, and from him, sprang the all the cats carrying his genes descended from cats such as ‘Boojum’ and ‘Bandoola’ through ‘Prince Vudighi’ and his son ‘Southamption Ju-Jitsu’; and descended from ‘Cairo Rameses’ through, ‘Ch. Kew King of Siam’ and his son, ‘Ch.Sancho’.

PARENTAGE & OWNERSHIP ‘Wankee’was born on 28th September, 1895, the result of a breeding supervised by Mrs Hastings, based in Hong Kong, between his dam ‘Nims’ (aka known as ‘Mons’) and his sire ‘Robert’. In ‘The Book of The Cat’ Miss Forestier Walker records of ‘Wankee’: “He was bred in Hong Kong, his mother -‘Nims’being a stolen palace kitten. ‘Wankee’ was six months old when he arrived in England; and was born in September, 1895.¹ (Editors note: This would put his date of arrival, as at March 1896). He was imported by Mrs Robinson, of Barons Court Road, West Kensington of whom we read the following: “But it is chiefly as the owner of the celebrated ‘Champion Wankee’ that Mrs Robinson is known in the cat fancy in general, and among Siamese breeders in particular...

“Mrs Robinson, who is a member of the National Cat Club Committee, has frequently acted as a judge of Siamese, and has kindly written the following account for this chapter: “One of the most beautiful of the shorthaired cats is undoubtedly the royal cat of Siam, and the breed is greatly increasing in popularity; but is never likely to be common, as the cats are delicate in this country. The best description is that drawn up by the Siamese Cat Club, in their standard of points...

“The kittens are born absolutely white, and in about a week a faint pencilling comes round the ears, and gradually all the points come. At four or five months, they are lovely, as generally they retain their baby whiteness, which contrasts well with their almost black ears, deep brown markings, and blue eyes. Some kittens are much longer

longer than others in getting dense, these making the lightest cats.

“This breed is said to be kept very carefully in the palace in Bangkok, -hence the title ‘royal’ – and is by no means the common cat of Siam.

One gentleman (a missionary), who had lived there fifteen years, had during that time, seen only three. A few years ago, there was a pair of these cats in the Zoological Gardens in Bangkok, but they were very poor specimens.

“They have occasionally been given by the King as presents of great value, and several pairs have come to England in this way; also kittens have undoubtedly been stolen from the palace from time to time.”

SIBLINGS & SHOWS No siblings of ‘Ch. Wankee’ are known.

Although he did not make his first Show appearance until June of 1898, he holds the singular distinction of being the first Siamese cat in the history of the Fancy to gain the coveted title of ‘Champion’, setting his name firmly down for this particularly honourable achievement, but also over time, contributing immensely to the establishment and furtherance of the breed, by being a tremendously reliable and prolific stud cat, whose progeny would in some instances travel even greater distances than that travelled by their illustrious sire, reaching to almost every conceivable corner of the globe! Again, from Miss Forestier Walker: “He won over thirty prizes, but was never shown till June, 1898, therefore losing the time in which most Siamese cats gain their honours – namely, between six months and two years, when they are pale in colour of coat.” ¹

Medal of The Siamese Cat Club (England), representing the ‘Mary Robinson Trophy’ Mary Robinson was the importer and owner of Champion Wankee.

Photos: Courtesy of Missy and Christopher Eimer, collection of Cat Medals (London)

On the matter of ‘kinked tails’ we read the following in ‘The Book of The Cat’:

In the register of the National Cat Club, we find the following specific wins recorded: -

“A point on which the Siamese Fancy is divided, is whether the ideal cat should have a kink in the tail or not. The Club remains neutral.

Champion Wankee has a decided kink, looking, in fact, as though the tail had been caught in a door in his early youth. Tiam-OShian IV, on the contrary, has none.”

Two firsts, two specials and Championship, Botanic, 1898; First and Championship, Crystal Palace, 1898; 1st Championship and Pr, Botanic, 1899; First and Special, Crystal Palace, 1899.

Mrs Carew-Cox, also in ‘The Book of the Cat’ informs us: ‘Miss Forestier Walker and her sister Mrs Vyvyan, who have owned and bred many beautiful specimens, first made their acquaintance with this breed in 1883, and soon afterwards, were presented with ‘Susan’ and ‘Samuel’, direct from the palace at Bangkok.

‘Tiam-O-Shian I’ also came from Bangkok. All these cats had kinked tails.”

BREEDING & PROGENY That ‘Wankee’ was both successful as a sire and that a good number of his progeny followed in his winning ways is indisputable. We can begin to look at his record by reading Frances Simpson’s brief review of ‘Champion Wankee’ included in the list of illustrations for her book ‘Cats and All About Them’ (1902): “CHAMPION WANKEE, the noted Siamese, is owned by Mrs Robinson , of West Kensington, who has always been an enthusiastic and successful breeder of Siamese. He has won over 30 prizes, ⁷

‘Thames Valley Missus’ out of ‘Asaia’. An interpretative illustration by Louis Wain.

Cropped from ‘Champion Cats of England, The Fourth Annual Show of The Cat Club at Westminster’ Published in ‘Black and White’, January 25, 1902. Image: Archives of The Harrison Weir Collection.

30 prizes, and sired, among other notable kittens, Beba, Menelik, Sam Sly and Chaseley Robin, all winners of Championships.”

Interestingly, although these four are all winners of Championships, only one, ‘Beba’ (Biba), a daughter of ‘Ch. Wankee’ and ‘Rynda’, is to be found in any register. So, in this case, rather than list his progeny by males and then females, we will list as many as we can find, by ‘Dam’, so that we can follow what became of the progeny.

It will be noted that some of the finest Siamese queens of the era, all found their way to ‘Champion Wankee’!

Notable Litters: From: ‘Asaia’, owned by Mr G.Dimond, we find

two kittens, with irreconcilable birthdates.

These were ‘Thames Valley Missus’, ostensibly sired by Mrs Robinson’s ‘Ch. Wankee’ in the (SCR) and sired by Mr Dimond’s ‘Wanzies’ in the (CCR). Both registers agree that the breeder was Mr Dimond, and with 3rd August as the birth day, but the year conflicts. 1897 in the (CCR) is most likely to be the correct year as 1895, in the (SCR) predates the birth of ‘Ch.Wankee’! ‘Zetland Queen’, for whom there is no date of birth, could quite possibly be correct as sired by ‘Ch. Wankee’.

‘THAMES VALLEY MISSUS’, sold to Miss Derby Hyde. ‘Thames Valley Missus’ was shown successfully, gaining a second at the Crystal Palace and Manchester Shows of 1901,

Two interpretative sketches of ‘Rynda’, by Louis Wain.

The first from the ‘Illustrated London News’ October 24, 1896 the second from ‘Harmsworth Magazine’ (1898) Images from the Archives of The Harrison Weir Collection

1901, and a first at the Crystal Palace, in 1903.

(No recorded progeny). The writer is inclined to believe that this cat is not by ‘Ch. Wankee’, but by ‘Zetland Wanzies’, a son of ‘King Kesho’.

‘ZETLAND QUEEN’, sold to Mrs Drabble.

(Referred to as a Chocolate Siamese, with no recorded progeny).

From: ‘Rynda’, bred by Mrs Brodie, but owned by Mrs Robinson, the owner of ‘Ch. Wankee’, we can find three kittens, from two different verifiable birth dates. These were ‘Ch. Biba’, (a female), born February 12, 1898, ‘The Ranee’, (a female), and ‘The Begum’, (a female), both born April 29, 1903.

‘BIBA’, was retained by Mrs Robinson. Frances Simpson mentions her as gaining her Championship and refers to her as ‘Beba’.

The Siamese Register records a second prize at Westminster in 1900.

‘THE RANEE’, also retained by Mrs Robinson, was shown successfully, gaining a first at the Crystal Palace and Brighton Shows in 1903, as well as a second at Manchester and a third at Richmond in 1904.

‘THE BEGUM’, also retained by Mrs Robinson.

In all three cases, there are no recorded progeny.

From: ‘KLINKIE’, (a daughter of ‘King Kesho’) owned by Mrs K.O. Chapman, we can find three kittens, all from the one litter, born 16th May, 1899. These were ‘Israfil’, (a male), ‘Koschka’, (a male), and ‘Princess Neta’, (a female). There is conflicting evidence as to the sex of ‘Koschka’ which we shall deal with separately.

‘Stud advertisement for Champion Wankee’.

‘Cats, and All About Them’ (1902), by Frances Simpson. Image from the Archives of The Harrison Weir Collection.

‘ISRAFIL’, was retained by Mrs K.O.Chapman. (No recorded progeny).

‘PRINCESS NETA’, was sold to Mr R.Towler Wilkinson. (No recorded progeny).

‘KOSCHKA’, shown in the Siamese Register as a female, owned by Mrs Parker Brough, with a first prize at Westminster in 1900. In conflict with that, we have the following statement from ‘The Book of the Cat’, written by Mrs Parker Brough herself: -

“Three of the most noted male cats exhibited in England have been, Mrs Robinson’s ‘Champion Wankee’, Mrs Vyvyan’s ‘Tiam-OShian IV’, and Mrs Parker Brough’s ‘Koschka’.

Probably Mrs Backhouse’s ‘Champion Eve’ and Mrs Vyvyan’s ‘Polyphema’ were the best females exhibited. ‘Koschka’ was perhaps, the finest cat we ever saw, having eyes of the most glorious blue imaginable.” “‘Koschka’ died after the Westminster Show of 1900.”

From: ‘YVETTE’, owned by Miss Willard. From one litter, born July 8, 1899 there are three kittens recorded. These were ‘Fulmer Boo Boo’, (a male), ‘Boodoo’, (a male), and ‘Wykee’, (a male).

‘FULMER BOO BOO’, was sold as a future stud to Lady Decies. (No recorded progeny).

‘BOODOO’, (no information is available as to ownership and no recorded progeny).

‘WYKEE’, was retained by Miss Willard. (No recorded progeny).

From: ‘Ch. EVE’, owned by Mrs Backhouse, we find four kittens, but only one with a verifiable date of birth. These were ‘Boojum’, (a male), ‘Bandoola’, (a female), ‘Sin Jin’, (a female), and ‘The Bogie Man’ (a desexed male). The latter being born April 7, 1900.

‘BOOJUM’, was retained by Mrs Backhouse, and was the sire of ‘Boojum II’ out of ‘Ranee’ who

who was in turn was the sire of ‘Prince Vudighi’. (out of his litter sister ‘Bandoola’ ‘BANDOOLA’, also retained by Mrs Backhouse, and eventually mated to ‘Boojum II’ produced ‘Ch. Prince Vudighi’.

‘SIN JIN’, also retained by Mrs Backhouse, for whom we have no verifiable progeny.

‘THE BOGIE MAN’, who was desexed, and became the pet of Rev. P.L. Cosway.

‘AYAH’, whom we find separately in the ‘For Sale’ columns of ‘Our Cats’ dated July 9, 1904.

Her date of birth is given as August, 1901, and she is advertised as having had three litters numbering 17 kittens in all. She is offered with a litter of 5 kittens, (3 males and 2 females) sired by ‘King of Siam’ aged 8 weeks. The owner is Miss Surman of Chesham, Bucks.

‘Prince Vudighi’, and hence, ‘Boojum’, ‘Boojum II’ ‘Bandoola’, ‘Wankee’ and ‘Eve’ may all be found on the pedigrees of many of today’s Siamese.

From: ‘POLYPHEMA’, owned by Lady Vyvyan, we find four kittens, all verifiable and all born from the same litter, born February 8, 1901. These were ‘Tamagno’, (a male), ‘De Reske’, (a male), ‘Nada’, (a female), and ‘Van Dyke’, (a male).

‘TAMAGNO’, originally retained by Lady Vyvyan.

(No recorded progeny).

‘DE RESKE’, originally retained by Lady Vyvyan.

(No recorded progeny).

‘NADA’, originally retained by Lady Vyvyan. (No recorded progeny).

‘VAN DYKE’,(aka Van Dyck).originally retained

by Lady Vyvyan. (No recorded progeny).

In this case, the lack of any subsequent progeny appears unusual. Polyphema was a reliable brood queen,

‘Champion Eve’ owned by Mrs Backhouse.

Photo: ‘The Tatler, October 2, 1901.

Image: Archive of The Harrison Weir Collection

queen, and the dam of a number of famous cats, among them, ‘Eve’, ‘Ah Choo’ and Tiam O Shian IV’. ‘Suzanne’ and ‘Vishudda’.

From: ‘JUN’, owned by Mrs Parker Brough, we can find at least four verifiable kittens and one unverified. Three are registered as born Jan. 8, 1901, while the fourth appears to be from a repeat breeding, born April 18, 1901. The unidentified kitten may not be from ‘Jun’ but is listed here for continuity reasons. They were, ‘Cairo Cleopatra’, (a female), ‘Cairo Darling’, (a female), ‘Cairo Duro’, (a female) (all born Jan 8, 1901), followed by ‘Cairo Sphinx’, (a female) born April 18, 1901. The last is ‘Cairo Rameses’, (a male), whom we shall treat separately, and for whom no date of birth is available.

‘An advertisement offering Siamese Kittens for sale, sired by Champion Wankee, and an imported dam.

‘Our Cats’ 1903. Image © The Harrison Weir Collection

‘CAIRO CLEOPATRA’, was originally retained by Mrs. Parker Brough. (No recorded progeny).

‘CAIRO DARLING’, was sold to Mrs. Musson.

‘Darling’ was successfully bred to three different males, including two of the Tiam O’Shians, but from the resultant progeny, no secondary generation progeny, are recorded.

‘CAIRO DURO’, was originally retained by Mrs. Parker Brough. (No recorded progeny).

‘CAIRO SPHINX’, was originally retained by Mrs. Parker Brough. (No recorded progeny).

NOTE ON CAIRO RAMESES’, In the Siamese Register, (where he is listed as Ramesis), this cat is recorded as of unknown parentage, and as imported. He is significant, in that he is recorded in a number of registries, as being the sire of none other than ‘Kew King of Siam’, who was himself, a major participant in the expansion of the Siamese breed. In Volume 2 of the Register of the American Cat Assocation,⁵ ‘Kew King of Siam’ appears as the sire of a Siamese male, ‘Conrad’, bred in England

England by Miss A.M. Burton. In this listing, ‘Kew King’s parentage is by ‘Cairo Rameses’ and out of ‘Zimmie’. Similarly, in Volume 5, of the Studbook of The Cat Fanciers Association, a female that was imported from Lady Marcus Beresford, shows Kew King’s parentage is by ‘Cairo Rameses’ and out of ‘Zimmie.’

We have no reason to doubt the veracity of either Miss Burton’s or Lady Beresford’s pedigrees for their exports to the United States, both of which corroborate ‘Cairo Rameses’ as the sire of ‘Kew King of Siam’ and given the context that ‘Jun’ was the mother of all the other ‘Cairo’ Siamese of record, is there any reason to doubt that ‘Rameses’ should be any different?

At this juncture, although we may surmise that ‘Ch. Wankee’ could be the sire of ‘Cairo Rameses’ it is currently only conjecture, but it would make perfect sense. The writer does however have reason to believe that there is a perfectly reasonable explanation of how Ch. Kew King of Siam could still be recorded as an import, but still sired by a son of none other than ‘Ch. Wankee’.

From: ‘CORA’, owned by Mrs Armitage, we can find three kittens, of which only one is recorded an official register.

These were ‘Chaseley Mascotte’, (a female), ‘Chaseley Valentine’, (a male), and ‘Chaseley Robin’ (presumed male).

The first has a recorded date of birth of April 14, 1902.

‘CHASELEY MASCOTTE’ is found in the Siamese Register, compiled by Major Woodiwiss in (1924) and is the prize-winning kitten pictured in Frances Simpson’s ‘The Book of The Cat’, along with her dam.

‘CHASELEY VALENTINO’, although unrecorded, can be found in a 1903 edition of ‘Our Cats’ along with an excellent photo, which is notated “own brother to ‘Chaseley Mascotte’.”

‘CHASELEY ROBIN’, is only to be found in a note

by Frances Simpson, stating that this is one of ‘Ch.Wankee’s’ progeny to gain a Championship.

(Cats and All About Them: 1902). No verifiable progeny from any of the above three cats have yet been found.

From: ‘SMUTTIKINS’, owned by Mrs. L.E. Musson, two kittens, born on February 12, 1903. These were, ‘Mango’, (a male), and ‘Mangosteen’, (a female).

‘MANGO’, who was retained by Mrs. Musson.

(No recorded progeny).

‘MANGOSTEEN’, who was likewise retained by Mrs. Musson. (No recorded progeny).

‘Cora’, owned by Mrs Armitage.

Photo: ‘The Book of The Cat, (1903)

‘MENELIK’ and ‘SAM SLY’, (both males), mentioned by Frances Simpson, in ‘Cats and All About Them’ as noted progeny who had gained their championship.

‘LIDO’, (a male), of whom we have the following note from ‘The Book of the Cat’, written by Mrs Carew Cox, whom we suspect was his owner:

From: ‘BRISKA’, owned by Miss Kemmis Betty, one kitten, born on 22nd April, 1903. This was ‘Xerxes’ (a male), for whom there are no further records and no recorded progeny.

“Lido, a male bred by Mrs Chapman and sired by ‘Champion Wankee’, was descended from some of the best of his time; he was of the long-bodied, narrow-faced type, most graceful in his movements.”

Three other known remaining sons, none of which may be found in an official register are:

Unfortunately there is no further record of this lovely male, and no progeny recorded.

Left: ‘Chaseley Mascotte’ and Right: ‘Chaseley Valentine’.

Litter brother and sister - sired by ‘Ch. Wankee’ and out of ‘Cora”.

Photo: Chaseley Mascotte, ‘The Book of The Cat’ (1903), Photo: Chaseley Valentine ‘Our Cats’ (1903) Images © The Harrison Weir Collection.

IN SUMMARY When ‘Wankee’ died in his 8th year, in late June of 1903, his death was reported in the 4th July 1903 issue of ‘Our Cats’, as follows: “Mrs M. Robinson has sustained an irreplaceable loss in the death of Ch. Wankee, the Siamese stud cat, who has been for many years a most prominent figure in the cat fancy.

Mrs Robinson has a young son of Wankee’s coming on to fill his place, and meanwhile has at stud a very good Siamese from Devonshire.”

We can understand what a wrench the loss of ‘Ch. Wankee’ must have been. However, he was widely used and left progeny, far in excess of the few we have listed here!

In fact, his kittens reached back around the globe, to as far afield as Australia, as evidenced by a report in the 3rd October, 1903 issue of ‘Our Cats’ which gave a summary of a visit to the Melbourne cattery of Mrs McLennan, in Moonee Ponds, Victoria.

Although chiefly a breeder and importer of Persians, the cattery had recently been augmented by the importation of two pair of Siamese. These were sired by none other than ‘Ch. Wankee’ and ‘Tiam O-Shian’.

In short, this modest little feline, originally imported from Hong Kong, became the first official Champion of his variety in the world. He seriously augmented the breed in the United Kingdom, and his progeny, which ventured far and wide to many shores, brought with them, the appeal and the magic of the sapphire-blueeyed,

‘Champion Wankee’ Press Photo: from ‘The Tatler’, October 16, 1901 Image: Archives of The Harrison Weir Collection.

the appeal and the magic of the sapphire-blueeyed, pointed patterned, intelligent and devoted, almost dog-like feline which we today now know and respect, as the very unique ‘Siamese’ cat.

References: 15. ‘The Book of The Cat’ (1903) by Frances Simpson.

16. ‘Siamese Cat Register’ (1924) compiled by Major E. Sydney Woodiwiss. M.B.E. 17. ‘The Studbook and Register of the National Cat Club’ (NCC) Vols 1-5.

18. ‘ The Cat Club Register’ (CCR) Vols 1-4.

19. ‘Stud-Book of the American Cat Association’, Vol .2.

20. ‘Stud-Book and Register of the Cat Fanciers Association’, Vol.5.

1. ‘Cats and All About Them’ (1902) by Frances Simpson.

2. ‘Our Cats’ (1903).

3. ‘The Tatler’ 2nd October, 1901.

4. ‘The Tatler’ 16th October, 1901.

5. ‘Cats for Pleasure and Profit’ 1920, by F. Simpson.

6. ‘Black and White’ 25th January, 1902.

7. ‘Medals the collection of My and C. Eimer, London’ 8. ‘Our Cats’ (1889) by Harrison Weir.

9. ‘The Graphic’ 22nd July, 1871.

10. ‘Lloyds Weekly’ 16th July, 1871.

11. ‘The Pictorial World’ 16th October, 1875 12. ‘The Siamese Cat’ (1934) by Phyl Wade.

13. ‘Harmsworth Magazine’ (1898).

14. ‘The Illustrated London News’ Oct 24, 1896.

The classic pose of ‘Champion Wankee’ Photo by Landor, ‘The Book of The Cat’ 1903, by Frances Simpson.

A-CAT-EMY CONCEPTS is proud to present A NEW PUBLICATION FROM ‘THE ALCHEMY OF CAT BREEDS’ SERIES

‘A Persian Rhapsody in Blue’ – Volume 1, provides a rare look into the pre-history and establishment of the Blue Persian Cat, from the first recorded importations direct from the Khorasan province, into Europe in the 1620’s; to a detailed development in 19th and 20th century Britain. Includes many new images of Blue Persian cats, not published in well over 100 years. In depth coverage, of Foundation bloodlines and famous strains. A must-read for serious breeders, lovers and line-chasers of the Persian Cat. In A4 format, Pre-index, this book comprises of 546 pages of detailed information and rare images of key progenitors of the Persian cat, and their breeders.

Preview of the introductory pages is found at – http://bit.ly/3gOMM8b Contact John (nutrenz57@yahoo.com.au) for pre-order booking form.

No payment is due at this time; you will be contacted when the book is available for mailing.

A-CAT-EMY CONCEPTS is proud to present A NEW PUBLICATION FROM ‘THE ALCHEMY OF CAT BREEDS’ SERIES

‘The Descendants of Bastet’ gives a complete overview of the first century of the Abyssinian breed, from the first mention of the breed in the early 1870s through until circa 1970. Additionally, chapters on the later development of the colors red, blue, and fawn ar included – plus the longhair version of the breed is discussed in a chapter on the origins of the Somali.

The book is 8 1/2 x 11. Pre-index, it is 265 pages chock full of historical information for Abyssinian lovers! It includes a great deal of registration information, pedigrees, progeny reports and photos of cats important to the breed history.

Preview of the introductory pages here – http://bit.ly/3aBqFys Contact Karen (catfanrep@gmail.com) for pre-order form.

No payment is due at this time; you will be contacted when the book is available for mailing.

CFA GC, BWR, NW, INJOI OLYMPIA OF SHERA LEN

FACTFILE Pet name:

‘Olympia”

Breed & Colour:

Siamese, Blue Point

Date of Birth:

July 20, 2018

Sire:

GC. Tantara’s Snazzy Man of Injoi

Dam: GC. Injoi’s Pick Me Please

Breeder:

Beverly Frenzel

Owner:

Betsy Arnold

CFA Great Lakes Region, 2019-2020, 5th Best Cat CFA Regions 1 – 9, 2019-1020, Best of Breed, 16th Best Cat

In December of 2018, I flew to Chicago to pick up a new female, Olympia, from Beverly Frenzel. Bev and I had been put in touch by a mutual friend, Larry Adkison, and I was thrilled that Olympia would be mine.

I was also delighted when she fit into my multi-cat household immediately. Olympia was only shown once or twice as a kitten, and against her littermate brother, GC, NW Injoi Heaven Sent Must Be Kismet - they split the rings. Olympia granded in three shows during April of 2019, and the Sacred Cat of Burma show in August, 2019. She was quickly climbing in the Siamese rankings, and I began to realize she was indeed a competitor for the Breed Win. A special highlight of her show career, was winning Best Siamese in Championship, and Best of the Best Siamese at the National Siamese Cat Club show.

As summer turned into fall, Olympia was making almost every final and holding her own against all the nationally ranked cats. I had some hard decisions to make: - balancing showing Olympia, while working full time (including one Saturday per month), and travelling. One of those decisions, involved the CFA International Cat Show. I already had reservations for my time share in Florida, but I considered that it was more important that she competed at the International show, so that's where we went. Olympia did extremely well, finishing Best Siamese in Championship in the Purple Show, picking up lots of points.

After the show, I went to Florida for a shortened trip, coming back in time to go to the Hallmark Cat Club show the next weekend. Olympia held her place for most of the season as Best of Breed, being placed in the top 10 to 17 cats nationally, as I tried hard to get to the minimum of 4400 points that I figured I needed. That goal point number dropped to 4300 near the end of the season.

During the winter months, I was juggling with a trip to Thailand as well as ski trips and, working on a show weekend Saturday!) each month. I did "blow off" two of those Saturdays and the world didn't end.

Olympia was a good traveller ad she "tolerated" being shown but she never came to love it. She would only play for Judge Teresa Sweeney, and at the end of the season she also condescended to play for Diana Doernberg. She earned various comments from some of judges, on her lack of willing participation, which included Brian Pearson referring to her ironically as "this playful cat" and many saying that she was "just tired". But I do have photographic proof, of her sitting up tall and in front of the cage - when the judges weren't looking. Isn't that always the case!

Olympia is a well-balanced cat with no part overwhelming another. She has a lovely head, including eye shape, size, slant and color, correct ear set and cize, straight profile and a smooth wedge. She is incredibly long -- long neck, long body , long legs and long tail -- all in proportion. Her color is exquisite in her evenly matching points and clear body color. And, she's as sweet as can be. It was a fun year and I'm lucky to have her! I'd like to thank Olympia's breeder, Beverley Frenzel, for allowing me to have this wonderful girl. She's every bit as sweet as she is beautiful. Thanks also to Larry Adkison, for connecting Bev and I and helping make it all happen. What a strange year this has turned out to be! Who could have predicted that we'd be in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, - and the shows would come to an abrupt halt, and the Regional and National celebrations would be canceled? Of course, I was looking forward to celebrating with everyone in Spokane last June. It is, however, more important that everyone stay healthy so we can get back together when the time is right. I look forward to seeing you all again when shows resume.

By Betsy Arnold

CFA GC, BWR, NW, JASPURRCATS GIMME THREE STEPS

FACTFILE Pet name:

‘Stepper’

Breed & Colour:

Maine Coon Brown Tabby & White

Date of Birth:

March 23, 2018

Sire:

GCD BW NW AW Maine Lvrs Phoenix of Abizaq

Dam:

GC Aslanspaw Mariah Eve

Breeder:

Beth Feininger

Owners:

Beth Feininger M & N Auspitz

Awards & Titles CFA Southern Region 2018-2019 19th Best Kitten CFA Southern Region 2018-2019 11th Best Cat CFA Southern Region 2019-2020 Best Cat CFA Regions 1-9, 2019-2020 Best of Breed, 3rd Best Cat in Championship

NW – CFA Best Kitten Regions 1-9, 2015 CFA Champion – Finicky Felines, USA, 2016 CFA Grand Champion – Finicky Felines, 2016 BWR – Breed Winner CFA - Europe 2016 DM – Dam of 5 Grand Champions April 2019 Top Cat Challenge Highest Scoring Kitten

Littermates ‘Jaspurrcats Gimme Three Steps’ and ‘Jaspurrcats Walk This Way’ Photos: Opposite and Above, by Chanan

"Stepper" is a great grandson of "Panda" aka GC, BW, NW Tuvet's Matha's Pick of Abizaq, DM. CFA's only "Triple Crown" Maine Coon Winner. (National Wins as a Kitten, Champion, and Premier).

Stepper's parents are GCD, BW, NW Mainelvrs Phoenix of Abizaq, out of GC, McPride John Duke Wayne who is a son of "Panda", and GC Aslanspaw Mariah Eve of Jaspurrcats.

Stepper was a rambunctious kitten. He named himself when he would repeatedly escape the kitten room as soon as the door opened and run down the hall to explore the rest of the house. When the song by Lynyrd Skynyrd "Gimme Three Steps" came on the radio…. I knew that was the name for him.

His littermate was named Walker…. Jaspurrcats Walk This Way for his more laidback ambling along.

He is owned by Charlene and Mac Munro of Gunsmoke cattery.

‘Stepper’ with CFA Judge Merilee Griswold.

Stepper was shown lightly as a kitten. His second kitten show was at the International where he received a Best Kitten and numerous finals. He went to Nashville in December and was a One-Show Baby Grand. He was successful enough to receive RW's both as a Kitten and a Champion in limited showing that season.

With the encouragement of friends, and considering his success as a youngster, we decided to see if he could possibly achieve a National Win. Throughout the 2019-2020 season, he was a pleasure to show and travel with. Always a gentleman on the table and for the judges, he was also adored by the spectators that were in awe of his size and gentle nature.

Stepper also was quite the character. When traveling with Charlene Munro, he would knock the receiver off of the hotel phone when we were not looking, and dial random rooms. Once discovered, he would take off and turn around and look at us like "what?".

Never knew I could hang up a phone so fast!

Stepper was shown at the International that year. He received several Best Cats and made enough memories to last a lifetime. We made only a few short plane trips since he was almost too big to fit underneath the seat in front of me.

He handled them well, except for security…. After becoming comfortable all balled up in the Sturdi bag, having to come out to go thru security was a challenge. He was a little intimidated by all the airport commotion.

‘Stepper’ with CFA Judge Jo Ann Miksa-Blackwell.

Other passengers would wonder why there was a huge cat being literally poured out of a carry-on bag to go thru security. Once out, he was always the center of attention.

The 2019-2020 abbreviated season ended at Crab and Mallet in March. Traveling with Cyndi Lewis, we boarded our flight in Atlanta not realizing that the world would come to a screeching halt during our trip. Cyndi was showing Cinema's Donatella of Calcat, ultimately CFA's Best Cat in Premiership for the 2019-2020 season. Stepper and Donatella shared a hotel room and became fast friends for their first meeting.

The return trip to Atlanta was almost like flying a ghost flight. There were only 9 passengers plus our 2 cats who were able to have their own seats!

Stepper retired this season after completing his Grand Champion of Distinction (GCD) requirements in only two shows. He was highest scoring cat in Championship both at Cotton States and at Roanoke. He sleeps with me every night. He is already proving to continue a successful line of Maine Coons with his first-born kitten being Highest Scoring Kitten in Show at the Roanoke show, alongside Steppers' Highest Scoring Cat in Championship.

The first Virtual Museum of the Cat! – online now at: www.cat-o-pedia.org

‘WEIRLEIGH’ – near Brenchley, in Kent, the Country Home built by Harrison William Weir.

Architectural Rendering by Wadmore & Baker, Builders – Messrs Penn Brothers, of Pembury, Kent.

Published in Scientific America, April 9th, 1881. Article background ©www.gograph.com

Celebrities more than most, have to often live in the limelight, some by design and some preferring not be reminded of their celebrity status. In this day an age, many of our contemporaries would be lost without a daily fix or dose of celebrity news, which is presented to us either on television of via the internet, on our desktops, laptops, tablets and or cell-phones! We seem to have an insatiable appetite for seeing into the private lives of celebrities, be they sporting icons, television or movie stars, or members of a royal family from almost any part of the world.

Our magazine and tabloid stands are covered in their images, beckoning us to buy a little piece of inside knowledge about their personal lives and the latest major events in them, be they a recent nuptial, a birth, a break-up, a recent award, a public disagreement or recent taint of scandal, the press or news media of choice, does its best to whet this appetite!

And if we think that this is an exclusively 20th or 21st century insatiability, we would be very wrong! Certainly, the technologies of delivery are very different today, more immediate in their ability to gratify the end user, but the public appetite to peer into the goings-on inside the lives of celebrity figures has been very much alive since the very earliest years that printed media went mainstream.

Today, we would consider it usual for an artist to be considered a high-profile subject for media attention, in todays world someone like ‘Banksie’ would perhaps warrant a mention in most media outlets, but, believe it or not, in the mid to late 19th century, Harrison William Weir, who was recognised as one of the foremost English illustrators specialising in Animals, was most definitely held in celebrity status.

When he celebrated his 50th birthday on May 5th 1874, it was considered a noteworthy event. By then, he had already been a part of the media world of Fleet Street, for over 30 years, having started with the Illustrated London News when it began in 1842. Since then, he had drawn events in which animals, birds, poultry, dogs, horses, cats and horticulture were featured, illustrating along the way, a myriad of books; childrens books and naturalist publications heading the list; and been critically active in floriculture as a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society; as well as performing service as a judge, for cage-birds, poultry and cats.

His 50th birthday happened to fall a little short of 3 years since he had inaugurated the first organised Cat Shows, which had brought him no small amount of additional celebrity to boot! The truth was, that by this time, he had produced a swathe of work across a wide array of mediums, and his work alongside the R.S.P.C.A, to engender a broader knowledge

of our unified responsibility in the fair and equitable treatment of all animals, had also brought him a wealth of respect and acclaim.

But it was in the end, his innate and widely recognised ability to draw and paint animals in such a way as to imbue them with personality, and obvious feelings, that brought him to fame. By this time in his career he was well-known throughout Britain, on the European continent and across the ‘Herring pond’ in the United States, where semi-regular images for produced for the major local daily or weekly English newspapers were also regularly being reproduced in their sister papers, published on both the east and west coasts of the North American continent.

He had decided to celebrate his birthday on his country property, in the grounds of his gardens at Weirleigh.. and there, he would invite local school-age children to compete for prizes. He likewise invited some special guests to dine with himself and his family in his home, after the event. A reporter and artist from ‘The Pictorial World’, for whom he had regularly supplied animal drawings for some years, were also on hand to record the event with the intent of creating an illustrated article which was duly published in their paper on May 23rd, from which we now quote:

THE ARTISTS BIRTHDAY “There is often such a natural desire on the part of readers to know something of the ‘inner life’ of authors – such a frequent curiosity to hear about how artists look when they are at home, and what kind of amusements they adopt in their leisure hours – that is particularly gratifying to us to be able for once in a way, not only to record, but to record pictorially, an incident which has just signalized the celebration of the birthday of one of the artists of the PICTORIAL WORLD and of two or three other worlds also.

For Mr. Harrison Weir is welcomed in the realm of children – is intimately associated with most that is pleasant in the animal kingdom, and is supposed to understand the language of birds. It is difficult indeed to pronounce whether he has been more eminent in the study of nature or in the pursuit of art; but the difficulty vanishes when we remember that both mean much the same thing. To children all over England, and in many other places besides, Mr. Weir has illustrated, in a thousand delightful ways, the beauties of the living world around them; and it was among the children that his fiftieth birthday was appropriately kept a few days ago.

To begin with: Out of a feeling of gratitude at finding himself hale and hearty, famous and prosperous, he determined to give a little fete. This came off at Weirleigh, his country retreat, down at Paddock Wood, and was of a novel and most gratifying character. A number of friends dined with Mr. Weir at his house, and these, on adjourning to a meadow connected with the garden, found a crowd of villagers from all parts assembled there, eager with expectation for what might happen. They had assembled in consequence of an announcement circulated through the adjacent villages that Mr. Weir was prepared to give prizes for a show of flowers in two kinds – first to those competing in Kentish garlands, quite a specialty of the neighbourhood; Secondly, to exhibitors of nosegays, not bouquets, but rather bunches of flowers arranged in the manner to which our ancestors gave the name of ‘bowpots’. sec

‘WEIRLEIGH’ – near Brenchley, in Kent, the Country Home built by Harrison William Weir.

As it looks today, sans spire, removed during WW2. Photo by Jeannine Parfitt, April 2017.

‘WEIRLEIGH’ – closer to the side where the gardens once stood, adjacent to a meadow nearer to Paddocks Wood. Photo by Jon Parfitt, April 2017.

It was a pretty sight, The weather was fine, the evening delightful, and there was a gathering of a couple of hundred children, and with faces radiant with hopeful expectation.

Those with the garlands formed one circle – those with the nosegays a second. The garland is almost unknown to modern London, though it used to be a special feature of May-day, when it was carried round from door to door, even as in Kent to this time. Some of those shown displayed great taste and ingenuity, one ring of flowers swinging within another in some cases, while in others were inscriptions in daisies on moss, such as ‘Many happy returns of the day,’ ‘May you be happy,’ and so forth; yet a third class had a doll sitting in state in the centre, or were made in traditional forms, representative of the remaining influence of ancient observances. The garlands and nosegays were alike numerous and tasteful.

The judges were Mr. Weir himself, Mr. Tom Archer, Mr. Geo. Gurney (Dulwich), Mr. William Sawyer, Mr. John Knight, Mr. Cole and other friends, who performed their duties according to strict professional rules, and with a gravity of demeanour befitting so serious an occasion.

The prizes were - for garlands, 1st prize, 10s; 2nd prize, 7s 6d; 3rd prize, 5s. For nosegays the highest was 7s 6d; but while these were the main sums, there was a wide distribution of bright new coin and picture books, so that none of the rustics present went off without a souvenir of the day.

The prizes were awarded by Mrs. Cole (nee Weir). Afterwards Mr. Weir addressed the assemblage, dwelling on his belief in the influence of a love for flowers on the character and the home, and expanding a hope that this meeting might be a first step towards what he had so long desired to see organised – annual flower shows for that district.

The awarding of the prizes. Standing behind the table, Mr. Harrison Weir, seated at his left, his eldest daughter Mrs. Cole, seated in front of him, his wife, Mrs. Ann Weir (nee Herring).

Image from ‘The Pictorial World’, May 23rd, 1874.

Mr. Tom Archer followed with an address to the children, on the nature of the gathering, and Mr. Weir’s desires with it. A display of fireworks, kindly furnished by Mr. Brock of the Crystal Palace, concluded in fitting manner, a most delightful day.

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISON WEIR COLLECTION

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COMING IN A FUTURE ISSUE… HISTORIC CATS

GENETICS THE SLIPPERY SLOPE OF MANAGING

CHAMPION AYRSHIRE RONALD (Blue Persian) CHAMPION XENOPHON (Brown Tabby English SH) MODERN CATS GC, DW, LANNA SKY SELFIE (Scottish Fold LH) GC, NW, KITTIES LAND MAIN EVENT (British SH) PURRSONALTIES HRH PRINCESS VICTORIA OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN

GENETIC ATTRIBUTES IN CAT BREEDS EVENTS THE CRYSTAL PALACE SHOWS – 1871 THE CRYSTAL PALACE TANKARD SPECIAL ARTICLES THE CFA FOUNDATION – OUR FELINE HISTORY THE CHINESE LOP

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