Empire Cat Club, 1913

The Empire Cat Club is the oldest of CFA's member clubs, having been formed in 1913. Their first cat shows were held in conjunction with the Empire Poultry Association shows in New York City.

Learn all about the activities of the Empire Cat Club here. 

Calico Cats

Calico cats are special - no-one will ever tell you anything different.  Regardless of coat length, the combination of white, black and red colors on the calico are indeed beautiful. And, of course, Mother Nature makes sure that the calico pattern is different on every calico cat!

Read this January, 1979  Cats Magazine article on Calico Cats

First Birman Cats in the United States

The first Birman cats imported into the USA were featured in the July 1962 issue of Cats Magazine?

Read the complete Cats Magazine article here -
http://cat-o-pedia.org/docs/1962July_CatsMagazine_Birman.pdf

1926 National Cat Show, London, England

Interested in watching a British Pathe film clip from the 1926 National Cat Show at the Crystal Palace, in London, England?  Just follow this link -
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https://www.youtube.com/embed/CUy78gYWung

Beresford Cat Club, Chicago, IL

The Beresford Cat Club of America, Inc. was organized in Chicago, Illinois, in 1899. The folowing year, the club held its first cat show in January, 1900, reportedly awarding 176 prizes. According to Cats Magazine, "The Beresford Cat Club is the original organization upon which the Cat Fancy in America is built." The club survived despite political coups and insurrections, and in 1906 it formed the basic structure that eventually became the American Cat Association (ACA).

Beresford was not the first organized club in North America, but it certainly was the fastest growing and became the most powerful.

Learn more about the Beresford Cat Club here. 

Portland, OR early cat shows

According to The Sunday Oregonian, the first show ever held in Portland, Oregon was by the newly formed Oregon Cat Club. The show, on January 19th, 20th and 21st, 1911 was "pronounced a success in every way and being visited by throngs of people each day"¹.

The pictured trophy was won by Sir Ko Ko at this show, for Best Long-haired Blue Male Cat in Show. The cup was sponsored by well-known Portland retail and wholesale jewellers, G. Heitkemper Co, incorporated by Gerhard Heitkemper, Frank A. Heitkemper and Edward Cookingham, in 1896. 

Read more about shows in the Portland, Oregon area.

Mr. Fred Gresham, judge

Mr. Fred Gresham was one of the early judges at cat shows held in the United Kingdom. He was also a committee member of the National Cat Club from 1896-1899.

See photos of Mr. Gresham judging on The History Project.

Silver Jessamine, silver Persian, born 1897

In truth, we know very little about the silver female named 'Silver Jessamine', popularised by name as just 'Jessamine'. Although her litter sister, 'The Silver Lily', is arguably the most renown of all of the progeny from 'Dossie' and 'The Silver Lambkin', 'Jessamine' more than held her own in the popularity stakes with the general public, her portrait appearing on postcards for many years, in varying formats.

Read what we do know about Silver Jessamine on The History Project. 

Skellingthorpe Patrick, blue Persian male, born 1898

Between late 1898 and 1902, 'Skellingthorpe Patrick' set a benchmark for Blue Persians, for size, head style and paleness of coat. His stud advertisement from the period calls to our attention these assets, which are summarily describes him as an "exquisitely light blue Persian" and then adds, "Magnificent head and face. Capital Limbs. Splendid Colour and Coat."

For the full story on Skellingthorpe Patrick, please read  http://cat-o-pedia.org/skellingthorpe-patrick.html