Early Exotic Shorthairs?

It's documented history that experimental breedings during the early 1950's were the beginnings of the Exotic Shorthair breed. This interesting tidbit from a 1926 British publication, CAT GOSSIP, mentions a class for "Short-hair Persians" at a cat show in Lille, France.

Legends of the Cat Fancy - Royal Patronage

ROYAL AND ARISTOCRATIC PATRONAGE

The Cat Fancy profited much from aristocratic patronage virtually from the beginning, with socialites like Lady Dorothy Nevill, Lady Mildred Beresford-Hope, Lady Cust and the Duchess of Sutherland all lending support. But by the late 1890’s members of the Royal Family were also adding their social weight behind the Fancy, none more-so than Queen Victoria’s grand-daughter HRH Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, who became Patron of the National Cat Club.

 

The young Princess was supported in her hobby by both her parents, each of whom also owned a Persian cat. This one, is a fine specimen of a Red Tabby & White, named ‘Ladybird’, who was the personal favourite and pet cat of the Princess’s father, Prince Christian. 

The family occupied Cumberland Lodge, a royal residence situated at the southern end of Great Windsor Park, for which Prince Christian held the honorary position of Ranger, from 1861 to his death in 1917.  This position had previously been held by Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, and is today held by Prince Philip, current Prince Consort. Princess Victoria built a fine cattery at Cumberland Lodge, and from there also exported some fine pedigreed Persian cats.

The Los Angeles Cat Fanciers Show Catalog, 1917

Historical cat show catalogs still turn up ... occasionally.

This is a 5" x 7" catalog for the January 24-25-26, 1917 show held by the Los Angeles Cat Fanciers, an American Cat Association (ACA) club. The show had 120 entries, the majority of which were Longhairs(Persian). Shorthairs were a single Siamese and four Manx.

This catalog is part of the generous donation to the Feline Historical Museum by The Glendale Public Library.

Featured Cat - The Blue-eyed Wanderer

THE BLUE-EYED WANDERER
White Persian Male
Born 1899

In the first decade of the twentieth century, four white males dominated the breeding scene in White Persians in England. Three of these especially so, as show cats. These were Mrs. Champion's 'WHITE FRIAR', Miss White Atkins 'THE WHITE KNIGHT' and Miss Ellen Harper's 'THE BLUE-EYED WANDERER'. The fourth male was Mrs. Pettits 'KING OF THE PEARLS', whose daughter 'PIQUANTE PEARL' dominated among White females.

 

Miss Harper's celebrated white, 'The Blue-Eyed Wanderer'
Photo: Strand Co., Our Cats, 20th April, 1901.
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

The complete story of 'THE BLUE-EYED WANDERER', born in 1899 and owned by Miss Ellen Harper can be found at http://www.cat-o-pedia.org/the-blue-eyed-wanderer.html

Edward Landseer, artist

Here's an 1812 illustration of a Persian head and tail, by Sir Edward Landseer, which was sketched when he was 10 years old. Landseer was considered a child prodigy, and he started drawing animals at the tender age of five.

From the December 1957 issue of Our Cats magazine (UK)

Richard H. Gebhardt

RICHARD H. GEBHARDT
(1931-2018)

Richard Gebhardt had a long and distinguished career with The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. (CFA).  He acquired his first cat at the age of 14, and by the age of 22 was elected President of the Garden State Cat Club of New Jersey, serving in that capacity from 1953 to 1967.

Learning from his mentors, his achievements in the show ring were many, including CFA's 1959 Best Cat (GC Vel-Vene VooDoo of Silva-Wyte, a black Persian male); an achievement he repeated in 1969 (GC Silva-Wyte Trafari of J.B, another black Persian male).

A prolific writer, Dick's articles and books shared his view of the cat fancy and the various breeds with breeders and exhibitors worldwide. His wonderful drawings of the Persian and the Siamese set the "ideal" standard for years to come.

As a CFA Judge (1953-2008), Dick firmly believed that the judging ring should be entertainment, not some clinical procedure. Following along with that line of thought, he became known for his stylish and colorful sports jackets when judging, and was the epitome of a "handler" in the judging ring.

As President of CFA (1968-1980), Dick contributed immensely to the cat fancy; his vision for the association was light years ahead of other people. 

You can read more about Dick's life and achievements here ... http://www.cat-o-pedia.org/people-RichardGebhardt.html