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

Delight, a Himalayan kitten

This photo is from the April 5, 1967 edition of the Monroe Evening News, Monroe, Michigan.

Artifact - Don Pedro of Thorpe Trophy

Little is known about the Don Pedro of Thorpe Trophy, other than the information that is engraved on it. This 6-1/4" tall silver chalice was awarded in 1904. From the engraving on it, it would appear that CH Don Pedro of Thorpe was the winner of the trophy.

Engraved on the back:

      C.S. & S.S. CH Don Pedro of Thorpe trophy

Engraved on front (shown below):

     Sheffield Cat Show, Nov. 17th, 1904, presented by Mrs. E.T. Moore

More is known about Don Pedro of Thorpe, an exciting Silver Tabby Longhair (Persian) in his time. He was born on April 7, 1901, bred by Miss Cope and owned by Mrs. Slingsby. He was registered with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF, in England) and his registration record indicates that he was also registered with The National Cat Club, and was indeed an entry (winning his Championship) at the 1904 Sheffield Cat Show. 

Mrs. Slingsby's CH. Don Pedro of Thorpe
From Frances Simpson's book Cats for Pleasure and Profit, 1909

This silver chalice is on display at the Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio. 

Trade Cards

During the latter part of the Victorian era (1839-1901) the cat, illustrated in various designs and activities, could be found in magazine and newspaper ads as early as 1874.

Prior to the introduction of reasonably priced magazine advertising came the trade card. Trade cards, small cards containing vendor information and sometimes a black/white illustration, were introduced during the 1700's and given to customers by tradesmen as a way for customers to remember where they obtained a product or service. In 1853, a duty on advertisement in Britain was abolished, and the trend toward mass advertising started to grow by leaps and bounds. 

The History Project's People Gallery

The Cat Fancy is not exclusively about the cats, even though they are the main focus. A great many talented individuals have sustained and contributed to the Fancy as breeders, owners, judges and officials for over 140 years.

In line with our efforts on behalf of the cats, it gives Karen and John great pleasure to announce the new beginnings of our People Gallery page. On this page you will find an initial alphabetical list with photos, by last name, of over 290 individuals, that over time we will be creating and linking data pages for. Karen has been extremely busy creating this gallery for you to peruse. Over time, both she and I will scour our joint-venture archives for material to add to the new pages for these individuals and announce them when they are ready to be first viewed. 

Show officials and exhibitors at the 1913 Westminster Cat Club show (UK).

No file on The History Project will be ever considered complete, as we will be adding new material as and when it becomes available, as well as new names and photos to this initial list.

The PEOPLE Gallery can be found here: http://cat-o-pedia.org/people.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)

Featured Cat - Poupee de Madalpour

POUPEE DE MADALPOUR
Seal Point Birman
born 1920

POUPEE de MADALPOUR (born 1920) was owned by Madame Leotardi of France. 

This file explores the history of the first Birman of pure descent to be born in the West, Champion Poupee de Madalpour. Read about her birth, her first and subsequent breedings and progeny, as well as when she was exhibited at an International Cat Show in Paris in 1926. 

Her story is now available at http://cat-o-pedia.org/poupee-de-madalpour.html