Famous Siamese Cats, 1945

The March, 1945 edition of Cats Magazine included a list of famous Siamese cats that they recommended be in a pedigree.

You can read the article here: http://cat-o-pedia.org/docs/1945Mar_CatsMagazine_Siamese.pdf

Scottish Cat Club Medal, 1895

The Scottish Cat Club, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, was started in 1894. The club remains active to this day, affiliated with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). This silver medal was awarded at what may have been their first show in May, 1895. The winner of the medal was a cat of unknown breed, named 'Tim Jim' with the owner most likely 'Miss Mary'. No information for this cat has been found in any registration data, pedigree database or stud book.

Research (thank you, Amanda Bright) has found a report in the Edinburgh Evening News, May 29, 1895 that lists the placements awarded at the Edinburgh Kennel Club Show which was held at the Waverly Market and included dogs, cats, rabbits, and cavies. One cat winner in the "Males, short-haired, other than foreign" category is owned by Miss Mary Hunter of Corstophine (an area within Edinburgh). There is a distinct possibility that this may be the winner of this medal.

Mr. Samuel Woodiwiss, SEDGEMERE Cattery

SAMUEL WOODIWISS (1867-1952)

“This gentleman (who may be just styled one of the Kings of the Dog World), is possessed of the pride of the fancy …”

Samuel (Sam) was born in Derby in September of 1867. As a young adult, he lived at Sedgemere House between 1888 and 1900, and was known to own and show cats such as Sedgemere Peaty and Sedgemere Bottle, both early Abyssinians, and Xenophon, a brown tabby English Shorthair. 

Along with being a breeder, exhibitor and judge, Sam Woodiwiss was also involved in clubs and committees that organized the cat fancy, as well as the fancy for dogs, mice, etc. 

For the complete story on Mr. Woodiwiss, please visit:
http://cat-o-pedia.org/docs/SamWoodiwiss.pdf

Valley of the Moon Trophy, 1920s era

Not much is known about this 3-handled trophy, recently donated to the CFA Foundation. The pewter and copper trophy is engraved "VALLEY OF THE MOON TROPHY", which may well mean that the trophy was donated by Valley of the Moon Cattery. Trophies donated by individuals and catteries was a fairly common occurrence at shows held in the early 20th century.

Linechaser records show 30+ Persians registered in the early-mid 1920's with the Valley of the Moon cattery name, which enables us to approximately date the trophy.

Registration records found in Volume XIII of the Studbook of the American Cat Association show Mrs. M.G. Simmons of Sonoma, CA to be the breeder of cats with the "Valley of the Moon" cattery prefix. 

Volume X of The Studbook and Register of the Cat Fanciers' Association lists several cats with the "Valley of the Moon" prefix; all listed with Mrs. Simmons as the owner, but not the breeder. One listing has Mrs. Lina Mooney as the breeder, and another has the breeder as Mrs. Fred Rippel. Note that it was not uncommon to add your cattery prefix, in this case "Valley of the Moon", to the name of cats when ownership was transferred.

The 5" high trophy is also engraved "Best Cream or Fawn Female. 4 Wins to Hold". As the majority of Valley of the Moon Persians were registered with the American Cat Association(ACA), this is most likely a trophy awarded at ACA shows.

For the Love of Cats

This is one of the exquisite photos that is published on a series of rack cards for The History Project.  It shows an obvious love of cats!

LORD ROBERTS, shaded silver Persian, b 1917

These photos are of LORD ROBERTS, a shaded silver Persian male born May 31, 1917.  His sire was Kampeska Tango, a shaded silver, born Apr 23 1914, and his dam was Lady Cotama, described in CFA's Studbook, Volume VI, as a smoke gray Persian. 

Photos courtesy of The CFA Foundation. 

Silver Medal, won by CH Buffola, 1924

This silver medal, awarded to CH Buffola of Silverleigh at the 1924 Crystal Palace Show in London, England. It was donated to the Feline Historical Museum in 2009 by former CFA President Richard H. Gebhardt. The medal comes in its original box from RB Bennett, Oxford. It was accompanied by a handwritten note from Mr. Gebhardt that reads,

"Silver Medal, 1924. Awarded at the Crystal Palace for the National Cat Show. Won by Blanche Bracey, Silverleigh Cattery, Silver tabbies LH & SH, Chinchilla & Blue Chinchilla. Given to Richard Gebhardt on a personal visit to Blanche Bracey. Medal in its original box, RB Bennett, Oxford, England². "