REPORTS FROM EARLY BRITISH CAT SHOWS 1902

1902 MANCHESTER CAT SHOW

LOCAL PRIZE WINNER AT MANCHESTER CAT SHOW Falkirk Herald, 15th January 1902
Local Prize-Winner at Manchester Cat Show.—At Manchester Open Cat Show last week. Mr F. C. Bentley, Dunmore Village, won second prize with a dark smoke Persian cat. It is described as being of particularly good shape and head, and scoring heavily also in coat and frill. On five occasions recently the same cat has been shown, and it has always been amongst the winners.

GRAND CAT SHOW. Sporting Life, 14th January 1902
St Stephen’s Hall, Royal Aquarium, to-day and to-morrow, grand cat show – white cats, orange cats, silver cats, blue cats, black cats, brown cats. Presidents: Lily Duchess of Marlborough, Edith Duchess of Wellington, Lord Marcus Beresford.

CAT SHOW LONDON. Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 16th January 1902
Society was well represented at the Cat Club's annual show opened yesterday at St Stephen’s Hall, Westminster. The entries numbered nearly 500 of the pets. The proportion of silvers and blues was large. The winners of challenge cups were:- Mrs Gregory (three), Miss Hyde (two), Mr. Dewar (two), Mrs. Toothill, Mrs Simon, Mr Collins, Mrs. Sinkins, Mrs Vidal, Mrs Leake, Miss Mildred Beal, and Miss W. Beal (two). In the long-haired classes Lady Marcus Beresford, a well-known exhibitor, took a large share of honours for various colours, as did also Miss Winifred Beal, who exhibited blues, creams, oranges, and tortoise shells. Other prize winner in the same section were: Miss Harper (white), Mrs. Lenty Collins, and Mrs. Fellows (black), Mrs H.M. Gregory (blue), Mrs. Sinkins, Mrs. Harold V. James (smokes), Mr J.F. Dewar (silver), Miss Lister, Miss A. Dell (shaded silver), Mrs. G.W. Vidal (orange), Miss Shapcott. Miss S. A. Leake, Mrs F. Toothill, Mrs. D'Arcy Hildyard (tabbies), Lady Williams was reserve in one class, and Lady Goch shows some fine specimens. In the short-hair section Mrs. Simon, Miss Derby Hyde. Mrs. G Pilkin, Mr. G. Bolton, Mrs. A. Crowthor, Mrs Wye, Mr Harold Blackett, Mrs Collingwood, and Miss Petitt were very successful, and Miss Matthews won a prize in the actresses' class. The proceeds of the exhibition this year go to the club funds, and not to philanthropic objects as other years. [I have no idea what the actress class is!]

LADY MARCUS AND HER KITCHENMAID'S CAT. Yorkshire Evening Post, 16th January 1902
Heard at the Cat Show in London yesterday:- “Have you seen an orange cat called “Pickles?' asked Lady Marcus of a Press representative – “ I am so delighted to see that it has taken a prize, as it belongs to my kitchenmaid, who entered it herself." "Pickles” has been awarded a first prize and two silver medals.

THE CAT CLUB'S SHOW. Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 16th January 1902
Despite the opposition of older and rival institutions devoted to the welfare our feline pets, the fourth championship show, held under the auspices of the Cat Club, was opened at St. Stephen's Hall, Royal Aquarium, London, yesterday, with every prospect of success. Four hundred and fifty-seven specimens had been entered, and they were comfortably housed for the occasion in a series of sanitary cages. Last year there were thirty-seven specimens more view, but it was stated that the “quality" of the present show could hardly be surpassed. There wore all kinds and classes cats and kittens-long-haired and short-haired, tortoiseshell, "shaded silver," orange, cream, blue, white, black, chocolate, Manx, and tabbies all kinds. Apparently the interest shown in cat competitions is confined to the fair sex, and St. Stephen's Hall was visited yesterday by very few male patrons, whereas there were many ladies, some whom kept watch over their domestic pets.

CAT CLUB SHOW Yorkshire Evening Post, 16th January 1902
At the Cat Club Show, in London, yesterday, Mrs F. Toothill, Horsforth, Leeds, was placed first for silver female tabby, and won the challenge cup for best female, the breeders’ cup and silver medal for best tabby. Mr T. Jackson, Pickering, won a second for black short-haired male.

THE CAT CLUB SHOW. NORTH COUNTRY PRIZE WINNERS Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 16th January 1902
The annual show of the Cat Club was opened on Wednesday in St. Stephen’s Hall, Westminster. There was a large and fashionable attendance in the evening. The exhibits number 460, about the same as last year, comprising most of the premier cats in the United Kingdom. Lady Marcus Beresford, president of the committee, was a great exhibitor in the long-haired section, and won many prizes. . . North country exhibitors were very successful. Miss Winifred Beal, Romaldkirk Rectory, Darlington, shows a splendid collection, her hours including first for blue female, challenge cup for the best long-haired, and two other specials, first for orange female and bronze medal, first for cream male and breeders’ cup. Miss Mildred Beal won first for best of the variety, the breeders’ cup, and other specials. Messrs Knight and Teesdale, Hexham, took second for tortoiseshell.

SCOTTISH WINNERS AT LONDON CAT CLUB SHOW.Edinburgh Evening News, 16th January 1902
The annual two-days’ show of the London Cat Club was opened yesterday in St Stephen's Hall, Westminster. The number of exhibits was 457. Among Scottish exhibitors Mr J. M. Coglan, Edinburgh, secured the chief award for a long-haired, silver kitten, not quite seven months old. Mr J. F. Dewar, Edinburgh, was to the front again with his famous silver long-haired Tom. "Father O'Flynn," which took first prize and challenge cup for the best male of the species, the silver-and-smoke Persian Cat Society's challenge cup, the society's silver medal, and other special prizes. He was also awarded the chief prize for black kitten, nearly seven months old, a silver medal for best black kitten, and other specials in the short-haired division. Mr Dewar obtained a second for a blue male. Mrs Kitto, Musselburgh, was awarded third prize for a female long-haired tortoiseshell.

CATS AT WESTMINSTER. London Daily News, 16th January 1902
For the fourth time the Cat Club are holding a show in St. Stephen’s Hall, Royal Aquarium. The gas was kept burning all night, for warmth, and the show secretary, Mr. Arthur E. Sparrow, was careful to see that each cat had a sufficiency of raw beef and either water or milk. Father O’Flynn II., who yesterday fell asleep before dinner, takes the challenge cup that Lady Marcus Beresford presents for the best long-haired self silver male. Mrs. A. M- Gregory’s Skellingthorpe Patrick takes the challenge cup presented by Lord Marcus Beresford for the best long-haired blue male. A very gentle creature he looks, especially in association with the Regent Kingfisher, who, visitors are warned by a conspicuous placard, is ’'dangerous.’’ Among Royal Siamese males, Mrs. Simon's Regent Wei Wei III., a philosophic-looking little animal with white whiskers, took high awards, as did Miss Derby Hyde's Thames Valley Missis among Royal Siamese females. It chanced that Mrs. Neild's Minthamee did not arrive in time for exhibition yesterday, but her cage contained an inhabitant that many visitors did not doubt was Minthamee. But they were astonished and exclaimed, “What a curious cat - she looks just like a monkey!” And, seeing that were gazing at a little lemur, this was not to be wondered at. One of the cup winners greatly admired yesterday was Mrs. Leuty Collins's Forest Beauty, from out of whose rich fur there peeped a morsel of scarlet ribbon, for all the world as though he had just been vaccinated. The show is interesting and far from noisy. All the cats put together make less sound than the man who hawks "Catalogues! Catalogues! -with a wholly unnecessary emphasis on the first syllable.

[WESTMINSTER SHOW] Coventry Evening Telegraph, 16th January 1902
The Cat Club opened their fourth championship show at St Stephen’s Hall, Westminster. Lady Marcus Beresford obtained first and second prizes for her two beautiful cats, “Windsor Dimity” “Windsor Daisy,” which are entered under the class “Silver,” which is a new name for “Chinchillas.”

THE CAT CLUB SHOW London Evening Standard, 16th January 1902
The fourth annual Championship Show of the Cat Club was opened yesterday in St. Stephen's Hall, the Royal Aquarium, Westminster. The total number of entries was 503, and of cats benched 457, the difference being accounted for by some of the animals being entered in more than one class. From every point of view the Show was excellent, the entries comparing favourably with those of previous years, and the cats shown being good examples of the respective classes, of which there were 65. The following is a list of first prizes in the principal classes:-
White males. Miss E. Harper's Blue-eyed Wanderer.
Black males, Mrs. Leuty Collins’s Forest Beauty (and challenge cup).
Black females, Mrs. Fellowes's Black Maria.
Blue males, of any shade, without markings, Mrs. A. M. Gregory's Skellingthorpe Patrick (also challenge cup and special), a very fine animal, with splendid coat and frill.
Blue females, Miss Winifred Beal's Romaldkirk Vic (and challenge cup).
Smoke males, with light undercoat, light frill and ear tufts, Mrs. Sinkins’ Teufel, finely coloured, with dark face (and challenge cup).
Smoke females, Mrs. H. V. James’s Backwell Juno (and challenge cup).
Silver males (pale and unmarked, formerly called chinchillas), Mr. F. Dewar’s Father O’Flynn II.
Silver females. Lady Marcus Beresford’s Windsor Dimity, an exceedingly pretty cat.
Shaded silver males, Miss Lister's Tristram.
Shaded silver females, Miss A. Dell’s Miladi Silverkins.
Orange males, without markings, no white, Mrs. G. W. Vidal’s Torrington Sunnysides, a magnificent cat (also challenge cup, silver medal, and breeders' medal).
Orange females, Miss Winifred Beal's Romaldkirk Garnet (and bronze medal).
Cream males, without white. Miss W. Beal’s Ch. Romaldkirk Admiral (and breeders’ cup).
Cream females. Miss W. Beal’s Romaldkirk Calliope.
Tortoiseshells, male or female. Miss Mildred Beal’s Pansy (also challenge cup and breeders’ cup).
Tortoise and white, male or female. Miss A. G. E. Shapcott’s My Queene of Thanet.
Silver tabby, male. Miss K. A. Leake's Marquess of Dingley.
Silver tabby, female. Lady Pink's Seabreeze.
Brown tabby, male, Mrs. P. Tootill s Horsforth Hercules.
Brown tabby, female. Mrs.D'Arcy-Hildyard’s Susan of the Durhams.
Self-colour, neuters. Master Tom Stevens’ Joseph, a very fine blue.
Neuters, any colour. Miss R. Whitney’s Persimmon Laddie, a very fine brown tabby.
The most important classes in short haired cats were the Siamese Royals. Mrs. Simon took first and special for males with her Regent Wei Wei III., and Miss Derby Hyde, for females, with Thames Valley Missis.
The Show will remain open till this evening.

LONDON CAT SHOW. Nottingham Evening Post, 17th January 1902
Yesterday the fourth annual Cat Show under the Cat Club exhibition rules, concluded at the Royal Aquarium, London. Late in the afternoon the awards were made known. There were no fewer than 242 prizes, some of which are of a very valuable nature. Among the prize- winners were Mrs. F. Toothill, Dearn Head, Leeds, whose Hercules carried off several prizes, including two challenge cups: Mrs. G. P. Drake, Scawby, Lincoln: Mrs. P.M. Fawsett, Boston: and Mrs. A. M. Gregory, Skellingthorpe Vicarage, Lincoln, who with Skellingthorpe Patrick secured several challenge cups and other awards; and Mr. R. Bradford.

SOME PRIZE CATS. Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 19th January 1902
The fourth annual Championship Show of the Cat club was opened on Wednesday in St. Stephen's hall, at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster. The following is a list of first prizes in the principal Classes:- [oly those with additional information included here]
White males, Miss E. Harper's Blue-eyed Wanderer, a beautiful creature with, however, breeder and pedigree unknown. The prizes previously won by it are four firsts and two seconds.
Siamese Royals. Mrs. Simon took first and special for males with her Regent Wei Wei III., and Miss Derby Hyde, for females, with Thames Valley Missis, No. 346, a very perfect cat, bred in 1898 by Diamond.
In long-haired oats the first and special prizes were taken by Torrington Sunnysides, No. 149, the property of Mrs. G. W. Vidal.
In the class for short-haired kittens, four to eight months old, Miss Stella Batley carried off the first and special with her tabby, Kyle Rex, born in May, 1901.
Horsforth Hercules, No. 199, the property of Mrs. F. Toothill, obtained the first and special prizes as the best male brown tabby. As shown in our sketch the animal was quickly sold, having been priced at five guineas.

THE CAT CLUB SHOW - The Sportsman, 20th January 1902
This show, which was the fourth annual championship given by the Cat Club, closed on Saturday at St. George's Hall, Westminster. The principal honours fell to Miss Harper’s Blue-eyed Wanderer, who was first of the white class. Mrs Leuty Collins’s Forest Beauty, the champion of the Crystal Palace last Cat Show, headed the long-haired blacks, and took the silver challenge cup, besides four other prizes. Lady Gooch was another winner, and Lady Marcus Beresford, who exhibited no less than twenty-seven specimens, won several prizes - one with her Winter Dimity. Miss Frances Simpson’s well-known Brown Tabby was put down to a second under Toothill’s Horsforth Hercules, while Miss Winifred Beal's champion, Romaldkirk Admiral, was the king the cream class.

[ WESTMINSTER CAT SHOW ] Birmingham Mail, 20th January 1902
The Westminster Cat Show, the chief field day of the Cat Club, at the Aquarium. London, last week, brought together nearly 500 cats, of all kinds from all parts of the kingdom. Among the Birmingham exhibitors, Mr. Witt, of Lovells, was first with a very fine silver; Mr. Furze, of Gooch Street, won "reserve" with a nicely marked tortoiseshell female; and Miss Cartwright, of Barnt Green, took first with her Siamese Chote, the short-haired neuter class. In long haired silver tabby kittens Miss Cope, hon. secretary of the Midland Counties Cat Club. carried everything before her, winning first prize, a gold badge, two silver medals, and numerous special prizes with her six months' kitten Roiall Fluffball."

GIRLS' GOSSIP. Truth, 23rd January 1902
Dearest Amy,-Bound for the Cat Show on Thursday, we sallied forth and made for the Mall, forgetting that it was the day of the opening of Parliament. The Mall was full of people and of police. [. . .] The Cat Show at St. Stephen's Hall, Westminster, was the fourth annual exhibition of pussies under the auspices of Lady Marcus Beresford and the Committee of the Cat Club. It was a very large show of pedigree cats of every kind, and it was a study in feline character. Some of the dear things were a little plaintive about it all. Others, especially the very large cats, were furious, and did not mind showing that they were. A little boy tried to stroke one of these, and she suddenly stretched out her paw to an incredible length through the wire of the cage, and smartly boxed his ear. One sweet little grey cat was found sentimentally regarding her prize tickets, her pretty head on one side and her grey eyes raised-a most telling and coquettish pose. But when Bee spoke to her she forsook sentimentality and immediately began to romp, throwing herself on her back, and playfully scratching and biting. A sweet cat! Devoted friends attended to pet exhibits, and the word "Absent" on some of the cages showed that the occupant was enjoying some moments of relaxation with her family.

CAT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 24th January 1902
At the Cat Club Championship Show held at the Royal Aquarium, Mr F.W. Western secured a valuable challenge cup for the best self-coloured short-haired at, silver medal, a bronze medal and two special prizes, one first, and three seconds. Mr Western sold at a good figure a very handsome tortoiseshell kitten named “Sandy Sunnysides.”

THE CAT CLUB SHOW. The Queen, 25th January 1902
THE FOURTH CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW of the Cat Club was held at St. Stephen’s Hall, Royal Aquarium, Westminster on Jan. 15 and 16. The building cannot be regarded as specially adapted for the purposes of a show, as it is so very deficient in light that a large number of the exhibits can only be imperfectly seen. The regulations of the show are more satisfactory than is usually the case at shows of fancy animals. No unhealthy cats were admitted, and should a cat of any exhibitor be refused for any infectious disease, all the other cats from the same exhibitor were liable to be refused. The objectionable place of allowing each exhibitor to decorate the cages or pens in order to identify the animal and attract the notice of the judge was prohibited, and no cushions were allowed in the cages, all the bedding and coverings being provided by the club, each animal being identified by a metal tally bearing the number, which had to be tied round the neck by a ribbon which was identical in colour in all cases being sent out with the metal ticket; moreover every animal exhibited had to be previously inscribed in the Cat Club Register.

The classes were no less than sixty-five, the total number of animals exhibited was 457, and the bad plan of allowing one animal to be exhibited in several classes was allowed, as is common in some shows, so that the total number of entries amounted to over 500.

The classes commenced with the long-haired cats, of which some very magnificent specimens were exhibited. There were two classes for male and female, for each of the following colours: white, black, blue, smoke, silver (which is the new name for those animals that were formerly called chinchillas), shaded silver, orange, and cream. Tortoiseshell and tortoiseshell-and-white had only one class each, but the silver tabbies, the brown tabbies, and the any other colours had each two classes. The class for self-coloured long-haired cats was for some strange reason utterly unknown to the uninitiated, confined to neuter cats. Why animals of this colour should not be protected by the Anti-Vivisection Society we do not know. There was also a corresponding number of classes for long-haired kittens of all colours. The long-haired cats seem much more in demand than those that are short-haired, o less than three-fourths of the animals being long-haired.

The short-haired cats commenced with what were termed Siamese, which have widely departed from the original stock that were imported into this country some years ago. The Siamese first introduced were only dark on the tips of the extremities and formed a very distinguished group. They have not been bred up to the standard, and now the dark colours are spread over the body. We were sorry to see such objectionable restrictive classes in the catalogue as those for the cats of actresses. The absurdity is evident from the fact that one of the exhibitors is Mr George Brandram, who appears to be an ACTRESS at a local theatre. We were pleased to see that there were only two entries in the class.

Our artist has illustrated some of the most remarkable of the animals. The first prize in the long-haired tortoiseshell class was exhibited by Miss Mildred Beal. In this class the animals were to be purely yellow, orange, and black, without white, and to be possessed of orange eyes. The adjoining specimen in the heads figured is the tortoiseshell and white shown by Mrs Shapcott, and the third on the list is a male silver tabby, the property of Miss S. Leake. The centre of the page is occupied by a brace of long-haired silver kittens belonging to Miss Dell. At the bottom of our page we have an Abyssinian cat belonging to Mrs Pitkin, in the centre a black Manx, which takes the first prize. This latter is owned by Miss D. Hyde.

It is only fair to the management of the show to say that the atmosphere of the building was the purest that we have ever experienced at a similar exhibition.

HANLEY DOG AND CAT SHOW. EXHIBITION AT THE NEW DRILL HALL Newcastle Guardian and Silverdale, Chesterton and Audley Chronicle, 18th January 1902
The annual dog and cat show of the North Staffordshire Fanciers’ Association opened on Tuesday morning at the New Drill Hall, Victoria-road, Shelton . . . There were 230 exhibitors, who had entered for competition 500 dogs and 55 cats, and a better aggregation of first-class animals one might go a long way before finding . . . The cats had the upper end of the Hall to themselves and though not a large collection they made a good show. Most of the prize-winners were bred by Mr. A.S. Hodgkins, of York-street, Hanley.
Any variety, Rough, Male – 1, Mrs Coupland, Withington Blue Boy; 2, Miss Megson, Manchester, Storm King; 3, Mr. A. Hodgkins, Hanley, York Captain; very highly commended, Miss Bates, Silver Foot; and Mr. J. Titley, Lord Kitchener; highly commended, Mrs. Blakeman, Grand Duke Michael.
Any variety, Rough, Female – 1, Miss L. Hayes, Beauty; 2, Mrs. Elphinstone, Chin Chin; 3, Mesdames Moore and Ainsworth, Carmen Sylva; very highly commended, Mrs. Turner, Elton memoir.
Any variety, Smooth, Male – 1, Mr. Bentley, Emperor; 2, Mrs. Wood, Jim.
Any variety, Rough or Smooth, Neuter – 1, Mrs Fleming, Ruff; 2, Mr. Birchall, Sirdar.
Any variety, Rough or Smooth, Male or Female, under 6 months – 1, Miss Bates, Silver Foot; 2, Mrs. Meigh, Silver Queen; 3, Mrs. Turner, Elton Countess; reserve, Miss Eardley, The Blue Columbine; very highly commended, Mr. E. Stocker, Ton Ton.
Any variety, Rough (local) – 1, Miss Hayes, Beauty; 2, Mr. Hodkins, York Captain; 3, Mrs. Elphinstone, Chin Chin’ reserve, Mesdames Moore and Ainsworth, Carmen Sylva; very highly commended, Mrs. Meigh, Blue Peter; Miss Bates, Silver Foot; Mrs. Blakeman, Grand Duke Michael; Mr. Titley, Lord Kitchener; and Mrs. Turner, Elton Memoir; highly commended, Mrs. A. Hodgkins, Billee, and Mrs. Kent, Tim.
Any variety, Smooth (local) – 1, Mr. W. Taylor, Tib; 2, Mr. Bentley, Emperor; 3, Mrs. Ward, Jim; very highly commended, Miss Matthews, Thomas; Mr. F. Weaver, Troubles; and Mr. E. Stockr, Ton Ton; highly commended, Mrs. Sutton, Tiss; Mr. J. Delves, Sam; Mr. Baddeley, Tib.
Any variety, Neuter (local) – 1, Mrs. Fleming, Ruff; 2, Mr. Birchall, Sirdar; 3, Miss E. Eardley, Toddly; highly commended, Mrs. Ellis, Seaford King.

1902 NATIONAL CAT SHOW, VICTORIA HALL, WESTBOURNE GROVE CAT SHOW

CATS AND CHARITY. St James's Gazette, 27th February 1902
The National Cat Club showed some of their finest and choicest animals at the Victoria Hall, Westbourne Grove, yesterday, in aid of the Princess Christian’s Home for Crippled Boys, and the cages in which the animals were shown-quite luxurious homes, with silken cushions and every convenience-were surrounded by admirers, male and female, with a preponderance of ladies. The Cat Cub offered no fewer than forty-six challenge trophies besides six kitten trophies, and any number of special prizes open to all. Perhaps the most honoured of all the prize winners was Sweet Phillis, belonging to Mrs. Herring, whose cage-front was almost covered with cards of prizes, leaving only a narrow aperture through which the fortunate puss could be seen. The Princess Christian is expected to visit the show to-day.

ALL ABOUT CATS Perthshire Advertiser, 28th February 1902
Some Scottish cats were among the winners at the National Cat Club Show at Victoria Hall, London, yesterday. Lady Aberdeen, for instance, won three second prince for her silver tabbies "Pharaoh of Haddo" and "Silver Tigress" and her "Zoroaster of Haddo." Lady Alexander of Ballochmyle had no fewer than 25 cats entered for the show, but all were absent. Mrs Finnie Young's "Bonnie Prince Charlie," whose parentage "Darnley" and "Flora MacDonald" entitled him to special honours, did not come in for a prize, though he had travelled all the way from Dunblane. The Hon. Mrs McLaren Morrison had several exhibits, three of which won prizes.

[WESTBOURNE GROVE] Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 28th February 1902
Several of the pussy cats exhibited at the National Cat Club Show at Westbourne Grove yesterday and to-day had come all the way from Yorkshire, and of not a few were among the winners of prizes distributed this afternoon by Princess Alexis Dolgorouki. Miss A. M. Butler, Great Ayton Hall, was awarded first and special prize for Wanborough Satan, and a second and special for Ayton Blue Bell, while Shellingford Tiger was very highly commended. The Hon. Mrs. Maclaren Morrison, Kepwick Park, Northallerton, exhibited nine cats, of which Black Cherry won a first and special, Violet second and special, and Tsar a third. Mrs. Slingsby, Underwood Hall, Ouseburn, carried off first and second, specialsin different classes, for her Orange Blossom of Thorpe-a lovely blue tom cat - and a third for her silver tabby, Don Pedro of Thorpe. Princess Christian and her daughter, Victoria, who were expected visit the show to-day, but were unable to do so, exhibited both feline pets. Princess Christian’s black Jim was very highly commended. Princess Victoria had sent her Puck 3rd-a fine chinchilla-and her long-hatred kitten, Kilpatrick, son of her famous Blue Boy. Both carried off prizes. Lady Aberdeen, whose cats were adorned with Gordon tartan ribbons, were also prize winners. Princess Alexis Dolgorouki, who gave away the prices, was received by Lady Decies, who exhibited several her pets, and won prizes with some of them.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 3rd March 1902
Miss Butler, The Hall, Great Ayton. Has been a very successful exhibitor at the championship show of the National Cat Club held last week in London, taking first and second prizes, championship, and two specials.

THE WESTBOURNE-GROVE CAT SHOW. The Queen, 8th March 1902
A SHOW OF CATS. numbering 200 entries, was held at the Victoria Hall, Westbourne-grove, in aid of Princess Christian's Home for Cripples at Egham. Oir artist has represented the following specimens: The principal figure is that of a chinchilla long-haired male cat belonging to Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, which was bred by Lady M. Beresford. This took the third prize in the class in which it was exhibited. It was a very fine specimen for an animal under the age of twelve months. At the bottom of the page is Mrs Herring's silver tabby long haired female. In these long-haired cats the tabby markings are not as prominently shown as in the short-haired varieties. The age of this specimen is not given; she has, however won several prizes. The head in the upper left-hand corner shows the Hon. Mrs MacLaren Morrison’s white long-haired male, the age, breeder, and pedigree of which are alike unknown, but it is an exceedingly good specimen, taking the second prize in the class. The first prize was won by Mrs Pettit's cat, which was also favoured with no less than eight prizes in addition to the first prize in the class. These special prizes are given in great part as mere advertisements of tradesmen, and from the spectator's point of view are great nuisances, inasmuch as the cards cover the greater part of the front of the cages, leaving a small peephole in the centre through which the animal cannot properly be seen, more especially in such a room as that in which this show was held, which was practically destitute of daylight, being lighted by four small gas lamps in the ceiling. The tops of the cages were covered with cloths, and the animals being so obscured as to be practically not open to inspection. At one of the pens we saw a lady In vain trying to sketch a cat, there being no less than sixteen cards put upon the cage, leaving a hole about 6 inches square in the centre. These specials are absurd in number, and at this show of some 200 cats there were no less than 163 specials offered, including twenty National Cat Club championships. The value of many of these special prizes may be inferred from the fact that such things as pipe racks and pepper mills, &c., were offered.

The head of Miss Atkins's Tintagel, a chinchilla male, is shown in the left-hand lower corner, this animal winning the first prize and one dozen specials. The head of the most interesting, though perhaps not the most beautiful, cat in the show is represented on the right hand side. It is Mrs Brooke's Indischer Furst, a very singular animal, bred in India. In colour it resembled an orange tabby, but the markings were exceedingly faint. On the head and the forehead were a few faint stripes of orange, and the hindquarters were very slightly barred, the ground colour generally being an even pale yellow. The head of the cat, as may be seen, differs considerably from that of our domesticated varieties, the jaws being longer. The voice of the animal was extraordinary. It was not the ordinary plaintive mew of a cat, but somewhat resembled a prolonged growl. The animal, however, was perfectly docile, and when led about by its collar would allow any stranger to touch it. The difference in the character of cats from different parts the world is well marked, and depends upon the alliance of the parents with the wild smaller Felidae of the country. Thus the cat of South America differs from that of Northern America and from those of India or Asia; and there is the strongest evidence that our domestic cat, as at present existing, is not a descendant from any single wild species, but is of mixed parentage, partaking in all cases, more of the character of the wild Felidae of the country in which they are found.

Respecting the arrangements of this show we cannot speak favourably. The room was small, badly lighted, and those cats exhibited at the upper end were in almost total darkness The alleys between the rows of pens were about five feet wide, ladies were allowed to bring their chairs, and two or three would sit in admiration of their exhibit, blocking up the communication from one end of the show to the other. If cat shows are to command success they must be on much more practical principles than those which prevailed at this show. The exhibitors were allowed to take away their cats in the middle of the afternoon of the second day, so that a large number of the pens were empty, and the whole show exhibited a very poor amount of management. The charging of 1s. for a catalogue of 200 cats was certainly to be regarded as excessive.

THE NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW. Gentlewoman, 8th March 1902
During Wednesday and Thursday of last week the Victoria Hall, Westbourne Grove, was the scene of the Grand Championship Show of the N.C.C., under the patronage of H.R.H. Princess Christian, and in aid of Her Royal Highness's home for crippled boys at Egham. Princess Christian was herself an exhibitor of a fine black Persian named "Jim." Princess Victoria of Schleswig- Holstein showed two of her cats, winning a first in longhaired kittens with Kilpatric," a charming blue bred by herself, and a third in a strong class for male chinchillas with "Puck III,” bred by Lady Marcus Beresford. The championship, the challenge cups, and the silver medal and many other specials, as well as firsts in two classes, were won by Lady Decies' "Champion Fulmer Zaida," and she showed her brown English tabby "Champion Fulmer Xenophon," ten years old, winner of over 200 prizes, specials, and championships, the brown tabby kitten " Fulmer Moth," and other winners. Mrs. George Wilson's Pearl of Arrandale won a championship, challenge and nine specials, and her Rob Roy and Sue of Arrandale other prizes. The Countess of Aberdeen was the exhibitor of a couple of very pretty silver tabbies, "Pharaoh of Haddo” and the thirteen months old "Silver Tigress," also of the pretty neuter tabby " Zoroaster of Haddo." The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison brought nine from the Kepwick Park catteries, taking champion honours with her black male Persian "Black Cherry," a second and some specials with her blue-eyed white "Musafev," and other honours in different varieties. Mrs. Pettit, of St. Leonards, was the winner of the championship for the best white Persian with her large and lovely "Champion King of Pearls," and of first honours in the class for the opposite sex with his daughter "Beautiful Pearl." The challenge cup for the best long-haired cat in the show was awarded to Mrs. Slingsby's (of Thorpe Underwood Hall, York), 'Orange Blossom of Thorpe," a lovely and heavily-coated blue. Mrs. Herring, of Lee, Kent, was another large exhibitor, taking a challenge cup with her short-haired silver tabby, "Sweet Phyllis,' a first with her short haired tortoiseshell "Champion King Saul," and a championship and many specials with her Manx cat "Madame." Miss A. M. Butler, of Great Ayton Hall, Yorks, was the winner of firsts and specials with her short-haired black "Warnborough Satan." Much regret was caused by the absence of Lady Alexander of Ballochmyle's thirty-five entries. During the afternoon of the second day the challenge cups were presented to the winners by Princess Alexis Dolgorouki. The show was most successful.

LADY ABERDEEN IS VERY PLEASED with the admiration won by her silver tabbies at the National Cat Show at Westbourne Hall, London, England, last week. Pharaoh of Haddo won a prize, as did the delicate Silver Tigress, which is the Countess’ special pet. – The Ottawa Journal, March 29, 1902

1902 READING CAT SHOW

READING SECOND GREAT CAT SHOW. Reading Mercury, 15th February 1902
Reading Second Great Cat Show. Cross Street Hall, Reading. Wednesday & Thursday, Feb. 19 and 20. President—Lady Marcus Beresford. Admission—Wednesday, 12 to 3, 2s. 6d.; 3 to 6 1s ; 6 to close, 6d. Thursday, 10 to 4, 1s.; 4 to close, 6d. Crystal Palace Champions on View. G. H. Billett, Hon. Sec.

CAT SHOW AT READING. Reading Standard, 22nd February 1902
Cross Street Hall proved a very popular resort for lovers of the feline species, on Wednesday end day, when the second Reading Cat Show, promoted by ladies and gentlemen in the locality, was held there. The show was attended with considerable success. There were 286 entries, as against 176 last year. The largest classes were the blue and silver Persians. The entries in the local classes were good, some of the exhibits being such as would have won a prize in any open competition. There was also a very large of smoke Persians, the largest, in fact, that has been exhibited at any local show. In the local classes Mrs. Alfred Allen, Prospect-street, Caversham, took first prize in the class for long-haired cats, any variety. Mr. Leonard Dymond, of St Mary's Butts, secured a first in the short-haired cat class while Dorothy Hartley, of Erlegh Court, Reading, obtained premier honours in the class for kittens, single or in pairs. The feeding was under the personal supervision of the secretary (Mr. G. H. Billett) and Mrs. Billett. The new pens, which were admirably arranged, were supplied by the West Surrey Penning Company, under the supervision of Mr. S. C. C. Avis. (Prize list also printed)

GREAT CAT SHOW AT READING - Reading Mercury, 22 February 1902
The second great open Cat Show in Reading was held on Wednesday and Thursday, in the Cross-street Hall, under the patronage all the specialist cat clubs, and was a distinct success, the entries numbering 286, as compared with 171 last year, and the quality of the exhibits being as good as could be found at more important exhibitions. The arrangements were admirably carried out by Mr. and Mrs. Billett, Reading, and the following stewards:— Messrs. A. Houghton, F. Butler, W. K. Roberts, T. J. Waldron, J. Ellis, W. Godwin, G. W. Pigg, P. T. Bunce, P. Lunn, and R. J. Irving, and Messrs. G. H. Billett, W. Godwin, Paice, and K. Wallis. Mr. W. B. Biddles of Reading, acted as hon. veterinary surgeon. The pens were supplied by the West Surrey Penning Company; Mr. and Mrs. Billett personally supervised the feeding and the show was disinfected—as far it was possible—by the National Sanitary Company.

The judging was carried out ably by Lady Marcus Beresford (long-haired, smokes and silvers), Mrs. Carew Cox (Siamese only), and Mr. T. B. Mason, who took all the other classes. The largest classes were the blue Persian, the silver Persian kittens running them very close in quality, and making a splendid class. One of the silver Persians was adjudged the best long-haired cat in the show, and the like honour for the best short-haired cat went to a silver tabby.

The first prize “blue" cat was the same animal that took the special prize at the Westminster Show for the best “orange eyes," and the second prize silver was also a prize winner Westminster. Mr. G. Bolton's celebrated Manx cat took first honours, as usual. Miss Beale's famous cats secured several prizes. Only two Siamese cats were penned, the severe weather having no doubt prevented other exhibitors who had entered from sending their pets. The local classes were better filled this year, and Mr. L. Dymond, of Reading, was first and special with a grand short-haired black cat. A blue neuter cat, belonging to a young lady at Erleigh Court, secured the special in the blue class.

Special prizes were given largely by Lady Marcus Beresford and by many other donors. The following is the list of principal winners :
Special Prizes. Challenge Cup, presented by the S.S.P.C.S. Club. £5 5s., for the best male in classes supported by the S.S.P.C.S. Club.—Mrs. Sinkins, Southampton.
Challenge Cup, presented by Lady Marcus Beresford, for best smoke long-haired female, bred by exhibitor.— Mrs. Harold James, Bristol.
Challenge Trophy, presented by the Countess of Aberdeen, for the best silver tabby, male or female, bred by exhibito - . Miss Derby Hyde, St. Peters, North Moreton.
Silver Medal, presented by the Cat Club, London, for the best white long-haired cat. —Mrs. Oliver Westlake, Camden Town.
Silver Medal, for the best short-haired cat in the Show. —Mr. H. Blackett, Sunninghill.
Bronze Medal, for best any colour, long-haired.—Mrs. F. Walker, Leatherhead.
Bronze Medal, for best brown tabby kitten, under 8 months, exhibited by members of the Cat Club only.— Miss M. T. Rowsell, Bedford.
Championship Medal, presented by the National Cat Club, London, for best long-haired cat in the Show. - Mrs. Sinkins, Southampton.
Championship Medal, for the best short-haired cat in the Show. —Miss Derby Hyde.
S.S.P.C.S. Society's Silver Medal, for best silver - Miss L. Ford, Wernham, Marlborough.
Society's Silver Medal, for best shaded silver.—Miss Anderson Leake, Bradfield.
Society's Silver Medal, for best silver tabby.—Miss Derby Hyde.
Society's Silver Medal, for best smoke cat.—Mrs. H. V. James.
Prize given by Miss Simon, for best female in Class 13. —Miss Winifred Beal, Darlington.
Special prize given by Miss Cope, for the best head in silver tabby female in class 6. —The Hon. P. Woodehouae, North Walsham, Norfolk.
Special silver and enamel Badge, presented by the Blue Persian Cat Society, for the best blue male.—Miss M. Humfrey, Stockbridge, Hants.
Special silver and enamel Badge, for the best blue female. —Miss W. Beal.
Special silver and enamel Badge, for the best blue kitten. —Miss Dorothy Hartley, Erleigh Court, Reading.
Prize given by Miss Humfrey, for the blue female cat.—Miss W. Beal.
Prize given Mrs. Gregory (Skellinthorpe), for the soundest coloured blue male cat. —Miss M. Humfrey.
Prize given by Miss F. Simpson, for the best blue male kitten.—Miss D. Hartley, Erleigh Court, Reading.
Prize given by Miss Moxon, for the best head in the blue female kitten class. —Miss Bennett, St Leonards.
Silver Box, presented Lady Marcus Beresford, for the best chinchilla, long-haired, male. —Mrs. Sinkins.
Prize for the best long-haired blue, female. —Miss W. Beal, Darlington.
Prize for the best long-haired white, female. —Mrs. Oliver Westlake, Camden Town.
Prize for the best long-haired orange cat. —Miss W. Beal.
Prize for the best Manx cat.—Mr. Gambier Bolton, Charing Cross-road, W.C.
Prize for the best silver tabby, long-haired, female.— Mr Hoddinott, Bristol.
Special prize, given by Mrs. E. A. Clark, for the palest chinchilla cat, long-haired.— Mrs. Sinkins.
Silver Cup, presented by Mrs. Middleton, for best type cat or kitten, blue, short-haired, bred by owner.—Mrs. F. Walker, Leatherhead.
Prize given by Misses Moxon, for the best smoke kitten —Miss McNeill, Beckenham, Kent.
Prize given by Miss Omerod for the best shaded silver male, long-haired—Mrs. Sinkins.
Prize given by Mrs. Sinkins for the best chinchilla - Miss Frances Simpson.
Prize given by Mrs. Hamilton for the best smoke kitten —Miss McNeill.
Prize for the best silver or chinchilla kitten, long-haired —Miss Anderson Leake.
Prize for the best brown tabby, long-haired—Miss Frances Simpson
Special prize for the best orange female, long-haired - Miss W. Beal.
Special prize for the best cream female, long-haired— Mrs. D'Arcy Hildyard, Barnard Castle.
Special prize for the best tortoiseshell, long-haired— Mrs M. Beal.
Silver medal, given by Mrs. F. Walker, for best neuter eat in the show —Miss M. Wallis, Bucklebury Common, Reading.
Prize given by Mrs. D'Arcy Hildyard, for the best orange or cream, long-haired kitten—Mrs. Francis Neate.
Prize for the best cream, long-haired, male—Mr. F. Norris.
Prize for the best orange male—Mrs. Francis Neate.
Prize for the best cream male—Miss W. Deale.
Prize for the best orange male —Mrs. P. Neate, Marlborough.
Prize given Lady Marcus Beresford, for the best blue long-haired kitten in class 14 —Miss D. Hartley.
Prize for the best blue in class 15 —Miss Bull, Northmolton, Devon.
Prize for the best chinchilla kitten, long-haired, in class 16—Mr. H. Thomas, Kensington, S.W.
Prize for the best in class 17 – Miss McNeill.
Medal for the best Siamese, male or female (the property of a member of the Siamese Club) —Miss D. Hyde.
Silver medal, for the best Manx male, bred by the Exhibitor—Mr. G. Bolton.
Special prize, for the best short-haired black cat —Mr. Leonard Dymond, 66, St. Mary's Butts, Reading.
Prize given by Lady Marcus Beresford, for the best kitten in class 25—Miss E. Goddard, South Lambeth.
Prize for the best kitten in class 26 —Mrs. Collingwood, Leighton Buzzard.
Prize for the best local kitten - D. Hartley.
Special prize for the best local long-haired cat—Mrs. Alfred Allen, 26, Prospect-street, Caversham.
Prize given by Mr. T. Yates, for the best local shorthaired cat —Mr. L. Dymond.
Prize for the best orange and white local kitten—Mr. E. H Turner, Upper Redlands-road, Reading.
Prize given by Mrs. George Webster, for best red tabby, short-haired cat—Mrs. Collingwood.
Club medal of the Short-haired Cat Society, for the best whole or self-coloured cat —Miss Anderson Leake ; for the best tabby cat —Mr. Harold Blackett, Sunninghill ; for the best Manx cat —Mr. G. Boulton ; for the best kitten, Siamese —Mrs. Collingwood.

Class Prize List. The class Prize List was as follows :—
Long-Haired.
Smoke, male—1, Mrs. Harold V. James, Bristol; 2 Mrs Hamilton, Woodside, S.E.; 4 Mrs. Sinkins.
Smoke, female—2 ,Mrs. Collingwood, 3, Mrs. H. V. James, 4, Mrs. Hamilton.
Chinchilla or shaded silver, male—1, Mrs. Sinkins, 2, Miss Frances Simpson, 3, Miss H. Ereritt, 4, Miss Anderson Leake.
Chinchilla or shaded silver, female—1, Miss L. Ford, 2and 3, Miss E. A. Chamberlayne, Norwood, E.,; 4, Mrs. E. A. Clark, Ashbrittle, Somerset.
Silver tabby, male —1, Miss Derby Hyde, 2, Mrs. M. C. Spofforth. Edgbaston, Birmingham; 3, Miss Anderson Leake, 4, Mrs. Nicholay, Iver, Bucks.
Silver tabby, female —1, Mr. Hoddinott, 2, Miss Power, Watership, Newbury; 4,.Mrs. Godsal, Whitchurch, Salop.
Blue, male —1, Miss Marion Humfrey, 2,Miss A. Bennett, 3, Mrs. E. Nicholay, 4, Mrs. A. R. Hitchcock, Bexhill-on-sea.
Blue, female—1, Miss Winifred Beal, 2, Mr. G. W. Witt, Birmingham ; 3, Mrs. C. L. Kennaway, East Harling ; 4, Mrs. Collingwood.
Orange or cream, male —1, Miss Winifred Beal, 2, Mr. F. Norris, 3, Mrs. Francis Neate, 4, Mrs. F. W. Western.
Orange or cream, female—1, Miss W. Beal, 2, and 4, Mrs D'Arcy Hildyard.
Brown tabby, male – 1, Miss Frances Simpson, 4, Miss Gibbens, Steventon, Berks.
Brown tabby, female—1 and 4,Miss Rosamond Witney, Dublin; 2, Miss Derby Hyde, 3, Mrs. G. Wilson, Sydenham.
Any other colour, male or female—1, Mrs. F. Walker, Leatherhead; 2, Mr. Oliver Westlake, Camden Town, N.W.; 3, Miss M. Beal.
Kittens, Long-haired, 4 to 8 months.
Blue, male—1, Miss D. Hartley, 2, Mrs. G. Fellows, West Cowes, Isle of Wight; 3, Rev. J. Hay Davies, Hereford ; 4 Miss A. Bennett.
Blue, female—1, Miss Bull, 3, Miss A. Bennett, 4, Miss E. M. Hill, Malvern.
Silver tabby, chinchilla or shaded silver—1, and 4 Miss Anderson Leake, 2,Mrs. Pott, Windlesham ; extra 2, Mr. H. Thomas, Kensington, S.W. ; 3, Mrs. G. Boutcher, South Hounslow ; extra 3, Miss Derby Hyde, extra 4, Mrs. Poole, Annerley-hill, S.E.
Any other colour, male or female —1, Miss McNeill, 2, Miss M. Stevens, 3, Mrs. W. Walwyn, Monmouth ; 4, Mrs. Francis Neate.
Short-haired.
Blue - 2, 3, and 4, Mrs. Carew Cox, New Milton. Hants.
Whole or self colour, except blue —1, Mr. F. W. Western, Sandy, Beds; 2, Mrs. G. Wilson; 3, Mrs. Clarence Bonny, Ditchling Hassocks, Sussex ; 4 Mr. J. W. Flitt, Watford, Herts.
Silver tabby, male—1, Mrs. Harry Turner, Birkdale, Southport; 2 Mrs. Collingwood, 4, Mrs. G. Pitkin, Bushey Newtown, Herts.
Silver tabby, female—1 and 4, Mr. Harold Blackett, 2, Mrs. Clarence Bonny.
Siamese—1 and 2, Miss Derby Hyde.
Manx—1, Mr. Gambier Bolton, 4, Mr. Lewis Easton, Winkfield, Windsor.
Any other colour – 1, Mrs. Collingwood, 2 Miss Derby Hyde, 3 and 4 Mrs. F. Walker.
Kittens, Short-haired; 4 to 8 Months.
Whole or self colour—2 Miss Emily Goddard, 4, Mrs. F. Walker.
Tabby or any other colour—1, Mrs. Collingwood, 3, Miss E. M. Cope, Birmingham; 4, Miss Margaret T. Rowsell, Bedford.
Neuter cat, long-haired—1, Miss M.Wallis, 2, Mrs.Boyce, South Kensington; 3, Mrs. Annie Tyser, Oakfield, Mortimer ; 4, Mr. F. Marks, Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Neuter cat, short-haired—1, Mr. Arthur Foalstone, Ruabon ; 2, Mrs. F. Walker, 3, Mr. T. Naylor, Cross-street.
Nove, long-haired, not won a first prize—1, Miss M. Humfrey, 2, Miss M. Wallis, 3, Miss E. A. Chamberlayne, 4, Mrs. G. Bontcher.
Novice, short-haired, ditto—1, Mrs. F. Walker, 2, Mrs Collingwood, 3, Mr. J. W. Flitt, 4, Mr. H. Blackett.
Selling class, kittens—1, Miss A. M. Paice, 195, Oxford road, Reading ; 2, Miss E. M. Cope, Birmingham.

Local Classes Open to exhibitors residing within 10 miles of the Market Place, Reading.
Long-haired cat, any variety—1, Mrs. Alfred Allen, Prospect-street, Caversham ; 2, Mr, A. W. Nicholls, County Police-station, Reading ; 3, Mr. W. C. Hobbs, Prospect street, Caversham ; extra 3, Miss D. Fidler, The Warren, Caversham ; vhc's Mrs. S. Turner, London-road, Reading ; Mr. Benj Vivian, Assize Courts, Reading; Mr. Tomkins, Catherine-street, Reading; Mr. F. B. Eykyn, Hinton Lodge, Twyford; Mr. C. Smith, Hill-street, Reading; Miss Alice Laidlay, The Acacias, Reading; Mrs. T. G. Lloyd, Chesterman-street, Reading; Mrs. Knapp, "Britannia Tap," Caversham ; Mr. A. Galloway, Farleigh, Caversham; Miss Maud Thatcher, Lower Basildon and Miss Daisy Fidler, The Warren, Caversham.
Short-haired cat, any variety—1, Mr. L. Dymond, St. Mary's Butts, Reading ; 2, Mrs. Albert Wheatley, Friar-street, Reading; 3, Miss Kemp, Pell-street, Reading; extra 3, Mrs. Skurray, Littlecroft, Goring; 4, Mr. A. Wells, South View-avenue, Lower Caversham ; vhc's Mr. Wm. Simmonds, County Police-station, Reading; Mrs. T. Naylor, Cross-street, Reading; hc's Miss Paice, and Mr. G. Young, Norton-road, Reading.
Kittens, single or in pairs—1, Miss D. Hartley, 2, Miss A. M. Paice, 3, Mrs. G. W. Bradshaw, London-street, Reading; 4, Mrs. Herbert Child, Oxford-road, Reading; vhc's Mrs. Eynott, Caversham ; and Mr. E. H. Turner, Bushey-villa, Upper Redlands-road, Reading.

READING CAT SHOW - Berkshire Chronicle,22 February 1902
The second open cat show hold in Reading took place at the Cross Street Hall Wednesday and Thursday, under the patronage the Cat Club, London, the National Cat Club, London, the Blue Persian Cat Society, the Short-haired Cat Club, and other specialist clubs, and under the presidency of Lady Marcus Beresford. The entries this year are 286 in number, or loss than 130 more than last year, which shows how the show has increased in popularity, and is likely to increase its popularity in the future under the able and energetic management. Blue Persian and Silver Persian were the best classes, and there were several Westminster, Crystal Palace, and Brighton winners, notably Miss Remfrey’s blue and Miss Frances Simpson’s brown tabby, Persimmon and Chinchilla Cambyses; Mr. Gambler Bolton’s Manx, Miss Whitney’s Tina and Miss Beale’s celebrated creams. Mrs. Sinkins’s silver took the prize for the best the show. The local classes were very well supported. There was a very fine blue neuter, belonging Miss M. Wallis, of Bucklebury Common, which took first prize. The quality of the show was much better than the previous year, and was exceptionally good for a local show. The Secretary (Mr. G. H. Billett, Reading) was indefatigable in his efforts to make the show a success, and at the same time the pets were comfortably looked after. The judges were: Lady Marcus Beresford, Mrs. Carew Cox, and Mr. T. B. Mason; Messrs. A. Houghton, F. Butler, W. R. Roberts, T. Waldron. J. Ellis, W. Godwin, G. W. Pigg, P. T. Bunce, P. Luna, R. J. Irving, Mrs. Billett, Mrs, Godwin, Miss Paice, and Miss K. Wallis kindly noted stewards. Prize List:-

Long-haired Smoke Male. —1st and S.S.P.C. Society’s Silver Medal, for best smoke, open to members of the S.S.P.C.S. only.—Mrs. Harold V. James, Backwell, Bristol—Champion Backwell; 2nd, Mrs. Hamilton, Woodside. S.E. —Bulger; 4th, Mrs. Sinkins, Aldermore House, Southampton.
Smoke Female. - 2nd. Mrs. Collingwood, Bassington, Leighton Buzzard — Minouche; 3rd and Challenge Cup (presentod by Lady Marcus Beresford), for the best smoke long-haired female, bred by exhibitor, open to members of the S.S.P.C.S., Mrs. Harold V. James—Rockwell Jael; 4th, Mrs. Hamilton—Pepita.
Chinchilla or Shaded-silver Male.—1st and Challenge Cup, £5 5s. for the best male in classes supported by theS.S.P.C.S.; championship medal for best long-haired cat in the show; special for best male chinchilla; special for palest chinchilla; special for best shaded silver male.—Mrs. Sinkins.
Chinchilla or Shaded Silver Female.—1st and Silver Medal (given by the S.S.P.C.S. for best silver male or female,) Miss L. Ford, Wernham, Marlborough : 2nd and 3rd, Miss E. A. Chamberlayne, Norwood—Cap and Bells and Garboldisham Dapoose; 4th. Mrs, E. A. Clark, Ashbrittle—Ashbrittle San Toy.
Silver Tabby Male.—1st and challenge trophy (presented by the Countess of Aberdeen) , for best silver tabby (open to members of the S.S.P.C.S.), and the Society's Silver Medal for best silver tabby, Miss Derby Hyde, St. Peter’s, North Thames Valley Silver King; 2nd, Mrs. M. G. Spofforth. Edgbaston—Silver Meteor; 3rd, Miss Anderson Leake, Hill, Bradfield—The Marquis of Dingley; 4th, Mrs. Nicholay, Ivor, Bucks.
Silver Tabby (Female).—1st and special for best long haired female silver tabby, Mr. Hoddinott, Bristol; 2nd, Miss Power, Watership, Newbury; 4th, Mrs. Godsal, Whitchurch, Salop—Triticumina; v.h.c. and special for best head in silver tabby female in Class 6, Hon. P. Woodehouse, Witton Park, Norfolk —Silver Twilight.
Blue Male. -1st and special silver and enamel badge and special for soundest coloured blue male cat, Miss Marion Humfrey, Longstock, Hants—Don Carlos; 2nd, Miss A. Bennett, St. Leonard’s—Peter of Yeovil; 3rd, Mrs. E. Nicholay—Jennett; 4th, Mrs- A. R. Hitchcock, Bexhill-on-Sea.
Blue Female.—1st and special silver and enamel badge and special (offered for best blue female with best orange eyes), and special for best long-haired, Miss Winifred Beal, Darlington—Ronaldkirk Vic.; 2nd. Mr. G. W. Witt, Lozells, Birmingham—Becky of Lozells; 3rd and reserve, Mrs. C. L. Kennaway, Garboldisham Rectory — Garbodishara Scilla; 4th, Mrs Collingwood —Jill.
Orange or Cream Male. —1st, Miss Winifred Bea l- Champion Ronaldkirk Midshipmite; 2nd and special, Mr. F. Norris, Gardens—Kew Ronald; 3rd and 4th. Mrs. F. W. Western, Sandy—Matthew of the Durhams..
Orange or Cream Female —1st and special for best long-haired orange female, Miss Winifred Bea! Ronaldkirk Garnet; 2nd, 4th and special, Mrs D’Archy Hildyard, Starthforth, Barnard Castle—Miriam and Mehitabel of the Durhams.
Brown Tabby Male.—1st. Miss Frances Simpson, St- Margareti’s-on-Thames - Persimmon; 4th, Miss Gibbons, Steventon, Berks—Baby Jack.
Brown Tabby Female.—1st (Birkdale Fina) and 4th Miss Rosamond Whitney, Dublin; 2nd, Miss Derby, Hyde—Maraoqetta; 3rd Mrs. George Wilson, Sydenham — Yue of Arrandale.
Any other colour, male or female. —1st and bronze medal of Cat Club for best long-haired cat, and silver medal (presented by Cat Club for best white longhaired cat) and special for long-haired white female cat, Mrs. F. Walker.
Kitten, Long-haired.—1st and special silver and enamel badge for best blue kitten, and a plate for best local kitten. Miss Dorothy Hartley, Erleigh Court, Reading—Blue Boy; 2nd. Mrs. G. Fellows, West Cowes—Victor Don; 3rd, Rev. Davies, Hereford; 4th, Miss A. Bennett. .
Blue Female.—1st and a plate for best blue in Class 15, Miss Bull, North Molten; 3rd and special for best head in blue female kitten class, Miss A. Bennett – Puggi; 4th, Miss E. M. Hill. Malvern.
Silver Tabby Chinchilla or Shaded Silver.—1st and Society's silver medal for best shaded silver male or female, and special for best Chinchilla kitten, Miss Anderson Leake—Corinne of Dingley; 2nd and extra 3rd, Mrs. Pott, Windlesham; 3rd. Mrs. G. Boutcher, Hounslow; 4th. Miss Anderson Leake; extra 4th, Mrs. Poole, Anerley Hill, S.E.—Duke of Cornwall.
Any other colour, male or female.—1st and special, for best smoke kitten (bred by exhibitor), and special for best smoke kitten with orange eyes, Miss McNeill, Beckenham; 2nd. Miss M. Stevens, Steventon, Berks -Lionel; 3rd. Mrs. W. Walwyn, Croft-y-Bula—Cinders; 4th. Mrs. Frances Neate,
Short-haired Blue. —2nd, 3rd and 4th. Mrs. Cox, New Milton, Hants—Bayard, Odessa and Fashoda.
Whole self-colour, except blue.—1st, Mr. F. W. Western, Sandy—Prickly Pear; 2nd, Mrs. George Wilson—Pear of Arrandale; 3rd and club medal for beet whole or self-coloured cat, Mrs. Clarence Bonny, Ditchling Hassocks—Heather Black Diamond; 4th, Mr. J. W. Flitt, Watford—Bunney.
Silver tabby, male.-1st, Mrs. Harry Turner - Birkdale; 2nd, Mrs. Collingwood—James II; 4th, Mrs. G. Pitkin, Bushey New Town-—Porky.
Silver tabby, female.—1st and silver medal (presented by the Cat Club), for the best short-haired cat, and club medal for the best tabby cat, Mr. Harold Blackett, Sunninghill —Silver Duchess; 2nd, Mrs. Clarence Bonny—Champion Heather; 4th, Mr. Harold Blackett.
Siamese.—2nd and 3rd and championship medal for the best short-haired cat in show, registered on books of N.C.C., and medal for best male or female, the property of a member of the Siamese Club, Miss Derby Hyde—Thames Valley Missis and Thames Valley Chula Long Korn.
Manx.—1st and silver medal for the best Manx male, bred by exhibitor, and club medal for best Manx cat or kitten, Mrs. Gambier Bolton, Charing Cross—Champion D Tail; 4th, Mrs. Lewis Easton, Winkfield.
Anv other colour —1st and special for best red tabby short-haired cat, Mrs. Colllingwood — Woodkirk Surprise; 2nd, Miss Derby Hyde—Shady; 3rd and 4th, Mrs. F. Walker. Leatherhead.
Kittens, short-haired, whole or self-coloured - 2nd, Miss Emily Goddard; 4th and silver cup for best type of cat or kittens, blue, short-haired, with orange eyes, bred by owner, Mrs. F. Walker.
Tabby any other colour.—1st and plate and club medal (given by the Short-haired Cat Society), for the best kitten other than Manx or Siamese, Mrs. Collingwood —Marie; 3rd, Miss E. M. Cope, Birmingham; 4th and bronze medal for best brown kitten, given to members the Cat Club only, Miss Margaret T. Rowsett. Bedford.
Neuter cat, long-haired.—1st and silver medal for best neuter cat the show, Miss Wallis. Bucklebury Common—Cobweb; 2nd, Mrs. Boyce, South Kensington; 3rd. Mrs. Annie Tyser, Mortimer; Mr. F. Marks, Cowes.
Neuter cat, short-haired.—1st, Mr. Arthur Foalstone—Ruabon Khaki; 2nd, Mrs. F. Walker; 3rd, Mr. T. Naylor. Cross Street, Reading.
Novices, long-haired. —1st. Miss M. Humfrey—-Don Carlos; 2nd, Miss Mabel Wallis; 3rd, Miss E. A. Chamberlayne—Cap and Bells; 4th, Mrs. G. Bout.
Novices, short-haired.—1st. Mrs. F. Walker; 2nd, Mrs. Collingwood—Babs: 3rd, Mr. J. W. Flitt Bunney; 4th, Mr. Harold Blackett – Silver Dick; extra 4th. Mrs. Mowbray, Mansfield Road, Reading.
Selling dass.—Kittens (not to exceed 30s.).—1st. Miss A. M. Paice, 195. Oxford Road, Reading—Bit of Fluff; 2nd, Miss E. M. Cope—Slim Jim.

LOCAL CLASSES.
Open to exhibitors residing within ten miles of Market Place, Reading
1st and special (presented for best local long-haired cat,) Mrs. Alfred Allen, 26, Prospect Street, Caversham ; 2nd. Mr. A. W. Nicholls. County Police Station, Reading—Billy; 3rd, Mr. W_. C. Hobbs, 31, Prospect Street, Caversham; extra 3rd, Miss Dorothy Fidler, The Warren. Caversham.
Short-haired cat, any variety.—1st and special for best short-haired black cat with orange eyes, and special for best local short-haired cat, Mr. Leonard Dymond, 66 St. Mary’s Butts, Reading; 2nd. Mrs. Albert Wheatley, Friar Street. Reading—Dick; 3rd. Miss Kemp; extra 3rd, Mrs. Skurray. Goring-on- Thames; 4th. Mr. A. Wells. South View Avenue, Lower Caversham.
Kittens, single or in pairs.—1st, Miss Dorothy Hartley; 2nd, Miss A. M.Paice; 3rd, Miss G. W. Bradshaw, 54. London Street, Reading—Ruffy II.; 4th. Mrs. Child, 101. Oxford Road, Reading;, v.h.c and special for best orange and white, local kitten, Mr. E. A. Turner, Upper Redlands Road, Reading—Orange Princess.

SUCCESS OF A LOCAL CAT EXHIBITOR. Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, 1st March 1902
At the Reading Cat Show, held this week, a local exhibitor, Mrs, Walker, The Plough, Leatherhead Common, secured several prizes, besides the silver cup for the best kitten in the show. The following is a list of her successes: First and special with long hair tortoiseshell; first with short hair red tabby; second with her well-known blue cat; third with tortoiseshell and white; silver cup for the best kitten in the show, with her short hair blue kitten. At the National Cat Show, held at Westbourne Grove, Mrs Walker was again successful. Out of three entries she secured a first, second, and third.

1902 REGENT’S PARK CAT SHOW

[REGENT’S PARK SHOW] Cambridge Daily News, 12th June 1902
At the National Cat Club Show Regent’s Park on Tuesday, Mr F. Doggett, of Caius-street, Cambridge, secured a second prize in the kitten class.

A SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITOR. Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, 21st June 1902
At the Coronation Cat Show, held at the Botanic Gardens. Regent’s Park, London, last week, Mrs. F. Walker, of Leatherhead, was successful in gaining prizes for all her four entries, viz., first and special, short-haired tortoise; second, long-haired tortoise; second, red tabby; third, short-haired blue.

A SUCCESSFUL CAT EXHIBITOR. Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, 27th September 1902
There has been on view in Mr. F. Palmer’s window, Bridge-street, a handsome pair of silver candlesticks, presented by the Duchess of Bedford, which together with 30s. were awarded to Mrs. Felix Walker, of the Plough Inn, Leatherhead, for the best short haired neutral [sic] cat, shown at the Coronation Cat Show, held in Regent’s Park.

1902 HARROGATE SHOW

HARROGATE DOG AND CAT SHOW. Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald, 9th August 1902
Ladies' Kennel Association Great Open Dog and Cat Show, in Goodrick’s Field, Harrogate, on 28th and 29th August. Liberal local classification. For schedule apply – Mr Inman, Ellangowan, or Mr G. Weston, Parliament Street. [Part of the Harrogate Horse and Agricultural Society Show]

DOG AND CAT SHOW AT HARROGATE. Nottingham Evening Post, 29th August 1902
The second grand open championship held at Harrogate, of the Ladies' Kennel Association, was opened yesterday. There was a large and fashionable gathering, the show being now recognised as one of the events of the Harrogate season. . . . The cats, well as the dogs, made a pretty show.

LADIES’ KENNEL SHOW. BRILLIANT GATHERING AT HARROGATE. Leeds Mercury, 29th August 1902
[. . . ] No better centre than Harrogate could be found for the annual grand championship show of the Ladies’ Kennel Association, the second meeting of which opened in Goodrick’s field, Otley-road, yesterday. In many respects the show was considerable improvement on last year’s exhibition. The entries numbered about 800, or practically the same as last year. The separate classes numbered 310, of which 287 were devoted to the dogs; while the cats, which also come within the purview of the association, had 23 classes devoted to them. Happily, the inextricable confusion into which the officials and everybody else found themselves plunged a year ago by reason the badly arranged programme and the inadequate preparations made for recording the judges’ awards was almost entirely avoided this year, though even yet a visit some of the great agricultural shows might furnish the management with some useful hints in the matter of publishing the awards. Though improved a good many details are still far from being perfect, and the inquiring visitor will look in vain for dozens of classes which have been for some reason other, not entered, and finds, for instance, that, without explanation, Class follows Class 95, or that Class 205 immediately follows Glass 199, while the classes for cats start at No. 7, he may well feel disposed give up the catalogue as an uncertain guide, an uncertainty that is enhanced the fact that several exhibitors names are misspelled. On the whole, however, the show was admirably conducted, and trifles of this sort will count for comparatively little.

Unfortunately, the Harrogate Borough Band brought up with it a storm of rain as it entered the ground in the afternoon, and though the first severity of the shower quickly passed, light showers fell at intervals during the rest of the day, and somewhat spoilt the success of the gathering. The show itself, however, was not merely social function. The dog and cat owners were genuine enthusiasts, and the whole collection it would be difficult to beat, even at the great Crystal Palace show itself. In many the classes the prize winners were undoubtedly the best animals of their breed to be found in the country, while some of the classes as whole, the black pugs for instance, have probably never been equalled for excellence in the history of dog shows, and may not be equalled again for years to come.

Dainty as were some of the smaller dogs in their cushioned and silk-lined pens, their comforts paled into insignificance beside the luxury of their feline friends, many of whom, one imagines, could hardly exist without their special maids and a complete toilet outfit. What became of the first six classes remains a mystery, but the catalogue started at Class 7, which included half a dozen brown tabbies of such inferior merit that the judge (the Hon. Mrs. McLaren, of Northallerton) declined to award any prize, and left the best of a poor lot to console itself with a “highly commended.” The best cat section was undoubtedly that devoted to the somewhat negative class described as “neuter,” which, according the lady who assessed the merits of the various competitors, had not a bad cat in it. First honours went to Mr. R. Radcliffe, of Starbridge, with a cat of quite a remarkable fawn colour. The litters were also very good, Mrs. Slingsby, of Thorpe Underwood Hall, and Mr. E. H. J. Inman, of Harrogate, being equal firsts. The same competitors tied again in the local class, Mr. Inman exhibiting a unique blue bunney cat, which though inferior in points to that shown by Mrs. Slingsby, was granted equal honours for its exceptional character. Mrs. J. Walker (Harrogate) took first and third —the only two prizes awarded—for long-haired kittens; while Miss E. Soames, of Brough, carried off first honours in the novice class.

1902 SANDY SHOW

THE SANDY SHOW. Bedfordshire Mercury, 29th August 1902 & 5th September 1902
This show was held in the Park of Sandye Place yesterday, in splendid weather, and proved one of the most successful shows that has ever been held.
CATS. Judges:-Lady Marcus Beresford, Mr C. A. House, and Mr T. Mason.
Prizes:-First, 12s.; second, 6s.: third, 3s.
10s. 6d., special prize the President, Col. Shuttleworth, for best exhibit in local classes.-Mrs Western
THE CAT CLUB SPECIALS.
A silver medal for the lightest silver male cat (longhaired).-Mrs G. Wilson
A silver medal for the best blue female (longhaired) -Mrs G. Wilson.
A bronze medal for the best orange kitten (longhaired) -Miss Sargent.
A bronze medal for the best silver tabby cat (shorthaired) -Mrs Collingwood.

THE SILVER AND SMOKE PERSIAN CAT SOCIETY SPECIALS,
A silver medal for best smoke male or female.-Mrs Western
A silver medal for best chinchilla, male or female.- Miss A E Chamberlain
A silver medal for best shaded silver, male or female -Mrs G Wilson
A silver medal for best silver tabby, male or female - Miss Cope
A silver medal for best chinchilla, shaded silver, smoke or silver tabby kitten.-Mrs Fawsett

THE ORANGE AND TORTOISESHELL SOCIETY SPECIALS.
A special for best orange male.-Mrs F Western
A special for best orange female.-Mrs Singleton.
A special for best cream male.-Miss W Beal.
A special for cream female.-Mrs D’Arcy Hildyard
A special by Miss W. Beal, for best tortoiseshell cat (to members of O. & T. S.). -Lady Pink.
A special by Miss M. Beal, for best orange, cream, or tortoiseshell kitten (to members of O. & T.S.). - Miss Cope.

MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB SPECIALS.
Silver badge, by Miss Cope, for best long-haired silver tabby male, over 8 and under 12 months.-Miss Cope.
10s., by Miss A. E. Cartwright, for best longhaired silver tabby, bred by exhibitor. -Miss Cope.
A special by Mrs Spofforth, for best long-haired silver tabby kitten, bred by exhibitor. -Lady Pink.

THE BLUE PERSIAN CAT SOCIETY SPECIALS.
Challenge prize for best blue male (to be won three times}.-Mrs Wilson.
Silver and enamel badge, to commemorate the challenge prize male win.-Mrs Wilson.
Challenge prize, for best blue female (to be won three times). -Mrs Wilson.
Silver and enamel badge to commemorate the challenge prize female win.-Mrs Wilson.
A special by Mrs Robertson, for soundest coloured blue male cat. -Mrs Wilson.
For best orange eves in blue female cat, by Mrs Gregory - -Mrs Wilson.
For best blue male kitten, by Miss F. Simpson.- Miss A Bennett
For best blue female kitten, by Miss Goddard.- Mrs Wilson.
For best blue neuter, by Rev. P. L. Cosway.-E D Twelvetrees.

SPECIALS BY LADY MARCUS BERESFORD.
Two crystal silver-mounted vases, for best black cat in the show.-Miss E Banes.
Two crystal silver-mounted match stands for best white cat in the show.-Mrs W Nott.
Two crystal silver-mounted match stands for best exhibit in class 252.-Mrs F W Western.
Inkstand with clock for best exhibit in class 251. - Mrs F W Western.
Crystal salts bottle for best exhibit in class 249. - Mrs W Western.
Silver gilt cat brooch, jewel eye, for best exhibit in class 250.-Mrs F Western.
Silver model brooch of cat for best blue eves in white cat.-Mrs Nott
Clock in leather case for best Manx cat in the show.-Mrs Collingwood.
Clock in leather case for best neuter in the show.- Mrs Boyce.
Gilt purse and chain for best tortoiseshell in the show.-Miss Derby Hyde.
Gilt purse and chain for best exhibit in class 242. - Mrs Mellor Bonny.
Gold medal for best Siamese female.-Miss Hyde.
For best cat in the show, by the Hon. Mrs McLaren Morrison.-Miss W Beal.
10s. for the best long-haired kitten in class 235, by Mrs Hastings Lees.-Mrs A Knight.
Bronze and silver medal for best long-haired brown tabby by Miss Lees.-Mrs G Wilson.
Bronze and silver medal for best long-haired smoke, female, by Miss Lees.-Mrs F W Western.
Bronze and silver medal for best short-haired white, female, by Miss Lees.-Mrs F W Western.
10s. for the best long-haired female tabby in the show by Miss Gladys Lees.-Mrs G Wilson.
Travelling box to best exhibit in classes 249 and 250, by “Salvo.”-Mrs F W Western.
For best blue kitten, bred by exhibitor, by Mrs Gant.-Mrs G Wilson.
Framed crystoleum painting, for best male shorthaired brown tabby, by Mrs C. Bonny.-B. Munday.
5s. for best exhibit in class 249, by H. Sell.- Mrs Western.
For best short-haired blue kitten, by “A cat fancier.”-Mr W Hughes.
For second best smoke, female, donors not competing, by the Misses Moxon.-Mrs Western.
For second prize cream male, long-haired, by Mrs G. Wilson.-Mrs Western.

SPECIALS BY MRS COLLINGWOOD.
For best self-coloured novice long-haired out.-Mrs Wilson.
For best whole-coloured novice long-haired kitten. - Mrs Wilson.
For best tabby short-haired cat. -Mrs Collingwood.
For best novice short-haired tabby.-Mrs Mellor.
For best short-haired whole-coloured neuter. -E D Twelvetrees.

For best cream novice, male or female, by Mrs D’Arcy Hildyard.-Mrs Western.
For best orange novice, male or female, by Mrs D’Arcy Hildyard.-Mrs Western.
For best long-haired silver tabby, by Mrs S. F. Clarke.-Miss Cope.
For best Chinchilla kitten, over four months old, by Mrs Omerod.-Mrs W Nott.
For best kitten sired by “The Duke of Kettering,” by Miss North.-J Adams.
For the longest haired blue female, by Miss North. -Mrs Wilson.
5s. for best kitten in class 252, by Miss Munson.- Mrs Western.
For best exhibit in classes 251 and 252, bound volume by Fur and Feather.”-Mrs Western.
Silver medal with gold centre for best exhibit in class 251, donor not competing, by Mrs F. W. Western.-Miss E Banes.
For best exhibit in Class 252, donor not competing, by Mr F. W. Western.-Mrs H Banes.

SHORTHAIRED CAT SOCIETY SPECIALS
The Society’s silver medal for best whole or self-coloured male or female, bred by a member.-Mrs F Western.
The Society’s silver medal for best tabby, any colour, male or female, bred by a member.-Mrs Collingwood.
For best orange eyes in Blue Kitten Class by Miss Bennett. -Mrs Hampden Parr.
For best long-haired silver tabby novice female, by Miss Cope.-Mrs Francis Clarke.
For prettiest face and expression in silver kitten, by Mrs Wellbye.-Lady Pink.
For best chinchilla, novice, male, Mrs Wellbye. -Mrs Wilson.
For best chinchilla, novice, female, by Mrs Wellbye.-Miss Chamberlain.
Gilt purse and chain for best exhibit in class 239 – Mrs Collingwood
For best exhibit in class 236, bred by exhibitor, by Mrs Gwendolyn Bishop – F W Western

LONG HAIRS.
221. -Blue, male, 1 Mrs G Wilson, 2 Mrs Collingwood, 3 Messrs Patterson and Phillips.
222. -Blue, female, 1 Mrs G Wilson, 2 Mrs B Roberts, 3 Mrs A Knight, vhc Miss North and Miss A Bennett, hc A Hillory.
223. Chinchilla, or shaded silver, male, 1 and 2 Mrs G Wilson.
224. -Chinchilla, or shaded silver, female, 1 Miss S Meeson, 2 Miss A E Chamberlain.
225. -Silver tabby, male or female. 1 and 2 Miss Cope, 3 Lady Pink, hc Miss Derby Hyde, c Mrs E F Hellings.
226.-Smoke, male, 3 Mrs V James.
227. -Smoke, female, 3 Mrs F W Western.
228. - Orange or cream, male, 1 and vhc Miss W Beal, 2 and 3 Mrs F W Western, vhc Mrs J Carruthers and Mrs H Woodcock.
229.-Orange or cream, female, 1 and hc, Mrs D’Arcy Hildyard, 2 Mrs E A Singleton, 3 Miss W Beal, vhc Mrs Western, c Miss B Sargent.
230. Tabby or marked, any colour except silver tabby, 1 Mrs Wilson, 2 Mrs Western, 3 Hon. Philip Wodehouse, vhc Lady Pink and Miss Cope.
231. Any other colour, male, 1 Mrs W. Nott, 3 Mrs Knight, vhc Miss Blackett.
231a.-1 and 3 Mrs Westlake, 2 Miss E Banes, vhc J C Dunkley and Mrs Wellbye, hc Miss Derby Hyde.
232. - Blue kitten, over three and under six months. 1 (equal) Miss A Bennett and Mrs Wilson, 2 (equal) C W Witt and Mrs Singleton, 3 Miss Cope, vhc Mrs Knight. Mrs Hampden Parr, Mrs Wellbye and J Adams, hc Mrs Fawsett, Miss E A Singleton & W. Lawrence.
233.- Chinchilla, shaded silver or smoke kitten, over three and under six months,- 1 Mrs Fawsett, hc C W Witt, c Miss Cope.
234. - Silver tabby kitten, over three and under six months. 1 and hc Lady Pink, 2 Miss S Meeson.
235. - Any other colour kitten, over three and under six months, 1 Mrs A Knight, 2 Mrs Hildyard, vhc Mrs Western and Mrs St. Barbe, hc Miss Sargent.
SHORT HAIRS.
236.-Whole or self-coloured, 1 F W Western, 2 Mrs A Crowther, 3 Hon Philip Wodehouse, vhc Mrs Nott, hc Mrs Middleton, c Mrs Barker.
237. -Silver tabby, male, 1 Mrs Collingwood, 2 Mrs Palmer, 3 B Bedward, vhc Mrs Nott.
238. - Tabby, striped, barred or spotted (except silver tabby males), 1 Mrs Mellor Bonny, 2 B Munday, 2 J Dewar, vhc J Barnett, hc Mrs W Barker.
239. - Any other colour except Siamese, 1 Mrs Collingwood, 2 Mrs Poole, 3 Miss Derby Hyde, vhc C Crawley, jun.
240. -Siamese, male, 2 Miss Sleep.
241. - Siamese, female, 1 Miss Derby Hyde.
242. - Kitten, any variety, over three and under six months, 1 Mrs Mellor Bonny, 2 Mrs Nott, 3 Mrs Hughes, vhc Miss Chamberlain, hc Mrs Middleton, c J F Dewar.

LONG HAIRS AMD SHORT HAIRS.
243.-Novice, any variety, not having won a first prize at any show, 2 Miss Chamberlain, vhc Mrs Western and Mrs Knight.
244. -Any variety, neuter, 1 Mrs Boyce, 2 Mrs Sell, 3 E D Twelvetrees, vhc A Applegate and F Doggett, hc C Harding.
245. - Selling class, any variety, over six months, price not to exceed £5 5s., 1 Mrs Western, 2 C Dunkley, 3 Mrs W Barker, vhc Mrs James and Mrs Francis Clarke, he Miss Cope and Miss Blackett.
246 -Selling class, any variety, over three and under six months, price not to exceed £3 2s., Miss Bennet, 2 T Furze, 3 Miss Meeson, vhc Mrs Hughes (2), hc Mrs Wm Meeson, Mrs Middleton and Mrs Evans.
247.-Ring class, any variety and age, 1 Mrs Wilson, 2 Miss Meeson, 3 and vhc Mrs Western, Miss Derby Hyde.
248.-Ring class, any variety and age, neuter, 1 Mrs Nott, 2 (2 equal) [not named] and 3 A Applegate.

LOCAL CLASSES.- Open to persons residing within 20 miles of Sandy.
249.-Any variety, over six months, 1, 2 and 3 Mrs Western, vhc A Thompson, hc Mrs Barker.
250.-Any variety, over three and under six months, 1, vhc and c Mrs Western, 2 and 3 Mrs Carruthers, hc F Doggett.
251. -Any variety, over six months (open to Sandy only), 1 and 2 Mrs Western, 3 Miss Banes, vhc Mrs Carruthers, hc Fred Cooper, c Mrs Tott.
252.-Any variety, over three and under six months, 1 and hc Mrs Western, 2 Mrs H Banes, 3 and vhc Mrs Carruthers, c Frank Cooper.

[SANDY SHOW] Leighton Buzzard Observer and Linslade Gazette, 2nd September 1902
Mrs Collingwood took two first prizes, one second and many specials with her cats at Sandy Show, her cat James II won the Cat Club special for the best silver tabby.

1902 CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW

NATIONAL CAT SHOW The Observer, 26th October 1902, page 2
The national Cat Club Championship Show, under the direction of Mrs. Stennard Robinson, will take place at the Crystal palace on Tuesday and Wednesday next, the 28th and 29th inst., with a record list of some two thousand entries. Among the exhibitors of interest will be Lady Decies. With her champions; Lady Alexander, of Ballochmyle, and Mrs. herring, who will send nearly thirty of her celebrated cats. Mrs. herring is one of the first and most generous supporters of the feline cause, and as famous in the dog world with her many champion King Charles spaniels as she is in the cat world for her carefully-bred felines. Mrs. H.C. Brooke adds to the interest of this year’s show by exhibiting her wild South American Geoffroy’s cat and a special Indian cat, the only ones in the kingdom, besides other foreign specimens. Almost every breed of cat will be represented at this year’s show, and the two thousand exhibits will be distributed over one hundred classes, and the competition for the large number of prizes and championships will be exceptionally keen and interesting. As at the corresponding show last year, the cats will be housed in a large tent covering the whole area of the spacious south nave of the Crystal Palace.

NATIONAL CAT SHOW. Morning Post, 29th October 1902
The National Cat Show at the Crystal Palace which opened yesterday, is up to the average. The number of cats benched was five hundred and fifty, including all the most favourite breeds, and among the exhibits were one hundred cats belonging to working people. The chinchillas, now the most fashionable of cats, were well represented, Mrs Wilson’s Rob Roy of Arrandale was the most admired for them, winning the first prize in the challenge class and carrying off several other first prizes. For shape, bone, and colour it is one of the finest cats ever exhibited. In female chinchillas the celebrated Zaida of Lady Decies, winner of innumerable prizes, was first in her class, but in the contest for the championship had to give way to Mrs Wilson’s Rob Roy, three years her junior. The Blues were a grand collection, Oliver Wooleepug, the property of the Misses Lemmon and Bartlett, repeating in the male class his success of last year. In the female class Lady Decies gained the first prize for Fulmer Hazelline. The smokes were a good lot, the best being a very handsome animal, Backwell Jubilee II., shown by Mrs H.V. James, of Bristol. The Orange cats were better than usual, the winner in the male class being William of Orange, shown by Mrs Stillwell. For colour and marking this cat could hardly be exceled. The Creams on the whole were hardly up to the best form. Miss W Beal’s Romaldkirk Midshipmite secured the principal awards. The Silver Tabbies were hardly up to the form of some recent shows, there being in many instances an absence of that clear silver colour so much desired. The Siamese and short-haired cats generally were a nice collection and well up to the average in point of merit. The show, which is held under the auspices of the National Cat Club, will close this evening.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. London Evening Standard, 29th October, 1902
The largest show of cats yet held under the management of the National Cat Club, of which the Duchess of Bedford is President, yesterday opened at the Crystal Palace, the whole of the arrangements being in the hands of Mr. J. B. Townend. Among the judges were Miss Cochran, Mr. C.A. House, Mrs. Greenwood, Miss Simpson, Miss Forestier-Walker, Mr. Jung, Mr. S. Woodiwiss, and Mr. Louis Wain. The first classes were those tor long-haired cats, and here in that for white males Mrs. Atkins’s The White Knight, sound in colour and in beautiful coat, was winner from Mrs. Baxter’s White Friar II. and the Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison's Murza Shaffy. The pick of the females was Mrs. O. Westlake’s Blue Eyed Nell. Blacks were more numerous, and here Mr. R. Little’s Sir Robert and Messrs. Roberts and Don’s Young Flora, both exceedingly good specimens of their variety, were the winners. A charming kitten in Mrs. Oliver Westlake’s Blue Peep was the pick of the exhibits under eight months old.

As in previous years, blues were very strong, the kitten class being one of the largest in the show. The soundest coloured male exhibit was Misses Lemmon and Bartlett's Oliver Woolleepug, and in the class for females Mr. D. Ayton’s Dolly Gray won the premiership. In smokes the leading exhibits were Mrs. H. V. James's Backwell Jubilee II. and Mrs. B. Roberts’s Everton Duchess, whilst Lady Decies’s beautiful Fulmer Zaida and Mrs. O. Wilson’s Rob Roy of Arrandale were to the front in long haired chinchillas. Miss Snell’s kittens Fire Fly and Peep o’ Day, winners in their class, were also greatly admired. Oranges and creams were not so numerous, but all the exhibits were of good quality, Mrs. Stillwell, Mrs. E. Singleton, Miss Beal, and Mrs. Western being the most successful exhibitors; and in the kitten classes Orange Girl II.. the property of Mrs. Singleton, and Dr. Roper’s Kicksie and Gipsie were the most admired of a particularly fine entry. Silver tabbies and tortoiseshells make other good sections, among winning exhibitors here being Mrs. Herring, the Hon. P. Wodehouse, Miss R. Whitney, Dr. Roper, and Mrs. B. Roberts; and in the Siamese and Manx classes Mrs. M. Robinson, Mrs. H. C. Brooke, and Mrs. Schlaferman were successful. A novelty in the foreign section was Mrs. Brooks’s Paraguay cat.

The short-haired classes filled well considering the scarcity of some of the varieties represented, but in tortoiseshells Lady Alexander of Ballochmyle was practically unopposed with a very strong team, Samson, Bountiful Bertie, and Otter all heading large classes. Mrs. Collingwood’s James II. and Mrs. Herring’s Sweet Phillis were leaders in silver tabbies, and then in oranges or reds, Lady Alexander was again to the fore with Red Prince and Miss Perfection. Messrs. Ainsley and Graham’s Flying Fox proved to be the best brown or sable tabby, and other notable winners in this part of the snow were Mrs. Nye’s Georgie, Mr. E. Taylor’s Bobs, Mrs. Curtis’s Baron Bonelli, and Mrs. Herring’s King Silver of Lee. The show remains open this evening.

THE CAT SHOW. Gloucester Citizen, 29th October 1902
A magnificent show of cats is that opened yesterday at the Crystal Palace, under the management of the National Cat Club, the Duchess of Bedford being president. Since first holding a show this club, which has a position in the cat world similar to that of the Kennel Club among dog-owners, has made wonderful progress; and Mr. Harrison Weir, who was among the visitors, must have been favourably impressed at the great improvement almost all the varieties represented. The sub-divisions are bewildering to the layman, but it is of interest that over twenty distinct varieties are given classification the show. Lady Alexander, Lady Decies, the Hon. P. Wodehouse, and the Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison are among the successful exhibitors; but the novelty is a Paraguay cat, shown by Mrs. H. C. Brooke, who in previous years has invariably had view a wild cat. No specimen of the latter is exhibited this year; in fact, would now be a matter of difficulty to find bona-fide member of the fast-disappearing race.

SCOTTISH WINNERS AT THE NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW The Scotsman, 29th October 1902
The two days’ annual show of the National Cat Club was opened at the Crystal Palace, London, yesterday. The exhibits are of a representative character, in splendid coat and condition from all parts of Great Britain, and numbered 508, as compared with 601 last year. Lady Alexander of Ballochmyle benched a magnificent collection of twenty-two, and obtained many first and other awards in the shorthaired section for tortoiseshells, tortoiseshell-and-whites, orange or red tabbies, whites, blacks, blues, and neuters, also the awards for the brace and team. Lady Alexander’s most formidable competitor was Lady Decies, who was awarded several first, second, and third prize in the different varieties. Messrs Roberts & Don, Dunblane, were awarded a first prize for a splendid long-haired female, “YoungFlora.” Mrs W.C. Millar, Rothesay, obtained third prize for a nice long-hiared neuter. Other Scottish prize-winners included Mr A. Boyes, Bridge of Allan; Mr H. Maxwell, Ayr; Mrs McLaren, Bothwell; and Mrs Stewart Mackenzie, Irvine. Although the weather was unfavourable in the evening, there was a large and fashionable attendance.

CATS AND PIGEONS. INTERESTING SHOWS. London Daily News , 29th October 1902
Genealogically the question whether the cat or the pigeon has the older lineage may, perhaps, be relegated to the same class of queries as that of the still unsettled problem of the hen or the egg coming first into being. Modern development, illustrated by two great shows held yesterday at the Crystal Palace and at the Aquarium, have brought out the best qualities, physical and instinctive, of both races. Two traits are common characteristics of the cat and pigeon. Each has an intense love of home, and each is prone to promenade on the roofs of houses.

Benched under awning at the south end of the Crystal Palace are specimens of cats. From a representative of the National at Club a reporter from this paper learned at the show, which opened yesterday and will close to-day, that “long-haired blues’’ are just now much in vogue. They are of Persian descent, rough-coated, domesticated, remarkable for beauty of fur and size of figure. A really good cat of this variety might bring anything from 15 to 30 guineas at sale by private contract. Residence in England for many generations with careful attention to breeding, living, and training, have made the Persian cat what he is to-day. Shorthaired cats, indigenous, it may be supposed, to Britain, hold their own against the foreign invaders and improvers. With the real old-fashioned tabby of the hearthrug Lady Decies figures well, as, indeed, she does in several classes of the mixed varieties to boot. Mrs. Herring, of Lee is also well to the fore with choice specimens of various breeds. Mrs. C. H. Brooke, of Welling, has in the pens several fine specimens of fancy cats. Mrs. A. Stennard-Robinson is the hon. sec. of the Club. The prize for best cat in the show was awarded to Mrs. Collingwood’s short-haired James II, remarkable for his wonderfully fine and distinctive marking in silver and black. The principal prize for the rough-haired variety was taken Mr. David Ayton’s “Dolly Gray,” priced in the catalogue at £25.

THE CAT SHOW Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 29th October 1902
Ladies mustered in strong force at the national Cat Club Show, which opened yesterday at the Crystal Palace. Obvious “old maids” lingered lovingly over the pens or bestirred themselves with youthful alacrity to secure that that their pets should be shown to the judges at their very best. No fewer than 550 cats were penned. Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, the one member of the Royal Family who exhibits cats, is unrepresented this year. The most successful animal in the show was Mr. Wilson’s Chinchilla cat, Rob Roy of Arrandale, which won first prize in its class, thirteen specials, first challenge, first in the limit class, and headed the team class. It is undoubtedly the best shaped and strongest boned cat ever seen at a public show. In the same section Lady Decies showed her splendid champion Zaida, which won first prize in her class, but was beaten by the more splendid Rob Roy for special prizes, and also defeated by him in the challenge classes, this being the first time she has been defeated.

THE NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW. The Scotsman, 30th October 1902
The champion and special awards were posted at the Crystal Palace yesterday. In the short-haired division Lady Alexander of Ballochmyle was supreme, taking north of the Tweed more prizes than any other exhibitor in the show , including awards in the tortoiseshell classes, the tortoiseshell and white section, the orange or red tabby class, for the best shorthair in the show,-for white males and a white female, the blue male class, the challenge class for any colour, the brace medal, and medal for team of any colour (unchallenged.) This list of honours at a cat show has rarely if ever been equalled. Lady Decies was a good second, and Mrs Collingwood and Mrs Herring obtained many prizes.

NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW Hull Daily Mail, 31st October 1902
There wore not so many Northern exhibitors as usual at the National Cat Club Show this week, but one or two prizes found their way into Yorkshire. The novelty of the exhibition was the Paraguay cat, which won first in the section for foreign cats of any variety.

LOCAL WINNER AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW Bradford Daily Telegraph, 31st October 1902
Mrs C.V. Hartley, 61, Manningham Lance, has again been successful with her noted orange female kitten, “Lotto,” which was amongst the winners at the National Cat Club annual show at the Crystal Palace this week. This kitten is under five months old, and has already won a good number of prizes. Several ladies of note were anxious to secure it, but no price was catalogue. It is a splendid specimen of the orange tabby breed.

LEIGHTON CATS AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Bucks Herald, 1st November 1902
Something of a sensation was caused at the Crystal Palace on Tuesday, at the fourteenth championship show of the National Cat Club. As a rule, when the judging for the "best cat in the show" takes place, the judges do not pay too much attention to the short-haired cats, the long-haired ones being much more attractive. On Tuesday, however, the usual order of things was reversed, and the Gold Medal for the best in the show of 600 cats was awarded to a short-haired animal -a silver tabby, by name James II.-owned Mrs. Collingwood, of Bossington, Leighton Buzzard. James II., who beat all the old champions, is specially distinguished by its very clear markings-the black is perfect raven-black, and the silver quite clear and distinct from the black. This cat also wins the National Club's Ten Guinea Challenge Cup for the best English or foreign short-haired cat in the show, and numerous other special prizes. The Club's Ten Guinea Cup for the best longhaired cat is won by Mr. David Ayton's Dolly Gray, a blue female, with wonderful fur and extraordinary orange-coloured eyes. All the blue cats and smoke cats in the show are very good, but there can be no doubt that the short-haired cats are becoming more popular every year. Still, it is impossible to resist the charms of some of the long-haired cats, as, for instance, Mrs. Westlake's Blue-Eyed Nell, a white cat, winner of several first and special prizes. The tortoiseshell cats always come in for good deal of admiration, and of these one of the best is Dr. Roper's Champion Dainty Diana, who won a first prize. Some of the best cats in the United Kingdom are on view. Lady Alexander shows twenty-two cats, Lady Decies has a large entry; fact, all the best "catteries" are represented. Daily Graphic.

CAT SHOW AT CRYSTAL PALACE. Norwood News, 1st November 1902
The National Cat Club held its annual show on Tuesday and Wednesday last with about 600 exhibits, comfortably tented in the south nave. Foreign varieties were in great force, and the collection was altogether of exceptional interest. The prizes included 220 specials, and the total number afforded good chances to all exhibitors. The following local awards appeared in the catalogue;-
Andrews, Miss, 22, Palace-road, Upper Norwood, class 94, 484, h.c.
Barnes, Mrs. R., 145, Livingstone-road, Thornton Heath, class 85, 398, 1st.
Battley, Mrs. Kyle Craig, Sudbury-road, Thornton Heath, class 34, 250, h.c.
Beard, Mr. C., 33a, Durban-road, Auckland-bill, West Norwood, class 87, 407, h.c.
Beauchamp, Miss E. 6, Howbery-road, Thornton Heath, class 71, 365, 2nd.
Bedward, Mr. B.,12, Belvedere-road, Upper Norwood, class 85, 399, 1st; class 88, 402, 2nd; class 93, 451, res.
Bingham, Mr. W., 161, Livingstone-road, Thornton Heath, class 87, 408, v.h.c.; class 91, 429, h.c.
Brown, Mrs. P., 59, Palace-road, Streatham, class 78, 391, h.c.
Chamberlayne, Miss, 69, Westow-hill, Norwood, class 8, 59, h.c.; class 17, 160, v.h.c.; class 69, 357, v.h.c.; class 99, 492, 2nd.
Charlton, Mrs., 11, Livingstone-road, Thornton Heath, class 89, 412, 2nd.
Clarke, Miss E. M., The Cottage, Lansdowne-place, Upper Norwood, class 90, 423, h.c.
Cox, Miss, 34, Maple-road, Penge, class 89, 415, 3rd.
Deacon, Mrs., 58, Woodland road, Upper Norwood, class 9, 64, h.c.; class 95, 465, c.
Drake, Mr. J. C., 53, Shakespeare-road, Herne Hill, class 101, 498, 3rd.
Eagle, Mrs. 22, Palace-road, Upper Norwood, class 96, 472, 3rd.
Emmens, W., 3, Brunswick-place, Upper Norwood, class 90, 422, 3rd.
Evans, Mrs, 2a Harefield Villas, Sydenham, class 92, 466, c.
Frewin, Miss M., 51, Belvedere-road, Upper Norwood, class 1,5, res.
Gent, Mrs. 196, Livingstone-road, Thornton Heath, class 92, h.c.
Gibson, Mrs., 21, The Avenue, Upper Norwood. class 97, 481, c.
Graham, Mr. T., 45, Prospect-read, Sydenham, class 94, 459, res.
Green, Mrs., 104, Romany-road, West Norwood, class 87, 406, h.c.
Hamilton, Mrs., Norfolk Lodge,Sontb Norwood, class 13, 112, v.h.c.
Hilton, Miss C., Beardell-street, Upper Norwood, class 91, 427, 3rd.
Job. Miss C., 15, Farquarson-road, West Croydon, Class 80, 394, res.
Kitt Mrs 52, Maberley.road, Upper Norwood, class 96, 471, c.
Logan, Mrs., 54, Wordsworth-road, Penge, class 32, 238, 3rd.
Martin, Mr. G. W., Gipsy-road, West Norwood, class 89, 413, 1st; class 92, 443, h.c.
Nye Mrs., 11, St. Hugh's-road, Anerley, class 94, 463, 1st.
Oliver, Mr. E., 58, High street, Thornton Heath, class 96, 470, v.h.c.
Pink, Sylvester, 23, Hawthorne-grove, Penge, class 91, 439, 2nd; class 92, 450, v.h.c.
Piper, Mrs., 35, Penge-road, class 94, 461, h.c.
Poole, Mrs. R. A., Rockville, Anerley-hill, class 16, 148, v.h.c.; class 24, 202, 3rd.
Rawlings Mrs. Francesco, Upper Norwood, class 91, 433, v.h.c.
Roberts, Miss G., 28, Stanthorpe-road, Streatham, class 35, 251, h.c.
Sargent, Miss B., 31, Casewick-road, West Norwood, class 38, 258, 3rd.
Shallis, Mr. W., 55, Mersham-road, Thornton Heath, class 95, 468, 2nd.
Smyth, Miss, 148, Melfort-road, Thornton Heath, class 99, 493, 3rd.
Stead, Mrs. A. M., Summerleigh, Auckland-road, Upper Norwood, class 12, 101, 2nd and spl.; class 12, 102, and spl. class 13, 114, 3rd; class 27, 224, 3rd.
Tinley, Mrs., 6, Howbery-road, Thornton Heath, class 71, 364, res.
Tucker, J., 20, Palace-road, Norwood, class 88, 411; 2nd.
Vidal, Mrs., Torrington, West-hill, Sydenham, class 18, 164, 3rd; class 19, 169, h.c.
Wellings, Mrs. 14, Sunholme-road, Anerley, class 103, 501, res.
Wilson, Mrs. K. 10, Hamilton-road, West Norwood, class 85, 397, 2nd.
Wilson, Mrs. G., Arrandale, Adamsrill-road, Sydenham, class 12, 106, h.c. and spl.; classes 14, 127, and 12, 127, spls.; class 15, 138, 2nd; class 28, 229, 3rd and spl.; clan 64, 333, 3rd; class 65, 337, 2nd.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] Luton Times and Advertiser, 7th November 1902
At the National Cat Club show, among an immensity of prize-winners the proud distinction of being the best cat in the show, fell to Mrs Collingwood's James II., a beautifully mottled silver grey of wonderful clearness of colouring and regularity of marking. This fine animal, which belongs to Mrs. Collingwood, Leighton Buzzard, was the object of much attention, and gives the breeder who lays stress on pedigree considerable food for reflection, as its origin is quite unknown.

A SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITOR Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, 8th November 1902
Mrs Felix Walker, of Leatherhead Common, was again successful at the National Cat Club Show, held at the Crystal Palace, last week. In addition to securing a first and two special prizes, Mrs Walker was awarded the silver bowl for the best short-hair kitten in the show. The kitten was afterwards claimed by Lady Decies at the catalogue price, £5 5s.

CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW. The Queen, 8th November 1902
THE ANNUAL SHOW OF CATS at the Crystal palace was largely supported. There were over 400 classes containing more than 500 entries. The classes for long haired cats included animals of every colour – white, black, blue, black and white, smoke coloured chinchillas, orange, cream, silver tabby, tabbies of other colour, tortoiseshell and tortoiseshell and white. These numerous varieties show the influence which domestication and careful selection have on the colour of domesticated animals, and really afford a certain amount of scientific information interesting to naturalists. In addition to these numerous classes, no less than forty-eight in number, for males, females, and kittens of the long-haired varieties, there were others for the singularly marked Siamese and the short-tailed or tailless Manx.

The old-fashioned, and generally speaking, better shown short haired cats commence with tortoiseshell and tortoiseshell and white going through the changes of silver, orange tabbies and brown tabbies, as well as those of any other colour. We then came to the ordinary black cats, followed by white, blue, and other colours, and the show as concluded by a series of classes which have been allotted to the exhibition of cats belonging to working men.

From the numerous exhibition our artist has selected for representation the following typical specimens. A white long haired male Persian belonging to Mrs Baxter of Brentwood, which shows in a very characteristic manner the tendencies of this breed which, it is needless to say, is not one that is to be found in a wild state, but is the domestic animal which had been improved by most careful attention to breeding, which has been carried on for numerous generations. The second cat whose portrait is given is a chinchilla female belonging to Lady Decies, of Birchington, a very large and successful exhibitor. In this a difference in colour is noticeable, otherwise the characteristics of chinchilla and white long haired cats are the same. The third is a tortoiseshell and white female belonging to Mrs Herring of Lee, Kent, a very large exhibitor who exhibits more than twenty specimens in the various classes. This beautiful animal was not in the prize list, but our artist being a fine naturalist selects his animals for representation for beauty as well as for fancy points. Our fourth drawing is that of Mr W.H. Cubbitt’s of Bacton Abbey, Norfolk. This animal, which was born in 1896,took the first prize with her litter in the class for litters of any colour.

The passion for keeping cats merely as fancy animals at buildings known as catteries is remarkable, and singularly enough appear most common in members of the aristocracy, who apparently have no other important occupation. There are three lady exhibitors in the show who have between them over fifty exhibits. It is marvellous to say that such studs of animals involve a very considerable expenditure. Some of those cat houses are built in rows like streets and others are isolated and moveable, these latter costing from £7 to £10 a kennel. When cats are kept in this manner they cannot be let out for exercise and are simply like cage birds, kept only for exhibition at the fanciers’ shows of which Crystal Palace is one of the largest and most prominent.

CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW Gentlewoman, 8th November 1902
The fourteenth grand championship show of the National Cat Club took place in the Crystal Palace on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, when a magnificent and typical collection of cats was benched there. The largest exhibitor in point of numbers was Lady Alexander, whose cats all bear the prefix of Ballochmyle. Lady Alexander won championships in the short-haired tortoiseshell and tortoiseshell and white classes with champion Ballochmyle Samson and Champion Ballochmyle Otter; in red tabbies with Ballochmyle Red Prince; in white males with champion Ballochmyle Snow King. Lady Decies showed many first prize winners, prominent among them being her well-known chinchilla, Champion Fulmer Zaida, who has been awarded more firsts, cups, and specials than almost any other competing cat. Much interest was taken in Fulmer Charcoal, a kitten about seven months old, who was rescued from misery by Lord Decies, and who promises to be a coming champion; he was second in a strong class for black males to Lady Alexander's Champion Ballochmyle Black Bump. Mrs. George Wilson, of Sydenham, was the winner of the championship for male chinchillas with her lovely Rob Roy of Arrandale, who was the winner of many specials, including that for the best long-haired cat in the show and of firsts in several classes. A prize-winning kitten was Mrs. Lilian Logan's Honeysuckle, born on March 16th.

Other prize-winners were the Hon. P. Wodehouse's silver tabby Witton Silver Leaf; Mrs. Herring's Champion King Alfred, who was the winner of the championship for silver tabbies; Mrs. Mary Robinson and Mrs. O.W. Cooke, with their Siamese pair, Ah choo and Zetland Wanzes; and Miss A. E. Cartwright, with her Siamese kitten Kunkan. The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison was a winner in black females with her handsome long-haired Black Tulip.

The feature of the second day was the competition for the "ring classes," when the cats were led into the judging rings on collars and leads. The prize-winners in the class for males were Lady Decies' lovely blue Fulmer Prince of Thanet, who took well-deserved first honours; Miss Derby Hyde's Thames Valley Argent, a silver tabby, who was second; and Mrs. George Wilson's grand chinchilla Rob Roy of Arrandale, third.

DOGS AND CATS; MOSTLY CATS. Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, 8th November 1902
The Cat Club - well, I must admit their show at the Crystal Palace, even to one who, like myself, cannot recall many of his associations with cats altogether with joy, was well worth seeing. Such a show of cats, I am told, has never been seen in London before. Such a show of cats, indeed, the world has never seen. There were blue cats, brown cats tiger-skinned and tortoise-shell coloured cats, cats that looked like advertisements for hair-restorers; lovely cats! Them were cats with tails, which is of course normal, and cats without tails. Lovely cats! The only kind of cat I didn't see was a cat-o'-nine-tails, which, in a show of nearly 2,000 cats was, I think, a serious and decided neglect on the part of the club. On the whole I was really, oh, more than interested. It was wonderful. I didn't see one cat there that I should have liked to kick. To any one who knows me, that speaks volumes. I remember when, as a youngster, I attended the old Academy at Airdrie---. But that is not a nice story. Here's a better one. Some time ago Lord Decies found a stray kitten wandering around his street. It was a pitiful sight, dirty, scraggy, looked in fact as if it dwelt in a drain-pipe. After the manner of its kind it began wiping itself on his lordship's pants. Lord Decies took the cat home, fed, and carefully nursed it. Lo. and behold! that cat grew into a magnificent chinchilla. Lady Decies had it on exhibition at the Crystal' Palace, when it rewarded its benefactors by taking first prize in its class.

1902 SCOTTISH CAT CLUB SHOW, GLASGOW

SCOTTISH CAT CLUB SHOW. Aberdeen Press and Journal, 13th November 1902
The fifth annual show of the Scottish Cat Club was held at Glasgow yesterday. In addition to the usual premiums there numerous special prizes among the contributors which were Lady Marcus Beresford, honorary president of the club, and the Countess of Aberdeen. Lady Aberdeen also exhibited, and won several prizes in the long haired section. She was first in the classes of shaded silver tabbies with Pharaoh of Haddo, and Ashtaroth of Haddo respectively, while in the novice class she was third with Cushie. Altogether about four hundred cats were benched, including several notable specimens from England

[CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW] Herne Bay Press, 15th November 1902
Miss Leslie, of Spring Close, has won the following awards at the Crystal Palace Cat Show: - Ivy Divernon, 3rd prize, first time described as a pretty blue tabby with sweet expression; Bob, 2nd prize, a fine cat with grand orange eyes.

CAT SHOW IN BIRMINGHAM. SOME CELEBRATED PETS. Birmingham Mail, 2nd December 1902
It is twenty years since a cat show was last held in Birmingham. Of late, however, interest in the feline race has revived – especially amongst society folk – and cat clubs and cat shows have been instituted in all parts of the country. Last year a number of Midland cat lovers – chiefly ladies – met at Wolverhampton and formed the Midland Counties Cat Club, with Lady Marcus Beresford as their president. A small show was held at the time, and the great interest evinced in their effort prompted the committee to attempt larger things, and it was resolved to hold a grand open show at the Prince of Wales Assembly Rooms, Birmingham. This was opened at one o’clock to-day with every promise of a great success. There were 259 entries, which included some of the best-known cats in the country. Most of the pussies are exceedingly well-behaved, and take their engagement very philosophically. Only a few protest, the majority sleep peacefully, while some want to have a game with everyone that passes. The first class are the whites, the winner in which – “Blue-eyed Wanderer,” owned by Miss Harper, Hayward’s Heath – is one of the best shaped cats in the fancy, with lovely blue eyes. The blacks are not a large class, but the quality is exceedingly good, especially the winning male. The smokes also are not very large in numbers, but the very best cats in the fancy are on view. The blue are the largest class in the show, most of the leading exhibitors in the country being represented. The winners in the adults were the winners at the Crystal Palace, and at all the other big shows. The silver class, self-coloured and marked, are a much better lot than was expected. In this class was the best long-haired cat in the show. The orange and cream are a grand collection, and were judged by Miss Winifred Beal, the well-known breeder of this variety from Darlington. The “any other variety” classes are full of quality, the leading exhibit being a very rich tortoiseshell, which attracts a great deal of attention. The kittens are all very good, especially the winning black and the winning self silver. The short-hairs are not so numerous as the long hair, but the quality is exceptionally good. The local classes are a surprisingly fine lot both in numbers and quality, and it only proves what the district is capable of doing by a properly organised club and show.

The silver medal presented by the club for the best long-haired cat in the show, was adjudged to Miss E.A. Chamberlayne, for her Cap and Bells (by Tod Sloan out of Musa). Cap and Bells is a Chinchilla or the very grandest colour, of beautiful shape, and with a nice eye. It was not a very popular award, the animals failed somewhat in condition and size, and was rather snipy in the head. The silver medal for the best shorthaired cat in the show went to Mrs. Collingwood, of Leighton Buzzard, for James II, a cat whose pedigree is unknown. This is the fourth consecutive show in which his majesty has secured this distinction, the previous occasions being at Cheltenham, the Crystal Palace, and Altrincham. He is a silver tabby, with a lovely silver under-coating, black markings, a head as round as a bullet, and beautiful eyes. A local breeder, Mr. C.W. Witt, of Lozells, carried off the Breeders’ Cup for the best long-haired kitten, bred by the exhibitor, with Ziaka of Lozells. It is a blue of good colour, and orange eyes. The Lozells Challenge Cup (presented by Mr. Witt) was secured by Miss Bennett, with Pat (sire Peter of Tovil) – a cat that attracted a great deal of attention. Amongst the principal exhibitors who secured prizes were Mrs. T. Furze (Birmingham), Mr. F.W. Western (Sandy), Mrs. Wilson (Sydenham) Mrs. A. Allen (Reading), Mr. C.W. Witt (Lozells), Miss Cope (Birmingham), Miss Derby Hyde (Hertford), Mrs. Collingwood (Leighton Buzzard), Mrs. H.V. James (Bristol), and Mrs. Slingsby (Ousburn). The judging was shared by Lady Marcus Beresford and Mr. T.B. Mason (Bradford), Miss E.M. Cope, the hon. secretary of the M.C.C.C. is responsible for the arrangements of the show.

1902 BIRMINGHAM CAT SHOW

PROPOSED CAT SHOW FOR BIRMINGHAM. Birmingham Mail, 6th December 1901
The city of Birmingham has its Cattle Show and its Dog Show, why, then, should it not have a Cat Show? That is the question which the members of the newly formed Midland Counties Cat Club have been asking one another, and no satisfactory reasons being advanced in opposition, it is hoped by the lovers of the feline race to organise an exhibition next year. The Midland Counties Club, of which Miss E. M. Cope of Bristol Road, is the hon. secretary, states that object of the organisation is to improve the breeding of the animals, to exhibit them, and by calling increased attention to them their value will be enhanced and they will enjoy a greater degree of comfort. There are numerous varieties of the species, and no doubt the exhibition of the aristocratic Persian, the Manx cat, and even the common type of household pet would be interesting. Prizes for good breeding, feline beauty, and size would, of course, be awarded, while “mousing trials” might instituted in order to give animals, which possessed neither of the qualifications mentioned, a chance. There are many people in the Midlands who take interest in the household pot and there are more points about a cat than always meet the eye of the average individual who derives his knowledge from nocturnal concerts on the housetops. There is no reason why a cat show should not be a success.

[MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT SHOW] IN DEFENCE OF THE CAT - BY AN OLD MAID. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 3rd December 1902
In common with many others who believe that after centuries of neglect, calumny, and other bad effect, of ignorance, cats are now again taking their rightful place in the civilisation which owes them so much more than many people think. I tender my thanks to the Midland Counties Cat Club. The show which was opened under the auspices of the club yesterday cannot fail to have a good effect in favour of the despised and hunted feline of which Professor Mivart is able to say that no more complete example of a perfectly organised living being can be found. Just glance at the show. The cats staged are of course the aristocracy of the species, but the humblest tabby possesses in common many of the graces and excellences exhibited by time well-cared-for animals.

Here are philosophers who write no books, types of grace and beauty who spend nothing on finery, keen lovers of sport who handle neither rod nor gun, model mothers who train their children to earn their own living without desiring pomps or vanities, and born actors and actresses whose dramatic abilities are only displayed to enliven their own homes and delight their personal friends. Dignity is the prevailing characteristic. Note the handsome tabby who sits erect but solemn, as if the care of an empire rested upon his striped head: So Tiberius might have sat, Had Tiberius been a cat

Glance too at the snow-white Persian queen to whom homage is an everyday offering. All maintain a well-bred silence. The loud complaints which deafen one at a dog show are not heard here. If one or two kittens are literally dying of grief and terror at the bewildering change from all they know and all they love they will “die and make no sign" that may draw a stranger's eye to their misery.

BIRMINGHAM CAT SHOW Birmingham Daily Gazette, 3rd December 1902
“M’yow, mee-ow, mew-wow.” After climbing up a three-flighted staircase to the Prince of Wales Assembly Rooms, Broad Street, any amount on variations on this simple them may be heard. Dogs have their day, but this is the cats’. As a change and variation it is welcome, for, after all, the plaintive wail of over 250 of their species is to be preferred to the constant head-splitting yelping of their 1,600 enemies, the dogs, benched in the hall lower down the main thoroughfare. The first open show of the Midland Counties Cat Club was inaugurated yesterday, and, as we ventured to prophesy some days ago, the exhibition is a definite indication that in the Midland Counties the fancy is growing in popularity. To the uninitiated – and there are not a few, for it is questionable where there has ever been a cat show on such an imposing scale in the Midlands – it is full of instruction. The lady feeding her pet from a hot dish that smelled more like Irish stew than any other mixture had the advantage in the command of language in which to dilate upon the outstanding qualities of her purring, pawing fancy. Another enthusiast volunteered the information, “New-laid eggs every morning, that’s what I give my beauty.” “Then she ought to be a champion,” was the effect of an unsympathetic retort, but the lady found consolation in the advice of another enthusiast, who suggested that a drop of cream or a little whiskey – providing, of course, that her cat had no strong opinions on the temperance question – would improve her coat.

Cats have such a bad reputation as midnight marauders and disturbers of the night that it is interesting to learn what are considered their good points. A judge of the Crystal palace Show who was a critic of yesterday’s exhibition sums them up thus:- “All well-bred cats should have immense round heads, good width between the ears, full eyes of the approved colour, a cobbiness of build, and should stand short on the legs. In fact as much as possible like a miniature well-fatted bullock.” What is the approved coloured eye? Critics say that a blue cat should have orange eyes; a white cat, blue eyes; a silver-coloured cat, green eyes; a brown cat, orange or green eyes; and an orange coloured cat, orange eyes.

But we have wandered from the show under consideration. With exhibits from London, St. Leonards, York, South Devon, Lincolnshire, Somerset, Durham, Liverpool, Manchester, Dunblane (Scotland), Ruabon and Newtown (North Wales), Darlington, Oldham, Folkestone, &c., it is strong numerically, and representatives of the best specimens of almost every breed, from the common short-haired tabby, who is always playing havoc among the pigeons, to the somewhat rare Siamese, with its delicately chocolate-pointed face, ears, and feet. It is hardly within the realms of possibility to give complete satisfaction to some 150 cat fanciers, chiefly ladies, with an exalted appreciation of the qualities and total blindness to the deficiencies of their fireside companions. But Mr. T.B. Mason, of Idle, Bradford, is one of the most popular judges of rabbits and cats, and he received valuable assistance from Lady Marcus Beresford (President of the Midland Counties Cat Club) and Miss Winifred Beal, a well-known breeder of the orange and cream variety, of Darlington.

In securing the championship award from the best short-hair cat in the show, “James II.,” a smooth tabby, with lovely silver undercoat, the densest black markings, head as round as a bullet, and grand piercing eyes, only repeats the successes he achieved for Mrs. Collingwood, of Leighton Buzzard, at Altrincham, the Crystal Palace, and Cheltenham. The other championship, for the best long-hair cat, goes to “Cap and Bells,” a member of the shaded silver tribe, exhibited by Miss E.A. Chamberlayne, of Norwood, S.E. Her colour is beautifully tintilated, and she has good eyes. But the award is not a popular one by reason of a lack of condition and size. The breeds’ challenge cup, presented by the club, is won for the first time by Mr. C.W. Witt, of Birmingham. The honour is secured by his “Ziska of Lozells,” a good blue, with a pair of grand orange eyes, who, in addition, takes first prize in her class, and three other specials.

Miss A. Bennett, of St. Leonards, is awarded the Lozells Challenge Cup, offered by Mr C.W. Witt to the owner of the blue stud whose kittens win most points. She takes the trophy by virtue of the successes of her blue kitten “Pat,” splendidly shaped, with a grand head, small ears set far apart, bright, intelligent eyes, and a lovely flowing coat.

The principal prize-winners are:
Long-haired – White: Miss E. Harper, Hayward’s Heath; Mrs. W. Nott, Hatfield, Herts.
Black: Messrs. Roberts and Don, Dunblane; mrs. W. Wignall, Folkestone.
Smoke: Mrs. H.P. James, Blackwell, near Bristol; Mrs. B. Roberts, Aston; Mrs. J. Millar, Aston.
Blue: Mrs. Slingsby, Ousburn, Yorks; Mrs. Kennaway, East Harling; Mrs. H.H. Barnett, Birmingham; Miss A. Greatorex, Old Colwyn.
Silver Tabby: Miss Herswill, Kensington; Miss Derby Hyde, Hertford Heath; Miss Power, London, S.W.; Mrs Slingsby.
Brown Tabby: Mrs. George Wilson, Sydenham; Miss Derby Hyde; Miss E. M. Cope (hon. Secretary to the club), Birmingham.
Shaded silver: Mrs. E. A. Clark, Wellington; Miss E.A. Chamberlayne, Norwood, S.E.
Orange or cream: Mrs. F. W. Western, Sandy, Beds; Mrs. Francis Neate, Marlborough.
Neuters: Mrs. Kennaway; Mr. Griffiths, Handsworth; Mr. Radcliffe, Stalybridge; Mr. S. R. Coombs, Edgbaston.
Kittens: Miss A. Bennet, St. Leonards; mr. C. W. Witt, Birmingham; Miss E. A. Chamberlayne; Mrs. Tyrwhitt Drake, Lincolnshire; Mr. Furze, Birmingham; Mrs. J. Davies, Jacksdale; Mr. V. Lowe, Longsight, Manchester; Mrs. Harper, Liverpool; Mr. J. H. Whatmough, Oldham; Mrs. Boston, Holgate, Yorks; Miss Bean, Birmingham; Mrs. E. Brooks, burton-on-Trent.

Short-haired – Whole of self-coloured: Mr. F. W. Western; Mrs. W. Nott, Hatfield.
Silver tabby: Mrs. Collingwood; Mrs. Heller Bonny, Ditchling.
Siamese: Miss Derby Hyde.
Manx; Mr. V. Lowe; Mr. Hinxman, Harborne.
Neuter: Miss Meller, Matlock.
Kittens: Mrs. C. V. Hartley; Miss Cartwright, Barnt Green; Mrs. M. Juxon, Sutton; Mrs. Lester; Mrs. Round, Sparkbrook; Miss h. Brady, Birmingham; and Mrs. S. Gubbins, Harborne.

SOCIETY AND LOCAL NEWS, Worcestershire Chronicle, 6th December 1902
At Birmingham Cat Show on Tuesday, Mrs George Cadbury, Northfield, gained a third in the blue neuter class with her “Tom Tit.”

1902 REGIONAL CAT SHOWS

ABERDEEN DOG AND CAT SHOW. DUNDEE AND DISTRICT WINNERS. Dundee Courier, 2nd January 1902
Yesterday the Aberdeen and North of Scotland Collie and Kennel Club held their annual show in the Drill Hall, Woolmanhill, Aberdeen. Only eight cats were exhibited. The judges were [. . .] and Mr John Kawe, Aberdeen, for cats. [No prize-winning cats came from Dundee and district.]

FEATHER AND FUR SHOW AT FORFAR. A GOOD DISPLAY. Dundee Courier, 2nd January 1902
The Forfar Poultry, Pigeon Canary, and Fur Association held their 31st Annual show in the Reid Hall, Forfar, yesterday. [. . .] Cats were also a good show, the long-haired varieties having all day an admiring group of fanciers around their pens. [Cat judge was T.J. Ambrose]

POULTRY AND CAT SHOW . Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 4th January 1902
The seventh exhibition organised by the Poultry Association was a great success from many points of view. [No report on the cat section.]

PERTH AND PERTHSHIRE PIGEON AND FUR ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SHOW Perthshire Advertiser, 13th January 1902
The first annual show of pigeons, rabbits, cats, cavies and mice under the auspices of the Perth and Perthshire Fanciers Association took place on Saturday. This Association was but recently formed and already is showing signs of activity. Considering this is the first show which has been held under the auspices of this institution, it has met with considerable success. [. . .] Cats were shown in splendid condition. [. . .] A finely marked cat, with a beautifully smooth coat, the property of Walter Rumgay, Wilson Street, secured second, while “Johnny Bobs” belonging to D. Bruce, Dunblane, was awarded third. Mr James Wilson, Dunfermline, secured the first and third for the short-haired kittens. J.C. Chaplin, 69 Kinnoull Causeway, had second prize.
[Parts of results illegible] Short-haired or long-haired, male or female : Mrs. D. Mclaren, 4 South Street, perth “Majo . . “ Walter Rumgay, Wilson Street, Perth; S.D. … Street, Dunblane, “Johnny Bobs;” 4 James ….. v.h.c. Miss D. M. McLaren, 4 South Street, Perth …. King;” h.c. Mrs Hugh Love, 9 Dalhousie Street, Perth, … McIntosh, 32 Dundrennan Road, Langside, Glasgow.
Short-haired Kittens – 1 and 3 James W … Pitcorthie, Dunfermline; 2 J.C. Chaplin, 69 Kin … way, Perth; 4 John Crawford, 113 South Street … Cloe.”
Long-haired Kittens – 1 D.W. McIntosh, .. Taylor, New Scone Road, Perth; 3 Mrs Webster, … Street, Dundee; 4 William Reid, 22 Friars Street … James Wilson.

LIVERPOOL DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON, CAT SHOW. Northwich Guardian, 11th January 1902
Liverpool Dog, Poultry, Pigeon, Cat Show. The twenty-second annual exhibition. North Haymarket, Liverpool. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Jan. 28, 29, and 30, 1902. Over £1,800 in prizes and cups. The most popular show of its kind outside London. Catalogues now in preparation.

LIVERPOOL DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON AND CAT SHOW. Preston Herald , 18th January 1902
North Haymarket, Cazneau Street, Liverpool. January 28th, 29ht, and 30th. 690 classes and 320 Cups and Specials. £1,800 in prizes. Opens at 10 a.m. each day. Judging commences at 10 a.m. first day. A. McKenzies, Hon. Sec., 8 Great Charlotte Street, Liverpool.

[LIVERPOOL DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON, CAT SHOW] Warrington Examiner, 25th January 1902
The annual dog, poultry, pigeon, rabbit and cat show will be held in North Haymarket, Cazneau-street, Liverpool on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday next. The show promises to be a great success. 6,000 entries having been received. Additional interest is lent to the event by the fact that exhibits will be sent by her Majesty the Queen.

DOG AND CAT SHOW AT HANLEY. Staffordshire Advertiser, 18th January 1902
The annual dog and cat show of the North Staffordshire Fanciers Association was held in the new Drill Hall, Shelton, on Tuesday. In dimensions the show about equalled that of last year, about 500 dogs and 50 cats being staged. The occasion, however, lost some of its local interest by the handing over of the management and responsibility of the show to Mr E.T. Cox of London, whilst the general entry was, no doubt, affected by the introduction of what is known as the sweepstake system, in the form of a rule limiting the amount of the prizes in proportion to the number of entries, and thereby making exhibitors share any loss resulting from the show.

The show of cats, though not large, comprised some nice felines. The best rough male was “Withington Blue Boy,” shown by Mrs Coupland, Withington, with Miss Megson, Sale, second with “Storm King,” and Mr Hodgkins, Hanley, third, with “York Captain.” Miss L Hayes, Hanley, and Mrs Elphinstone, Stoke, won the first and second prizes in the rough female cats with “Beauty” and “Chin Chin” respectively. In smooth cats, Mr Bentley’s (Talke) “Emperor” was a fine specimen, and Mrs Fleming’s “Ruff” was first in the next class. Miss Bates’s “Siolver Foot,” was the best kitten. In the local rough class, “Beauty,” “York Captain,” and “Chin Chin” were placed in that order, and Mr W. Taylor, Tunstall, was first for smooth cats with “Tib,” “Emperor” being second. Mrs Fleming was again first with “Ruff,” and Mr Birchall second with “Sirdar” in the any variety neuter local class.

WELLINGTON SHOW. Western Times, 25th January 1902
THE PRIZE LIST OF YESTERDAY'S EXHIBITION. The annual members' poultry, pigeon, and cat show in connection with the Wellington and District Fanciers' Association was held in Wellington Town Hall yesterday. The prize list is appended : CATS. (Open to the district, ten miles radius). Cats, any age, short hair.— 1, Mrs. Clarke; 2, Dinbam; 3, Paull. Cats, any age, long hair.—1 and 2, Mrs, Clarke; 3, Smith.

GRAND OPEN DOG AND CAT SHOW. Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette, 4th February 1902
Greenock kennel Club. Grand Open Dog and Cat Show. To be held in Cattle-market, Laird Street, to-morrow (Wednesday), open from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. The largest dog and cat show ever held in Greenock. All the noted [dog] prize winners of the day will be there.

DOG AND CAT SHOW AT ARBROATH. Dundee Courier, 20th February 1902
The Arbroath Canine Club held their annual show of dogs and cats in the Corn Exchange. Arbroath, yesterday. The entries were slightly under those of last year, but the quality of the exhibits was generally of a high order. [. . .] The entries for cats were not very large, but the exhibits were of very good quality. The number of entries were—Dogs, 153; cats, 40. The judges were—For dogs, all classes, Mr George Raper, Leeds; for cats, Mr James F. Dewar, Edinburgh.

DOG & CAT SHOW AT ARBROATH. LOCAL EXHIBITORS BEATEN ALL ROUND. THE SHOW WELL PATRONISED. Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs, 20th February 1902
The annual competitive exhibition dogs and cats under the auspices of the Arbroath Canine Club, took place in the Corn Exchange Hall yesterday. There were in all nearly 200 entries, the dogs shown numbering 153, which is slightly under the entry for last year. [. . .] . In cats there was a considerable number of local exhibitors. In males, long-haired, A. I. Key won the first and special in the open competition, and in the local class for males and females Mrs Traill, Viewfield, carried off the first prize. The judges were :—For dogs, Mr Geo. Raper, Leeds; and for cats, Mr James. F. Dewar, Edinburgh; and in their duties they were ably assisted by Messrs W. Crockatt, D. Drury, C. Smith, A. Christie, R. B. S. Gouik, J. Traill, A. I. Key, and Johnston, who officiated as stewards. [. . .] Mr Dewar's adjudications in the cat section had also given great satisfaction. [. . .] The Chairman, in replying, said that while the entries had gone down in recent years, he was hopeful that the club would go and prosper.

DOG AND CAT SHOW. Dundee Evening Post, 1st April 1902
Dog and Cat Show. Kinnaird Hall, Wednesday and Thursday, 2d and 3d April, 1902. Admission: First Day—During Judging—Up till Two o'clock pm., 2s 6d; Two o'clock p.m. till Six p.m., 1s; from Six p.m. till Ten p.m., 6d.

CAT AND DOG SHOW AT NORWICH. EXHIBITS BY THE KING AND QUEEN. Norwich Mercury, 5th April 1902
The annual Dog and Cat Show in the Corn Hall was the chief attraction in Norwich on Tuesday. There was a very satisfactory attendance. There was a record entry of animals, which included three from the King, one from the Queen, and one from the Prince of Wales. As in former years the staging of the exhibits was excellently arranged, and the exhibits, from the standpoint of quality and numerical strength, were far above the average. CATS. Rough-haired, any variety - 1st Mrs E. Roll, 2nd Lady Boileau, 3rd C. Smith, v.h.c. Miss P. Floyd, Miss O. Farrow, Miss M. Woods, C. Petley, Mrs L. Cork, P. Press, and Miss E. Coller. [There was no mention of smooth-haired i.e. short-haired cats.]

DOG AND CAT SHOW AT ELGIN. Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express, 26th April 1902
The annual show of the Elgin Canine Society was held in a large marquee on Losse Green on Wednesday. Formerly this exhibition was held within the lpremises of the Elgin Market Green Auction Company, but owing to the way the various exhibits had to be distributed all over the place, the society thought a large marquee, where the entries could be more easily shown, would be a better plan, hence the migration to Lossie Green. The weather was fine, but a strong breeze strained the supports of the marquee considerably, so much so that one of the poles snapped completely. [. . .] Cats were a poor show, and there were no entries for ferrets.
CATS. Long-haired -1 Miss Mary Robb, Elgin; 2 John Page, Dunblane; 3 William McTavish, Elgin.
Gelding - 1 Miss Fenton, Elgin; 2 John Allan, Elgin; 3 Mrs Dona, Elgin.

HARPENDEN DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON & CAT SHOW. Herts Advertiser, 26th April 1902
Harpenden Dog, Poultry, Pigeon & Cat Show Will be held In Rothamsted Park (by kind permission of Sir Charles B. Lawes, Bart, on Whit Monday, May 19th. Old English Sports during the afternoon.

HALLAM AND ECCLESALL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY SHOW.Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 13th June 1902
Thirty-two of the entries in the feline classes turned out of a total of nearly 40. Taking the quality all round it showed a distinct improvement. Such improvement in this section has been noticeable at Ecclesall Show for some years past. Mrs. T. C. Fletcher, of Ellin Street, acted as the judge. In the Persian male class quality was lacking, and on this account the first prize was withheld. The quality in the female class was decidedly better. Here E. A. Walch came out ahead. The animal that took the premier award in the neuter class was “Laddie,” shown by Miss E. Harrison, of Endcliffe Grove. It is a fine specimen, weighing fully 16 lbs. The other cats in this class were likewise very good. The following are the details:—
Long-haired Male Cat: 2, V. Horton, 38, Falmouth Road, Abbeydale 3, Miss M. E, Merrill, 124, South Street, Moor, “Earl Gray.“
Long-haired Female Cat: 1, E. A. Walch, Daniel Hill, Persia; 2, Miss M. E. Merrill; 3, Mrs. Bailey, 29, Earsham Street.
English Male Cat: 1, Mrs. H. Pigott, Whitham Road; 2, Mrs. A. Bailey, 29, Earsham Street; 3, D. Webster, 41, Millhouses Lane, “Smut. “
English Female Cat: 1, Mr. Mellor, Matlock, “Blackbird”; 2, W. H. Booth, 81, Washington Road, “Judy”; 3, Miss Mellor, Tor Villa, Matlock, “Esmee.“
Neuter Cat any variety: 1, Miss E. Harrison, Endcliffe Grove, “Laddie”; 2, Mrs Wrangham, 279, Western Bank, “Dandie”; 3, F. Brown, 279, .Sharrow Vale Road.

WITHERNSEA SHOW Hull Daily Mail, 10th & 11th July 1902
The thirteenth annual Horse, Foal, Dog, and Cat Show was held to-day in the Pleasure Gardens and the field adjoining the North-Eastern Station at Withernsea. Like many other shows, this has had many vicissitudes, and last year had, for the first time, a small deficit, which was made up by the members of the committee. Mr Walters, the lessee of the gardens, came to the committee and offered the use of the gardens free, and thus did away with the expense of a large tent for benching the dogs and cats, besides the show being in close proximity to the station, thus inducing many to visit it who otherwise would not if they had, in previous years, to walk above half a mile to do so. The President of the show is the member for the division (Mr A. Stanley Wilson, M.P.). The judges were Mr Hart, Leconfield; Mr Stathers, North Cave, for horses and foals; dogs and cats, Mr Gough, Hull. Mr J. D. Vickerman was the horse show secretary; Mr G. H. Lawton, dog show secretary; Mr C. W. May, hon. treasurer; and Mr J. A. Miller, M.R.C.V.S., hon. veterinary surgeon. There were 16 classes for horses and foals, 23 for dogs, and two classes for cats. The dogs and cats were benched in the saloon in the gardens. Prizes value £100 were awarded, also two silver cups, and 33 special prizes. The entries for horses and foals were 96, 171 for dogs, and 13 for cats, which in all cases were in excess of last year.
CATS: Any variety, open: 1, Mrs A. Brooke, Withernsea ; 2, Miss Lily Isaac, Withernsea; 3, Mrs H. Johnson, Withernsea; r, Mdlle. Exbrayat, Hull.
Any variety, local: 1, Mrs A. Brooke; 2, Miss Lily Isaac: 3, Mr M. Cheverton-Brown, Withernsea; hc, Mr Oswald Bateman, Halsham, Hull; r, Mrs H. Johnson, Withernsea.

PAMPERED PETS. DOG AND CAT SHOW IN RICHMOND. Richmond Herald, 12th July 1902
[Richmond Dog (and cat) Show, Old Deer Park, Richmond] In addition there was a splendid exhibition of cats, some of the rarer feline species being on view. In one of the cages was an animal that caused much discussion as to whether he was a leopard of a cat, and no-one appeared to be able to solve the mystery. Their feline majesties, respondent [resplendent?] in gaily-coloured ribbons and trappings, were enclosed in spacious cages, and every precaution was taken to protect them from the great heat. It is surprising to the lay mind what dainties dog and cat fanciers – speaking in the true sense of the term – give to their pets. One of the “tabbies” was engaged in digesting a salmon cutlet; another was playing havoc with the leg of a fowl; whilst a third was demolishing a lamb chop, which thousands would have coveted. But when it is remembered that one of these was priced at six guineas, another at eight, and another at five guineas, the astonishment is lessened.

[WITHERNSEA SHOW] East Riding Telegraph, 12th July 1902
(Slightly more info on some winners)
CATS. Any variety (open). - 1, Mrs. A. Brooke, Holderness College, Withernsea; 2, Miss Lily Isaac, Withernsea; 3, Mrs. H. Johnson, Withernsea.
Any variety (local).- 1, Mrs. A. Brooke, Withernsea; 2, Mrs. A. Storey, Withernsea; 3, M. Cheverton Brown, Withernsea; vhc., Mr. Oswald Bateman, Halsham.

PENTREFELIN SHOW Herald Cymraeg, 15th July 1902
Pentrefelin, Criccieth. 6th Annual Horticultural, Poultry, and Cat Show, Wednesday, August 6th, Athletic Sports will also take place. Cycle Races, &c. Full particulars from Taliesin Griffith, Sec.

NANTLLE VALE ANNUAL SHOW Herald Cymraeg, 15th July 1902
Nantlle Vale Annual Show (The Leading Show of North Wales, vide Press and Exhibitors) will be held at Penygroes, Saturday, August 23rd, 1902. GRAND Classification. Big Money Prizes. Low Entry Fees. Numerous Specials for Horses. Cattle, Dogs, Poultry, Pigeons, Birds, Cats, Rabbits, Farm Produce, Horticulture, &c., do. [. . .] Specialist Judges officiate in each section. Schedules ready. Apply to Herbert Jones. Sect.

HUNSTANTON DOG AND CAT SHOW Eastern Daily Press , 31st July 1902
After a lapse of several years this show has been revived principally through the exertions of Mr. G. Cracknel!, the well-known breeder and exhibitor of collies. At the present show, which was held on Esplanade Grounds yesterday, Mr. Cracknell is not an exhibitor. [. . .] the exhibits were arranged under the Esplanade Hall, on the promenade, overlooking the sea. Cats – Ruff, Miss S. Ferrers, 1; Kitten, Miss S. Ferrers, 2; Kitten. Miss S. Ferrers, 3. [It appears that there cats were in low numbers!]

[HUNSTANTON] DOG AND CAT SHOW Lynn Advertiser, 1st August 1902
Principally through the energetic action of Mr. G. Cracknell, this show, which had lapsed for two or three years, was revived on Wednesday . . . as in former years, the show was made under the Esplanade hall, a portion of the promenade being marked off for the use o the exhibitors and visitors, and the benching was by Spratt’s firm.
Cats – 1, Miss S. Ferrers, Ruff; 2, Miss S. Ferrers, kitten; 3, Miss S. Ferrers, kitten; r, Miss K. Walker, Rose; c, Miss E. Willoughby, Billy.

DUFFIELD FLOWER SHOW. Belper News, 1st August 1902
This popular local event takes place on Monday, Bank Holiday. The programme includes a flower show, and poultry, pigeon, rabbit, and cat show.

EYTON. Wellington Journal, 9th August 1902
THERE WILL ALSO A CAT SHOW. (Show held in aid of re-seating of Eyton Church). Class I.—Open to all Persian and Half Persian Cats. 2.—Open to all Smooth Cats; Entries 1s., in both classes. 3.—Cats owned by Cottagers dwelling within a mile of Eyton Church. 4.—Cats owned by Cottagers dwelling in Wrockwardine or Admaston; Entries 2d., in both classes. First prize in each class 5s.. second 3s.. third 2s. «Apply for Entry Forms to Miss Kate Acton. Hon. Sec., Old Manor House, Admaston. Entries close Wednesday, August 20th. Cats must be delivered by 11.30 August 22; owners must arrange for delivery and return. Admission, 6d.; after 4.30 - 3d.
Wellington Journal, 30th August 1902: THE FELINE EXHIBITION.—The result of the sale of work and cat show held at Clock House yesterday week, for Eyton Re-Seating Fund, was very satisfactory, 13s. 6d. being taken.

SCORTON RABBIT AND CAT SHOW North Star (Darlington), 19th August 1902
Yesterday, in fine weather, this annual show was held in Scorton, and was a great success. Mr. T.C. Sutton was judge. The chief awards were:-
Foreign cat – 1, Patterson and Phillips; 2, J. Thompson, Stockton;3, P. Curren, Middleton Tyas.
English cat – 1, A.J. Thompson; 2, J. Thompson, Crook; 3, Miss Pinkney.
Foreign kitten – 1, Mrs Goodall; 2, Patterson and Phillips; 3, R. Fothergill.
English kitten – 1, Braithwaite, Northallerton; 2, Tweedle, Scorton; 3, Flintoff, Scorton.

A CAT SHOW [EYTON] Shrewsbury Chronicle, 29th August 1902
CAT SHOW. Exhibitions of almost every kind have been held in Wellington and district, but it was not until Friday last that the residents of the locality had opportunity of seeing a show of cats. The feline competition was promoted for the raising of funds for re-seating Eyton Church, and was held at the Clock House, Admaston, the necessary accommodation haring been generously afforded by Miss M. Eyton. There were four classes. The first was an open one, but restricted pure or cross-bred Persians, a variety which seems very .plentiful in the neighbourhood, and of which there were some excellent specimens on view. Apparently conscious of their own superiority, they put on consequential airs in their wakeful moments, stimulated to the exhibition, perhaps, by the fact that their own Shah was on a visit to England, and might walk in at any moment. For the most mart, however, they peacefully slumbered; the bright sunshine which streamed through the windows of the room being conducive to an after dinner nap, and agreeable to Oriental laziness. Mrs. Vickers (Wellington) secured a first and special prizes for a graceful “blue” coated male Persian; Mrs- Frances-Hayhurst (Overley) was second with a very fine half-breed, ten months old; and Mrs. Taylor-Robinson was third with “Frisky," a promising pet, nine months old. The last-named lady also was highly commended for a very pretty family – a Persian mother and five sprightly kittens, which brought a handsome amount to the funds. Others who had similar notice from the Judges were Mr. C. Chalmers (Wellington) and Mrs. J. W. Littlewood (Wellington). In the open class for any variety massive tabbies predominated, and had nothing to fear from their foreign rivals The premier and third prizes were awarded to Mrs. Bulmer (Bratton), and the second went to Miss E. M. Eyton (Clock House). Then came the cottagers’ classes. There was no restriction on variety; therefore, it will be readily understood that the breeding in that section seemed to be of an international character, although here and there were some unmistakable evidences of Persian invasion. Some very good tabbies were among them, and one powerful specimen displayed a little bit of the savagery of the primeval forest whence his ancestors sprung, nearly wrecked the fixtures, and made his escape. There were, to all appearances, a few "poachers" in the cages, and somebody’s pigeons, chicken and canaries most for once hare realised what it was to have perfect peace. In the class for cottagers living within a mile of Eyton Church, Mrs. Mason (Shawbirch) was first and second, and received a special, Mrs. Adams (Shawbircb) third, and Miss C. Robinson highly commended; while among the cottagers living in Wrockwardine Miss E. Davies (Admaston) had the first, third, and special. Mrs. W. E. Parry (Admaston) the second, and Mr. W. Reynolds (Donnerville Cottage) was very highly commended. Mr. Heath (Central Hotel, Wellington) sent a fine half-Persian not for competition. Miss Kate Acton was the hon. secretary of this department, and must be congratulated upon its success. The prizes were distributed by Mrs. T. S. Eyton. In addition to the show, there was sale of work in an adjoining room.

ALTRINCHAM SHOW Leeds Mercury, 16th August 1902
Annual Exhibition at Altincham, Wednesday September 24th, 1902. £1,500 in Prizes, besides Silver Cups and Medals for Horses, Cattle Sheep, Pigs, Turn-outs, Hunters, Jumpers, Roots and Grain, Butter, Cheese, implements, Dogs, Poultry Rabbits, Cats, Cavies, and miscellaneous exhibits. Prize List now ready, and may be obtained from the Secretary, J. HERBERT HALL, 2, Dunham-road, Altrincham, Entries close September 6th; double fees, September 10th.

READING BISCUIT FACTORY RECREATION CLUB HARTICULTURAL AND ORNITHOLOGICAL SHOW Reading Mercury, 13th September 1902
The exhibition, which is open to all members of the Reading Biscuit Factory Recreation Club, was a distinct improvement on previous years [. . .] the majority of the members are cottagers.
Cat, long or short hair, any age – 1 E. Wells, 2 B. Harding, 3 C.R. Shepherd.

BELFAST DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON AND CAT SHOW Belfast News-Letter, 23rd October 1902
Belfast Dog, Poultry, Pigeon, and Cat Show, in St. George’s Market, on November 18th and 19th. Prizes value £800. Entries Close November 4th. For further particulars apply, J. Kilpatrick, Secretary, 75, High Street, Belfast.

BELFAST DOG AND POULTRY SHOW. Warder and Dublin Weekly Mail, 22nd November 1902
After being in abeyance for twelve months, this fixture was revived again, and the gathering which one witnessed would compare well with previous years. Dogs, poultry, pigeons, and cats were all well catered for, and the entries totalled in round numbers about 2,000. Of this number dogs accounted for nearly eight hundred [. . .] The cat show was very small affair, there being only 22 members of the feline race present. [Cat results not given.]

ESCAPED FROM CAT SHOW Edinburgh Evening News, 15th November 1902
Escaped from Murrayfield Cat Show, a common white cat, would probably have a litter of kittens last July. 10s reward if returned at once. Last appeal. Hutchinson, 7 North St Andrew Street.

CAMBS ANNUAL EXHIBITION Cambridge Independent Press, 12th December 1902
The Cambs. Ornithological Society continued its record-breaking career with its ninth annual exhibition in the Cambridge Corn Exchange on Wednesday and Thursday. [. . .] The large number of visitors that patronised the show each day could not help being struck with the most admirable manner in which the exhibits were staged, and in connection with this it may be noted that in consequence of complaints made by exhibitors at shows held recently that their cats had contracted diseases, every precaution was taken to prevent such an occurrence at this week's exhibition. Each cat was examined on arrival by G. A. Banham (the veterinary surgeon), and the pens were disinfected with formalin. [Only local prize winners were listed.]
Cats (local) Rough or smooth – 1 Mrs Harnsby, 4 Parsons-court; 3 Mrs F Christmas, Green-street; r Miss Cooper, 17 Victoria-road.

WORKING-MEN'S TRIBUTE AT SILVERHILL. BIRD AND CAT SHOW. Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 13th December 1902
On Wednesday morning, at the St Matthew’s Parish Room. Silverhill, a Cage Bird and Cat Show, organised by working-men, was held in aid of the funds of the Buchanan Hospital. The exhibits were very numerous, and consisted of many varieties of tame, wild, and foreign birds. The cat classes were especially excellent. The Rev. H. Foster peg, in opening the show, said that during the whole of his ministry he had never been called to open a show of that sort. He was greatly in sympathy with its objects, and hoped that the result would be highly satisfactory. The Show had originated from working-men, and they and other gentlemen had spent a great deal of their time organising the Show. The Buchanan Hospital was held in great appreciation in the neighbourhood. They had made a house-to-house collection among the working classes, and the amount received was £13, a large part of which bad been given with great promptitude, as an appreciation of the good treatment they had received at the Hospital. Mr T H. Felton (hon. secretary) also spoke. Mr and Mrs. Petit, of Hollington, were judges of the cats [. . .]
Cats, male, female or neuter—Class 20 (rough hair, any variety, adult): 1, Mrs. Ades; 8 Miss Miller; 3, Miss Ransford; v.h.c., Mrs. Woodrulfe, F. C. Judge, Mrs. Ward, Miss M. L. Griffin, Mrs. Harris, and S. Streeter; h.c., Miss Alice Whyborn; c, Mrs. .Whicker.
Class 21 (smooth hair, various species, adult): 1, Master W. West; 2, Mrs. Sellman; 3, Mrs. M. Woodhams; v.h.c.. Mrs. Gumwood, Mrs. Clement. Mr. G. Woodruffe, Miss Rycroft, and F. Sinden; h.c., the Misses Cox and Mrs. Watson; r.. W. Ball.
Class 22 (kitten, any variety, under six months): 1, J. Jenson; 2, Carter; 8. Albert Bine; extra third, Baker; v.h.c. Miss Baker, S. T. Samways, and Miss Woodgyer; r., Mrs. Hook.

CAGE BIRD AND CAT SHOW . Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 17th January 1903
At the Cage Bird and Cat Show, which it will remembered, was held at St. Matthews Parish Room on December 10th, [1902] £25 19s. 6d. was collected. After deducting £4 9s. 6d. for expenses, £21 was handed over by the Committee to the Buchanan Hospital.

POULTRY [AND CATS] AT MANCHESTER. Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 17th December 1902
The fourth annual show of the Manchester Poultry and Pigeon Association opened in St, James's Hall, Manchester, yesterday, and will remain open to-day and to-morrow. [. . .] The hall very fully occupied, and there is not too much room for sightseers in some of the gangways between the pens. The show is not merely one of poultry and pigeons, but there are cats, cavies, rabbits, and mice, which appeal to the non-expert public as much as do the poultry. [. . .] The cat show is rather a small one [. . .] several formidable English tabbies. [No cat results printed.]

LOCAL PRIZE WINNER. Barrhead News, 26th December 1902
At the Glasgow Dog and Cat Show, held a week ago, Mr. Wm. Bain’s exhibit secured first and special in the class for single kittens (any colour). Mr Peter Rhodes’ exhibit was awarded the second ticket in the class for blue females.