REPORTS FROM EARLY BRITISH CAT SHOWS (1878)

DOG AND CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. 10th August, 1878
The second United Kingdom Exhibition of Ladies’ Pet Dogs and Cats was opened on Saturday at the Crystal Palace. There was a very large number of very liberal prizes offered for competition, and the show was a very good one.

1878 CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Morning Post, 16th October 1878
The tenth "National Cat Show " at the Crystal Palace opened yesterday and attracted a considerable number of visitors. On some previous occasions there have been larger numbers of these interesting domestic pets sent in for exhibition ; but the present show is a good average one as regards numbers, most of the ordinary classes being well filled, and in point of quality the display is of more than average merit. There are in all 48 classes and 223 exhibits. As might naturally be expected, the great majority of the cats' belong to residents in London and its suburbs, but many persons living at a considerable distance from the metropolis are among the competitors. The two principal divisions of the show consist of short-haired cats and long-haired cats, there being 23 classes of the former and 10 of the latter.

The short-haired variety is very well represented, the tortoiseshell and white and the brown tabby being the most numerous in this division. They include some very handsome specimens, but as a rule the long-haired cats are superior to them both as regards average merit and the beauty and size of the principal prize winners. The same remark is applicable to the kittens in both divisions. The numbers in both are nearly equal, but the beautiful Persian kittens appeared to be of higher quality than their short-haired rivals, and were certainly much more admired. The classes for cats of unusual colour or abnormal formation contained several noticeable animals, including three of the tallies Manx breed, and some beautifully formed cats of a remarkable mouse or slate colour. These, from the rarity of their colour, were the objects of no small curiosity and admiration. There are special classes for cats belonging to working men. There were 36 entries in these classes, and all the exhibits were excellent specimens of their kind. This is not the least Interesting feature of the show. The sleek condition and the docility and placid, contented aspect of the animals prove how kindly treated and petted they must have been in the humble dwellings from whence they came.

Many of the prize winners on the present occasion have been previously exhibited. Thus the winner of the prize for tortoiseshell and white he cats (short-haired) was Mr. John Hurry's "Totty," aged six years and nine months, which had already carried off six 1st prizes and one 2d at the Crystal Palace and other shows. In the class for short-haired brown tabby he cats, Mr. W. Flitton's cat, which had gained several 1st prizes, was awarded the prize, but it is right to say that there was but one entry in each of these classes. The 1st prize for blue or silver tabby he cats was won by Mr. William Sherwin, and the 1st for red tabby he cats by Mr. Alfred Bell. Two young gentlemen, Masters Tom and W. Kitching, obtained the 1st prize for a handsome cat aged one year. The black and black-and-white cats were rather scantily represented. In the class for he cats of unusual colour the prize was obtained by Miss Monk, for a large finely-formed cat of a beautiful mouse colour. Mrs. Clarke, Mr. Thomas Johnson, and Mrs. Monckton White won the 1st, 2d, and 3d prizes respectively in the class for Manx cats. The 1st prize for tortoiseshell she cats was won by Mr. R. Bailey for tortoioseshell and white she cats, by Mr. Charles Graves; for brown tabby she cats by Mr. Arthur Highton; and for blue or silver tabby she cats, by Miss H. King.

The 1st prize for the best marked kittens of any variety under six months old was won by Mrs. Barbery. In the division for long-haired cats the 1st prize for pure white cats was obtained by the Rsv. W. K. K. Chafy-Chafy for a cat only 11 months old. The prize for black he cats was taken by Miss Epps; for tabby he cats, by Mr. G. Markwick ; and for he cats of unusual colour, by Miss Rowley. In the class for pure white she cats Miss Eliza Ackland was adjudged the 1st prize, and Mr. Joseph Bristowe obtained the first place for tabby she cats with a beautiful young half-bred Persian. In the class for she cats of unusual colour, Miss Eliza Ackland's Tazza was deservedly placed first. Two pretty little Persian kittens, exhibited by Mr. E. Sheerman, were adjudged the 1st prize in their class.

There were several prizes given for the heaviest cats of various kinds. The 1st prize for the heaviest long-haired white cat was obtained by Miss E. Weightman for her Angora cat Mistletoe, the winner of innumerable prizes, and pronounced by the judges to be the best cat in the present show. The prize for the heaviest "cat belonging to working men" was taken by a brown tabby, weighing 16 and three quarter lb., the property of Mrs. Jane Bath. The judges were Mr. VV. B. Tegetmeier and Mr. George Billett. The show will be open to-day and tomorrow, and will close at five o'clock to-morrow evening.

CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW. London Evening Standard, 16th October 1878
The tenth "National " Cat Show at the Crystal Palace was opened yesterday, and if not remarkable for its dimensions, it has at least the merit of good quality. Among more than two hundred entries the paucity of inferior specimens of the Fetis domestica is a noticeable feature of the exhibition, whilst the number of rarer kinds is in very large proportion. Although the cat is supposed to be the peculiar pet of the ladies - especially those of a "certain age" - the catalogue of exhibitors seems to comprise about equal members of the sexes. The show is divided into short-haired and long-haired cats, and cats of no sex, and these are subdivided into a great variety of classes, of which the long-haired white Angoras and Persians were evidently regarded as the favourites, though the collection of tabbies, both dark and silver, is very fine, and was much admired. There are some fine specimens of tortoiseshell and white, and several of unusual colour and formation, of which the Manx is one striking example. The prizes and commendations were so numerous that few of the competitors remained undistinguished.

In the short -haired male classes a first prize fell to a handsomely marked English tortoiseshell and white, belonging to Mr. J. Hurry, which had been the winner of six first prizes at previous shows; and among the other first prize animals under the same head we may mention Mr. W. Sherwin's fine blue or silver tabby, Master Kiching's light tabby, Mr. J. A. Winney's evenly marked black and white, Mrs. S. Browne's white, Miss Monk's dun or mouse colour, and Mrs. Clarke's black velvet coated, satin-faced Manx. In the short-haired she classes a first prize was awarded to Mr. C. Graves's tortoiseshell and white, which had achieved success at Birmingham, Burton, and the Crystal Palace; also to Mr. A. Highton's brown tabby, Miss H. King's blue or silver tabby, Mr. W. J. Nicholl's red tabby and white, Mr. W. Wookey's brown, with white nose, fore paws and breast, Mrs. M. White's black Manx, fore paws tipped with white, and Mrs. Barbery's two fine black kittens, five months old.

The principal prizes for long-haired male cats were won by the Rev. W. K. Chafy's pure white, Miss Epps’s black, Mr. G. Markwick's tabby, and Miss Rowley's Angora. For long-haired she cats a first prize was taken by Miss E. Ackland's pure white, Miss E. Weightman's black, Mr. J. Bristow's tabby half bred Persian, Miss E. Ackland's brown, and Mr. E. Sheerman's pair of kittens, a white Persian female and black and white male, nine months old. In the classes of cats of no sex Mrs. G. J. Boorn's tabby took a first prize, as did also Mr. A. Aspinall's very large and handsome short haired tabby, Miss B. Lenox's half-bred Angora and English, Mr. F. H. Plummer's black, Miss A. Corney's yellow tabby, Miss Weightman's Angora, Mr. Harrison's half-bred Persian, and Miss Hamilton's Angora. All these were selected for weight. There was likewise a very fair display of cats of various colours belonging to working men.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Globe, 16th October 1878
The tenth National Cat Show at the Crystal Palace commenced yesterday, and will remain open until to-morrow evening. Although in point of numbers it is hardly so good a show as some of its predecessors, it is as regards the quality of the exhibits, superior to any of them. There are 223 entries, divided into 49 classes, but by some mistake in the classification the almost unique specimen of a tortoiseshell Tom, which excited so much interest on former occasions, is this year excluded. The cat which takes the highest honours for weight is Mrs. Bath’s “Tabby,” seven years old and 16 and three quarter lb. weight. The best cat in the show is Miss Weightman’s white Angora “Mistletoe,” which in the course of eight years has won 28 first and seven special prizes.

[CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW]London and China Express, 18th October 1878
The tenth National Cat Show has been held this week at the Crystal Palace. Although in point of numbers it is hardly so good a show as some of its predecessors, it is as regards the quality of the exhibits superior to any of them. There are 223 entries, divided into forty-nine classes, but by some mistake in the classification he almost unique specimen of a tortoiseshell Tom, which excited so much interest on former occasions, is this year excluded. The cat which takes the highest honours for weight is Mrs. Bath’s “Tabby,” seven years old and 16-and-three-quarter pounds in weight. The best cat in the show is Miss Weightman’s white Angora “Mistletoe,” which in the course of eight years has won twenty-eight first and seven special prizes.

LOCAL PRIZE WINNER THE CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald, 19th October 1878
At this show held this week, in Class 13 for tortoiseshell and white she Oats, there were 11 entries and the 1st prize was awarded to Mr. Charles Graves, of Boythorpe, Chesterfield. The same cat was awarded a 1st prize at Birmingham, and 1st at Burton, in 1875, and 2nd at the Crystal Palace Show in 1877, besides other honours.

A CAT SHOW Dublin Evening Mail, 19th October 1878
The tenth national cat show has commenced at the Crystal Palace, London. At the Crystal Palace the experiment has endured through a decade [note: actually 7 years, the shows began as 6-monthly] and with encouraging success. There are now ranged in four lines of miniature tigers’ dens at Sydenham no less than 223 cats of both sexes, and including a sprinkling of those which possess the distinction of belonging to neither [neuters]. These specimens of the races are divided into 49 classes, and, on the whole, the show presents features proving that much, and indeed growing, interest is felt in the breeding of cats.

No-one will, of course, be disposed to attach the same amount of importance to the breeding of cats that belongs to the production of stout St. Bernards, useful sheep dogs, keen-scented pointers, setters or foxhounds, swift and far sighted hunters of “poor puss,” or even of the humbler breeds of dogs, which, if they do not guard our homes, give timely notice of the area sneak’s approach or the absolute arrival of the night burglar; but there are not many among us but possess a sneaking regard for the puss that purrs beside the evening fire, and would encourage by means of such shows as this a kindly treatment of it.

Either by accident or design, a trio, or perhaps more, of the most famous cats in the country were excluded from competition; the class for tortoise-shell Toms being confined to animals possessing a soupcon of white fur among the other colours which go to make the tortoiseshell combination. Probably amateurs will agree in thinking that the best classes in the show are those devoted to white mousers with long hair. Opinions differ as to the bulk, there can be no doubt that the best individual cat in the show is Miss Weightman’s Angora “Mistletoe,” which in the course of eight years has won 26 first and seven special prizes. The heaviest short-haired cat in the list is Mrs Jane Bath’s “Tabby,” a seven years old animal, which scales 14 and three quarter pounds. He does not come up to “Royal Tom,” who caused the scales to kick the beam at 22 and one half pounds when shown in Edinburgh a few years ago, but is still a very respectable member of feline society.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Kentish Mercury, 19th October 1878
The tenth natural exhibition of cats was held at the Crystal Palace, this week. The interest in the species of show did not appear to have declined as the novelty wore off. In every successive exhibition the entries keep up to a fair average, while there is no falling off to be observed in the number of those who come purely as spectators. In merit the show of this year stands well, though not at the highest point in comparison with its predecessors. The exhibits are more in number than they were last year, but they have been exceeded by those of previous years. As to the quality of the animals, we believe that Mr. B. Tegetmeier and Mr. George Billett, the judges, have every reason to be satisfied with the competitors to whom they are called upon award prizes. The exhibition is arranged in its usual place in the nave south of the centre transept, and the animals are confined in large cages, being provided with cushions and a liberal supply of food.

The grand division of the present show is into short haired and long haired cats, and these two descriptions are again subdivided into many classes, among which are he cats and she cats, families of kittens, cats of well known colours and cats of unusual colours ; a separate class being devoted to cats which do not come under any ordinary variety of colour or form. There are less than 223 cats the list, and more than 150 exhibitors. Seeing that there are 49 classes in the show, and that in each a first prize is taken, it is impossible to specify even a few of the finest animals in the different classes. Some of the animals come to the competition with the advantage of formidable records of previous successes, and one cat, for which the modest price of £2 is asked, displays a list of five prizes taken within two years. It would difficult to form an estimate of the commercial value of cats from the prices that are asked for the specimens at the Palace. Some of these are marked “Not for sale,” while the prices of others range from £1 to £1,000. It is, of course, easy to understand that any figure much above the former price is to be taken as warning that the favourite is not intended to be sold ; but the reason putting down a couple of cats at £78 17s. 7d. apiece is not easily discovered.

In some cases prizes are awarded by weight, the champion animal in this respect turns the scale at 16 and a half lb. The prettiest candidates, and doubtless the most successful in popular favour, are the kittens, of which a good many families are shown, and these delight visitors, young and old, their beauty and their playfulness. Taken as a whole, the show is an excellent one, and if an excuse for its recurrence cannot be based on the same grounds as those urged for exhibitions of horses, dogs, and cattle, it is at all events interesting to a large class of society.

CRYSTAL PALACE Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper - Sunday 20 October 1878
The tenth National Cat show was held at the palace this week, and proved very successful. Messrs. Tegetmeier and Billett, the judges, must have had some difficulty in distributing the 223entries into the 49 classes, but they were fully equal to the task. A short-haired tortoiseshell and white he-cat, belonging to Mr. J. Hurry, was alone in its glory, and took the first prize in its class for the seventh time at recent shows. This animal is priced at £100, but he was altogether outdone by a very fine tortoiseshell and white she-cat, who took a first prize, and was catalogued at £1,000 by her owner, Mr. Charles Graves, A comparison with these fancy figures was afforded by an animal which took a first prize at the Aquarium last year, being only marked £2. Miss Weightman's white Angola, Mistletoe, was again one of the prettiest cats in the show. In eight years this animal has won 28 first and seven special prizes. The highest award for weight was carried off by Mrs. Bath's Tabby, seven years old, though it only reached 16 and three quarter pounds. Great interest appeared to be excited by the show, particularly among the lady visitors,

CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW. The Era, 20th October 1878
No less than two hundred and twenty-three specimens of the domestic pet have been on view this week at the Crystal Palace. Something to please every taste. There were a host of admirers of Miss Weightmnan's Angora cat " Mistletoe " which in the course of eight years has won nearly thirty prizes. The heaviest short-haired cat in the list is Mrs Jane Bath's " Tabby," a seven years old animal, which scales 16 and three quarter lb. He does not come up to " Royal Tom," who caused the scale to kick the beam at 22 and a half lb. when shown in Edinburgh a few years ago, but is still a very respectable member of feline society, and "Royal Tom" having "passed to where beyond these voices there is peace" is perhaps, as heavy a cat as could reasonably be expected to put in a claim for honours even in a national show. While, as was to be expected, a considerable number of former prize winners, notably those shown by Mr Hurry, Mr Flitton, Miss Brander, Mrs Whiting, Mr Winney, Mrs Fossett, Mr Slater, and others, have secured premiums on the present occasion, it must be encouraging to cat breeders generally to learn that several among the younger competitors have gained awards. Mr Tegetmeier and Mr George Billett acted as judges.

NATIONAL CAT SHOW Rutland Echo and Leicestershire Advertiser, 25th October 1878
The tenth National Cat Show has just been held at the Crystal Palace, London. The exhibition, though perhaps showing fewer entries than some of its predecessors, was quite up to the mark in point of quality, and numbered a good many former prize winners, most of which were in an improved condition. In all there were 223 exhibits, divided into shorthaired and long-haired cats, and cats of no sex, and these were sub divided into a great variety of classes, of which the long-haired white Angoras and Persians were evidently regarded the favourites, though the collection of tabbies was very fine. There were some fine specimens of tortoiseshell and white, and several of unusual colour and formation, of which the Manx is one striking example.

In the short-haired male classes first prize fell to the handsomely marked English tortoiseshell and white, belonging to Mr. J. Hurry, which had been the winner of six first prizes at previous shows; and among the other first prize animals under the same head we may mention Mr. W. Sherwin’s fine blue or silver tabby, Mr. J. A. Winneys evenly marked black and white, Mrs. S. Browne’s white, Miss Monk’s dun or mouse colour, and Mrs. Clarke’s black velvet-coated, satin-faced Manx. In the short-haired she classes first prize was awarded to Mr. C. Graves’s tortoiseshell and white, which had achieved success at Birmingham, Burton, and the Palace ; also Mr. A. Highton’s brown tabby. Miss H. King’s blue silver tabby, Mr. W. J. Nicholl’s red tabby and white, Mrs. M. Whites black Manx, fore paws tipped with white, and Mrs, Barbery's two fine black kittens five months old. The principal prizes for long-haired male cats were ty the Rev, W. K. Chafy’s pure white, Miss Epp’s black, Mr. G. Markwick's tabby, and Miss Rowley’s Angora. For long-haired she cats a first prize was taken by Miss E. Ackland’s pure white, Miss E. Weightman black, Mr. J. Bristow’s tabby half bred Persian, Miss E. Ackland’s brown, and Mr. E. Sheerman’s pair o kittens, a white Persian female and black and white male, nine months old.

In the classes of cats no sex Mrs. G. J. Boom’s tabby took a first prize, as did also Mr. A. Aspinall’s very large and handsome shorthaired tabby, Miss B. Lenox’s half-bred Angora and English, Mr. F. H. Plummer’s black, Miss A. Corney’s yellow tabby, Miss Weightman’s Angora, Mr. Harrison’s half-bred Persian, and Miss Hamilton's Angora. All these were selected for weight. There was likewise a very fair display of cats of various colours belonging to working men. Mr. Tegetmeier and Mr. George Billett were the judges.

LOCAL PRIZE TAKER AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW Weston Mercury, 26th October 1878
“Shah” the property of Mr. S. Mills, of the York Hotel, in this town has been awarded the second prize at the above show, as a “long haired tabby.” The ‘live Stock Journal’ says the class contained many splendid specimens. It will be remembered that “Shah” was last year awarded a silver cup, in addition to a first prize, for being the best cat in Clifton show.

1878 OTHER REGIONAL CAT SHOWS

KENT POULTRY, RABBIT AND CAT SHOW East Kent Gazette, 26th January 1878
The Kent Poultry, Rabbit and Cat Show was held on Wednesday in the spacious carriage shed at the Bell Hotel. [. . .] The show, which was under the patronage of Countess Darnley, Viscountess Holmesdale, and the gentry of the neighbourhood, was well attended.

HELSTON FLORA DAY. Western Morning News, 9th May 1878
Yesterday's holiday had an additional attraction this year, for, under the honorary secretaryship of Mr. H.L. Rogers, a dog, poultry, bird, and cat show was held in the market. The entries, more particularly of dogs, were numerous, and exhibits were, as a rule, decidedly beyond mediocre. The judges were - For dogs and cats Mr. F. Webber, Falmouth [. . .] The following is the list of awards:
Cats, Longhair, any colour – 1, Mr. E. Stephens, Helston; 2, Mr. Thomas Moyle, Boderwennack.
Any breed or colour, not before mentioned -1, Mr. J. G. Shakerley, Helston; 2, Mr. J.H. Willey, Helston; h.c. Mr. H. Francis, Helston.
Litter of Kittens, any breed, not exceeding six months - 2, Mr. T. Paynter, Sworan.

HELSTON FLORA DAY, DOG, POULTRY, AND CAT SHOW. Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 10 May 1878
The annual festival, yclept " Flora Day," [. . .] Not a little of the success of Flora Day must be attributed to the fact that there was a Dog and Poultry Show in the Market house, a report of which will be found below [. . .] The first annual Dog, Poultry, Bird, and Cat Show was held, as we have already said, in the Market House, which was beautifully fitted up and laid out for the occasion. There was a very large number of entries under each head, many of them coming in after the catalogue was issued, which resulted in some inconvenience to all concerned.

HORTICULTURAL, DOG AND POULTRY SHOW AT BARNSTAPLE. Western Morning News, 27th June 1878
The Devon flower show season may be said to have been inaugurated yesterday when Barnstaple held its annual horticultural exhibition. To this it would seem almost necessary to add that the season for exhibiting poultry and pigeons, as well as cats and dogs, was inaugurated at the same time, since there appears to be a desire to amalgamate shows of this kind. [. . .] it was held as usual in the Market-house, a building which is situated in a convenient part of the town, and admirably adapted to the purpose to which it is at present devoted.

The Cat Show: Of all the departments there is none perhaps so popular with the fair sex as the cat show, and very large was the number of North Devon ladies who yesterday scrutinised the various classes of the feline tribe on view. Some of the cats are very fine, and appear to be in capital order. They belong chiefly to people residing in the neighbourhood of Barnstaple.

BARNSTAPLE. DOG AND CAT SHOW. Bridport News, 5th July 1878
The annual show of the North Devon and Barnstaple Dog, Cat, and Horticultural Society took place last week. The entries were more numerous than last year, especially the dog and pigeon classes. The following are among the local exhibitors :- Cats — Any other variety – 1st and 2nd, Mrs Modridge, Broadclyst, Exeter.

FORESTERS' FETE. Royal Cornwall Gazette, 26th July 1878
The annual fete in connection with Court " One and All," whioh takes place to-day (Friday), at Tremorvah, promises to be a most success- ful affair. The entries in the various shows to be held are numerous, especially in the cat show, for which intending exhibitors have had to be refused, owing to want of accommodation. For the attraction of the day — the band contest — five bands have entered.

MALTON GALA – York Herald, 7th August, 1878
Malton Gala, Wednesday, Aug. 14 – Grand Floral Fete and Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cat Show. Splendid display of fireworks at dusk. Special late trains [. . .]

THE LIABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL SHOW PROMOTERS. Hampshire Telegraph, 28th September 1878
At the Preston County Court, last week, Mr. James Walker, a frequent exhibitor of poultry at agricultural shows, brought an action against a number of gentlemen who formed the committee of management of the Preston Poultry, Pigeon, Dog, Rabbit, and Cat Show. The exhibition took place in January last, and the judges awarded Mr. Walker prices amounting to £15 6s., but from this amount the sum of £3 8s 6d. had to be deducted for entrance fees. From the evidence given it would appear that the show was not a financial success, and the treasurer had not the wherewith to pay the money. Several of the defendants stated that they had only permitted their names to be put on the committee to assist the working of the show, and did not suppose they were assuming any monetary obligation. His Honour, however, said they were all liable, and he found no difficulty in saying that the plaintiff was entitled to a verdict against all of them. He thought, however, that the secretary of the show (a person named Gardner) ought to pay the money. If plaintiff could not get the money from Gardner - and he supposed there would be no difficulty in that - he would be entitled to go against the others; but those persons who had guaranteed money ought to be resorted to before those who had merely come in to assist, and who never dreamt for a moment of being called up on to pay.-Mr.Forshaw (plaintiff's attorney) said he intended to issue an execution against Gardner if he did not pay. Mr. Blackhurst, for Gardner, said he would act upon His Honour's suggestion, and pay the money.

HAWICK ANNUAL SCOTTISH BORDER POULTRY, PIGEON, RABBIT AND CAT SHOW. Southern Reporter, 10th October, 1878
The Annual Scottish Border Poultry, Pigeon, Rabbit and Cat Show will be held in the Exchange Hall, Hawick, on 7th and 8th November. – H. Beldon, Esq. Judge.

ONGAR FAIR. Essex Standard, 19th October 1878
On Monday, the principal day of this annual fair, the town was thronged with visitors. In addition to the ordinary attractions, there was an interesting meeting for athletic sports in a field belonging to Dr. Clark ; and a donkey and cat show in the same place.

HEALEY RABBIT & CAT SHOW Rochdale Observer, 2nd November 1878
Healey Rabbit & Cat Show will be held at Broadley, near Rochdale, on Tuesday, November 5th, 1878. Upwards of 200 entries. Admission – Eleven a.m. to One, 1s.; One to Five, 6d; Five to Nine p.m., 3d. R.H. Swain, Secretary.

NORTHALLERTON POULTRY, PIGEON, CAGE BIRDS, RABBIT AND CAT SHOW. York Herald, 8th November, 1878
Northallerton Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Birds, Rabbit and Cat Show will be held in the Town Hall, December 17th and 18th, 1878. Schedules of Prizes may be had of Jos. Oliver, J. Rat – Hon. Secs.