REPORTS FROM EARLY BRITISH CAT SHOWS 1925

1925 MIDLAND COUNTIES (BEDFORD) CAT SHOW

DISTINGUISHED CATS. LARGE EXHIBITION BEDFORD. Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 9th January 1925
The Championship Show of the Midland Counties Cat Club was held at the Corn Exchange, Bedford, on Thursday. Numbers of distinguished members of the feline race journeyed to Bedford from all parts and exhibited their fine points to the judges and crowds of interested spectators. The show was admirably arranged and run, and in the afternoon the public were able to see the judging for the President's Cup for the best exhibit, to have been bred and exhibited by a member. This cup was won by "Ch Red Leader," a beautiful Red Tabby, the property of Mrs E.M. Neate, of Newdigate, Surrey. "Ch Cupid of Hyver," a very well-known male Chinchilla, the property of Mrs Reynolds Sams, Egham, won the cup for the best exhibit in the show.

The judges were Mrs Slingsby, Miss E. Savory, Mr Ambrose, Mr Percival, and Mr Western. The president of the M.C.C.C. is Mrs Forsythe Forrest, who acted as referee judge, and the secretary, Mr Singleton, of Bushmead Avenue, Bedford. A list of awards will be published in Tuesday’s Bedford Record.

1925 SOUTHERN COUNTIES (KENTISH TOWN) CAT SHOW

[SOUTHERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB SHOW] Hendon & Finchley Times, Friday 23 January 1925
The Southern Counties Cat Club will hold its Annual Grand Championship Show at the Kentish Town Baths, Prince Of Wales' Road, N.W.1 on Thursday, Jan. 29th, 1925. 122 Classes. All information from the Hon. Sec. Mrs. Campbell Fraser, The Approach, Hendon. Admission at 12.30. 1/6; after 3 o'clock, 1/-; after 5 o'clock, 6d.

A CAT CLUB SHOW. NEARLY 400 SHOW, AT THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES COMPETITION Hendon & Finchley Times, 6th February 1925
The championship show of the Southern Counties Cat Club, of which Mrs. Campbell Fraser, of The Approach, Hendon, is the hon. secretary, was held on Thursday, Jan. 29th, at the Prince of Wales Baths, Kentish Town. The Duchess of Marlborough is president of the club, and the visitors both morning and afternoon numbered many more than in preceding years, demonstrating the increasing interest taken in the cat fancy. All the many beautiful cups and trophies belonging to the S.C.C.C. were offered for competition, as well as their silver and gold medals, and the muster of exhibits, nearly 400 strong, represented par excellence the pick of feline beauty. The large spacious hall was seen to advantage with its rows of well-arranged pens with their bright bunting and enviable gaily coloured prize cards. Hendon and Finchley were represented by local exhibitors, pleased with their successes in the Longhaired Blue, Black and Siamese classes, the names of the exhibitors including such ardent cat-lovers as Miss Langton, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Evans, Miss G. King and Mrs. Campbell Fraser.

[SOUTHERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB SHOW] Kington Times, 7th February 1925
At the Southern Counties Cat Club Championship Show, held at Kentish Town, London, last week, Mrs R. Wooff, of Kington, was awarded special, reserve, and v.h.c. in the smoke Persian class with her queen, "Cherry Blossom of the Cottage." These successes were gained in very large classes, there being over 900 entries in the show altogether. Mrs Wooff, who is a keen breeder of blue Persians as well as smokes and who has some of the best strains in England, is to be congratulated on her enthusiasm and pluck in entering a championship show.

[SOUTHERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB SHOW] Hendon & Finchley Times, 10th April 1925
Another emigrant for U.S.A.! "Hendon Black Gama" sailed for New York on Saturday. Lest my readers should be thinking Hendon had lost a promising young citizen let me hasten to say that "Gama" is the name given to one of the prize winning cats of Mrs Campbell Fraser, The Approach, Hendon, who is a member of the Governing Council of the National Cat Association and hon secretary of the Southern Counties Cat Club. I am told that "Gama" was sold to a gentleman in Fifth-avenue, new York, for a large sum.

1925 CENTRAL BANFFSHIRE SHOW

CENTRAL BANFFSHIRE SHOW AT KEITH. Aberdeen Press and Journal, 12th August 1925
Cats: Long-haired male, any colour – 1, Mrs Law, Forres; 2, Wm. A. King, Fochabers; 3, Ernest Stables, Keith.
Long-haired female, any colour – 1, George Barren, Station Cottages, Aultmore; 2 and 3, Mrs Law, Mains of Sanquhar, Forres.
Long-haired male or female kitten under 9 months – 1 and 3, Mrs Law; 2, Angus Joss, Moss Street, Keith.
Short-haired male, any colour- 1, Robert Gray, 64 Union Street, Keith; 2, William Smith, 114b Land Street, Keith; 3, John Livingstone, Land Street, Keith.
Short-haired female, any colour – 1, Charles Ralley, 123 Mid Street, Keith.
Short-haired kitten, any colour, under 9 months – 1 and 3, George Garvock, Mill of Rathven, Buckie; 2, William Stables, 104 MossStreet, Keith.
Tortoiseshell cat, male or female, three colours, black, yellow and white – 1, Mrs Milne, Bauds, Tauchers, Mulben; 2, Miss Cathie Stewart, Glencottar, Keith; 3, James Davidson, Cairnfield, Enzie, Buckie.
Best cat in show – R. Gray.

1925 MADRESFIELD SHOW

MADRESFIELD AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SHOW Gloucestershire Chronicle, 19th June 1925
Madresfield Agricultural and Horticultural Show Thursday, Aug. 6th, 1925, In the beautiful Grounds of Madresfield. . . . CAT SECTION. OPEN CLASSES (Under the Management of the Midland Counties Cat Club).

LOCAL PRIZE WINNERS AT MADRESFIELD SHOW. The Tewkesbury Register, and Agricultural Gazette, 15th August 1925
In the cat show Mrs. C. Yeend, of Westmancote, won second in the open class for blue long haired females with Yveen, first prize winner at the Kensington Show on July 16th. In the kitten classes Mrs. Yeend was awarded first and second for creams the latter being reserve best kitten in the Kensington Show. For pairs Mrs. Yeend won first, and also for the best male kitten in the Show, and second for the best pair of kittens. In the competition arranged by the Midland Counties Cat Club she was awarded a second prize. Miss Langston, who is staying with Mrs. Yeend is the only possessor of two Chinchilla champions in the country and one of these, Hyver, was champion of the Madresfield Show.

[ LOCAL PRIZE WINNERS AT MADRESFIELD SHOW ] Evesham Standard & West Midland Observer, 15th August 1925
Some of the Local Prize Winners. In the open classes for cats, Mrs. Yeend, of Tewkesbury, won second prize, with Yveen, while Miss Harrison, of Winchcomb, secured a second with a Blue Persian, in the novice, any variety section. Midland Counties' Cat Club: Mrs. Yeend secured a third with the same animal. She also was awarded a first in the open classes for kittens, with Patboy, and a second with Clare, while in the any variety, Mrs. Yeend won second prize with a cream male, and in the pairs, second; the same exhibitor was awarded first with creams. In the Midland Counties Cat Club, Mrs. Yeend carried off second prize for a cream male. Under the heading of special prizes, open to all, Mrs. Yeend was successful with the best pair of kittens.

1925 SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW

[SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW] Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 25th September 1925
Eighty members of the most intelligent the cat breed, the Siamese variety, were on exhibition at the annual championship show of the Siamese Cat Club at Kensington yesterday.

[SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW, LOUIS WAIN FUND] Leeds Mercury, 25th September 1925
The annual championship show of the Siamese Cat Club was held yesterday in London. One of the cats offered at auction, which took place in the afternoon, was picked up friendless in Kensington, the sum it realised was on behalf of the Louise Wain Fund [he was penniless and in an asylum]. This fund also benefited by the sale of two pictures by the famous artist.

[SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW] Western Mail, 26th September 1925
Mrs Wilkie, of Derwallt, Rogerstone. Mon., won one second, two thirds, and two v.h.c. cards at the championship Siamese Cat Club Show in Kensington.

1925 SCOTTISH DAIRY AND POULTRY SHOW

[SCOTTISH DAIRY AND POULTRY SHOW] The Scotsman, 3rd October 1925
Scottish Dairy and Poultry Show in the Waverley Market, Edinburgh, yesterday . . . A particularly interesting department in the show was that of the cats. It was claimed to be the finest display of the kind for twenty years.
Long-Hair, Blue Male, adult – 1, Brown & Wilson, Newcastle; 2, Mrs M. Brunton, Lasswade; 3, Mrs A. Gray, Dumfries.
Long-Hair, Blue Female – 1, Mrs M. Brunton; 2, Mrs M. Berry, Douglas Water; 3, Mrs A. M. McCowatt, Neilston.
Long-Haired, Red, Cream, or Orange, adult – 1, 1, Miss Isolbel G. Beynon, Newhaven Road, Leith; 2, Mrs M. Wise; 3, Mrs Rollo Stewart.
Long-Haired, AOC, adult – 1, Ernest Henry Guy, Reigate, Surrey; 2, Mrs M. Brunton; 3, Miss H. Louise Morgan, Lennos Road, Trinity.
Long-Haired Blue Kitten, under nine months – 1 and 2, Mrs M. Brunton; 3, Mrs A. Gray, Dumfries.
Long-haired AOC, under nine months – 1, Ernest Henry Guy; 2 and 3, mrs M. Brunton.
Long-Haired Cat or Kitten – 1 and 2, Ernest Henry Guy; 3, Mrs M. Brunton.
Short-Haired AOC or Tabby, adult – 1, F. Hough; 2 and 3, Ernest Henry Guy.
Short-Haired Kitten, under nine months – Ernest Henry Guy.
Short-haired Novice, Cat or Kitten - 1 and 2, Ernest Henry Guy; 3, A.T. Hutchinson, York Place, City.
Gelding, long or Short-haired – 1, Miss E.R. Webster; 2, Mrs J. Lawson, Fowler, gelding; 3, Mrs Rollo, Stewart.
Litter Class (3 or more Kittens under 3 months) – 1, Mrs J.D. Bruce, Cupar; 2, Mrs Heggie, Fairhill, Hamilton.
Household Cat, any Variety – 1, Mrs Barckley, Gloucester Place, Edinburgh; 2, Ernest Henry Guy; 3, Mrs Frazer, South College Street, Edinburgh.
[Special for] Best Gelding – Miss E.R. Webster Newcastle.
[Special for] Best Cat in Show – Brown & Wilson, Newcastle.
[Special for] Best Long-Haired Kitten – Mrs M. Brunton, Lasswade.

1925 EXETER AND DEVON GRAND CAT SHOW

EXETER AND DEVON GRAND CAT SHOW Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 14th October 1925
To-day! Exeter and Devon Grand Cat Show at the Lower Market, Exeter. Over 2,200 exhibits of Poultry, Pigeons, Cage Birds, Rabbits and Cats from all parts of the United Kingdom.

EXETER SHOW Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 15th October 1925
The 30th annual show of the Exeter and Devon Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird and Cat Society was held yesterday at the Lower Market, Exeter, and, as regarded both entries and quality, was the best ever held by the Society. . . Splendid animals were shown in the cat and rabbit classes. [Cat judge – Mr T. Ambrose.]
CATS (OPEN). LONG-HAIRED CATS OR KITTENS.
Blue adult, male: 1, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore, Pinhoe; 2, Mrs G.N. Bolton, Exeter; 3, Miss George, Malvern.
Blue adult, female: 1, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore; 2, Miss George; 3, Mrs G.N. Bolton.
Blue kitten: 1, Mrs G.N. Bolton; 2, Mrs A.S. White; 3, Miss George.
Chinchilla, adult: 1 (equal), Misses Trefusis and Grant and Miss E.H. Cotterell, Exeter; 2, Miss E.H. Cotterell.
Chinchilla. kitten: 1, Misses Trefusis and Grant.
Tabby, adult: 1 and 2, Mrs C L Kennaway, Blandford.
Tabby, kitten: 1 and 2, Mrs L Kennaway.
Any other colour, adult: 1,E.H. Guy, Surrey.
Any other colour, kitten: 1, Miss H.S. Langshorne, Chard: 2, E.H. Guy.

SHORT-HAIRED CATS OR KITTENS.
Blue, adult or kitten: 1, Miss O. Guppy, Pinhoe.
Siamese, adult: 1, Miss S Bate. Chittlehampton; 2, Capt A. Forder, Bridgwater.
Siamese, kitten: 1, Miss George; 2, Mrs Welham, Teignmouth.
Any other breed, adult: 1, E.H. Guy.
Any other breed, kitten: 1, E.H. Guy.
Novice, adult or kitten: 1, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore; 2, Miss George.
Neuter, adult: 1, Miss G. Morant, Sussex; 2, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore.
Neuter, kitten: 1, Mrs G.M. Bolton.
Litter of kittens: 1, Mrs A S White, 2, Miss H.S. Langhorne; 3, Mrs M.G. Bosanquet, Dawlish.
Novice, male or female (for those who have never won a first prize): 1, Mrs Huxham; 2, M.P. Matthews; 3, Miss O. Guppy.
Novice, kitten: 1 and 3, Mrs Welham; 2, Sister N Grier, Teignmouth.
Pair, any variety: 1, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore; 2, Miss George: 3, Mrs G.N. Bolton.
Brace of kittens: 1 and 2, Miss George.

RADIUS CLASSES.
Any variety, adult: 1 and 2, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore; r, Miss E.H. Cotterell.
Any variety, kitten : 1, Mrs G.N. Bolton; 2, Mrs Welham; 3, Misses Trefusis and Grant; r, Sister N. Grier.
Neuter, any variety: 1, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore; 2, Mrs E. Latham, Exeter; 3, Mrs G.N. Bolton.
Novice (for those who have never won a prize): 1, Sister N. Grier; 2 and 3. Miss O. Guppy.

1925 NEWBURY CAT CLUB (READING) SHOW

SLIGO EXHIBITOR’S SUCCESS AT NEWBURY CAT SHOW Sligo Independent, 31st October 1925
At Newbury Cat Club’s Tenth Annual Championship Show at Reading, Berks, on the 27th October , Mrs Herbert Quinton, Wine Street, Sligo, carried off the first prize with "Tortoishell," the only one six-months old in the Tortoishell class of seven entries. She also took third prize in the Louis Wai Class for long-haired kittens, any colour, out of 24 entries, and also third prize in the Any variety Kitten class, in which there were fourteen entries. This is a splendid animal, and certainly seems to be "making good" very early.

[READING CAT SHOW] The Tewkesbury Register, and Agricultural Gazette, 14th November 1925
At the Championship Cat Show held at Reading on Oct. 27th, Mrs. Yeend, of Westmancote, won 4 first prizes with her Cream Persians, "Meg of Bredon" winning first and championship in open class and "Clare of Bredon" first in open kitten class.

1925 LEICESTER FANCIERS' SHOW

1925 CROYDON SHOW

3000-YEAR-OLD EXHIBIT AT THE CAT SHOW. Dundee Evening Telegraph, 11th November 1925
A Mummy Among the Feline Aristocrats. Over 4000 aristocrats in the cat world were present at the Croydon Cat Show, there being 1015 entries, an increase on last year. The household pet class to teach children kindness to cats had between 40 and 50 entries. A beautifully-marked leopard cat from Assam, said by naturalists to be the ancestor of the domestic cat in India, was a noteworthy exhibit. Another curiosity was a freak in the shape, of a polydactyle cat, with three extra toes on the front feet. The oldest exhibit at the show was a cat mummy from Bubastis, some 3000 years old, in which the fur of the face and the whiskers are still well preserved.

SUCCESS OF LOCAL CAT FANCIER Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette, 13th November 1925
Mrs Bazeley, of The Weir Cottage, West Drayton. scored a great success at the Croydon Cat Show on Tuesday. Her superb Blue Persian stud cat, "Colneside Billy Bumpet," won three first prizes and eight specials, besides a championship, in addition to the great honour of being best in show. He has now won 25 prizes. Last year he gained his first championship at this show. His kittens are also proving a success, the first, shown at Kensington, winning first and second prizes and challenge cup for best Blue pairs, medal for best Blue litter, etc. At Reading the best Blue kitten in the show was sired by him, and at Croydon this year he sired the winning Blue litter of six gorgeous kittens, which were all sold at the show.

[CROYDON CAT SHOW] The Tewkesbury Register, and Agricultural Gazette, 14th November 1925
At Croydon Championship Show on November 10th Mrs. Yeend [of Westmancote] won 6 firsts, 8 seconds, 1 third, and numerous specials. "Clare of Bredon" was awarded best long hair kitten in show, and "Meg of Bredon" won her second championship.

CATS! West Sussex Gazette, 19th November 1925
There were over a thousand exhibits at Croydon Cat Show – alive and dead. The inanimate exhibit was a mummy cat, aged about 3,000 years. What was called a Polydactyle cat was to be seen. It had eight toes on each of its fore-feet. The actual number of exhibits was over 400, and some had long pedigrees. Visitors to the show were asked to remember Louis Wain, the cat artist, who, in old age, has come to poverty. For the fund to help him over £6 10s was raised. The best cat in the show was a blue Persian named Colnside Billy Bumpet. The cages were decked with materials of many hues. The cats really were provided with little parlours, and some fascinating animals were seen.

1925 CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW

ARISTOCRATS OF CLAWS AND FUR. DISDAINFUL FELINES IN SATIN BOUDOIRS. Westminster Gazette, 3rd December 1925
Nearly 300 feline aristocrats (as one enthusiast termed them) were assembled at the Crystal Palace yesterday for the 36th Championship Show of the National Cat Club. They took a characteristically detached Interest in the proceedings; the majority, in fact, seemed frankly bored. One that had cost its owner, Mrs Reynolds Sams, 100 guineas when she bought it last year, lay in its pen guarded by a sheet of glass from the common air breathed by its fellows and the human beings in attendance, and was watched over by Mrs. Sams’ chauffeur all day. Another languid aristocrat was guarded by a messenger boy. As soon as the judges had passed the pens, which have to be left unadorned until the passing, blue satin cushions, chintz hangings, ribbons, bells, curtains tied back with contrasting ribbons, all made their appearance, and each pen was transformed into a little boudoir, in which the cat sat and picked daintily at raw meat and water.

Reticent Man. All manner of cats were there - Siamese, with their uncanny, ghost-like black tails, faces, and paws, and white bodies; the common-looking tabby in black and white, and brown and black; the silky grey and blue Persians, with their fierce orange eyes and with their claws scratching the cushions of their pens and the hands of unwary cat-lovers; fat, white cats, mahogany brown tortoise-shell cats, and sleek, black cats whose eyes flashed and who walked up and down like baby tigers.

It was a spinsters' paradise too. Stout, middle-aged women with a cat under each arm, walked up and down murmuring baby-talk to their charges quite oblivious of lookers-on. There were one or two men showing cats, too, but they kept very much in the background.

"SHOW FEVER" AMONG CATS. RESULT OF TOO MANY PUBLIC APPEARANCES AT SHOWS. Dundee Evening Telegraph, 3rd December 1925
Nearly 300 cats were assembled at the Crystal Palace, London, for the 36th championship show of the National Cat Club. Entries totalled well over 800. An official of the show said that at this time of the year a malady known as "show fever" prevails in some of the "catteries" in different parts of the country. The illness is an affection resulting in many instances from too frequent public appearances at the various shows. Steps are being taken to institute research into this infection, and subscriptions have been received from cat lovers all over the country to this end.

Some of the exhibits at the Crystal Palace travelled long distances in order to take part in the show. Several were from Scotland, and one, which was priced in the catalogue at £50, from Sligo, Ireland. One of the objects of breeders is to show a cat as nearly as possible the colour of mahogany, and great advances in this direction have been made. This breed and also creams and tortoiseshells are growing in favour, although blue Persians and Siamese are still, it is stated, the most popular.

NOVELTY CATS. MAHOGANY TINTED COATS AT THIS YEAR'S SHOW. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 3rd December 1925
Nearly 900 cats were assembled in the Concert Hall at the Crystal Palace, yesterday, for the 36th championship show of the National Cat Club. Several came from Scotland, and one, which was priced in the catalogue at £50, from Sligo, Ireland. The standard of the cats this year was stated to be higher than ever. All sections were well represented, and in the class for "Reds" an extremely high level of excellence was reached. One of the objects of breeders of this variety is to show a coat as nearly as possible the colour of mahogany and great advances in this direction had been made

A Louis Wain class was a particularly interesting feature of the show. For many years Mr. Louis Wain was president of the National Cat Club, and, this year, a special class had been instituted, the entry fees for which will be sent to the Louis Wain Fund.

Included in the list of successful exhibitors was Mrs Aubrey, of Worcester.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] The Tewkesbury Register, and Agricultural Gazette, 5th December 1925
At the annual show of the National Cat Club held at the Crystal Palace this week and in crowded classes for blues Mrs. Yeend's (Westmancote) "Anne of Bredon" was amongst the leading kittens and her "Meg of Bredon" was placed with the champions.

CATS AT THE PALACE. South London Observer, 5th December 1925
The novelty at the National Cat Club's Show, which opened on Wednesday at the Crystal Palace, was a spotted tabby, It was the first time such a specimen has been exhibited at a cat show. The show brought together 300 pussies. There were long-haired and short-haired cats of every shade - white, cream, black, blue, brown, red and tortoiseshell. One cat was so ferocious that the judge, after waiting about five minutes, left it and passed on. Among the notable cats was Cupid of Hyver, a magnificent Chinchilla, who added another to his many championships. The long-haired or blue Persian cats formed the strongest section am} one of them was bought for the Queen of Italy. Of the other fashionable cats, the Siamese were the most notable. The Ideal specimen has blue eyes, black mask, light fawn body and a 'snaky’ kind rot face. In appearance they resemble a big ferret. Siamese cats are in demand in America and Australia.

PROUD CATS AND DOUBLE TULIPS. - The Spectator, 30 April 1926
A CAT show is a humiliating business. At no time do we show ourselves such pitiful creatures as when we set out to exhibit our cats. Even if at home Champion Surbiton Blue Blood has always behaved with respect and tenderness towards his keepers, he can scarcely do so after having seen his contemporaries, languid in their cages, blasé about the success, and their masters foolishly demonstrative and nervous with excitement. For there is no doubt that human beings make a poor show- at a cat exhibition. They stand outside those unworthy little cages and point out the cats to each other " Diddums then," they say. " What an angel, what a booful coat And some of them poke their fingers between the bars - if there is not a grim notice saying " Do Not Touch " - and hope vainly for some response. Anxious owners hurry up, open the cage doors and drag out a would-be champion whom they hastily brush or ruffle up. They do not attempt to look as if the prize meant nothing to them.

Yet if cats must see us in our true proportions at these shows, our respect for them must mount up. There, is no doubt that they know why they are there. But this question of prize giving does not disturb them at all. They even are extremely rude to the judges. Few of them show open indignation. Nevertheless this year one monster red Persian, about the size and colour of a fox, leapt to the back of his cage and standing with four feet as close together as possible, swore and screamed as the steward politely invited him to come out and be judged. And as further measures were found necessary, he raised his claw and ripped it down the steward's arm. But most champions submit to being lifted out of their cages with a perfectly dull expression. They submit with contempt to being held up under the armpits, turned upside down, blown upon to make their fur whirr out and expose their skins. They look away, rather over the heads of their judges and make no movement of protest. But they are pointedly rude. When inside their cages they lie asleep ; more asleep than ever they are at home. The first prizers in a corner, one mountain of fur ; the second prizers, who are more openly conceited, on their sides, their legs stretched out in front, all four of them. Their size is astounding.

The first-prizers are not pleasant to meet casually, though at home they are probably genial enough. At the Show, however, advances are not encouraged. If gently tickled with a straw from their mattress, they will get up and turn around so that a larger portion of their back is towards the public. A second prizer who was evidently expecting to rise to higher things next year gave a special display of insolence. On being " diddumed " when sleeping - with front paws turned in and hind- quarters tucked neatly under - it opened its eyes crossly and without moving its front part, raised its hindquarters at us, leaving its head still on the floor. When its end was fully raised it let it down again, and again closed its eyes. The hint was plain. We moved on.

No, the only cats which were companionable at the Show were the Highly Commended and the Kittens. They were called Kittens, but one would scarcely guess that they were all under nine months. Being champions in miniature and mostly Persian at that, they were nearly as large as normal full-size cats. But they were delightfully friendly and their faces still kept that adorable round expression, half determined and half wondering, that makes kittens the most alluring of all infant animals. Moreover their front legs had still that somewhat trousered look; a sure sign of youth. They were perfectly willing to play with a finger poked between the bars. In fact if a finger was not forthcoming, a small paw would come through and pat the air.

But there is one sad observation that must be made: about cats, and it should be made about Tulips also. Part of the charm of cats and of tulips, to those of us who are not specialists or breeders but only lovers of them, lies in the clean, slender outlines of both. It is the tulip's singleness and simplicity of line which is so enchanting, and it is the cat's litheness and lean sinuous form that makes it irresistible. A great danger is threatening us. Not more, and it would seem less, than half the tulips we see - in Covent Garden for instance - are single tulips. They are being crowded out by monstrous double; quadruple petalled flowers of many colours. And likewise at the cat show there were comparatively few short-haired cats. One-could not quarrel with long-haired cats as one could with double tulips. They are magnificent in their own way. There is nothing like a cream or chinchilla Persian. But ‘C'est magnifique mais ce n'est pas le chat’. Slim, beautifully moving, short-haired blacks and oranges and whites are the cats we should worship. They are the most truly and fully catlike. There were just a few of them at the Crystal Palace this year ; some particularly delightful greys,-close cropped, with firm faces and clean strong paws. Certainly the Persians looked well enough in their cages, sitting on carpets of appropriate colours to set off their delicately shaded fur. But they had no shape ; who could tell whether they ever leapt from window to garden wall ? It is almost possible to believe that they could not exist without devoted owners to brush and scent and feed them. But cats such as those splendid, independent looking, smooth-haired fellows undoubtedly walked, graceful, unheeding and with tail erect, past our caves when we were still barbarians, and doubtless they will do so when we are barbarians again.

1925 EXMOUTH SHOW

FANCIERS' SHOW. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 10th December 1925
The annual show of the Fanciers' Society was held in the Church Hall, yesterday . . . The cat classes, to which five challenge cups were allocated, occupied the Arcadian Hall, and were staged under the direction of Mrs. M. B. Sharland (Hon. Secretary) and Miss Sharland. There were exhibits of splendid quality from various parts of the South of England, but the palm was taken by Miss J. F. Cathcart, of Paignton, who secured two of the challenge cups and the lion’s share of the specials.
CATS (OPEN)
LONGHAIRED
Blue male: 1 and 2, Mrs M.B. Sharland, Exmouth.
Blue female: 1, Mrs M.H.S. Sedgemore, Exeter; 2, Miss K. Taylor; 3, Mrs Littley; r, Mrs M.B. Sharland; vhc, Mrs Shapley.
Any other colour, male or female: 1, Miss J.F. Cathcart; 2, Mrs E.H. Guy; 3, Miss L.E. Trumper; r, E.H. Guy; vhc, W. Shapland.
Kitten, self colour, under 9 months old: 1, S. Dalby Smith; 2, Mrs A. Sparke; 3, E.H. Guy; vhc, Mrs M.B. Sharland.
Chinchilla, silver, smoke, tabby, under 9 months: 1, Mrs E. Waldron; 2, 3, r, and vhc, Mrs G.P. Emery.
Neuter, any colour: 1, Mrs Lydia Commins; 2, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore; 3, Miss E. Pocklington; r, W. Shapland; vhc, Mrs M.B. Sharland

SHORTHAIRED
Any variety adult, male or female: 1 and 3, E.H. Guy; 2 and r, Miss S. bate; vhc, Miss A. Guppy.
Any variety kitten, under nine months: 1, Miss S. Bate; 2, E.H. Guy; 3, Miss H. Morris.
Litter, any variety, under three months: 1, Mrs Shapley; 2, Miss E.G. Pocklington; 3, Miss H. Morris; r, Mrs M.B. Sharland.
Veterans, any variety, over three years: 1, Miss J.F. Cathcart; 2, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore; 3, Mrs M.B. Sharland; r, E.H. Guy.
Brace, any variety, cats or kittens: 1, Mrs M.B. Sharland; 2, E.H. Guy; 3, Miss H. Morris.
Novice, any variety, adult: 1, 3, and r, Mrs M.B. Sharland; 3, Miss K. Taylor.
Novice, any variety, kitten under 9 months: 1, S. Dalby-Smith; 2, Mrs A. Sparks; 3 and r, E.H. Guy.
Novice, any variety, neuter: 1, C. Matthews; 2, Mrs M.B. Sharland.
Any variety adult: 1, Miss J.F. Cathcart; 2, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore; 3, E.H. Guy; r, Miss A.Guppy.
Any variety kitten under 9 months: 1 and 2, E.H. Guy; 3, Miss Forbes Robertson.

RADIUS CLASSES (OPEN TO DEVON)
Longhaired adult: 1, Miss J.F. Cathcart; 2, Mrs M.B. Sharland; 3, Miss M.H.S.Sedgemore; r, Miss E.G. Pocklington.
Longhaired kitten, under 9 months: 1, Miss Bate; 2, Mrs A. Sparks; 3, r, and vhc, Mrs G.P. Emery.
Shorthaired adult: 1 and 2, Miss S. Bate; 3, Miss A. Guppy.
Neuter, long- or shorthaired: 1, Mrs Lydia Commins; 2, Miss M.H.S. Sedgemore; 3, Miss Pocklington; r, Mrs M.B. Sharland.

HOUSEHOLD PETS CLASSES (CONFINED TO THE EXMOUTH U.D.C. AREA)
Longhaired cat or kitten: 1, G. Trim; 2 and r, Miss Aylesbury; 3, P. Shapley.
Shorthaired cat or kitten: 1, S. Hookway; 2, Mrs Bray; 3, G. Bradford; r, Mrs Brown.
Neuter, any variety, cat or kitten: 1, Mrs G. Sansom; 2 and vhc, Miss Ida Davies; 3, Mrs Bartlett; vhc, Mrs E. Brice; hc, Mrs C.J. Hawke.

SPECIALS.
Cup for best cat or kitten in show: Miss J.F. Cathcart, Paignton.
Cup for best longhair cat: Miss J.F. Cathcart.
Cup for best shorthair cat: E.H. Guy, Reigate.
Cup for best longhair kitten: S Dalby-Smith, St. Blazey.
Cup for best shorthair kitten: Miss S. Bate, Exeter.
National cat Club silver spoon for best exhibit in show: Miss J.F. Cathcart.
Blue Persian Cat Society silver spoon for best blue longhair: Mrs M.B. Sharland, Exmouth.
Silver badge for best blue longhair kitten: S. Dalby Smith.
C.S.S.S. silver spoon for best exhibit (members): Mrs Waldron, Chittlehampton.
Silver special, best cat in show; Miss J.F. Cathcart.
Male or female adult in longhair blue: Mrs M.B. Sharland.
Best eyes in longhair blue adult: Mrs M.B.Sharland.
Most entries: Mrs M.B. Sharland.
Most points: Miss Cathcart.
Veterans and brace reserves: Mrs M.B. Sharland.
Neuter, any colour but blue: W. Shapland, Budleigh, Salterton.
Novice reserve: Mrs Sharland.
Best opposite sex in Chinchillas, adult: E.H. Guy.
Self kittens reserve: Mrs Sharland.
Any variety class reserve: Miss Guppy, Exeter.
Siamese adult: Miss S. Bate.
Chinchilla kittens reserve: Mrs G.T. Emery, Exmouth.
Best opposite sex blue kitten: Mrs M.B. Sharland.
Best coat in blue males: Mrs Sharland.
Stud cat owning most prize-winners in show: Mrs Sharland.
Household pets longhair reserve: Miss Aylesbury.
Household pets shorthair reserve: Mrs Brown.
Household pets neuter reserve: B. Taylor.
Best cat, kitten, or neuter, household pets: Mrs G. Sansom.

EXMOUTH CAT SHOW Western Times - Friday 11 December 1925
On Wednesday last Miss M. H. S. Sedgemore, of Pinhoe, won one first and four seconds with her Queen and Neuter Cats. Her well-known Fairies Blue Boy II., although entered, was not shown owing to a chill.

1925 DUBLIN FANCIERS' SHOW

1925 NORTHERN CAT CLUB (NEWCASTLE) CAT SHOW

CHAMPIONSHIP CAT SHOW. Shields Daily News, 30th November 1925
The first championship cat show in the North of England will be held in the Corn Exchange, Town Hall, Newcastle, under the auspices of the Northern Cat Club, Wednesday, December 19, 1925. Seventy-nine classes are included in the schedule, and numerous challenge cups and specials are offered. The judging will be in the capable hands of the Hon. Mrs Clive Behrens, of Malton; Miss Lea and Mr C. A. House, of London; and Mr W. Wilson, of Newcastle. Entries close on Friday, December 4, and schedules and all particulars may be obtained from the hon. secretary, Mrs A K. Higginbottom, 5 Westfield Avenue, Gosforth.

NEWCASTLE CAT SHOW Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 15th December 1925
Newcastle’s first championship cat show to be held in the Corn Exchange, Newcastle, to-morrow, has attracted large entries from all parts of England and Scotland. Many of the champions from the Crystal Palace and Croydon are entered and the show promises to be representative of all the numerous varieties of cats.

NORTHERN CAT CLUB SHOW. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 17th December 1925
The first championship show of the Northern Cat Club was held at Newcastle yesterday. There was a good entry, and an outstanding success was achieved by Miss E. Langston, of Maidenhead, Berks., whose Chinchilla, Octavian of Allington, won six firsts, and was awarded the special for the best cat in the show. This was its first appearance on the show bench.

1925 REGIONAL SHOWS

MIDLAND POULTRY SHOW. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 30th January 1925
[. . . ] large quantities of Pigeons and rabbits - and a few cats. . . . It is the fifth annual poultry festival organised by the Midland Federation of Feather and Fur Societies. . . There are a few cats present, a section formed for the lady members of the Federation, but the adjacent birds do not appear to be disturbed at the presence of their old enemies. The Siamese cat on view is somewhat of a novelty, but few of the lady visitors appreciated its charms.
Persians, blue – 1 and 3, Miss V. George, Malvern.
Short Hair, any colour – 1, F. Hough, Manchester; 3, E.H. Guy, Reigate.

BODMIN DOG [AND CAT] SHOW. Cornishman, 22nd April 1925
A pleasing feature of the Mid-Cornwall Canine Society's Show held at Bodmin on Saturday was the increase of entries over those of last year.
Cats. - Persians. – 1, J. Davies; 2, J. Davies; 3, Mrs. F. A. Dowrick; r, Mrs. P. Dowrick.
Any variety, smooth haired. – 1, Major Hamilton.

CAT SHOW FOR MYTHOLMROYD. Halifax Evening Courier, 6th May 1925
A well-attended general meeting of the Mytholmroyd Demonstration and Festival Committee was held last night, . . . All last year's features for the gala and [annual] show have been retained . . . a new feature this year will be a show of cats and kittens.

BOSTON SHOW Lincolnshire Chronicle, 27th June 1925
At the sixth annual Boston Horse, Dog, poultry, Pigeon, Rabbit, Cage Bird and Horticultural Show, the entries exceeded those of any previous show.

HARROGATE AGRICULTURAL SHOW Shipley Times and Express, 3rd July 1925
The Harrogate Agricultural Society will hold its annual show in the Society’s field in Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, on Friday and Saturday, august 7 and 8. The show will include . . . cats, and as a special feature, dogs.

[TADWORTH] DOG AND CAT SHOW Surrey Mirror, 10th July 1925
A dog, cat and rabbit show was held for the first time in the Kingswood district on Wednesday afternoon. It was organised by a committee of ladies in aid of the Tadworth and Walton cot in Guy’s Hospital and was held in the grounds of "Tadborne." which were kindly lent by Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Trinder. The event proved a much bigger affair than was at first anticipated . . . Mr. Page, of Mogador, Kingswood, judged the cats and rabbits and was equally enthusiastic about the condition of these pets.
Cats- Any Variety: 1, Mrs Chambers; 2, Mrs Venning; 3, Miss Haines; vhc, Mrs Cook.

LIMPLEY STOKE. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FANCIERS. Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 25th July 1925
Arrangements are proceeding apace for the monster horticultural and poultry show to be held in the Crockford Ground on August Bank Holiday. From an announcement in another column it will be seen that the Poultry Section Committee, with Mr. A. G. Goddard secretary, have arranged a schedule of 38 classes, comprising exhibition and utility poultry, ducks, pigeons, rabbits, cats and eggs.

LEICESTERSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW Rugby Advertiser, 10th July 1925
Leicestershire Agricultural Society Annual Show on the County Cricket Ground, Aylestone Road, Leicester, Wednesday & Thursday, July 22 and 23 . . . Large Poultry, Rabbit, Cat and Cavy Sections.

SHEFFIELD AGRICULTURAL SHOW. Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 18th July 1925
Sheffield will have its agricultural Show in Endcliffe Park on August 27th. . . . 3 classes for cats [open].

MARNHULL SHOW. Western Gazette, 21st August 1925
Male or female cat, any variety – 1, Miss Canning; 2, Miss P.J. Guy, Stour Row; 3, Mrs Litten, vhc, Mrs Shaw; hc, Mrs J. Guy; c, Miss Q. Allard.

[BINGLEY SHOW] Yorkshire Evening Post, 19th August 1925
Although the Bingley Show of the Airedale Agricultural Society has already earned the reputation of being the biggest one-day show in Yorkshire, all the Society’s own records ere broken by the exhibition at Myrtle Pak to-day . . . there were also 37 cats on exhibition.

BINGLEY’S BEST SHOW Leeds Mercury, 20th August 1925
Bingley is mightily proud its show, which entered upon its fifty-third year to-day, well meriting the description, "Yorkshire’s biggest one-day show." . . . There were cats too, from all parts of the country; one, a blue Persian, being valued at £50. [Cat results not printed]

HATHERLEY & REDDINGS SHOW. Gloucester Citizen, 20th August 1925
Three cats were benched. The two first prizes went respectively Mr. James Meynell, and Mr. H. J. Kendrick.

WELLS AGRICULTURAL SHOW. Western Daily Press, 13th August 1925
Cats. Any variety, long hair - 1 and 3, Havard and Lawrence, Compton Bishop; 2. Miss Henson, Compton Bishop.
Any variety- - 1, Miss K. King, Wells; 2. H. Paul, Wells.

THAME SHOW Bucks Herald, 19th September 1925
[. . . ] the exhibition of cats, a new feature which attracted some of the best animals in the country. [Only the agricultural results were given.]

FLOWERS AND CATS. Westminster Gazette, 21st September 1925
I hear there are to be some beautiful exhibits at the Holland Park Flower Show to-morrow, and many interesting people are expected to be there, including Mrs. Marian Cran, who broadcasts garden talk and makes beautiful gardens herself. Besides being a lover of beautiful flowers, Mrs. Cran is a lover of beautiful cats, and has just become the proud possessor of a snow-white Nigerian bush cat - the only one in England - which is to be a companion to her quaint Siamese cats, some of which she is showing at the Cat Show on Thursday. This cat was brought home by Captain Louis La Chard, to whom Mrs. Cran has just become engaged. [Nigerian Bush Cat could refer to a Serval, Civet or Genet or to any of the small wild cats found in the region.]

POULTRY [etc] SHOW AT DUDLEY Birmingham Daily Gazette, 14th December 1925
[. . .]The third members’ show of the Dudley and District Fur and Feather Society. . . . Chief prizer-winners:
Cats – Bonar Law.