REPORTS FROM EARLY BRITISH CAT SHOWS (1881)

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE London Evening Standard, 12th October 1881
The annual Cat Show opened yesterday at the Crystal Palace, and will close, according to announcements, tomorrow evening. By ten in number the exhibits exceed those of last year, and in merit they are perhaps on a par with those that have gone before them. They are to be seen in the north nave of the Palace, caged under cover, daily, from ten in the morning until six in the afternoon, reposing in that quietude which their cages compel. In all there are some 220 tabbies [generic term for cats], divided into 50 classes, and estimated in value by their owners from 50 guineas down to 5s. The gentle-looking but fierce-natured creatures are of all sorts of coats, from the intense black, through gradations of tortoiseshell and grey, down to the pure ad perfect white. If these beauties were affected with the sin of vanity they certainly would have been proud of the admiration bestowed upon them, for multitudes of ladies spent many hours, in an atmosphere which was oppressive for want of ventilation, caressing the sleek-coated, and for the most part beautiful animals. The majority of which are natives of Europe, but many of whom can claim descent from Persian ancestors and other remote residents of the East. Prizes, graduating from 20s. to 5s., were awarded for excellence amongst the exhibits by the judges, Messrs. W.R. Tegetmeier and George Billett; but these sums by no means represent the value set upon these household favourites by the owners.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Irish Times, 13th October 1881
The thirteenth annual Cat Show opened on Tuesday at the Crystal Palace, and will close, according to announcement, this evening. By ten number the exhibits exceed those of last year, and in merit they are perhaps on a par with those that have gone before them. They are to be seen In the north nave of the Palace, caged under cover, daily, from ten in the mominr till six in the afternoon, reposing in that quietude which their cages compel. In all there are some 220 tabbies, divided into 50 classes, and estimated in value by their owners from 50 guineas down to 5s. The gentle-looking but fierce-natured cleatures are of all sorts of coats, from the intense black, through gradations of tortoiseshell and grey, down to the pure and perfect white. If these beauties were affected with the sin of vanity they certainly would have been proud of the admiration bestowed open them, for multitudes of ladies spent many hours, in an atmosphere which was oppressive for want of ventilation, caressing the sleek-coated, and for the most part beautiful animals, the majority of which are natives of Europe, but many of whom can claim descent from Persian ancastors and other remote residents of the East. Prizes graduating from 20s to 5s were awarded for excellence amongst the exhibits by the judges, Messrs. W. K. Tegetmeier and George Billtt; but these sums by no means represent the value set upon these household favourites by the owners.

[CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW] Hornsey & Finsbury Park Journal, 13th October 1881
At the Cat Show now open at the Crystal palace, Mr. W. Leadbetter, of Muswell-hill exhibited the best two short-haired kittens and secured a first prize.

[CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW] Southwark Mercury, 15th October 1881
Dr. Greene, Peckham-rye; Mrs. C. Smith, Nunhead; Mrs. J. Ruffles, Brixton; and Miss C. Nicholls and Mr. Cowran, Camberwell, took prizes at the Crystal palace Cat Show.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. South London Press, 15th October 1881
On Tuesday afternoon the 13th annual show of cats, under the auspices of the Crystal Palace Company, was opened and attracted large number of visitors during the day. The entries numbered 221, and included some very magnificent animals, the Persians and Angoras being specially admired. The number of prizes awarded was 110, Messrs. W. B. Tegetmeier and George Billett being the judges. The following is a list of the local awards :
Class 2 (brown tabby or brown tabby and white): Mr Tullet, Upper Norwood, 1 ; Miss Thomas, Forest Hill, 2; Mr. W. W. Strange, Upper Norwood, 3.
Class 3 (blue or silver tabby): Mrs. Durman, Upper Norwood, 1; Mrs. E. Connett, Upper Norwood, 2; Mrs. M. Brunton, Norwood, 3.
Class 6 (spotted tabby): Mrs. C. Smith, Nunhead, 1.
Class 7 (black and white): Miss Trusson, Croydon, 1; Mrs. Pringle, Upper Norwood, 2; Mrs. E. Bennett, Upper Norwood, 3.
Class 8 (black): Mr. H. H. Mason, 1; Miss E. Childs, Norwood, 2; Dr. Greene, Peckham Rye. 3.
Class 10 (any other variety): Mr. W. Wookey, Vauxhall, 2.
Class 11 (Manx, any colour): Mr. W. H. Thomas, Belvedere, Kent, 1; Mrs. Hitchcock. Upper Norwood, 2.
Class 12 (tortoiseshell) : Mr. G. Abbs, Lower Streatham, 1.
Class 13 (tortoiseshell and white): Mrs. G. Tullett, Upper Norwood, 2.
Class 15 (blue or silver tabby): Miss J. Gardiner, Lower Norwood, 1.
Class 17: Mr. Willmott, Brockley, 1; Mrs. W, W. Strange, 2; Mrs. W. E. Newton, Gipsy Hill, 3.
Class 19 (black): Mrs. Fossett, Lower Norwood, 1.
Class 20 (white): Mr. W. King, Norwood, 1.
Class 23 (best two short-haired kittens): Mr. H. James, Lower Norwood, 2. Highly commended -Mr. W. Galsworthy, Anerley; Mrs. Tullett, and Mr. J. Harris, Bickley.
Class 24 (long-haired, pure white): Mr. H. Burtonshall, Upper Norwood, 1; Mr. T. Rochester, Sydenham, 2.
Class 26 (tabby); Miss Strong, Penge, 1; Miss Knowles, Herne Hill, 3.
Class 27 (any other variety): Mrs. Grist, Lordship-lane, 1; Mr. J. Wood, Norwood, 3.
Class 23 (pure white): Miss C. Nicholls, Camberwell, 2.
Class 29 (black); Mrs. Mayhew, South Norwood, 2.
Class 30 (tabby): Miss C. Grant, Upper Norwood, 2.
Class 31 (any other variety): Miss Batson, Sonth Norwood, 1; Mrs. Mayow, Sydenham, 2; Miss G. Hyde, Honor Oak Park, 3.
Class 33 (tabby): Mrs. Harding, Upper Norwood, 1; Mr. H. Saflin, Lower Norwood, 2; Miss S. J. Callam, South Norwood, 3,
Class 34 (heaviest short-haired tabby): Equal first, Mrs. F. W. Carey, Hackney, and Miss L. Hammond, Lower Streatham ; Miss Piper, Anerley, 3.
Class 35 (short-haired white); Mr. H. Swinyard, Lower Norwood.
Class 36 (black) : Mrs. Donkin, Upper Norwood, 2.
Class 40 (tabby); Mrs. Goddard, Penge, 2.
Class 42 (short-haired cats, the property of working men—black and white): Mr. J. Goodly, Upper Norwood, 1; Miss Trusson, Croydon, 2.
Class 44 (best tabby); A. Smith, Crystal Palace, 1; G. Parker, Crystal Palace. 2.
Class 45 (white): J. Harris, 1; Mrs. J. Ruffles, Brixton, 2.
Class 46 (black): Mrs. Wookey, Vauxhall, 1; A. White, Norwood, 2.
Class 47 (two kittens): Miss Ward, Norwood, 2.
Class 48 (heaviest short-haired): Mr. Cowran, Camberwell, 3.
Class 49: Mr. Gold, Upper Norwood, 2.

THE CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOWS. Hampshire Telegraph, 19 October 1881
The Crystal Palace Cat Shows have from time to time done much good for our fireside friends. The soft, sleek creatures who may for years have picked up a a precarious living in unwashed saucepans, to whom the domestic herring-head has been a luxury, and the common mouse a piece de resistance (specially on the mouse's part), now find they have a positive place in the world, and, representing glory, and, what's more, money, are looked after with the tenderest solicitude. The 13th Annual Show was well supplied with cats, and well attended by their admirers.

[CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW] Liverpool Weekly Courier, 15th October 1881
From time immemorial the cat has been a popular pet, and at no date does it appear to have been more so than it is here in England at the present day. It is true that it does not hold the high place in our esteem which it did in that of the old Egyptians, who deified It and worshipped it – in connection with onions; but our affection for it, and our pride in its personal appearance, have grown with the growth of years, to judge from the attention being bestowed upon the exhibits in the Cat Show at the Crystal Palace this week. Here are arrayed some of the most perfect specimens of feline beauty, of the possession of which lovers of the tribe in England can boast; and a graceful picture it must be acknowledged they present. But behind that gentle mien and sleek appearance lurks a nature fierce to the utmost limits of ferocity, a nature that takes delight in cruelty for cruelty's sake. Cats were no doubt originally domesticated for the purpose of clearing homesteads of the vermin which find their way to places where food is stored, and by degrees they came to be admired for their grace and beauty, and elected inseparable companions of the hearth. Now, at least so far as London and other great cities are concerned, the original design and intention have come to be overlooked. The duties which they were originally intended to perform have to be executed by means of traps and poisons, to the lures of which the thievishly inclined animal not unfrequently falls a victim. In fact, as a rule, the cat of the period has ceased to be regarded as a creature meant for useful purposes and only to be looked upon as a thing of beauty –an ornament which it may be remarked in passing proves somewhat of a nuisance to hard workers who seek peaceful sleep in crowded cities.

MERTHYR POULTRY, PIGEON, AND CAT SHOW. Western Mail, 20th October 1881
The third annual show of poultry, pigeons, and cats in the Mertthyr Market-house, was opened on Wednesday, and will be continued to-day (Thursday). [. . .]As in previous years, some fine looking cats, of enormous size, with coats of varying hues were exhibited, but it is singular, considering the good prizes given, and the special prizes of £ 3 S. itv anti £2 2s., that the competition in the classes is not greater. Mr. Ellis, Bath, won first in the best long-coatedcat class, and the same exhibit got second special, the first special being awarded to Mr. Gardner’s “Duke of Devonshire,” which the ownerd modestly prices at £1,000. The Duke also received first in its class for best he or she tabby.
CATS.—Best long-coated cat, he or she - 1, W. C. O. Ellis, Mr Ellis also took the special prize of £ 2 2s, given by Mr R. T. Crawshay, for the best, cat in the show; 2, D. Thomas.
Best tortoise-shell cat, he or she - 1, J. S. Watson 2, H.O. Shutt.
Best tabby cat, he or she – 1, J. Gardner; 2. G. Templeman.

MERTHYR POULTRY, PIGEON, AND CAT SHOW Merthyr Express, 22nd October 1881
The Merthyr Poultry, Pigeon, and Cat Society held its third annual show on Wednesday and Thursday in the present week at the Market House. [Cat judge Mr P.H. Jones, London]
Best Long-Coated Cat – He or she (5 entries). – 1, Mr W. C. O. Ellis, Mr Ellis; 2, Mr. D. Thomas; v.h.c., Mr. E. Llewelyn; h.c. Mr J. Lloyd.
Best Tortoise-shell Cat – He or she (4 entries). - 1, Mr. J. S. Watson; 2, Mr. H.O. Shutt; h.c., Mr. H. Hughes, Mr. C. Graves.
Best Tabby Cat. – He or she (10 entries). – 1 and 2 (special), Mr. J. Gardner; 2. Mr. G. Templeman; v.h.c., Mr. J. Fairburn; h.c., Mr. H.O. Shutt, Mr. Matthew Clark.

IRVINE FARMER’S SOCIETY CATTLE SHOW Irvine Times, 14th May 1881
There was a novelty in the shape of a cat show, in which there was a good competition.
Tom cat. – 1st, Miss Mary H.L. Campbell; 2d, Thos. Dunlop, grocer.
Tabbies [she-cats] – 1st, Mrs Jas. Mathieson, Burns Street, 2d, Mrs Stewart, Heathfield.

CAISTOR THIRD ANNUAL HORSE, DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON, RABBIT AND CAT SHOW – Stamford Mercury, 20th May, 1881
Caistor Third Annual Horse, Dog, Poultry, Pigeon, Rabbit and Cat Show will be held (under canvas) on the 8th and 9th June, 1881. Upwards of £150 in Prizes and 17 Special Prizes. Full particulars in Schedule. Entries close 25th May to F. A. Dorrington, hon secretary, Caistor.

RETFORD POULTRY, DOG, AND CAT SHOW. Nottingham Journal, 26th May 1881
This show was bald yesterday at Retford, when there was a fine exhibition dogs, poultry, pigeons, butter and eggs, the competition being open to the United Kingdom. During the day very large number of people visited the square in which the show was located, the scene last evening being a very animated one. Cat judge: W. Allison Esq]

RABBIT AND CAT SHOW IN SHEFFIELD. Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 22nd June 1881
" One of the very best shows of rabbits that has ever taken place in England," to use the words of judge, was opened yesterday at the Assembly Rooms, Pack Horse Hotel, Snighill, when the Sheffield and District Rabbit and Cat Association commenced their annual exhibition. The cats, though not numerous, were of the best quality, the first prize winner, a magnificent tortoiseshell, having won two cups on different occasions at the national shows at the Crystal Palace, a similar honourable record standing to tbe credit of the silver tabby who was adjudged second. Some grand Persian cats were also shown. The following is the prize list, firsts, seconds, and thirds only :- Cats: 1st, Mr. Grayson; 2nd, Mr. Hodson, Retford; 3rd, H. O. Strutt, Harrogate.

DOG AND CAT SHOW, HADDINGTON. Fife Free Press and Kirkcaldy Guradian, 16th July, 1881
At the dog and cat show, held at Haddington last Friday and Saturday, the following from Fife were among the prize winners – for cats, Miss Robina Frew and Miss Rachell C. Frew, Sinclairtown, Kirkcaldy.

RICHMOND FLORAL AND MUSICAL FETE Richmond & Ripon Chronicle, 6th August 1881
[. . .] The bird and cat show was very moderate in point of quantity, but good in quality.
Black foreign cat (male or female), colour to be entirely black, 2, Percy Robinson, Richmond.
White foreign cat (male or female), colour to be entirely white, 2, J. Bowes, Richmond.
Foreign cat (male or female), any other colour, 1, J. Flint; 2, John Reynolds, Richmond.
English cat (male or female), any variety, 1, F. Edson; 2. W. Swire, Richmond.
English cat (male or female), belonging to a cottager residing within the Parliamentary Borough Richmond, W. Nowland, Richmond.

MALTON SHOW, LOCAL PRIZE WINNERS. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 18th August, 1881
At the Malton (Yorks) Poultry, Rabbit and Cat Show, last week, Mr. W.C.O. Ellis, of Combe Down, was awarded the champion prize for his Persian cat “Napoleon.” The prize consisted of a massive silver medal, the gift of Mr. Ward, silversmith, of York.

POULTRY, DOG AND CAT SHOW. Hampshire Chronicle, 3rd September, 1881
We again notify the fact that the Winchester and Couunty Pooultry, Dog, and Cat Show is to be held in the coming week on Wednesday and Thursday, the 7th and 8th inst., at the Corn Exchange. If prizes have anything to do with the success of a show, which they certainly ought to have, the present exhibition should be rremarkably successful, as nearly £200 are to be awarded in prizes to the successful exhibitors in the different competitions.

COTTAGE GARDEN SHOW AT COLD ASH. Reading Mercury, 3rd September 1881
On Wednesday last this annual show was held in the grounds of the Rev. J. M. Bacon, and the weather, although overcast, was fortunately fine. The show, which chiefly restricted to parishioners paying a less annual rental than £6 [. . .] Other attractions were added—one being the novelty of a cat show, where specimens of cats from the broad shouldered tom to the smallest of kittens were shown, attracting crowds of persons, who were none the less amused by the cats than by the fancy prices and names affixed to the pens. Mr. Lay was entrusted with the management of this department.

COTTAGERS’ SHOW AT COLD ASH Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser, 8th September 1881
A novel feature was introduced this year in the shape of a “Cat Show,” and proved to be most successful, the entries being fair, and the interest evinced in these household pets being very great. This interesting exhibition took place in a small tent. The first prize was taken by a fine cat belonging to Mrs. Johnson, and was ticketed at the fancy price of £100. Mrs. Piper came second with a pussy which she estimated at the value of 1,000 francs, and the third was taken by Mrs. Thompson. The Rev. J.M. Bacon [host of the show] expressed his pleasure that there was such a large number of entries, and that all who had once exhibited seemed keen to compete again. In alluding, however, to the new experiment of a cat show, he confessed himself overwhelmed by the number of applications. He had judged that there were a few cats in the place from the nightly concerts by which he was entertained; but it had literally “rained cats” at his back door for a week past (roars of laughter).

THE POULTRY SHOW. Western Daily Press, 7th September, 1881.
The fourth annual exhibition of the Shepton Mallet Poulty, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cat Show society was also held in Langhorn Park. [. . .] The judges were . . . and Mr. George Billet, for rabbits, cats and birds. [. . .] The show of rabbits, cats, and birds was also above the average. Prizes:
Cats. Special prize given by Mr. A.A. Hill – best cat in the show – W.C.O. Ellis.
Class 53 – Long hair – 1, W.C.O. Ellis; 3, A. Hesalkine.
Class 54 – Short hiar – 1, Gerrerd Oborne; 2, Archdeacon Brown; 3, Miss Yare.
Class 72 – Any variety; 2 entries. 1st prize 10s 6d J Colston; 3rd, 5s, F. Castle.

[CANTERBURY POULTRY, PIGEON, RABBIT AND CAT SHOW] Kentish Express 17th December & Kentish Gazette, 20th December 1881
Class 84. Cats (long haired). Any variety, any age, any colour. Either sex. – 2nd, Mrs. S. Newman (Male), Canterbury; 3rd, Mrs. Waldron Kelly, Canterbury (White).
Class 85. – Tabbies. Any age, any shade. Either sex. – 2nd, Mrs. Phillips, Wingham (Grey).
Class 86. Variety class of cat or kitten. Any variety not previously stated. Either sex. – 2nd, Miss Dike, Margate (Angola Kitten).

ONGAR FAIR AND SPORTS. Chelmsford Chronicle, 14 October 1881; Essex Newsman, Monday 15 October 1881
This fair was held on Wednesday last. There was also a remarkably interesting cat show. Ihese domestic household favourites were provided with separate cages that were ranged on a table in a tent erected a field near the Grammar school which was kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by Dr. Clark, the principal, who actively interested himself in promoting the success of the horticultural and athletic department. In the cat show there were 15 entries. Nearly all were well grown and handsome creatures, and several had a litter of kittens with them. Two of the cats were of rather novel species, and evidently of foreign extraction. They attracted the particular admiration of the female and juvenile portions the spectators who crowded the tent nearly all day.

BATH SHOW. LOCAL PRIZE WINNERS. Gloucester Journal, 12th November, 1881
At the Bath Poultry, Pigeon, Rabbit, Bird, and Cat Show, the following wers amongst the prise winners:- Mrs. Brydges, Charloton Kings, took 2nd prize for cats.

POULTRY, PIGEON, CANARY, AND CAT SHOW [CLACKMANNAN] Alloa Circular, 23rd November 1881
On Saturday las the third annual exhibition and competition of poultry, pigeons, canaries, and cats, in connection with Clackmannan Ornithological Association, took place in the Public School there. The exhibition this year, to which was added as an additional attraction a show of cats, was a very successful one. [12 entries, cat judge, Mr C Morris, Dunfermline]
Class 25 – Tom Cats – 1, Thomas Condie, Clackmannan; 2, James Robertson, Clackmannan; 3, William Brown, Alloa; 4, William Joyce, Clackmannan; highly commended, James Dryburgh, Clackmannan; commended, R. Younge, Dollar.
Class 26 – Tabby [Female] Cats – 1, William Joyce, Clackmannan; 2, John Cram, Clackmannan; 3, D. Buick, Alloa; 4, Henry Russell, Clackmannan.

POULTRY, PIGEON, RABBIT, AND CAT SHOW. Blackburn Standard, 10th December 1881
Yesterday, tbe third annual show, of poultry, pigeons, rabbits, and cats, promoted by locai fanciers, was opened in the Co-operative Hall. As compared with the two previous shows, yesterday’s exhibition decidedly gets this best of the comparison, and was of such a character that in many instances it could not be sur passed. Being open to all England the class of exhibits was necessarily in some cases of a rare order, [. . .] Cats: 1, Miss Annie Spencer; 2, J. Booth junior; 3, James Salmon.