Welcome! to the first edition of ’FELIS HISTORICA’! AND OUR
GRAND BUMPER FIRST ISSUE Finally! A magazine for the Cat Fancier who is also passionate about the species, their divergent breeds and varieties, their array of coat lengths, textures, colours and patterns, and a deeper interest in their developmental history, both long before and since the founding roots of the Cat Fancy!
JOHN G. SMITHSON EDITOR
The path to this, our first issue, has been a long but exciting journey, years in the making, and along the way we have delighted in meeting those among our number that share a common passion for the history associated with every aspect of our amazing hobby, in its spectacular divergency. Cats have played a critically important part in our social history, our art history and literature, our understanding of domestic animal management and their genetics. In their relationship with mankind, they have literally touched the lives of millions, over almost countless centuries of our own social and cultural development.
OUR COVER Watercolour by Louis Wain from a series of images entitled ‘The Hunt’ circa 1910 Private Collection Photo: © John G Smithson
COPYRIGHT © A-CAT-EMY CONCEPTS / FELIS HISTORICA No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This magazine celebrates almost every aspect of the history of cats, both well before and during the 150 years since the start of cat shows, and those that are contributing to it, either as columnists or correspondents, are all well versed in the lore of the cat, all as humans who have shared their lives with cats; many of them as breeders or judges, but also as writers, artists, historians, line-chasers, veterinarians, geneticists, scientists and technicians. The calibre of their abilities and achievements can be read in their respective profiles which follow. Their willingness to contribute, participate, and support this venture, is of itself a testament to their dedication and love for the cat. The profiles of all our contributors, across all areas of expertise, provides you with a brief opportunity to learn a little of each of their individual paths through the cat fancying fraternity, leading to their roles in this first international magazine dedicated to the history of their beloved pets. It is for me, truly an honour to have this opportunity to work alongside such a world-class team! Our cover art is an exceptional piece by that remarkable British caricaturist and famous cat fancier, Mr. Louis Wain. We felt that it admirably mirrored our mood and desire both to celebrate and to visually trumpet the introduction of our unique new feline history magazine! The team sincerely hopes that you will enjoy, each month, all that is contained in our columns and feature articles, and as time goes by, news from around the globe from our very impressive team of international correspondents! Among our columnists we introduce Laura Dilley Thomas, author of ‘How to Have Purr-fect Faith – Even at a Cat Show’. Apart from her phenomenal show career early on in breeding Odd-Eyed and Blue-Eyed Bi-colours, Laura has experience as a product formulator of natural skin care products for both humans and pets, personally developing over 200 formulations sold
