Felis Historica - August 2021 - Volume 2 Number 2 by purrcasso

AUGUST 2021 Volume 2 No.2

FEATURES: LH – CH. OAKLANDS SCEPTRE (BLUE PERSIAN)

MISS GLADYS CHEETHAM

SH – BAYARD (RUSSIAN BLUE)

THE CFA FOUNDATION

GENETICS – ORANGE & TORTOISESHELL

NEWBURY CAT CLUB

INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE FOR CAT FANCIERS, LINECHASERS & FOLLOWERS OF FELINE HISTORY

“Today’s achievements are part of tomorrow’s history”

HARRISON WEIR COLLECTION © A-Cat-Emy Concepts

PUBLISHED BY A-CAT-EMY CONCEPTS for THE HARRISON WEIR COLLECTION EDITOR

John G. Smithson editor@felishistorica.com HISTORY PARTNERS The CFA Foundation COLUMNISTS/CONTRIBUTORS

Karen Lawrence (St. Catharines, Canada)

Lorraine Shelton (California, USA)

Dr. Leslie Lyons (Missouri, USA)

Chloe Chung (Hong Kong)

Laura Vocelle (Muscat, Oman)

Florent Fissot (Monsegur, France)

Dr. Victor Zaalov (Acre, Israel)

Valerie Sheldrake Feline Historian (Suffolk, UK)

Jamie Christian (Ohio, USA)

PHOTOGRAPHY / GRAPHICS

Helmi & Ken Flick (Florida, USA)

Jack Terry (Florida, USA)

AUGUST 2021 VOLUME 2 NUMBER 2 EDITORIAL – THE SECOND EDITION OF OUR SECOND YEAR! The Editor outlines the contents of Felis Historica – Volume 2 No.2!

CONTRIBUTING TEAM MEMBERS Gallery of our Team of Columnists, Contributors & Correspondents

MISS GLADYS CHEETHAM – THE OAKLANDS PHENOMENON An incredibly successful pre-WW1 20th Century Persian Breeder

THE FELINE HISTORICAL MUSEUM – Part Three - by Karen Lawrence The CFA Foundation Board of Directors

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GENETICS YOU CAN LEARN FROM YOUR CAT! PART 14 - by Dr. Leslie Lyons Torties, Calicos & Lyonization…

A GALLERY OF TORTIES, REDS & CALICOS

CHAMPION OAKLANDS SCEPTRE –(Blue Persian) - by John Smithson Early leading Blue Persian female from the Oaklands stable

THE DESCENDANTS OF BASTET – by Karen Lawrence New Book release information…

A PERSIAN RHAPSODY IN BLUE – by John Smithson New Book release information…

BAYARD - (Russian Blue) - by John Smithson. 19th Century Russian Blue stud, bred by Mrs. Carew Cox

THE HARRISON WEIR COLLECTION - RECENT ADDITIONS Newbury Cat Club – Period Photos and Sterling Silver Award Spoon

CELEBRATING MODERN DAY LEADING CATS – Short-hair Breed Type – Ruddy Somali male CFA GC. BWR, RW, & TICA LA IW, RW, SGC. TAJHARA OBSESSION CONFESSION

CAT POEMS and OTHER FANCIES / & TEN CATS – by Graham Harrop

Editorial ’FELIS HISTORICA’ JOHN G. SMITHSON EDITOR

OUR COVER PHOTO A superb original hand-coloured photo by the famous Crystal Palace Photographer Mr. T. H. Everitt. Featuring Miss Gladys Cheetham with her Blue Persian queen Champion Oaklands Sceptre. taken in 1914, held in The Harrison Weir Collection. Digital restoration by Jack Terry.

COPYRIGHT ISSN: 2744-4430 National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa © A-CAT-EMY CONCEPTS / FELIS HISTORICA THE HARRISON WEIR COLLECTION No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, screen capture, or otherwise, without prior written permission. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED www.felis-historica.com www.harrisonweir.com

In this month’s edition, Dr. Leslie Lyons provides us with an inside view from a scientific perspective, on the unique nature of the ‘Orange’ locus and X-linked traits in our cats, which I know many of you will find interesting. This equally affords us an opportunity to celebrate Torties, Calicos and Red Persians in our Gallery linked to her article, the images for which have been generously provided by breeders. Our modern-day feature cat this month is the ruddy Somali ‘Tajhara Obsession Confession’ (aka ‘Obie’ shown opposite), a celebrated representative of his breed on a world-wide scale. Also shown opposite is his son, ‘Tajhara Uptown Swagger’, both males having attained International Winner status. Both of course, were bred by Mary Franz and both appear in our article on ‘Obie’, whose photograph is graciously provided by Starrlight Photography. Our unique cover photo is an item from the Harrison Weir Collection, a rare and precious original hand-coloured piece by the famous Crystal Palace photographer, T.H. Everitt, who has left an immense legacy of photographic studies of cats and their owners, many of which I am pleased to say are preserved in the Harrison Weir Collection. This specific piece was part of an estate purchased by myself some years ago and the photograph has been brought back to its former glory thanks to the restorative digital genius of Jack Terry (Florida), who regularly contributes to our articles in his capacity as our resident photographic and graphics expert. Thank you Jack! Both the cat, Blue Persian ‘Champion Oaklands Sceptre’ and her owner Miss Gladys Cheetham, are themselves the subject of separate articles in this month’s issue. Their stories and images are also taken from material obtained in the purchase of the ‘Oaklands’ cattery estate.

AUGUST 2021

IN CELEBRATION OF

TORTIES & CALICOS

Our columnist Karen Lawrence provides us an insight this month into the multi-talented Board Members of the CFA Foundation, who contribute their time and support for the continuity of the Foundations work to preserve the history of the Cat Fancy in the form of the Feline Historical Museum. The Museum, based in Alliance Ohio, is a unique repository of feline-related artifacts, art, feline social history and that of the cat fancy itself from all over the world. It is of course, critical, that this collection be preserved at all cost, as it is a very precious link to our past and a resource for feline historians of both today and in future generations. Our period history piece, apart from those already mentioned is about the blue shorthair male, Champion Ashbrittle Peter the Great, a key contributor in the establishment of early Russian Blues, but who also appears on the pedigrees of some early British (English) shorthairs. Sadly, our planet is still being ravaged by Covid, so although cat shows are starting to reappear, but they are still relatively few, in number, and the risks are still very real and remain high. Anti-vaccinators do not help, flouting the rules that are put in place to protect us all. Unless we work as a world team, it is going to be a long haul. Vaccination programs will lead to travel eventually being possible and a better level of protection for all. Please take care one and all, and think of how your actions may affect others, as ours is a unique, very special community - which is most definitely worth preserving!

John EDITOR

Our Feature Cat: Ruddy Somali, LA IW, BW, RW, SGC. Tajhara Obsession Confession (above) with his Ruddy Somali sibling GC. Tajhara Sunchaser (below) (Photos courtesy of Starrlight Photography and Spyzoo Photography)

OUR TEAM OF COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTORS

KAREN LAWRENCE

LORRAINE SHELTON

LESLIE A. LYONS Ph. D

ADVERTISING MANAGER advertising@felis-historica.com Director: CFA Foundation, Inc Manager: Feline Historical Museum Co-Editor: The History Project

AUTHOR/LECTURER ‘Robinson’s Genetics for Cat Breeders & Veterinarians’ Director: CFA Foundation, Inc www.wegies.net www.featherland.net

RESEARCHER/COLUMNIST FELINE GENETICS SPECIALIST Prof. of Comparative Medicine Dept. of Vet. Medicine & Surgery University of Missouri

JAMIE CHRISTIAN

CHLOE CHUNG

LAURA A. VOCELLE

WRITER/COLUMNIST TICA INTERNATIONAL JUDGE OF THE YEAR 2016

COLUMNIST/PRESENTER CAT BEHAVIOURALIST/LECTURER CFA ALL BREEDS JUDGE Based in China & Hong Kong

COLUMNIST/AUTHOR FELINE HISTORY & ART HISTORIAN Creator and Founder The Great Cat www.thegreatcat.org

DR. VICTOR ZAALOV

HELMI & KEN FLICK

JACK TERRY

CEO – WORLD GOLDEN CAT

HELMI FLICK CAT PHOTOGRAPHY www.helmiflick.com

‘THE RESTORIAN’ Photo & Graphics Specialist Photo Humourist

President of World Organisation of Cats

OUR TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

DARRELL NEWKIRK

PAM DELABAR

GAVIN CAO

(CFA, USA)

(CFA, EUROPE)

(CFA, CHINA)

NEVADA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT CFA

TAMPERE, FINLAND

CFA DIRECTOR, REGION 9

CHENGDU, CHINA CFA CHINA BUSINESS ADVISOR

JOHN HANSSON

CHERYLE U’REN

ANNELIESE HACKMANN

(GCCF, UK)

(CCC of A, AUSTRALIA)

(WCF, EUROPE)

LONDON, ENGLAND CHAIRMAN GCCF

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA PRESIDENT CCC of A VICE-PRESIDENT WCC

ESSEN, GERMANY PRESIDENT WCF

JOHAN LAMPRECHT

BOB GLEASON

JANE WEBSTER

(SOUTH AFRICA)

(CCA, CANADA)

(NZCF, NEW ZEALAND)

DURBANVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA PRESIDENT, C.A.S.A. (WCF)

LONDON, CANADA CHAIR - CANADIAN CAT ASSOC. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

PALMERSTON NORTH, NZ NZCF HISTORIAN

OUR TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

JUN KOHNO

RUSSELL LAW

CHATE RUENGRUGLIKIT

(CFA, JAPAN)

(CFA, HONG KONG)

(CFA, THAILAND)

TOKYO, JAPAN SEC: MICINA CAT FANCIERS

HONG KONG SEC: UNITED FELINE ODYSSEY

CHAYAPON PUCHAROENYOS

ROBBIE WALKER

BANGKOK, THAILAND SEC: SIAM BLE-EYED CAT FANCIERS

SANDRA ALSUMAIT

(WCF, ASIA)

(ACF, AUSTRALIA)

(CFA, KUWAIT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND CHAIR: WCF DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION

GOLD COAST, QLD, AUSTRALIA PRESIDENT, FCCQ. QLD

KUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT PRESIDENT, K-CATS CLUB

IZADDIN SYAH YUSOF

FARAH DIANA

BAMBI J. EDWARDS (ANCATS, AUSTRALIA)

(CFA, MALAYSIA)

(CFA, INDONESIA)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA NAT.SEC: ANCATS AUSTRALIA

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA CFA INT.DIV. CLERK OF THE YEAR 2016

JAKARTA, INDONESIA RICIMACKA CATTERY

OUR TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

ELLEN CROCKETT

STEVEN MESERVE

LUIZ PAULO FACCIOLI

(TICA, UNITED STATES)

(TICA, EUROPE SOUTH)

(TICA, SOUTH AMERICA)

PORT TOWNSEND, WA, USA TICA DISTINGUISED JUDGE

VILA DE CUCUJAES, PORTUGAL TICA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

PORT ALEGRE, SOUTH BRAZIL TICA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

LIESBETH VAN MULLEM

EVA PORAT

DONATELLA MASTRANGELO

(TICA, EUROPE NORTH)

(FIFe, SWEDEN)

(FIFe, BELGIUM)

UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS TICA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

OREBRO, SWEDEN PRESIDENT SVERAK, (FIFe)

ROME, ITALY CHAIR: JUDGES & STANDARDS COMM.

STEVEN JONES

JINSON CHOI

LISBETH FALLING

(FIFe, NORWAY)

(CFA, SOUTH KOREA)

(NRR, NORWAY)

STAVANGER, NORWAY SEC: JUDGES & STANDARDS COMM

PAJU-SI, SOUTH KOREA PRES. CAT FANCIERS OF KOREA

OSLO, NORWAY PHOTOGRAPHER/EDITOR - ARISTOKATT

Miss Gladys Cheetham The young mistress of the ‘Oaklands’ cattery, a tour de force between 1909 -1914 Image: from ‘Fur and Feather’ February 16, 1912. Image: The Harrison Weir Collection Backgrounds © www.gographic.com

AN HISTORICAL PORTRAIT OF

‘Miss Gladys Cheetham – breeder of Champion Blue Persians’ BY

JOHN G. SMITHSON

Adapted from the author’s text for the book ‘A Persian Rhapsody In Blue’.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND During the six years that Miss Gladys Cheetham remained highly active within the long-haired fancy, the Oaklands stud, accumulated a series of such singularly distinguishing show accomplishments, that the young hobbyist’s cattery was truly considered to be a ‘phenomenon’ during the pre-Great War period, between 1909 and 1914. In the words of that great ‘The Old Man of the Fancy’ Mr. Cyril Yeates, “Between 1912 and 1914 Miss Gladys Cheetham’s Blues were carrying all before them. At the Southern Counties Show of 1914, the Oakland cats took 1st and Ch, 2nd, extra 2nd, 3rd and extra 3rd in Blue female adults! Two of these, Ch. Oaklands Sceptre and Ch. Oaklands Sheila were sired by the Gondolier.” The wins recorded at this specific show were indeed an immense accomplishment by any single exhibitor, especially considering that they were gained against the stiffest competition, from within an entry comprising no less than 176 Blues! And this was not an isolated incident for the young Miss Cheetham.

But we will return to this show, once we have first encapsulated the establishment of this cattery, which has been immortalised in the memory of both judges and journalists of the period, in their various writings. EARLY BEGINNINGS Mr. T. J. Ambrose visited the Brighouse, Yorkshire cattery early in 1912 and recorded his impressions for an article published in ‘Fur and Feather’ in the February 16th issue for that year; from which I have selected the most pertinent excerpts. In his introductory paragraphs, he explains Miss Cheetham’s early decision to take up cats, the initial response of others to that decision, the power of knowledge behind her, and her own tenacity and determination; and lastly, he summarises the measure of success from her first (under two years) as an exhibitor: “There were, I know, many who shook their heads ominously when it was first announced that Miss Gladys Cheetham, of Oaklands, Brighouse, had decided to take up Cats.”

ABOVE: THE HOME OF THE FAMOUS BLUE PERSIANS – OAKLANDS, BRIGHOUSE, YORKSHIRE – IN 1912 BELOW: THE CHEETHAM’S FAMILY RESIDENCE AT OAKLANDS – AS IT APEARED IN 2017 Photos: Above: ‘Fur and Feather’, February 16, 1912. Below: GUY PRESTON. (2017) © Archive of The Harrison Weir Collection

“First of all, they urged a reason why she should not succeed, her youth (it is only those of us who are growing old who realise the great advantage of having such on our side), whilst others pointed to the climate at Brighouse as being quite unsuited to the breeding and exhibiting of Cats. “Little did I think at the time that all this would be exploded so quickly, but one chat with the Oaklands enthusiast was sufficient to convince me that she had an intense love for Cats, whilst I knew that if, she could only apply herself to the hobby as her father had done in Poultry, then would not only would exhibitors have to seriously reckon with her, but the Cat Fancy would have secured in Miss Cheetham one of the most desirable supporters it was possible to obtain. That this young lady is a most desirable acquisition needs no commendation of mine. “That she is destined to become a notability amongst breeders of Long-haired blues – she had already become such as an exhibitor – is assured. But what to me is the most important point of all – her stud of Cats and their progeny must be a source of great strength and support in the maintenance of the present high standard which blue Long-hairs have reached. “Naturally, the foundation of Miss Cheetham’s success was not of her own making; there was a master mind behind all this, her father, whose knowledge of breeding and exhibiting Poultry – he was some years ago invincible, and this, too, amongst popular breeds, proof of which was shown by the large number of champion cups, challenge cups, and trophies that were to be seen in the drawing-room cabinet – was the guiding hand. Mr. Cheetham knew that in the long run the best were the cheapest.

“This, then, was his object, to secure for his daughter the best obtainable of the most fashionable breeding, and leave the rest to her application, governed by his advice. That his confidence was not misplaced has been clearly demonstrated by the remarkable successes of the Oaklands stud. Such is told in a very few lines. The total number of firsts, seconds, thirds and specials won from May 1910, to January 1912, is as follows: Five times best Cat in show; including of course, the classic events; eleven championships, forty-four firsts, twenty-eight seconds, twelve thirds, and no fewer than seventy-eight special prizes, including cups, gold, silver and bronze medals, etc. These too, at only thirteen shows, and with blues exclusively. Surely a record for a beginner, especially when it is remembered that such has been accomplished with the most popular variety, and in the keenest competition. “Intending to give, in detail the winnings of each Cat, no further reference to this remarkable record is needed, except to say that it is the greatest possible tribute to the pertinacity of Miss Cheetham. The owner of the Oaklands stud, had, indeed, a generous start, and ample advice as to how a stud should be founded, but since then the battle has been her own, because – the truth to tell – her father is not fond of Cats, except for the pleasure he derives from his daughter’s interest in them, and naturally from the joy shared in her triumphs. Amongst his immediate friends it is well known that he would have preferred her taking up Pomeranian Dogs, for the reason that he is very partial to these himself. Miss Cheetham, however, was obdurate, and her love for Cats quickly prevailed. It was her hobby and her choice.”

ABOVE: - ‘WHERE THE KITTENS ARE TO ROAM’ – AND THE PLACE WHERE THE KITTENS ARE BORN AND RAISED The residence of Mrs Cheetham (Snr) – ‘LONGROYD HOUSE’’ - The house in which Mr. J.A. Cheetham was born. Photo: ‘Fur and Feather’ February 16, 1912. © Archive of The Harrison Weir Collection.

A VISIT TO THE OAKLANDS STUD Mr. Ambrose then proceeds to share details of his visit to Oaklands, in what was the height of the winter season. His extensive article includes a full review of every male and female he was able to assess in the cattery, and their wins at shows. His commentaries on most but not all, are included in the individual files of the cats chosen to be featured in our survey of Miss Cheetham’s cats, those for whom we have located and identified photographs. The notes reprinted here, from his article, are those relevant to the cattery itself and to the nature of the visit and begin with details of Mr. Cheetham’s business and his residence.

“A long-standing invitation found our Mr. H. Walker, the well-known enthusiast of blues, going with me to Oaklands. On our way we happened to meet Mr. Cheetham, and expressing a desire to see the process of silk spinning, he very kindly took us through a portion of the mills, of which he and his brothers and joint owners, and at which place some £500 a week is paid in wages. What a revelation, too, is such to those who know nothing of the process of silk spinning. But this was not our mission. We had come to see Cats, and were soon on our way to Mr. Cheetham’s residence. Oaklands, I may say, is situated on the brow of a hill overlooking the valley, some 100 feet above sea level.

“Once, no doubt, a beauty spot, from the artistic point; but now, with its multitude of mill chimneys and huge stone buildings, a great industrial centre. The bleak countryside is a very bracing place indeed in summer, but during winter time only those with sound constitutions can withstand it. In consequence of this, there are many who would have doubted the possibility of making Cats a success at such a cold, bleak spot. Those of us who presume to know the successful methods of breeding and housing stock, even those varieties that are regarded as delicate, have long since proved that the constitutions of such animals can be toughened in the process by selection and proper housing. A system of coddling is neither necessary or desirable. The housing accommodation must be absolutely proof against damp and draught, whilst the feeding must, especially when the weather is severe, be very stimulating and of a heat-giving nature. All this, however, prevails at Oaklands, and every comfort that common-sense arrangements can devise is put into operation.” What followed, was a lengthy dissertation containing a detailed description of the merits or otherwise of each, and every cat, as they were observed in their respective quarters. He then continues: “There were one or two others we did not see, these being accommodated at the residence of Mr. Cheetham’s mother, the house in which he was born. This old lady is 78 years of age, and greatly interested in Cats, and for the welfare of “Gladys,” to whom she is much attached, she takes charge of some of the kittens. At this charming estate, quite near at hand, the kittens have unlimited range on grass, another great advantage, especially keeping growing kittens somewhere where they do not come in contact with Cats going to and from shows.

advantage, especially keeping growing kittens somewhere where they do not come in contact with Cats going to and from shows. “At Oaklands, as I wrote previously, there is abundant scope. The shade from the trees affords nice shelter during summer-time, whilst the houses are all built of stout timber, and are quite weatherproof. A pen room and mating house complete the admirable arrangements, except that quite recently a beautiful rose garden and summer-house have been added to the charms of the Oaklands Cattery. Every possible provision is made for the Cats’ security and comfort, and every item is complete in detail and beautifully kept. Luckily, Miss Cheetham is blessed with pertinacity, and thoroughly enjoys the labours of looking after her pets. She revels in the work of feeding and grooming, whilst the success of her Cats is the greatest tribute to the attention she bestows on her favourites. Her father will have pressed upon her the value of application, often far too lightly treated in relation to breeding and exhibiting live-stock successfully. The Oaklands stud, however, will have – if my forecast be correct – to be seriously reckoned with in the future. Everything points to continued success, and it will be a good thing for the Cat Fancy if it is so. “Our inspection of the cats and their accommodation ended, we returned to the house, where, at the invitation of Mrs. Cheetham, we were shown “Gladys’s” bedroom, for the reason that she treasures all her trophies and winnings therein. A charming little boudoir, so arranged as to give evidence , if such were needed, that Cats play a great part in the young lady’s life.

“Pleasure, too, at Oaklands, is increased very much, if only because they can admire what is good in other people’s stock. They evidently know that the joy of living is not increased be belittling the efforts, the stock, and even the sportsmanship of others. Oaklands wants the best, but they can and will appreciate a good beating. To his daughter’s hobby Mr. Cheetham has given much time. He accompanies her to all the big events in Catdom. Lucky girl, to be so blessed! May the beauty of her life be the reward of such generous parents. Nothing could bring greater pleasure.” Miss Cheetham’s beginnings within the fancy and in Blue Persians may have indeed been as wonderful, in terms of her early records achieved and noted in considerable detail by Mr. Ambrose between 1910 and early 1912; but they would only account for the smaller portion of her total achievements on the show bench, when measured against she was to attain between 1912 and 1914!

MR. J.A. CHEETHAM WITH DAUGHTER ‘GLADYS’ AT THE WESTMINSTER SHOW, 1913 Photo: T.H. EVERITT. © The Harrison Weir Collection

“After enjoying the generous hospitality, extended in a fashion which makes Yorkshire people appreciated by all those who have partaken of it, we bade adieu to Oaklands. “Mrs. Cheetham I would add, is a charming personality, typical of all that is truly English; and that, surely embraces everything that is worth admiring. She is greatly interested in her daughter’s hobby, mostly perhaps because of the pleasure the elder of her two children, both girls, derives from it.

The female ‘Ch. Oaklands Sceptre’ was the cat that brought her owner initial fame and her first Best in Show wins. Many judges, including Mr. Ambrose, Mr. Mason and Mr. C.A. House, considered her to be one of her very best overall queens, in consideration that she was not only a top show cat, but a reliable breeder; who gained not only her own championship title, but was also the dam of two further much admired champion blue females, ‘Champion Oaklands Rosedrop’ and ‘Champion Oaklands Seabreeze’. Of these two queens, Mr. Ambrose noted in his article: “A beautiful cat is Rosedrop, as well she might be, considering she is a daughter of that charming queen Sceptre. Here is another instance of the influence of Oaklands, from the breeding standpoint.

OAKLANDS STUD CATTERY LOG-BOOK 1909 IN MISS CHEETHAMS HANDWRITING © from the archive of The Harrison Weir Collection.

instance of the influence of Oaklands, from the breeding standpoint. Rosedrop is very sound in colour, especially in undercoat, built on very cobby lines, possesses a very charming head, is good in eye, and, at the time of my visit, in perfect coat and condition.” “Seabreeze was the next feline beauty to parade before us, and as I feasted on the charms of these queens, the impression grew as to the object of the master mind that was behind the stud. “Good Big ‘uns,” as they say in the North. “The queens were grand in this respect, and we all know that where size is a characteristic of a breed, “good big ‘uns” never give little ones, however good they are, much chance. And quite right too, providing they are correct in type and carry quality.

“Mere size is, and never should be, a governing factor. With queens of the Seabreeze and Sceptre type, suitably mated, and reasonable luck, blues are adding another pillar to the Cat Fancy. Such grand queens cannot fail to strengthen the variety, because they both have such fascinating type, size, and quality. Seabreeze has truly gorgeous eyes, the iris being not only of a most fascinating colour, but also of great width. This, with large, wide-awake orbs, makes the expression most bewitching, whilst her head, bone and make up, not forgetting her great wealth of coat, complete a wonderfully good queen, as her winnings show.” While we do not have room to enumerate all Miss Cheetham’s successes between 1912 and 1914, it would be remiss not to mention briefly the two greatest, both of which were accomplished at the large Westminster Shows, where the competition in the Blue Persian classes was amongst the fiercest in the pre-War period; first in 1913, and again the following year in 1914.

large Westminster Shows, where the competition in the Blue Persian classes was amongst the fiercest in the pre-War period; first in 1913, and again the following year in 1914. By 1913, she was seriously campaigning her latest new male ‘Oaklands Steadfast’. At that Westminster Show, there were 770 entries in all. 170 of these which comprised the Blue Persian classes. ‘Oaklands Steadfast first took the first for Blue Persian male, then he took the win for Best Blue Persian overall, defeating his kennel mates and all-comers to be Best of Colour. Lastly, he was adjudged Best Cat in Show. The judge officiating that year in Blue adults, was Miss Frances Simpson. If that were not enough, Mr. Mason, who also officiated at that show, placed ‘Steadfast’ then, ‘Seabreeze’ and then ‘Sheila’ - all Oaklands Blues, as the best three Blue Persians in the show, in that order. It was Mr. T.B. Mason who judged the Blue classes at Westminster in 1914, and from his show report that we have taken selected extracts: “With 176 entries, blues made the largest display at what is said to be the greatest Cat show ever held. For some time we have heard statements about the decline of the Cat Fancy, I have seen many shows in my time, but my opinion is that, taking the quality all round, we have never had a better show. The adult blues were splendid, and it was indeed hard work to separate six of the adult males, so little dividing them. In females I feel sure a better lot was never seen at one show, so the winning of all the money prizes in this class, including the extra 2nd and extra 3rd, by Miss Cheetham, must create a record that will take beating. In addition, Miss Cheetham won 2nd and res. In adult males, 1st novice, 1st and 2nd brace, 1st and 2nd blue neuter, cup for best blue, and many specials, surely a feat to be proud of. “FEMALE 20; 1, 2, extra 2, 3, extra 3, Miss Cheetham, such a team. Sceptre, Sheila, Selma, Seabreeze and Stella in the order named, never

cup for best blue, and many specials, surely a feat to be proud of. “FEMALE 20; 1, 2, extra 2, 3, extra 3, Miss Cheetham, such a team. Sceptre, Sheila, Selma, Seabreeze and Stella in the order named, never have I seen five exhibits of such quality and in such grand show form, put down by one person. The winner won cup for best blue.” One of the career highlights for the author was to acquire at auction the larger proportion of items from the estate of Gladys Cheetham. These included, a set of extremely rare and historically significant studio portraits of her cats, and others, all taken by the famous Crystal Palace photographer, Mr. T. H. Everitt. Most were signed by him, with some were still in their studio photo jackets. Other items included medals and awards won by her cats, show catalogues with placements marked, issues of ‘Fur and Feather’ she had preserved, and a raft of original press photos taken at shows. The luckiest find from this unique cache, was obtaining Miss Cheetham’s own cattery log-book, in which she had inscribed by hand, the details of individual cat purchases, prices paid, names of the breeders, the parentage of each cat; a record of their proclivities, and to which sires, including dates of birth and the results of litters. It also listed in detail, their show records, with wins in all their respective classes. Collectively these, including the supplement shown opposite, from ‘Fur and Feather’ dated January 24, 1913, form one of the most valuable finds on early Blue Persian breeding history, in what is now a collection of considerable depth. This, therefore has offered me an unprecedented opportunity to share a large proportion of these items with you, the reader, in their truest and most meaningful historical context.

Supplement to ‘Fur and Feather’ January 24, 1913 From the Gladys Cheetham Estate, © Image, The Harrison Weir Collection

The CFA Foundation’s

Feline Historical Museum

The importance, work, and difficulties of preserving our feline historical heritage… pre CENTRAL GALLERY & MEZZANINE STAIRCASE OF THE FELINE HISTORICAL MUSEUM in Alliance, Ohio. Ground Floor, Headquarters Building of The Cat Fanciers’ Association.

AT THE HELM of the CFA Foundation, Inc. PART THREE BY

KAREN LAWRENCE

Any organization is only as good as those who are stewarding it. It is important that those guiding the CFA Foundation have a vested interest in our mission and a passion to steer us on a path to success. The current Board of Directors of the CFA Foundation is composed of ten individuals, whose experience in the cat fancy covers a cumulative 340 years. That’s an awful lot of experience and knowledge to offer as a group when it comes to the mission of the CFA Foundation … “to acquire and conserve the history of cats and show the development of the cat fancy through the acquisition of fine art, artifacts, and literature.” Cumulatively, we’re not only covering the history, but many of us have actually experienced a great deal of history of the cat fancy in person, and thus have developed have a passion for the collection of historical information and artifacts. Many of us remember the good ol’ days when an overabundance of silver trophies, trays, and bowls were awarded as prizes at shows. Many cat fanciers kept the silver won by their cats, although I’ll admit that not all of us kept it in polished condition. We now find that these awards are making their way into the collection held at the Feline Historical Museum, along with perpetual trophies that are no longer awarded. I’d like to introduce you to the Board of Directors of The Cat Fanciers’ Association Foundation, Inc. (CFA Foundation), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that manages the Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio.

PRESIDENT: DONALD J. WILLIAMS

Don Williams is currently serving as President of the CFA Foundation. It is fitting, as he was instrumental in the formation of the Foundation in 1990, when he was President of CFA. Don registered his first cat with CFA in 1954. He attended his first cat show, held by the American Cat Association (ACA), in 1956. He went on to be President and Show Manger for two ACA clubs in 1957. By 1962, he was an ACA Allbreed Judge and a member of the ACA Board of Directors. In 1965, he began judging for CFA and has been an Allbreed Judge for many years. His numerous judging assignments take him to countries around the world where he can also spread word about the Foundation. Don's cattery names are Skyway (inherited from his mother-in-law, Vi Schuh) and Squire. Over the years, his main breed was Persians but he has also bred Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Burmese, Devon Rex, Exotic, Siamese and Singapura. Don was a member of the CFA Board of Directors from 1977 to 2004, serving for 14 of those years as President of CFA (19861994 and 1998-2004). As President, Don was responsible for stewarding the expansion of CFA worldwide, the beginning of CFA's Invitational Shows which saw the largest entry of cats at a show in North America, and the formation of the CFA Foundation. Don also has a passion for cars and has owned and operated Williams Classic Cars in Ocala, Florida since 1979. VICE-PRESIDENT: CAROL KRZANOWSKI

Carol is a lifelong resident of New Jersey. She was born and raised in North Jersey and later moved south to attend college at Stockton University, where she received her B.A. in graphic art and photography. Carol and her husband Ed always loved the beach and ocean, so they moved to the Long Beach Island area at the beautiful Jersey Shore, where they still reside today. As a child with a love for animals, Carol always had a household pet cat while growing up. She obtained her first Tabby Persian soon after she and her husband were married, and from there she learned about the cat fancy world. It was not long before she acquired her first breeder female and registered the Cozmo cattery name with CFA. The rest is history, so to speak, as Carol and Ed have been breeding and exhibiting Persians ever since. They specialize in Tabby Persians and have bred numerous award winners over the years. As an active member of several CFA clubs, Carol has held various offices and show committee positions. She is also a longtime Persian Breed Council member and a licensed CFA Master Clerk. Carol was employed as a graphic designer at Stockton for many years, but when an opportunity became available at the Cat Fanciers' Association's Central Office, then located in New Jersey, she jumped at the chance to combine her career with her love of cats. At CFA she was Associate Director as well as the Managing Editor for the Cat Fanciers' Almanac, the CFA Yearbook and the Online Almanac. During that time Carol became very familiar with the CFA Foundation and its mission to preserve cat fancy history. When Carol retired from CFA in 2009, she declared her candidacy for Director-At-Large on the CFA Board of Directors and has served in that capacity ever since. As a CFA Board member she has chaired many CFA committees and served on a variety of others over the years. In addition, she was appointed to the CFA Foundation Board of Directors in 2009 and has served as its Vice President since 2018.

SECRETARY: LIZ WATSON

Liz Watson has always had cats and dogs, even as a child in Michigan. Her favorite breed was the Russian Blue, and she began breeding them in 1976. Over the years she has shown numerous award winning Russians GC, NW Jontue's Rhythm and Blues of Casein, DM (1980-1981, 10th Best Kitten, and 1981-1982, 10th Best Cat); GC, GP, NW Heartbeeps Pistol Pete of Casein (2004-2005, 2nd Best in Premiership); GP, NW Trekuorii Maurinho (2010-2011, 8th best premiership); NW Trekuorii Bowie of Casein (2012-2013, 8th best kitten). Liz also worked with Devon Rex, yet her highest win came with a Sphynx GC, NW Enchantedlair NWA Cornflake Girl, a tortoiseshell female who was CFA's Best Kitten in the 2006-2007 show season. In 1985, Liz became a CFA Judge and currently holds Allbreed status. She has judged worldwide and thoroughly enjoys being introduced to the different customs and new people in the various countries. She has also served on the CFA Board of Directors as a Director-atLarge and as Great Lakes Regional Director. She has been a member of the CFA Foundation Board of Directors since 2012, and currently holds the position of Secretary. These days, Liz and her husband, Mac, live in New Orleans along with a menagerie of both dogs and cats -three dogs (a Papillon, an Italian Greyhound and a toy Poodle) and four cats (two are Russian Blue, of course, plus a Sphynx and a Bambino). TREASURER: KATHY CALHOUN

Kathy Calhoun began her cat fancy activities working with the Tonkinese breed. She has also bred American Wirehairs, American Shorthairs and Maine Coons. Kathy registered her 5800 Dreams cattery name with CFA, and bred two National Winner American Wirehairs - GC, BW, NW 5800 Dreams Macy Gray (5th Best Kitten, 2001-2002) and GP, NW 5800 Dreams Marley of Kemage (16th Best cat in Premiership, 2003-2004). Eventually, she fell in love with the Maine Coon breed and showed her Maine Coons with success. At the completion of the 2009-2010 show season, GC, BW, NW 5800 Dreams Sunny Halo 1983 was CFA's Best of Breed Maine Coon and 3rd Best Cat. Another National Win was achieved in the 2011-2012 show season when GC, NW Trutails Aces High of 5800 Dreams was CFA's 15th Best Cat. Kathy entered the CFA Judging Program and began judging in 2007. She is currently an Allbreed Judge, and has travelled throughout the world to judge at cat shows. She has served several terms on the CFA Board of Directors - as Treasurer from 2000 until 2010, and currently holds that position having been re-elected in 2016. In addition, Kathy served as Midwest Regional Director from 2012 until 2016. She has served as Treasurer of the CFA Foundation since 2018.

DIRECTOR: DESIREE BOBBY

Desiree Bobby's introduction to the world of felines came through her husband, Zach, who owned a white Sphynx named Mojo way back in 1999. They subsequently shared their home with another pet Sphynx, and in 2007 Beeblebrox cattery was born when they acquired their first breeding pair of Sphynx. Desiree has an interesting background - she has a Fine Arts background and an MBA degree, but she was a punk rocker at heart. She has had a varied career over the years - building computers, web page design, ecommerce and social media management. While she is relatively new to the cat fancy world, she has successfully applied her business expertise on behalf of the Sphynx breed. In 2010, she founded Hairless Hearts, an organization that helped breeders and owners obtain affordable HCM scanning. To do so, she put together a team of volunteers to arrange HCM clinics across North America. In 2016, Desiree discovered the Lykoi breed and began working with them as well as her Sphynx. She is currently CFA's Committee Chair for the Lykoi breed as well as secretary for the World Lykoi Foundation and is working for advancement of the Lykoi breed in CFA. Desiree has been CFA's Marketing Manager since 2017, successfully bringing in exceptionally large crowds for several of CFA's International Shows. We anticipate that Desiree will be a tremendous help with the social media presence of the Feline Historical Museum. DIRECTOR: PAM DELABAR

Pam DelaBar's involvement in CFA started over 40 years ago when she got her first CFA registered cat, a Himalayan. She fell in love with Lynxpoint Colorpoint Shorthairs at her first cat show and worked on establishing a Siamese breeding program in order to work with the CPSH. Pam registered two cattery names with CFA (Sapad and Alsace), with notable cats of her breeding being GRC, NW, BW Sapad Mme Charlotte H., D.M (a blue point Siamese), GC, BW, RW Alsace Joe D. of La Charisma (a seal lynx point Colorpoint Shorthair), and GRC, BW, RW Alsace V. Lestat (a blue lynx point Colorpoint Shorthair), Her favorite cat over the years was GRC Alsace Armstrong (a Maine Coon male). Over the years, Pam has worked with Siamese/Colorpoint Shorthairs, Oriental Shorthairs, Persians, Singapuras, Maine Coon Cats, and Manx. Currently, she is breeding Norwegian Forest Cats and occasionally American Curls. Accepted in 1990, Pam has been a judge for the Cat Fanciers' Association for over 30 years and has been fortunate to have judged on every continent where cat shows are held and for almost all the member associations of the World Cat Congress and several other independent organizations. First elected to the CFA Board of Directors in 1986, she has served as regional director for both the CFA Gulf Shore Region and the European Region of CFA, as a Director-at-Large, as VicePresident and as President of CFA, culminating in 29 years of service on the CFA Board of Directors. Additionally, she served 6 years as president of the World Cat Congress, overseeing the largest expansion of the organization since its inception. Though originally from the United States, Pam moved to Finland in 2011.

DIRECTOR: ROEANN FULKERSON

Roeann Fulkerson was born and raised in southern California. She raised her family in northern California before moving to Key West, Florida. She started numerous successful businesses including restaurants built to the franchise level, vending and video game companies. Roeann successfully bred and exhibited Dobermans and miniature Poodles for over 35 years, winning many coveted titles and awards. and the firstever online dog show entry service along with several other rewarding business endeavours. Having always had a Siamese since her father brought home the families' first pet when she was five, was the beginning of a strong passion for ALL cats - pedigreed, random-bred domestics and feral with a focused purpose to "elevate the value of all cats." Compass Rose Oriental Shorthair cattery was established in 1999 and produced innumerable highly competitive and top award-winning Oriental Shorthair cats under this cattery name. Roeann now resides in North Central Florida, and for the past seven years has worked as Director of Marketing and Business Development for TICA (The International Cat Association). Prior to TICA, Roeann was with Cat Fanciers' Association for fourteen years with the same business titles. At both feline registry associations, her focus is on worldwide market growth, global business strategy, business planning, commercial negotiations, raising capital, and strategic marketing, with emphasis on building strong individual and pet industry relationships. Additionally, show production, funding, contract review, and execution for some of the largest and most prestigious cat shows/events in the U.S. The continued focused efforts to elevate the value of all cats remains key to every decision and action. From developing the first Feline Breed Poster using actual cat photos and distributed to over 67,000 veterinarians, shelters, vet schools, educational facilities, to fostering a strong partnership with American Association of Feline Practitioners to educate about pedigree cats, it is always about the cats. As a member of the CFA Foundation's Board of Directors, Roeann brings corporate and marketing expertise that is needed to make folks around the world aware of our mission. DIRECTOR: KAREN LAWRENCE

Karen Lawrence was introduced to the Cat Fancy in 1971 when she acquired her first cat, a blue point Himalayan. Additional breeds followed over the years - American Shorthair, Oriental, Ocicat, Persian, Maine Coon, Singapura and American Curls - but her life changed significantly when she met and fell in love with her first Abyssinian in 1979. Karen began a judging career with The Cat Fanciers' Association in 1995. Twenty-five years later, she has judged at cat shows around the world, in nineteen countries, and retired at the end of 2020. She was elevated to Judge Emeritus status by the CFA Board of Directors in January, 2021. In 1994, Karen worked to give CFA a social presence online through development of the first edition of the CFA web site. Once the site was launched, in the fall of 1995, she became the webmaster and was responsible for content, growth and maintenance of the site over the next 15 years. She has had numerous cat fancy related articles published over the years, and recently completed writing a book on the early history and development of the Abyssinian breed.

DIRECTOR: LORRAINE SHELTON

Lorraine Shelton is an internationally recognized expert in feline genetics, and an Allbreed judge for The International Cat Association (TICA). A prolific writer on the subject of feline genetics, she is a coauthor of a number of books including Robinson's Genetics for Cat Breeder and Veterinarians, and authored The Guide to Owning a Tonkinese (a Cat Writer's Association Award of Excellence winner). In addition, there are numerous of Lorraine's articles available on breeds, feline health, genetics and cat fancy history in various magazines and online. Lorraine is a welcome lecturer at cat shows and annual meetings for various associations and breed groups. As an Approved TICA Genetics Instructor, she enjoys sharing her expertise at TICA and CFA seminars, and FIFe judging schools. She has also participated in a UC Davis roundtable discussion on the genetic aspects of FIP. For TICA, she authored an extensive revision to their Uniform Color Descriptions in 2020. Lorraine's first litter, Tonkinese, was born in 1972. The Featherland cattery name was registered in 1988, with the goal of advancing the rare chocolate/lilac factored Persians. She has also bred award winning Turkish Angoras, was a foundation breeder of the Selkirk Rex breed, and is currently breeding and exhibiting national winning Norwegian Forest Cats. DIRECTOR: JOHN SMITHSON

Lorraine has a deep interest in historical artifacts and has located several of the pieces in the John Smithson started in cats in 1977, registering his 'Imperatus' CFA Foundation's collection. Pedigree records and linechasing are her passion. cattery with the New Zealand Cat Fancy in 1978. His first love was selfRed Persians, and with an early interest in line-chasing under his belt, he bred NZ's first Red Persian Grand Champion in 1979. Two Himalayan Grand Champions and a Pedigree Persian Kitten of the Year followed. Other breeds included Exotics, Siamese, Orientals, British, Burmese, and Munchkins, with Grand Champions in four breeds and one All-Breeds Cat of The Year. While resident in the United States John granded a Brown Spotted Tabby British Shorthair in CFA. John served on the National Executive for a few years, first as Northern Regional Vice-Chairman, Regional Chairman, and then elected as National President of the NZCF in 1992. In 1985, John entered the NZCF Judging Program and qualified firstly in Longhairs, then to Shorthairs in 1990 and All-Breed by 1994. He has judged throughout NZ and Australia, and the United States as a guest judge for both ACFA and CFA, and in Great Britain - a judging career spanning 36 years. In addition, John is an internationally recognized artist, specializing in pen and ink using the Pointillist technique. In 2010 he began the Harrison Weir Collection, amassing the world's largest private collection of original art and ephemera by this artist. Later a collaboration was begun between the Harrison Weir Collection and the CFA Foundation, with Karen Lawrence and John working jointly to create 'The History Project', an online feline history resource and virtual museum at www.cat-o-pedia.org. In recent months, John authored ‘A Persian Rhapsody In Blue’, an early history of the development of the Blue Persian.

The first Virtual Museum of the Cat! – online now at:

www.cat-o-pedia.org

Everything you need to know about Genetics… You can learn from your Cat! PART FOURTEEN BY

DR. LESLIE LYONS

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

Backgrounds © www.gographic.com

EDITOR: This is the Fourteenth article in a series based on feline genetics by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2022 period Article Graphics ©www.gograph.com

‘TORTIES, CALICOS & LYONIZATION !’ This series of genetic articles initiated with a presentation of how cats were important and at the very forefront of early genetics, helping to prove many of the Mendelian laws of inheritance. However, Mendel did not have any examples of traits that had their controlling genes on the X chromosome. Previously, I have mentioned early and famous geneticists, such as Thomas Hunt Morgan (1866 – 1945), Leonard Doncaster (1877 – 1970), Charles B. Davenport (1866 – 1944) and Clarence C. Little (1888 – 1971), all studied the cat Orange locus and realized the orange coloration of the tortoiseshell female and orange males was sex-linked.1-3 Thus, the Orange locus in cats was one of the first traits, for any species, to be localized to a chromosome, specifically the X chromosome. Let’s now discuss the unusual process of how X-linked coloration and traits work in most mammalian species, including the domestic cat. Both male and female cats have 18 pairs of chromosomes (36 total), termed autosomes (chromosome pairs that look alike, the same or self), and one pair of sex chromosomes (allosomes – a chromosome pair that look different, other). Females have two X chromosomes (38, XX) and males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (38, XY). This arrangement causes a conundrum. Males will have proteins produced from the genes on the Y chromosome – making them male. But, what about the proteins produced by the genes on the X chromosome? Females should have twice as much protein produced than a male, so, how does that affect body functions? In 1949, Murray L. Barr (1908 –1995), while examining the nerve cells of domestic cats using a light microscope, discovered a small “satellite” that stained darker than the other components within a cell’s nucleus.4

Diapason Lilly, Calico female at 10 months. Born April 30, 2005. Photo courtesy of Diana Ciliento

This “satellite” termed a “nucleolus satellite” and later termed the “Barr Body” and was present only in the cells of female cats. This Barr Body was attached to the cell wall of the nucleus, was distinct from the DNA, and could be identified by various stains, include fluorescent techniques. However, it took another 10 years for Ohno and Hauschka to prove the Barr Body was one of the two X chromosomes in a female, males never had a Barr Body.5 From 1968 to 1991, a Barr Body test was used to determine gender during the olympic games.6

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

The next year, in a seminal paper, Mary F. Lyon (1925 – 2014) discovered that in any given cell, the Barr Body could be randomly the X chromosome inherited from the sire or the dam and was inactive, meaning the genes on this Barr Body chromosome were not translated into proteins.7 This phenomenon, known as X – inactivation or “Lyonization” led to the balance of protein production from X chromosome genes for males and females, i.e., dosage compensation. Hence, females have only one active X chromosome in any cell of the body, including the skin.

Diapason Poesia D’Amore. Calico female at 2 ½ months. Photo courtesy of Diana Ciliento

EDITOR: This is the Fourteenth article in a series based on feline genetics by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2022 period

Dr. Lyon used both examples from mice and cats to support the “Lyonization Hypothesis”, however, the term “yellow” was used to represent the orange / ginger / red color trait in the cat, i.e., the Orange locus. The gene controlling the Orange locus in cats is known but yet to be announced. The gene has been localized to a specific area on the long arm of the X chromosome (Xq)8,9 and the mutation has been reported to be a large (several thousands of nucleotides) insertion – deletion of a DNA segment. Regardless, the gene controlling the Orange locus in cats has two states (alleles), normal (wildtype) in which the normal black and yellow pigments of a cat are expressed and the mutant in which the eumelanin (black) and perhaps the pheomelanin (yellow) are altered to a reddish /

‘JERRY’ - Red Tabby Bi-Colour Longhair Domestic Neuter owned by Lesley Chubb Photo: Ken Flick

pigments of a cat are expressed and the mutant in which the eumelanin (black) and perhaps the pheomelanin (yellow) are altered to a reddish / orangish hue. Since male cats have only one X chromosome, they can only have one state - hemizygous for the normal or mutant orange. Hence, a male cat will be either orange or have normal coloration. However, the female has two X chromosomes and one X chromosome is always inactivated. If both chromosomes of a female cat have the mutant orange allele (homozygous), the female will be fully orange, like an orange tomcat. College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

Orange females are rare just because of the frequency of the mutant X chromosome in the population. X inactivation is occurring in orange female cats, but, since both chromosomes have the same allele, no color difference is noted. However, when a female cat is heterozygous, having one normal allele and one orange allele on each of the X chromosomes, and since the inactivated X is random, some cells of a female cat will express the normal coloration and other cells with randomly express the orange. The

‘Venus, a 12 year old Tortie, with one green and one blue eye.

EDITOR: This is the Fourteenth article in a series based on feline genetics by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2022 period

the inactivated X is random, some cells of a female cat will express the normal coloration and other cells with randomly express the orange. The descendants of the cells maintain the same X-inactivation, thus, the coloration of a tortoiseshell cat does not change. Cat chromosomes were visualized as early as 190910, however, the correct number of autosomes (18) and the X-Y sex chromosomes were finally demonstrated in 1928 by Osamu Minouchi11. So what about tortoiseshell males, which were identified early in genetics? Chromosome studies in male tortoiseshell cats have shown these cats to be chimeras, which means some of their cells are XX and some are XY (XX/XY).12,13 Chimeras can be formed in different ways but are generally thought to be a fusion of a male and female embryo occurring very early in development, just after fertilization.

Another view of ‘Venus’ Photos: with permission from ‘Venus’s Page’ on Facebook.

The abnormalities of the sex chromosomes generally lead to sterility and fertile tortoiseshell or calico males have been noted but not clearly documented.

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

Tortoiseshell males can also have an abnormal number of chromosomes thus every cell could be XXY, which is known as Klinefelter’s Syndrome in humans. Regardless of the Y chromosome, one of the X chromosomes undergoes X inactivation. Note, infertile male cats that are not tortoiseshell or calico could also be XXY or XX/XY, however, if the two different color alleles are not present, the infertility may never be recognized.

‘Vladimir Swingfromthechandelier’– born February 24, 2021. Calico Tabby female Maine Coon, aged 5 months, bred by Vicki Walls. Photo courtesy of Vicki Walls.

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

Because X inactivation is random, a heterozygous female could nearly be completely normal in coloration or could be nearly completely orange in coloration – luck of the draw so to speak. When the first cat was cloned, the donor cell for the clone came from a calico mackerel tabby female cat called “Rainbow”.14 But, when the cloned cat, “Cc”, was born, no orange coloration was expressed and Cc was just a mackerel tabby and white. Cat breeders assumed this could just be the extreme in the possible variation in tortoiseshell and calico cats and weren’t too surprised. However, the cause for the coloration difference was more complex. When is an egg is fertilized by a sperm, X inactivation is basically not present, it resets, and begins later in development of the embryo. For Cc the cloned cat, the donor cell had the orange X inactivated, which never got reset during embryo development. Hence, Cc had two X chromosomes, but all the cells in Cc had the same X inactivated, the one with the orange allele. One of the processes causing X inactivation is the methylation of guanine and cytosine nucleotides of the DNA, which is also one of the mechanisms for epigenetics. Overall, the cloning of the cat demonstrated the processes of epigenetics, methylation patterns and X inactivation. X-linked Orange was one of the first genes mapped to a chromosome and the process of Lyonization, which can be clearly seen by people every day, is a fascinating and complex biological phenomenon – all better understood by just looking at our domestic cats! REFERENCES / BIBLIOGRAPHY 1Doncaster

EDITOR: This is the Fourteenth article in a series based on feline genetics by Dr Leslie Lyons being published in FELIS HISTORICA during the 2020/2022 period

l. On the inheritance of tortoiseshell and related colours in cats. Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 13: pt I: 35, 1905. 2Davenport CB., Details in regards to cats. Report on the work of the Station for Exp. Evol., Cold Spring Harbor. Carnegie Institute of Washington, Yearbook 4: 93, 1905. 3Little CC. (1912) Preliminary note on the occurrence of a sex-limited character in cats. Science 35:907. 4Barr ML & Bertram EG. (1949) A Morphological Distinction between Neurones of the Male and Female, and the Behaviour of the Nucleolar Satellite during Accelerated Nucleoprotein Synthesis. Nature. 163 (4148):676. 5Ohno S & Hauschka TS. (1960) Allocycly of the X-chromosome in tumors and normal tissues Cancer Research 20:541-545. 6Ritchie R, Reynard J & Lewis T. (2008). Intersex and the Olympic Games. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 101(8), 395–399. 7Lyon MF. (1961) Gene action in the X-chromosome of the mouse (Mus musculus L.) Nature 190:372-373. 8Grahn RA, Lemesch BM, Millon LV, Matise T, Rogers QR, Morris JG, Fretwell N, Bailey SJ, Batt RM, Lyons LA. (2005) Localizing the X-linked orange colour phenotype using feline resource families. Animal Genetics 36:67-70. 9Schmidt-Küntzel A, Nelson G, David VA, Schäffer AA, Eizirik E, Roelke ME, Kehler JS, Hannah SS, O'Brien SJ, Menotti-Raymond M. (2009) A domestic cat X chromosome linkage map and the sex-linked orange locus: mapping of orange, multiple origins and epistasis over nonagouti. Genetics 181:1415-25. 10von Winiwarter H and Sainmont G. (1909) Nouvelles recherches sur l’ovogenese et l’organogenese de l’ovarie des mammiferes (chat). Archives of Biology 24:65. 11Minouchi O. (1028) On the chromosomes of the cat. Proceedings of the Imperial Academy of Japan 4:128. 12Thuline HC & Norby DE. (1961) Spontaneous occurrence of chromosome abnormality in cats. Science 134:554-5. 13Thuline HC & Norby DE. (1968). Cytogenetic ano malies in male tortoise-shell cats: five types and

discussion of possible etiologic mechanisms. Mammalian Chromosomes Newsletter 9:47. 14 Shin T, Kraemer D, Pryor J, Liu L, Rugila J, Howe L, Buck S, Murphy K, Lyons L, Westhusin M. (2002) A cat cloned by nuclear transplantation. Nature 415:859.