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A PERSIAN RHAPSODY IN BLUE THE EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF

THE BLUE PERSIAN CAT

JOHN G SMITHSON A PUBLICATION FROM - THE ALCHEMY OF CAT BREEDS SERIES A collaboration of The CFA Foundation Inc. and The Harrison Weir Collection

ABOUT THE AUTHOR John Smithson has been involved in the cat fancy for over 40 years, 36 as a judge, 31 of those as an All-Breed judge. He has held many offices, from NZCF Editor in 1980, to Regional Director, and serving a term as National President of the New Zealand Cat Fancy, in 1993. His hobbies include music, art, and feline history, and he takes time to enjoy, continually learn about, and contribute to each. He is an accomplished artist, specialising in Pen and Ink using the pointillist technique, with his animal portraits and pastoral works are gracing the walls of homes in many countries. Nearing retirement, he fulfils his passion for things feline, by writing history, spending innumerable hours every month seeking out rare historical documents, photographs, and artifacts, that have hitherto remained hidden from sight; thoroughly researching every find to work out what they each reveal about the breeds and people involved with them, then fitting this into his already heavy writing schedule. He is currently, Curator of The Harrison Weir Collection; a Director of the CFA Foundation, Inc.; Editor of the e-magazine ‘Felis Historica’; a joint founder/collaborator and writer for ‘The History Project’ at www.cat-o-pedia.org and remains an active Tutor All-Breeds Judge with the NZCF, Inc. John has been a guest speaker at the World Cat Congress. His research has taken him to the United Kingdom, where he has lectured on the life of British listed artist Harrison Weir, (known as the Father of the Cat Fancy), to research at both the Bodleian Library at Oxford, and the V & A Museum in London; to the United States, where he collaborates with the CFA Foundation Inc., at their Feline Historical Museum on several joint projects, including the ‘Alchemy of Cat Breeds’ series of books of which this is just one. © 2019 John G. Smithson; a collaboration of the Harrison Weir Collection and The CFA Foundation, Inc.

CHAMPION ORANGE BLOSSOM OF THORPE Blue Persian male, born April 19th, 1901. Bred and owned by Mrs Helen Slingsby. Sire: Darius Dam: Daisy Nita of Thorpe Cropped Image from an original Oil on Wood painting by W. Luker Junior. Photograph: © John G. Smithson © 2019 John G. Smithson; a collaboration of the Harrison Weir Collection and The CFA Foundation, Inc.

A PERSIAN RHAPSODY IN BLUE VOLUME ONE BY

JOHN G. AN

SMITHSON

ESSAY ON THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE

BLUE PERSIAN CAT

A PERSIAN RHAPSODY IN BLUE VOLUME ONE

Published in New Zealand by A-Cat-Emy Concepts

©John Grant Smithson ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 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. ISBN 978-0-473-56170-3 (Print Edition) National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa Smithson, John G. ‘A Persian Rhapsody in Blue’ - Volume One -1st Edition - 2021 Feline Historical Thesis Includes Bibliographical references and Index. Cover Image: Pastel by Roberta (Roby) Baer, PSA www.robys.com This book is the first from THE ALCHEMY OF CAT BREEDS SERIES It has been produced in a collaboration between The Harrison Weir Collection and The CFA Foundation, Inc. www.harrisonweir.com / www.felinehistoricalfoundation.org who also jointly collaborate on THE HISTORY PROJECT at www.cat-o-pedia.org and the feline history e-magazine www.felis-historica.com Printed and Bound by Bookprinting.co.nz., Auckland, New Zealand

A Collector’s Limited First Edition of only 200 copies Internationally individually signed and numbered, of which this is No. ……………

…………………………………………………………………. (J. Smithson)

A PERSIAN RHAPSODY IN BLUE VOLUME ONE TABLE OF CONTENTS Frontispiece Title Page Table of Contents Dedication Foreword - by Karen Lawrence

i ii iii v vi

Introduction

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5

Chapter 6 Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Ancient Origins and the Near Past Origins and Influence of the Persian Longhaired Cat

A Feline Phoenix Arises Second Diaspora of the Persian Longhaired Cat

The Birth of the Blue Longhair Resources for the colour Blue

The Roots of the Blue Family Tree Foundation Cats and Bloodlines

Matriarchs of the Blue Persian Cat ‘The Matriarchs’ – A Unique Heritage The Key Role of the ‘Mater’ Dynasty

143 162

The National Cat Club The World’s First Registry for Cats

173

Hallmark Blues of the late Nineteenth Century Pre-Registry Catteries Blue Persians (1889-1899)

181 198

Aristocrats and their Aristo-Cats Blue-Blooded Cats and their owners

291

A Blue Persian featured on an 1890’s Ionia, MI Trading Card Promoting Garland Stoves and Ranges

Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11

Blue, Blue, and nothing but Blue Founding of the Blue Persian Cat Society (1901)

327

A New World Phenomenon Specialist Clubs and Societies in a New Age (1900-1907)

349

The First Age of Refinement The Brightest Days and the Darkest Nights (1908-1919)

449

Epilogue - to Volume One A personal summary by the author

543

ADDENDUM Bibliography

547

Comprehensive Index

XXX

“It is a lonely home without a cat!” Harrison Weir

“Developing and promoting a new breed of cat is an endeavour that requires the patience of Job, the wealth of Midas, the wisdom of Solomon and the tenacity of the Terminator” J. Anne Helgren

DEDICATION

HARRY and JUDY PRIKKEL who, as lovers of all animals, and breeders of many fine Persian cats in a rainbow of colours and patterns, so freely shared their kittens, enthusiasm, time, knowledge of genetics, and sound breeding principles, with a young and untested new fancier. ‘Honour to whom honour is due.’

In loving memory of Brackenhill Gerrard (Imp.UK) Bred by Mrs. Edith Tillotson

FOREWORD It was 2012, and I had just been outbid on an antique silver medal on eBay. And not for the first time, and always by the same person. It was frustrating, and I was determined to find the culprit! It would be a year later that I learned about the existence of the purchaser, and it was to eventually become a friendship like no other. I, as Manager of the Feline Historical Museum in Ohio, and John Smithson, as Curator of the Harrison Weir Collection in New Zealand, were destined to connect and become collaborators. Each of us were firmly invested in our work to protect the history of the Cat Fancy, on different sides of the world, but with a single purpose... collect and preserve the very valuable history of that most fascinating creature, the pedigreed cat. The passion with which John writes about the cat, the history of each individual feline, the stories of its contribution to the evolution of its breed, and the personal lives of those involved in the breeding and showing is all very compelling. While concentrating solely on the blue Persian in this book, John weaves intricate details about cats originally brought to the United Kingdom from far-away lands, and eventual exportation of their offspring to North America and beyond. He takes us on a journey that often involves the lives of the upper class and royalty in England. A rare peek into those lives and even their residences, includes Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, herself a cat fancier, breeder, and exhibitor of the blue Persian. This book is the culmination of numerous years of seeking out, researching, and reading through material over a century old. Early cat publications, magazines, newspapers that offered show results, and books that gave an insight into the very early breed standards have all provided a basis for this exceptional book. The pedigree information gleaned from stud books in both our collections has given John the ability to weave together the intricate stories included herein. If the cat is your favourite companion, you will find this book to be a great read. It is destined to become a valuable historical document to the Cat Fancy around the world. Karen Lawrence Judge Emeritus, The Cat Fanciers’ Association Director, The CFA Foundation, Inc. Manager, The Feline Historical Museum

St. Catharines, Canada, 2021

INTRODUCTION

In all fields of endeavour, there are key foundations or pillars upon which later successes are based or from which they can find a footing and take hold. In the case of the Persian cat as a breed, (over all colour varieties), its phenotypical development is inextricably linked to the rapid development of the Blue Persian as a colour variety. Like a flagship, the Blue was quickly recognised as the ‘gold standard of excellence’, and ultimately its influence and successes formed the basis for the breed’s accelerated development. In this respect, the ‘Solid Blue’ as a single colour within a breed, stood paramount, and virtually unchallenged for almost a hundred years, during which time it grew to be recognised as the ‘Prince of Persians’. This high status, earned initially at early British Shows, continued to be enjoyed in other lands into which the progeny of these valuable cats, were subsequently imported. They duly formed the foundation-stock of Persian cat fanciers’ catteries all around the globe. This was particularly the case in the United States, Canada, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, where imported ‘Pure Blue’ and later, ‘Colour-bred’ Blue Persian cats were still making their mark on the local breeding scene as late as the 1980’s. Thus, for approximately 100 years, ‘the Blue’ has enjoyed a deservedly elevated status, a true and contributing ‘Blue-blood’ of feline aristocracy. This pre-eminent position only began to be threatened as the alternative colours these cats were used to improve, came into their own type-wise; becoming themselves, more consistent producers of quality progeny of their own. The highest quality in Blacks, Whites, Reds, Creams and Tortoiseshells, were by this >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Left:‘Group ‘Groupof of British British and Left: andForeign ForeignCelebrities’ Celebrities’ A painting by Rosa Bebb, frontispiece to the book A painting by Rosa Bebb, frontispiece to the book ‘Rabbits, Cats & Cavies’ (1903) by Charles H. Lane, F.Z.S. ‘Rabbits, Cats & Cavies’ (1903) by Charles H. Lane, F.Z.S. The cats shown were the four breeds or varieties most The cats shown wereofthe breeds or varieties most popular at the turn the four twentieth century, from top popular at the theBlue turnPersian, of the twentieth century, down, the Chinchilla, from top down, the Blue the English Shorthair, and Persian, the Royalthe Cat Chinchilla, of Siam. the English Shorthair, and the Royal Cat of Siam.

time, in their turn becoming the high-flying foundation cats for yet more experimentation and improvement within other ever-growing ‘colour’ and pattern groups; the hard yards on building a firm foundation for phenotype having been largely completed. This included the development of type in Tabbies, in Silvers, in Bi-Colours and Parti-colours; as well as in the Himalayan pattern and their range of related colours. So, it is to the development of the Blue Persian, and its particularly devoted breeders, that Persian fanciers in general, owe the greatest debt of gratitude; for enhancing and improving the consistency of Persian type (or conformation), across what is now, an absolute myriad of colours and patterns! “How was that possible?” a modern-day fancier may ask. But the answer is, “by simple mathematics and by the power of ‘selection’ based on both a combination of ‘colour breeding’, and ‘line breeding’.” In all things to do with genetics, as soon as you apply rules for selection, which are predominantly based upon ‘specific and narrowed criteria’, you shorten the mathematical ‘probability curve’ of the expected results. Simply put, this means that within a relatively short space of time, the progeny which result from these carefully engineered breeding programs, will ultimately begin to more consistently display the ‘phenotypical traits’; more closely matching the basis of selection. ie.,(more kittens per litter, will consistently express the desired traits in their outward phenotype! (the way they appear physically). In turn, due to line breeding for these traits, the resultant generations, will genetically be more predisposed to being consistent producers of that style of phenotype, even when outcrossed to unrelated lines. Simply put, their traits become more dominant and more consistently expressed.

THE BLUE – A BLENDED HERITAGE

When we go back to review the origins of the solidcoloured blue long-hair, we find that the original ‘Blues’ of the 1880’s were quite inconsistent. From the © 2019 John G. Smithson; a collaboration of the Harrison Weir Collection and The CFA Foundation, Inc.

3 registered cats were also bought direct from London pet shops, and because they phenotypically expressed some of the desired traits, were duly registered and used in these fledgling breeding programs in England, some even being imported as foundation cats to the USA. These fledgling bloodlines were often reinforced and supplemented by further importations from Iran/Iraq and Turkey or Syria, or via India; by the likes of Mrs Clinton Locke (USA) and Mrs McLaren Morrison (formerly Mrs Warner, UK) and numerous other aristocratic ladies of high social standing, many of whom considered it their personal mission, if not their duty in fact, to supplement the local breeding scene with cats from the near and middle east, as well as from India, Africa, Central and South-Eastern Asia and from as far afield as China and Japan.

AN INSPIRATIONAL HISTORY

The cover of ‘The Book of The Cat’ published by Cassell & Co, in 1903. Miss Simpson’s extraordinary historical record of the breeds and cat fanciers of the late Victorian and early Edwardian period. earliest registers we find that many of these ‘Blues’ were in fact Blue Smokes and/or Blue Tabbies; or bred from Blue Smokes and/or Blue Tabbies, and in many cases, out of Chinchilla or Silver lines. There are even instances where breeders chose to retain long-haired kittens that were derived from mixed parentage, specifically from a cross between a long-haired cat to a shorthaired domestic of unknown pedigree. Such were the humble beginnings from which the Blue Longhair was established, remembering also, that the original long-hairs (or Persians as they were eventually called), were of themselves, largely a composite breed, made up of Longhairs from Persian imports out of Iran/Iraq (via Syria or India), combined with English Longhair Domestics, or combined with Angora imports out of Turkey or Eastern Europe, and/or combined with Longhaired ‘French Cat’ imports, most likely from an eclectic mixed heritage of Persian, Angora, Siberian and Chartreux Longhair lines. From such, was the conglomerate of possible entities that came together to form a pool of genetic material, from which the Persian Cat of yesteryear was initially developed. After the advent of Cat Shows, there is also ample evidence to show that both Long-Haired and Short-haired

How well I remember, the excitement and amazement associated with obtaining my very first original copy of Miss Frances Simpson’s seminal work, ‘The Book of The Cat’, published by Cassell & Co, in 1903. Oh, what a wondrous world full of feline fancy and social history, was so inspirationally opened for me from the pages of that book! At that time and for another hundred plus years, it has remained the ‘go-to book’ on the early history of evolving cat breeds as they were being developed at the turn of the nineteenth into the twentieth century. Similar works followed, but none were on so grand a scale, nor did they contain as much critically important or informative historic detail. None would have quite the impact of her magnificent tome, which had itself been inspired by Harrison Weir’s classic work from 1889, ‘Our Cats – and All About Them’. Never-the-less some very good works by authors such as Dr. Gordon Stables, Mr. John Jennings, Mr. C.A. House, Mr. Charles Lane, Mrs Dorothy Champion, Miss Helen Winslow, Mrs Leslie Williams, Professor. J. Woodroffe Hill and Mr. Frank Townend Barton all contributed value to the expanding pool of historical references. It is the desire of the author of this work, to lay before the reader, as much of the information considered relevant to the establishment of the Blue Longhair, (later recognised internationally as the Blue Persian); leaving it to them to decide for themselves, where the crux of truth lay, or where credit for the impressive and

‘BLUE AND CREAM PERSIANS’ From a painting by W. Luker Jun. ‘The Book of The Cat’ (1903) by Frances Simpson. Cassell & Co.

seemingly meteoric rise of the Blue as the pre-eminent colour variety of the Persian breed may in fact lay. Countless individuals have dedicated themselves largely to this developmental history, few more-so than those situated in the United Kingdom and the United States. The blue Persian cat is that bulwark and firm foundation upon which the whole Persian breed was largely built. It is up to the reader to decide for themselves, whether they consider my personal interpretation of all the historic observations or references, appears to be a fair and reasonable assessment under all the prevailing circumstances. No matter how good the intention, it would never be possible to give equal cover to all the many cats and catteries that have historically contributed to the development of the Blue Persian as a variety. They are literally countless in number, and no single book could conceivably contain that much relevant history. So, during this exercise, some hard decisions have had to be made on which cats and catteries would provide the

best representative historic cross-section, for the fancier desiring a better overview of the colour history. Consequently, not all major catteries are covered, and not all countries, but it is fair to say that the founding bloodlines and strains are well covered and have been linked to cats and catteries of later periods, to provide a relevant continuity. It must be said that this book would not be as valuable a contribution to the story of the Blue Persian as initially hoped for, planned, or intended, without the invaluable assistance of some amazing individuals, all who so freely and willingly shared their knowledge and resources, to assist with this very large task. Although I cannot name them all, I feel compelled to record my sincerest appreciation to Valerie Sheldrake, who opened her home to an invasive researcher, allowing him to delve into her wonderful collection of feline records and artefacts. She additionally provided essential expert follow-up, with answers to a raft of questions posed to her, by producing critical data in various usable formats throughout the entire process!

THE INDOMITABLE MISS FRANCES SIMPSON, WITH MR. T.B. MASON Two of the most popular Judges of Blue Persians. Photo: T.H. Everiit, c.1912 © 2015 The Harrison Weir Collection © 2019 John G. Smithson; a collaboration of the Harrison Weir Collection and The CFA Foundation, Inc.

6 I feel equally compelled to also publicly thank Karen Lawrence, the Manager of the Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio and a Director of The Cat Fanciers’ Foundation, who went to exhaustive lengths to support this project! (Amongst many others!) This included personally hosting the same researcher and making extraordinary allowances in accommodating his every possible need; while simultaneously making available to him, the singularly unique feline history resources held by The CFA Foundation. Many others have contributed in making this work possible, Esther White, who is every bit as passionate about feline history as those mentioned above, plus inspiration and expertise from history writers such as Gillian Vine and Anne Wilkinson. Then there is the digital wizardry of Jack Terry, who is responsible amongst other things, for bringing back to life the exquisite hand-coloured photograph of Miss Glady Cheetham, with her Blue Persian cat, Oaklands Sceptre; created in 1914, by the famous Crystal Palace photographer, T.H. Everitt! To one and all of you, whether listed here or not, my grateful thanks. On the page opposite, I have included a truly amazing image of the indomitable Miss Frances Simpson. Standing just behind her, is the ever-popular All-Breeds Judge and Fancier journalist, Mr. T. B. Mason. This image has been significantly cropped from a much larger original photograph, purchased by me amongst similar items originally from the Estate of Miss Gladys Cheetham, (Oaklands), of whom the late grand old man of the fancy, Mr. Cyril Yeates, wrote: “Between 1912 and 1914 Miss Gladys Cheetham’s Blues were carrying all before them. At the Southern Counties Show of 1914 the Oaklands took 1st and Ch.,2nd, extra 2nd, 3rd and extra 3rd, in Blue female adults!” It is thanks to the same Miss Gladys Cheetham, who is also featured in this book, that a significant period of missing Blue Persian history has since been uncovered and given further clarity, even enabling a prior unresolved pedigree mystery to be solved. It gives me immense pleasure to insert this photograph of Miss Simpson as a personal nod of appreciation to her for the immense inspiration provided by her epic work ‘The Book of The Cat’ and her many other historic feline references. These all became, along with other sources, the key fuel which ignited a similar passion for

feline history, in a young enthusiastic researcher and fancier over a century later. Not only did Miss Simpson provide the original impetus driving the production of Blue Persians in England in the mid 1880’s, but she was the primary steward behind the promotion of this colour variety for the rest of her life. Readers should especially enjoy the chapter dedicated to the foundation of the Blue Persian Cat Society in 1901, which involved a huge effort of behindthe-scenes tactical manoeuvres, designed to preserve an opportunity that she had personally worked to create for over 16 years. Once that immense hurdle had been overcome, she persevered without restraint like any good mother, ensuring that this fledgling child, largely of her own creation, became the platform from which the Persian breed could be launched as a whole, and from which it would benefit so fully. In her own words regarding the Blue Persian, “we have lived and loved together”. It becomes increasingly evident, that her unequivocal and tireless devotion to the cause of the Blue has been proven beyond question, the more we delve into its past. It is therefore to her, that the lion’s share of appreciation should be directed. The writer’s sincere wish, is that this small offering, will represent of itself, a token gift back to the Cat Fancy at large, as a measure of gratitude felt for the immense joy that I have derived from my small role within the wider world of cat fancying. It is only a token gift of my genuine respect for those people and cats, who have already given so much, to so many. From a very personal perspective, I have learned from experience that no matter how much care is taken, the human element will mean that some things will undoubtedly be missed or overlooked, and for that I unreservedly apologise. However, I also believe that this work will, like an arrow, touch all the lives that it is meant to touch. But in this, I have perfect faith – that the composition of it, comes from the heart. It is a creation that was long ago committed to, with unreserved trust and prayer to God, and I know that through His agency, it will find its true mark. It is to Him that we should ultimately look, in grateful thanks for all that has gone before, for all that is now, and for all that is yet to come. John G. Smithson