Overview

This wonderful book charts the social progress of the English cat from medieval persecuted pariah to beloved modern pet with many marvellous detours along the way - richly illustrated with more than 300 prints and photos. In Victorian Music Halls, their adroit performances on the tightrope and 'leaping through the fiery hoop' wowed audiences. Cats working at home in London, enjoyed a slice of horsemeat on a stick served daily through their letterbox, and on steam locomotive networks cats protected vital cables from the teeth of vermin. Old Tom Sweet Gin was famously branded with a cat and barrel image and Puss connived to peddle gin in 18th century London. Aristocratic ladies and royalty began breeding cats that were stars of the first cat show in 1871 when a spoilt puss aptly named 'Imp' - belonging to Princess Helena Victoria - scratched the hand of the Prince of Wales. Colour printing arrived to bring cats onto greetings cards, picture postcards, sheet music and advertisements for every kind of product imaginable, including Boucheron diamonds modelled in the 'glossies' by their own pet cat Vladimir.

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9781912419968

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Reviews

Impressive in every way. London Metropolitan Archives: A million congratulations on your wonderful book... marvellous historical background and all the glorious illustrations. - Jilly Cooper

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