The History Project

02/05/2025

Links to breed articles for the American Curl(10) and the Sphynx(9) have been added to the LIBRARY page on The History Project web site.

This is where, from time to time, the Editors will deposit articles of an historic nature, relevant to all matters 'feline'. The range of topics could be broad, covering such things as feline health, the history of a specific breed or even a specific color or pattern within a breed.

10/03/2024

Links to 20 articles on the Russian Blue breed have been added to our Library page -

This is where, from time to time, the Editors will deposit articles of an historic nature, relevant to all matters 'feline'. The range of topics could be broad, covering such things as feline health, the history of a specific breed or even a specific color or pattern within a breed.

09/22/2024

Additional breed articles added: Australian Cat(3), Bombay(13), and Burmilla(1).

This is where, from time to time, the Editors will deposit articles of an historic nature, relevant to all matters 'feline'. The range of topics could be broad, covering such things as feline health, the history of a specific breed or even a specific color or pattern within a breed.

09/21/2024

Our newest rack cards for distribution at the CFA International Show

09/21/2024

Links to historical magazine articles have been added to our Library page for these breeds: Abyssinian(19), American Bobtail(4), and Bristol(1).

This is where, from time to time, the Editors will deposit articles of an historic nature, relevant to all matters 'feline'. The range of topics could be broad, covering such things as feline health, the history of a specific breed or even a specific color or pattern within a breed.

07/04/2024

One of the most influential early silver classic tabby shorthairs, from a well-known late 19th century dynastic line was Ch. James II. He was behind many of the best silver tabbies of the era, in both England and the United States. A foundation male behind the earliest British and American shorthairs. This medal, won by him at a show hosted by 'The Cat Club' which was registering in opposition to 'The National Cat Club' is an iconic piece of show memorabilia, which I was fortunate enough to obtain to add to The Harrison Weir Collection. 'The Cat Club' medallions are among the rarest of all early cat fancy pieces. This one dates from 1903, and is still in mint condition.
Please read about this male at The History Project site, at:
https://www.cat-o-pedia.org/james-ii.html

06/27/2024

Due for release in October, I am now seeking expressions of interest from those who might be interested in obtaining this limited edition publication, celebrating the life, art, and passions of British listed artist and Father of the Cat Fancy, Harrison William Weir. (1824-1906) This is a Bi-centennial edition.
Anyone wishing to simply register an interest is encouraged to PM John Smithson, or email as per the notice below.

05/08/2024

How very easy it is, for cat fanciers to sit back and enjoy their hobby of cat breeding and exhibiting without doing due diligence on the work done by their forebearers in the fancy; those that have been pioneers in either a breed, a color, or a club, or a society that has contributed immensely to the development of the cat fancy as a whole, worldwide.

The History Project takes a brief look at the accomplishments of 22 people who have made such contributions and who are indeed worthy of being called "Icons of the Cat Fancy". In several instances, more complete biographies are included. Additional complete bios will be added as they become available.

A site designed to look at the early days of the cat fancy, the people, the clubs and the cats.

02/29/2024

Don't you just love it when valuable historical items turn up unexpectedly 130 to 140 years later to finally be appreciated and preserved.

02/28/2024

Every once in a while, a feline historical artifact surfaces that we are able to provide detailed facts about its history. In this case, the medal has an unusual story to go with it .. it was found when a used cat carrier was purchased from a recycling center. Inside it, was a plastic tub containing cat toys, grooming supplies .. and this fabulous gold medal in its original case!

This small gold medal, engraved as won by KINGFISHER, is from a Crufts cat show held in 1895. Crufts, known for its dog shows, only ever held two cat shows, in 1894 and 1895. Kingfisher, a blue longhair (Persian) male, was named Best Cat at the 1895 show.

We now know of eight Crufts gold medals in existence .. the Feline Historical Museum has one (1894), I personally own one (1894), John Smithson owns five, and now this one has been found.

This particular medal is the only one that we have seen in its original case, so we now know the name of the manufacturer of these unique medals. Bonus information!

Our sincere thanks to Chris Price, United Kingdom, for contacting us to inquire about the medal’s history, and for permission to use his photos. We are thrilled to know about the existence of this medal!