Archive for the ‘Cat Men’ Category

One of the most notable literary cats of the early 20th century was Hafiz, the pet cat of American humorist, author, and illustrator Oliver Herford.

Hafix, who lived in Manhattan’s very first apartment house, was described as “a smoky Persian of remarkable size and beauty.” His unique coloring was “brightly lionesque”–a mix of tawny orange striped with gray and black. His deep eyes were amber by day and emerald by night.

Inwood photographer William Davis Hassler took thousands of photographs in the early 1900s, many featuring his young son and his two pet cats, Reddy and Peaches, and pet dog, Bounce.

In Old New York, canine mascots were forbidden in all the social clubs. Cats were not. Thus, clubs like The Lambs Club, the Lotus Club, and the New York Yacht Club had one or more feline mascots.
The following tale is about three of the many cat mascots of the New York Yacht Club.

Before the Brooklyn Bridge was built, there were tenements where the approaches are now. And in those tenement buildings–according to the Brooklyn Bridge watchman–were cats. Lots of cats. One special cat with superior skills became a Brooklyn Bridge watch cat.

Seafaring Cats of Gotham Virtual Presentation (via Untapped New York): Travel back in time to explore amazing stories of famous and memorable ship cats and naval cats of Old New York; June 30, 2020, 12-1 p.m. (ET). Registration required.