Recency bias is a thing. Here I was, unassumingly thinking that cats became a popular photography subject just recently, and came along with the dawn of the internet. But boy was I wrong. Turns out, they were a photographer-favorite ever since the camera was invented. But, just as much as it is nowadays, the ever-constant never-ending deluge of cat photos doesn't give us enough time to appreciate them, and they're in danger of being forever gone from our collective memory. But some people are determined to not let a good cat photo get forgotten, and collect vintage cat photos which are still relevant to this day.
The Brazilian journalist Paula Leite Moreira is one of those rare guardians of peculiarly interesting cat history. She has collected thousands of photos from the previous century, and shares them on her dedicated Instagram account. There you can see how cats shared the company of many famous and interesting personalities of the past, often partook in silly photoshoots, and much more. In other words, it's been like it always was: cats were at the center of everyone's attention.
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Kurt Cobain
Never be sad for the pictures when they were happy(after they die) remember, those were happy little moments that made then feel good :) tormented people don't often have enough of those. ✌
Load More Replies..."I like cats. Animals that require attention. Turtles have this fvck you attitude, I'm stuck in this tank, I'm miserable and I'm not going to perform for you.'" - Kurt
Here's what the artist told about herself. "I'm a journalist, I work with content production and I've always wanted to create a project where I could exercise my research and writing skills. At the beginning of the quarantine, still in 2020, after having seen a photo from the 19th century on the internet, I found myself interested in looking for more old records of cats. I loved delving into it and decided to share what I found, resulting in the realization of this project."
British Henry Behrens, Considered The Smallest Man In The World At The Time, Was Seen Dancing To His Pet In Front Of His House
I'd be very careful not to annoy a cat only slightly smaller than me
🎼🐈🎶He goes on the prowl each night, like an alley cat🎵🐈⬛🎶 (And takes the cat with him😁)
The journalist shared what kind of cat photos are her own personal favorites, and her answer is very interesting. "This is a hard question, but I think the pictures involving soldiers and war are the most emotional to me. One of my favorites shows a sergeant named Frank Praytor feeding a kitten in the middle of the Korea War. Some people, even in the most difficult times, can be gentle with other living beings. And this is amazing."
German Photographer Herbert Tobias With His Cat
Aargh, that's why it looked so familiar 😺 Thanks, it was bugging me.
Load More Replies...I know a good photographer when i see his selfie with a cat on his head
Glad it's a living cat.. that could have changed the entire vibe
Some of these photos are pure gold and make one wonder how the journalist finds them. Here's how Paula does it. "I search through the internet in historical collections, archives, image banks and international magazines. When I find a random photo without a lot of reliable information, I look elsewhere until I get enough information about each photo."
Dalai Lama XIV
"None other than the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, enjoyed the company of his pet cat at his home in Dharamshala, India, circa 1979."
I feel like the kitty should have a special necklace with a special orb containing universes within, around it's neck.
From googling it seems like he is! He's been in the dalai lama's position since 1940!
Load More Replies...One legend says the cat didn't make it onto the Buddha's list of sacred animals because it fell asleep at his funeral.
Cat's way to bless the funeral. Let cats sleep at my funeral too.
Load More Replies...Paula thinks these photos are historically significant too. "Of course! There are several pictures with cats sharing the scene with historical figures. It’s really cool to see the bond between these animals and very important people. I can’t imagine something more photogenic than cats, so this is not strange to me. They have stolen the spotlight since the first pictures of the world were taken."
"Photo of a French soldier, who took some time to feed a small baby."
I was trained by the Veterinarians who backed my rescue work and it's commonly accepted that (most) cats are lactose intolerant and/or get dehydrated by cow's milk, causing vomiting, bloating, cramps and diarrhea. The "Survival of the Fittest" mentality of animals means they hide their pain and illness (yes that's where those mystery stains behind the couch come from). Especially with cats, who BURY everything so their owners never notice.
😹🤣😹It just amazes me how people with nothing to back up their argument always resort to name calling and idiotic "questions" & insults just to make up ammunition for "their side"🙄😒
at least the small beast was getting fed vice being neglected....dumbass
Load More Replies...As for the relative success of her project, Paula gives all credit to cats. "Cats are the kings of the internet, right? So I'm not surprised at the amount of fans they have." However, the Instagram account isn't as popular as it deserves to be. "Many people tell me that the profile should have more followers." And I agree! So give her a much-needed follow!
Hollywood Star, American Actress And Producer Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford was born in Canada and was a British/Canadian citizen and travelled under B/C passport. She lived part of the time in Canada, and most of the time in LA/Santa Monica. She never filed citizenship papers with the US. Which is part of the reason it's hard to pin her down.
I don't know how the cat is resisting the temptation to play with those ringlets
😺If you tap on those three little dots that are only by your name, you should be able to edit/ delete your comments😺
Load More Replies...She says that her photos don't cost as much as one would expect. When asked if these photos are costly, she replied "Absolutely not. I only share free stuff like miniature pictures, not the original ones." She wishes to publish a book one day, but she can't do that at the moment, because paying royalties for the original photos would cost a little too much. "It would be great to create a collection book with all these pictures, right? But I can’t afford all the royalties. So, my plan is just sharing what I found with other people on social media. This makes me happy."
Clint Eastwood
"A real treat for our eyes, American actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood was portrayed at home, with his pussy, by photographer Larry Barbier, around 1960. Los Angeles, California. The United States."
So Clint got his hands on some pussy? 🐱Looks like "Dirty Glarey" would be a good name.
Having in mind her collecting hobby, there's no chance that Paula doesn't have a cat. And she does. "I have an old kitten named Sofia. In January, she turns 18 years old, all of them she lived by my side. I am completely in love with her and am so grateful to keep her company for so many years."
Elizabeth Montgomery
"American actress Elizabeth Montgomery playing the character Samantha with the kitten Ling-Ling in the television series Bewitched in 1965."
🎼🎶We are Siamese if you please🎵🎶 *edit: 🙏Please click the replies🙏
In case anyone's wondering... My knee-jerk reaction was to delete it, but I prefer to let it raise awareness. I Googled the lyrics (been so long I since watched the movie) and it goes on to killing the pet fish (ripping in ½) and stealing the baby's milk. Nowadays most cat people know (most) cats are lactose intolerant of cow's milk causing abdominal upset and/or dehydration = vomiting, bloating and/or diarrhea. And their "Survival of the Fittest" mentality means they hide their pain & illness (yep, those mystery stains behind the couch) esp cats, who usually BURY everything.
Load More Replies...Am I the only one who doesn't know what's going on here? What song?
My original comment is the first line of the song from the animated Disney movie "The Aristocats". It came out in 1970 before people realized how it exaggerates and negatively portrays Chinese attributes and vilifies the cats.
Load More Replies...First Pet Of The White House, Socks The Cat
"This wide-eyed ragdoll was known as Socks the Cat and was former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary's first pet."
"My message is: love and respect the cats. And if possible, adopt. There are many abandoned animals waiting for years for the chance to have a family and a safe home. Knowing you saved a life is the best reward ever."
Judy Garland
"Scary tales can be very frightening, but nothing that the company of a kitten doesn't solve. In the picture, American actress, singer, and dancer Judy Garland, in 1938."
🐈⬛Black cats tend to live longer, healthier lives than others (according to researchers at the National Institute of Health) due to the gene that causes their fur to be black also protecting them from some diseases🐈⬛
Black cats are considered lucky in some countries - maybe that's partly why?
Load More Replies...Yep, that's why I tried to distract myself talking about black cats scientifically.
Load More Replies..."Just carry on reading, Judy. I know for a fact that the dog barking outside can't be Toto""
Pierre Jamet's Photo
George Harrison
"Take a look at these portraits of George Harrison accompanied by his Persian cat named Korky. High dose of cuteness, right? Surrey, United Kingdom, 1965."
James Dean
"Take this wonderful sequence of photos of American actor James Dean with his kitten Marcus, a gift given by actress Elizabeth Taylor at the end of the filming of the Giant, in which they acted together, 1955."
I remember seeing a picture of him looking through a movie camera as he had an interest in directing. If he had not been killed in that accident, who knows what movies he would have directed years later.
Load More Replies...I call him dummy dean because he was to dumb in not racing the car that cost him his life on small winding roads
The other car was making an illegal left turn which resulted in the crash, had nothing to do with him racing. We see who's the real dummy here
Load More Replies...The German Physician, Philosopher And Theologian Albert Schweitzer
"There are only two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music, and cats." - Albert Schweitzer
👏😺👍Nice quote Diana, I always say that same thing about "kids and animals" 🐱👫🏼🐶
Load More Replies...Dr. Schweitzer was also a brilliant musician; played the organ. I wrote to him as an 8 year old child , sending him my allowance to buy medication for his patients & made him a birthday card. He actually wrote me back a personal letter in fountain pen! It hangs on my living room wall & is my dearest material possession.
🐈⬛Well Fritz, if it's not a serval cat it's doing a dam fine impression. 🐁Nice Catch🐈
Load More Replies...Audrey Hepburn And Her Husband Mel Ferrer
"British actress Audrey Hepburn was shot with her husband, American actor and director Mel Ferrer, and their kitten, on their farm in Rome, Italy. 1955."
I have never understood why they refer to Audrey Hepburn as a "British Actress." https://stacker.com/stories/11483/audrey-hepburn-life-story-you-may-not-know
Cause she had British citizenship and attended British schools. Therefore having a British accent(mostly). They wouldn't have advertised she was from Belgium during and after the war. Not uncommon back then
Load More Replies...Maybe that cat ate the little birdie that was supposed to tell you?
Load More Replies...Janis Joplin
One of the greatest voices ever. Such a shame she joined the 27 Club, hope someone nice got her kitty.
Grace Kelly
"All the beauty of the American actress Grace Kelly, who would later become Princess of Monaco, when posing with a pet, around 1948, for the lenses of photographer George Rinhart."
Cat: "She's rolling in inherited wealth and yet I have to drink out of a cheap glass bowl"
🐄Most cats are lactose intolerant and/or get dehydrated from cow's milk, with upset stomachs, cramps, diarrhea🥛🐈 And animals' "Survival of the Fittest" mentality means they hide their pain & illness (yep, those mystery stains behind the couch) esp cats who BURY everything.
TheAnimalLady as a future zoologist and a fellow lactose intolerant person I must say That cats as a member of the mammalian class are able to breakdown lactose. With age the lactase enzyme decrease in the feline, just as any other mammal. Usually around six months of age the lactase enzymes decrease to a level that can lead to discomfort in the digestion of milk, but this cat looks to be between 3-5 months old. You can tell a younger cats age by its weight usually a pound corresponds to a month, so a six month old cat would be 6 lb. But you are right about the cow's milk having too much lactose for the cat to handle whether it's being any age. But this milk could be lactose free or some kind of formula even though it would be a very unorthodox way to give it to a cat.
Load More Replies...Paul Mccartney
"None other than the star Paul McCartney sitting on the doorstep and enjoying the company of his dog Martha and two kittens that are in his lap. London, United Kingdom,1967."
Kittens being adorable in the hope that Paul will also write a song about them
This sheepdog is the first pet he got himself and the inspiration for the "White Album" song "Martha, My Dear". One of her offspring, Arrow, is on the cover of his "Paul is Live" album.
"A real leap of the cat immortalized by the lens of its human, Walter Chandoha, in 1951. The pussy, known as Loco, was rescued by the photographer from the freezing streets of New York and became his first feline model."
🎼🐈🎶He flies through the air with the greatest of ease, That daring young cat jumps at all that he sees🎵🐈⬛🎶
I had a while book of Wallet Chandoah's feline photography, Walter Chandohas Book of Kittens & Cat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UDOUF8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_Z1EBNVZRTF77R2PZCNBC
Canadian Actress And Singer Deanna Durbin
TIL...@Edna Mae Durbin, worked with Judy Garland, was "Winnipeg's Golden Girl", has her prints in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater and that the pictures Anne Frank put up in that attic of her are still there.
Not certain from whence the downvote originated, but here's my upvote.
Load More Replies...British Actress Una Stubbs
Writer Paul Gallico
Is this a celebrity? Or a celebrities child? Or just an adorable vintage photo? A caption would be nice Edit: still a very wholesome photo either way!
American Pilot John Bevins Moisant
"American pilot John Bevins Moisant had the company of his kitten, Mademoiselle Fifi, in his portraits and even on his flights."
Polish Musician Wanda Landowska
Cat: "This is just showing off, one keyboard is enough for most people"
Why is the cat not on a keyboard? Or even both? It's neglecting its duty.
Load More Replies...🎹So the cat gets it's own set of keys too? As it should be! That's pawsome!🐈
British Model Celia Hammond
She is a campaigner against fur as fashion and for the neutering of cats to control feral populations with her Celia Hammond Animal Trust and Donovan wrote "Celia of the Seals" in tribute to her...she's currently 80 years old.
Met her some years back as I was working in animal welfare.
Load More Replies...French Photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson
Yep... I guess the picture was taken by HCB
Load More Replies...You know that it's probably vintage when you see a watch in the picture😹
American Actress And Singer Ava Gardner
When you'd rather be able to breathe than be cuddled by Ava Gardner
Yes, left hand pusscat looks especially uncomfortable.
Load More Replies...No mention of Cleveland Amory, famous curmudgeon and his cats? Terrible omission!
British Actor Wilfrid Hyde-White
British Novelist Elinor Glyn
John And Jacqueline Kennedy
"Historical photo of then-Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy accompanied by his wife Jacqueline, daughter Caroline and the family cat.
This was the last weekend together before the Democratic candidate began the campaign for the presidency of the United States, circa 1960."
The cat later took refuge in the bushes whilst the family indulged in an impromptu game of touch football
All of my cats drank milk with zero problems…same with the dozens of barn cats I’ve met! I don’t think it’s as dire as you’re making it out to be.
Load More Replies...🪶We need to open another bag of High Grade Feathers, this one's empty🪶
The Italian Poet Giuseppe Ungaretti
American Actor Anthony Perkins
Mary Austin, Ex-Girlfriend And One Of The Greatest Loves Of Freddie Mercury
I’ll bet the first and most important prerequisite of being Freddy’s friend or lover was an abiding love of cats. RIP Freddy.
But no photos of Freddie and his beloved cats?! This list is incomplete!
Argentine Writer Jorge Luis Borges
US Senator Helen Ring Robinson With Her Pet Kitten
American Author Helen Gurley Brown
The three people not allowed to hold animals promised to behave themselves in future
Alice Stacy
"Alice Stacy, a 91-year-old woman, hugs her cat named Mischief while Good Boy, her dog, sits next to her at the Columbia Point housing project in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood. The United States. 1988."
French Actor Jean-Louis Trintignant
Art Dealer Ambroise Vollard
British Model Christine Keeler
CO: "Why aren't you pounding he** outta the enemY? FIre!"... Sgt: "No can do, sir, we can't disturb the cat."
They said it wouldn't last, but five years later Connie and Tigger are still together and running a b&b in Devon
Psychiatrist Nise Da Silveira
Something wrong with that cat. Look how big the pupils are in the bright light.
Maybe it's a sort of dark room and they didn't have time to adjust to the light/flash?
Load More Replies...Argentine Painter Leonor Fini
Cat: "Yes, I'm brushed every day, unlike certain people I could name"
Joey Ramone
"I don't care for this Blitzkrieg Bop dance, my ribs are killing me"
American Writer And Screenwriter Patricia Highsmith
British Blues Musician Long John Baldry
Of course, even their owner is, since 2005. Cats are not eternal, just like humans
Load More Replies...Talian Actors Paolo Ferrari And Laura Tavanti
Cats make better pets for show biz and artistic types because they’re lower maintenance than dogs
Cats make better pets for show biz and artistic types because they’re lower maintenance than dogs
