AMESH (1900)


HISTORICAL BACKGROUND | PARENTAGE & OWNERSHIP | SIBLINGS & SHOWS | BREEDING & PROGENY
PHOTOS | SOCIAL MEDIA | REFERENCES

Photo: U.S. Register & Stud Book for Cats (1906)³3. Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

Members of the Victorian British Royal Family, were animal lovers and fanciers across a wide number of disciplines, including poultry, dogs, game, cattle, birds and of course, cats. Although the Queen did certainly own Persian cats, in most cases these were generally gifts from her subjects. The true cat fanciers amongst the immediate family members, included her grand-daughter, the Princess Victoria of Schleswig Holstein (from Prince Christian of Schleswig Holstein and the Queen's third daughter, Princess Helena of the United Kingdom); and her daughter-in-law, the Princess Alexandra, (the Princess of Wales), who although an avid dog fancier, did take an active interest in cats and their welfare. The young Princess Victoria, in particular, was a Patron of the Chinchilla Cat Society and an active breeder and exhibitor of Blue Persians, Silver Tabbies and her beloved Chinchillas.

'Royal Bobs' is just one of a number of Blue Persians and Chinchillas that she bred and which were exhibited competitively. By the turn of the century, she was Patron of the National Cat Club which, on a number of occasions, held Charity Cat Shows, just one of which was in aid of H.R.H. Princess Christian's Nursing Homes.

PARENTAGE & OWNERSHIP:

        Diavolo
    Blue Boy II
    |   Blue Lady
Amesh, Oct-5-1900, Blue, M
    |   Fulmer Roy
    Duschar
        Fulmer Sylvie

The date of birth for 'Amesh' is given as 5th October, 1900. (BCC:386 and USR:158). He was bred by HRH Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, being sired by Lady Marcus Beresford's well-known blue male 'BLUE BOY II' (1897) (NCC:3045) and out of the Princess's blue queen 'DUSCHAR' (c1898)(USR:167). (aka 'Dashoor').

The sire of 'Duschar' was 'Fulmer Roy' a grandson of two of the most popular Champion Blue Persians, 'Ch. Bundle' and 'Ch. Wooloomooloo'.

H.R.H. Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein about the time she began showing an interest in cats
Photo: Albert Ellis. The Young Woman (1893)4
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

'Fulmer Roy', was also the sire of another extremely popular and particularly handsome Blue male, 'Champion Skellingthorpe Patrick', who was a major winner in his day, and therefore, by virtue of his sire, a sire-sibling to the Princess's 'Duschar'.

'Duschar' was herself initially bred and owned by Lady Marcus Beresford, and if we are to take the wording of Mrs. Gotwalts as gospel, found her way into the ownership of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and thence into the care of HRH Princess Victoria of Schleswig Holstein. This would appear to be confirmed in an editorial commentary about the cover picture of 'Amesh', published in Our Cats magazine, 11th October, 1902 which reads:

"We are pleased to present both to our American and English readers the portrait of Amesh, blue Persian stud cat, the property of Mrs. Gotwalts, of Pottstown. He was bred by H.R.H. Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, by Lady Marcus Beresford's Blue Boy II., and Duschar. Duschar was presented to the Princess by the late Queen of England. Amesh is litter brother to Royal Bobs, who picture, together with his owner , Mrs. Collingwood, appears in 'Cats and All About Them', recently published by Miss Frances Simpson."12

'Amesh' appears to have been one of a litter of at least three, which included another blue male 'Royal Bobs' and their litter sister 'Jill'.

In due course, 'Amesh' was exported to the United States, to the 'Bagdad' cattery of Mrs. J.V. Gotwalts, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He was then registered with the Beresford Cat Club under the name of 'Bagdad Amesh'. In a stud advertisement shown below, he is advertised as 'Amesh' (Imported)...... "Pure Blue, sound in color, grand head, orange eyes, royally bred; is by Lady Marcus Beresford's 'Blue Boy II' and 'Duschar', formerly owned by the late Queen of England. Amesh is perfect in type and Persian character, and for his breeding alone, valuable at stud."

'Amesh' was one of a number of imports into the 'Bagdad' cattery, another notable one being 'Simon Pure', the Brown Tabby son of Miss Simpson's famous Brown Tabby, 'Ch. Persimmon'.

Sire and Maternal Grandsire of 'Amesh'
Left: Sire of 'Amesh', 'BLUE BOY II' once owned by Lady Marcus Beresford.

Photo: 'The Cat, Its Points, and Management in Health and Disease' (1908) Frank Townend Barton6
Right: Maternal Grandsire of 'Amesh', 'FULMER ROY', owned by Miss Gertrude Willoughby
Photo: E. Landor, Ealing. 'Living Animals of The World'(c.1901)5
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

SIBLINGS & SHOWS:

'Amesh' had at least two full siblings, the most notable being 'Royal Bobs', who became the property of Mrs. Collingwood of Leighton Buzzard.

In Our Cats and All About Them (1902), Frances Simpson describes 'Royal Bobs' as "a dark slate blue, 'but very sound in colour, with a beautifully shaped head and fine eyes...." And it is from the same source that we are given some of his show records: "In 1901, he took 1st in the Cat and 1st in the Kitten Class. Since then he has taken four other 1st prizes and two championships, besides many specials."

It would appear from the photographs at least, that the grandsire, 'Fulmer Roy' was a darkish blue and that both his grandsons inherited trait. But from the commentary of Miss Simpson, although the shade of blue was darker than the ideal, it was none-the-less very sound. It is interesting to note, however, that 'Skellingthorpe Patrick' was known for his very light, even and luxurious blue coat.

Of Mrs. Collingwood's cattery, Frances Simpson gives the following account:

"Mrs. Collingwood of Leighton Buzzard, is a most ardent lover of cats, but it is only of recent years that she has been before the public as a fancier and exhibitor. During this time, however, many have been the honours showered on the lucky inmates of the Bossington cattery. Mrs. Collingwood has great difficulty, so she tells me, in keeping her number of cats down to thirty! She likes these to be equally divided between long and short-haired pussies; so there are all sorts and varieties. "Royal Bobs", a big, massive blue male, has done a lot of winning. He was bred by the Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein. His sister 'Jill' also inhabits one of the twelve cathouses, distributed over five acres of the Bossington grounds."

Mrs. Collingwood with 'Royal Bobs'
Litter sibling to 'Amesh'

Photo: Charles, London. Our Cats and All About Them, by Frances Simpson(1902)1
Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

It is only from the above account that we have a record of the existence of his litter sister 'Jill'. From the Editorial columns of 'Our Cats' in October 1902, we find evidence that 'Amesh' was shown once in the United States by that date. It reads:

"Amesh has been shown but once, and he is a prize-winner. He is sound in colour and full of quality, possessed of a most affectionate disposition. He is not quite two years old and is conceded by one of our best judges to be the best blue male cat in America."12

BREEDING & PROGENY:

Although it is likely that 'Bagdad Amesh' sired many litters, we only have records of a small number of progeny, from the 'Ravenswood' and 'Bagdad' catteries. These include a Blue female named 'BAGDAD DAINTY DOLLIE', (BCC:920)10, born 8th April, 1903, out of the blue smoke 'Backwell Jane' (Imported); and two Blue males, from a breeding to 'Ravenswood Amphitrite', a bluecream from mainly 'Romaldkirk' bloodlines). These were respectively: 'RAVENSWOOD ASHTON' (USR:163) and 'RAVENSWOOD MEMNON', (USR:166) born 8th September, 1903.3

'Bagdad Dainty Dollie' was bred and retained by Mrs. J.V. Gotwalts10. 'Ravenswood Memnon' was bred and retained by Mrs. Frederick W. Story, while 'Ravenswood Ashton' was sold to into the partnership of Mr. E.G. Hanft, and and Mrs. D.B. Smith3

PHOTOS:

'AMESH', owned by Mrs J.V.Gotwalts
Photo: Davis, from the U.S.Register and Studbook for Cats (1906)3
Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

'Amesh' the property of Mrs. Gotwalts, Pottstown, USA.
Photo: Our Cats Magazine, 11th October, 190212
Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

SOCIAL MEDIA :

HRH Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein with two of her Blue Persian Kittens
Photo: Elliott & Fry. From C.B.Fry's Magazine, November 1905. 7
Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

Twin Roses on one stem, blue Persian Kittens from 'Cumberland Lodge', the cattery of HRH. Princess Victoria, in Great Windsor Park.
Photo: by E.Landor, The Tatler, 24th August, 1904.8
Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

Stud Advertisement for the 'Bagdad Cattery' of Mrs. J.V. Gotwalts
Photo: Field and Fancy, 24th January, 1903 9
Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

Advertisment for The National Cat Club, with Princess Victoria as Patron and the Duchess of Bedford as President, 1902.
Photo: Our Cats and All About Them (1902) by Frances Simpson 1
Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

Advertisement for a Charity Cat Show in aid of H.R.H. Princess Christian's Nursing Homes
Photo: Our Cats Magazine, 28th December, 19012
Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

Cover page of Our Cats Magazine, featuring 'Amesh'.
Photo: Our Cats Magazine, 11th October, 190212
Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

In Summary:

Not many breeders could lay claim to ownership of cats bred by members of the extended British Royal family, but certainly Mrs. Collingwood and Mrs. Gotwalts could do just that, and did. However, doing so does not guarantee success, and with the exception of Princess Victoria's chinchilla lines, we have not yet been able to trace any descendants down from the 'royal' line of blues.

What was more important in this case was the real and implied endorsement given by members of the Royal family, including Queen Victoria, and later Queen Alexandra, to the hobby of Cat Fancying. This was tacit approval in the eyes of the public, that Cat Fancying was in fact a respectable sport. And this endorsement also came in the form of Vice-regal support, in the active participation of Lady Aberdeen, of 'Haddo House', whose cats were also seen at shows, and whose bloodlines did indeed stand the test of time and can be found on the pedigrees of blue Persians to this day.

In 1893, John Jennings recorded the following comment from Queen Victoria and an example of her practical way of caring for her own cats:

"It gives me the greatest possible pleasure to place on record, in illustration of the many admirable humane qualities that characterise Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, that she personally remarked at the jubilee meeting in London of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: 'No civilisation is complete which does not include the dumb and defenceless of God's creatures within the sphere of charity and mercy.

"Her Majesty (who is naturally a most earnest supporter of this institution, had also previously written 'that she should be very happy if anything could be done for cats, having noticed they are rather a persecuted race.' Practical example is also an especially valuable adjunct to precept, and the Queen in this respect sets one worthy of imitation and general adoption, by taking the Windsor cats in wicker baskets, when Her Majesty migrates to other royal residences."11

REFERENCES:

  1. Our Cats and All About Them, by Frances Simpson, 1902
  2. Our Cats Magazine, 28th December, 1901
  3. U.S. Register & Stud Book for Cats, 1906
  4. The Young Woman Magazine, 1893
  5. The Cat, Its Points, and Management in Health and Disease, by Frank Townend Barton, 1908
  6. Living Animals of The World, (c.1901) Article by Louis Wain
  7. C.B. Fry's Magazine, November 1905
  8. The Tatler, 24th August, 1904
  9. Field and Fancy, 24th January, 1903
  10. Stud Book and Register of The Beresford Cat Club, Vol.4
  11. Domestic and Fancy Cats, by John Jennings, 1893
  12. Our Cats Magazine, 11th October, 1902
  13. Photos and Quotations as per credits noted

Registers associated with this article include The Incorporated Cat Fanciers Association of Great Britain (TICFAGB), National Cat Club (NCC), The Cat Club (CCR), Beresford Cat Club (BCC), Feline Federation Francaise (FFF), Siamese Cat Registry (SCR), US Register & Studbook for Cats (USR)including Supplement(USRS), The Studbook of the American Cat Association (ACA), and the Studbook & Register of the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).

 


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