CAMBYSES (1899)


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

Cambyses. Cropped Photo: from 'Cats for Pleasure and Profit' by Frances Simpson.2 ,
courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

Named after one of the great Persian Emperors of ancient times, there can be little doubt that Frances Simpson expected great things of 'Cambyses' when she acquired him as a kitten in 1899. She also condescended to have her photograph taken, holding him in her arms, for the frontispiece of her first book, Our Cats and All About Them published in 1902 by Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons. This was a full year ahead of her epic work, The Book of The Cat published in 1903 by Cassell & Co. Ltd.

Like most breeders of Blue Persians, (and Miss Simpson's loyalty and fidelity to the cause of the 'Blue' could certainly never be questioned), she too, dabbled in Silvers, as these were a popular variety both within and outside the fancy. But the circle of top lines was very hard to break into and as a judge she had her detractors and some political opposition. Nevertheless, in 'Cambyses', she had successfully acquired control of a grandson of the very famous 'Ch. Silver Lambkin'.

Although he was probably a perfectly acceptable example of the breed, he does not appear to have been considered by the more serious breeders of Chinchillas as a top show prospect. But Miss Simpson was able to demonstrate her mastery of diplomacy and marketing, by getting the best possible value from this nominally good male and standing him very successfully at Stud for a number of years. She tactfully promoted his good points, glossing over his shortcomings and significantly raised his public profile. By modern standards this achievement would be akin to the role of a 'campaign manager'. In short, he was in good and experienced hands!

In her own words he was promoted as follows:- "(Cambyses) ...has had the distinction of carrying off two prizes for the palest silver, or chinchilla male. He is almost unmarked, with faintest lines on his head only, although as a young cat of six months' old he was inclined to be a silver tabby. He has an unusually long, soft silky coat, and a beautiful expression of countenance. His sire was the celebrated 'Mowgli' and his grand sire, the 'Silver Lambkin'."2

PARENTAGE & OWNERSHIP:

        Eng Ch Silver Lambkin
    Mowgli, Silver
    |   Sheila
Cambyses, Apr-17-1899, Chinchilla Silver, M
    |   Unknown
    Victoria, Silver Tabby
        Unknown

'Cambyses' was bred by Miss Chappell, born on 17th April 1899. His sire was 'Mowgli' (1897) a first line chinchilla son of the famous 'Ch. Silver Lambkin'. His dam was an unknown female named 'Victoria', whose colour and background is shrouded in mystery. In some databases she is listed as a Blue, in others as a Silver Grey, but Frances Simpson states categorically that she was a Silver Tabby.

'Mowgli', his sire, who was born 11th June 1897, was bred by a Mrs Dunderdale, out of a dam named 'Sheila' and appears to have had a very successful show career. He is listed by Mrs. Balding (the owner of 'Ch. Silver Lambkin'), among the well-known sons of which her stud was a progenitor. 'Mowgli's' are also duly listed under his registration with the National Cat Club (#3084) as: 1st and five Specials, Crystal Palace, 1897; 1st and 2nd Botanic, 1898; 3rd, Crystal Palace, 1898; 1st and Special, Crystal Palace, 1899.³

'Cambyses' appears to have remained solely in the ownership and control of Frances Simpson from when she acquired him at the age of five months in September of 1899. However, there were many instances where due to the pressure of commitments away from home, Miss Simpson did have to place 'Cambyses' in the care of a reliable friend. She also had limited space to hold studs at her London address. In late 1904, she wrote in a letter to the Editor of Our Cats providing the following information for readers:

"A rumour has reached me that I intend to sell Cambyses. This is perfectly untrue. It is a grief to me that I cannot keep the dear fellow with me in London, but I know how carefully he is looked after by Mrs Taylor, whose devotion to him equals my own. In next week's issue of Our Cats I shall be advertising him at stud at Mrs Taylor's new address, which will be within five minutes of Ashford (Middlesex) Station, where very up-to-date catteries are in course of erection. I hope to exhibit my stud cats at Southampton, (not for competition, as I am judging). "

We find another illuminating record of the nature of Cambyses and the close relationship between cat and owner/caregiver in a report published in Our Cats on 15th December, 1900. The report was written by one of the contributing reporters to this magazine, and although the name of the writer is not give, the style of writing would suggest that it was probably Mr. T.J. Ambrose. (a well-known and respected judge and part-time reporter). He duly describes a visit to the home of Miss Simpson at 'Durdan's House, St. Margaret on Thames:

"On being shown into a most inviting dining-room to await Miss Frances Simpson, I saw, spread out on the hearth, in full length, in front of a bright fire, one of the loveliest 'silvers' I had ever seen. 'I suppose this is Cambyses?' I asked of Miss F. Simpson, after exchanging greetings. 'Yes,' she replied, 'he is the pet of the household,' which remark did not surprise me, for a more amiable-looking cat it would be impossible to imagine. He is a lovely shade of pale silver, and only very slightly marked. His head and face are beautiful, and he certainly does his sire Mogli [sic] more than credit.

" 'I am very surprised you have not exhibited him,' I remarked. 'I have never had the heart to send him to a Show,' Miss Simpson replied. 'I have entered him on two occasions, but, when the time came, I felt I could not part with him.' 'Well,' I said, "I hope I shall see him at Westminster?...' 'I shall enter him!' she replied, whereupon we both laughed heartily.

"It was a pretty sight to see Cammy's mistress toss up a ball of paper, for each time Cammy would stand on his hind legs and gracefully catch the ball with his two front paws! "

He also states of Cambyses: "Cambyses weighs between 10 and 11 lbs, a record weight, I should imagine for a silver!"

Later in the same interview, the writer gives us further insight into the family life within the Simpson household:

"'Do you have any photographs to let me have?' I asked, and Miss Simpson gave me one of herself and Cambyses, and another of a pair of blue kittens, bred by herself. After making me feel quite at home, and as if I had known her for years, Miss Frances Simpson informed me that her mother expected me to stay for lunch. I needed no second bidding, for I was in no hurry to leave to this pleasant home and kind, hospitable friends.

"In course of conversation, I asked Mrs Simpson if she, too, were fond of cats. 'I don't profess to love them,' she replied, but I noticed that though she was not so entirely devoted to the feline species as her daughter, yet she had no small amount of sympathy with them, and a lurking love for 'Cambyses'."

SIBLINGS & SHOWS:

The register of The Cat Club, records one full sibling, named 'Tamina' born of the same parentage on the same date, a chinchilla female, subsequently sold by Miss Chappell to Mrs. C. Reay Greene.

Of 'Cambyses' own wins, we only have those revealed by Frances Simpson in the brief prologue for 'Cambyses' at the beginning of Cats for Pleasure and Profit (1909 edition) in which she states:

"At the Westminster Show of 1902, he won the Challenge and Breeder's Cup, Silver Medal and several specials."2

BREEDING & PROGENY:

In a commentary in support of Silver Tabbies in 'The Book of The Cat'(1903) Frances Simpson gave this anecdote about 'Cambyses' siring both clear-coated Chinchillas and deeply marked Silver Tabbies, dependant on the females he was bred to:-

"To Miss Cope's last statements I can add my testimony, but I will also mention a curious case coming under my direct notice and regarding my own silver stud cat. 'Cambyses' is by 'Mowgli', (a noted pale Silver of 'Silver Lambkin' strain) and a handsome silver tabby, unknown to fame, being a house pet. When I became possessed of 'Cambyses', then five months old, he was a decided silver tabby, taking after his mother; he has since shed all his markings, except faint grey pencillings on head and legs, and is one of the lightest silvers at stud. When mated to smokes and silvers, I have not known or heard of any tabbies in the litters; but on one occasion, when crossed with a silver tabby, he had some very densely marked tabbies."1

One such silver tabby daughter, was Miss Lederboer's 'Lady Grissel' for whom we do have a photo, as it appeared on the front cover of 'Our Cats' published 1st August, 1903, when 'Lady Grissel' was but just one year old.


Miss Lederboer's 'Lady Grissel', sired by Miss Simpson's 'Cambyses'
Photo: Cover photo from 1st August, 1903 issue of 'Our Cats'. 5
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

Although his list of his progeny was probably quite extensive, given that he appears to have been a popular choice while standing at stud, the only cats that are easily traced in the registers are two males bred by Mrs J. Falconer Sinclair, out of 'Princess Stennia', born on 5th May 1901. These are the Chinchilla's 'Mustapha', and 'Prince Fair'.4

However, on the cover page of the 14th January 1905 issue of Our Cats magazine, appears an image showing the back view of a son of 'Cambyses' named 'Persia's Prince'. The caption reads: 'An unmarked silver son of Cambyses'. In the editorial columns, an explanation of The Front Page image is provided:

"The beautiful kitten illustrated on the front page is an eight months old son of Cambyses. Persia's Prince is going out to Mrs. Brian Brown, of Brooklyn, New York. He was bred by Miss Wood from her Zillah, a daughter of Abdul Hamet. His body is quite umarked, and his head and paws only very slightly barred. At six months old he weighed 7-1/2 lbs."


'An unmarked Silver, son of Cambyses'
'Persia's Prince' was exported to Mrs. Brian Brown, of Brooklyn, New York.

Photo: Our Cats magazine, 14th January, 1905. 8
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

In the weekly issues of Our Cats magazine, during the season, appeared listings under the headings of 'VISITS' and 'BIRTHS'. These listings proclaimed the proclivities of pedigree cats and resultant litters born and reported since the last issue. Taking a limited selection from just one issue, that which is dated 23rd May 1903, we find the following are reported:

VISITSApril 24th: Mrs Ward's Sukey, to Miss F. Simpson's Cambyses.5
May 12th: Miss Hawkins' Smoke, to Miss F. Simpson's Cambyses.5
BIRTHSApril 5th: Mr Hugh Maxwell's Dusky, seven kittens to Miss F. Simpson's Cambyses.5
May 18th: Miss Fisher's Lonsdale Duchess, four kittens to Miss F. Simpson's Cambyses.5

PHOTOS:


'Cambyses' as a kitten'
Photo: Gunn & Stewart, Richmond. From Page 80, 'The Book of The Cat' (1903) by Frances Simpson1
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection


Miss Frances Simpson with her Silver Male 'Cambyses'
Photo: Gunn & Stewart, Richmond. Cambyses as a young cat. (circa 1901) Frontispiece from 'Cats for Pleasure and Profit' (1909) by Frances Simpson.2
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection


'Cambyses' as an adult
Photo: from Opposite Page 52, 'Cats for Pleasure and Profit' (1909 Edition) by Frances Simpson.2
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

SOCIAL MEDIA:

It is clear that both of the following pieces of social media artwork, were derived from the photographic study above, from Frances Simpson's book. The first image, is a full size painting taken from The Wonder Book of Animals by Harry Golding. The image is unsigned and undated, but in style at least, it is very similar to the painting s by W. Luker Jnr that appeared in Frances Simpson's The Book of The Cat(1903), published by Cassell & Co.Ltd.


'Cambyses' (unnamed in publication)
Full page colour print from 'The Wonder Book of Animals' by Harry Golding, published by Ward Lock & Co.6
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

The second image is a collectible card from the 'Cowan's Noted Cats Series' produced in 1925. Unlike some of the others in this series, the cats name is listed correctly and a good attempt has been made to colour it to look like a green-eyed Chinchilla!


'Cambyses' Chinchilla Male
Collectable card from the 'Cowan's Noted Cats Series' issued 1925 .7
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection


Stud advertisement for'Cambyses',
from a January 1904 issue of 'Our Cats'
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

In Summary:

'Mowgli', the sire of 'Cambyses' was a half-brother to 'Lord Southampton' and 'Lord Argent', two of the more well-known sons of Mrs Balding's immortal silver, 'Ch. Silver Lambkin'. 'Cambyses' was, in his turn, the most famous son of 'Mowgli', and it was through him, that 'Mowgli' continued to benefit the ongoing development of the Chinchilla.

Frances Simpson's faith in 'Cambyses' was not unfounded. He sired a great many very clear-coated silvers, and helped to expand the gene pool for silver breeders. He was well-grown and like his sire, a heavier boned silver than many of his contemporaries; the variety already suffering the effects of line-breeding and in-breeding.

When we read about 'Cambyses' we are reminded that breeding is not exclusively about either colour or type; it's equally about health, vigour, and a contented lifestyle. We can be sure that 'Cambyses' was a healthy cat, who received plenty of love and attention. This certainly accounts for his even and pleasing temperament and his reliability as a sire of bonny, healthy bloodstock.

REFERENCES:

  1. The Book of The Cat by Frances Simpson, 1903
  2. Cats for Pleasure and Profit by Frances Simpson, 1909
  3. National Cat Club Register
  4. The Cat Club Register
  5. Our Cats Magazine. 1903
  6. The Wonder Book of Animals by Harry Golding, undated
  7. Cowans Noted Cats Series Collectable Cards 1925
  8. Our Cats magazine, 14th January, 1905
  9. Our Cats, magazine, 15th December, 1900
  10. 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).

 


Home | Cats | Gallery | Clubs | People | Artifacts | Articles | Updates | Contact Us

©The CFA Foundation, Inc and The Harrison Weir Collection
This project is a collaboration between The CFA Foundation, Inc. and The Harrison Weir Collection.
All material on this site is copyrighted and may not be printed or reproduced, in any form, without the express written consent of the collaborators.