JAMES II (1901)


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

Photo: Fur & Feather. Cats: Show and Pet (1903) by C.A. House. Courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

Silver Classic Tabbies have always appealed. By value of the contrast between their clear silver ground colour and their deep black markings, they are naturally 'showy', drawing attention to themselves. This is even more-so the case in shorthaired cats, but the longhaired varieties have also highly prized and appreciated, but it is naturally more difficult to produce a clear pattern when it is dispersed through a long coat which tends to move and alter with the natural movement of the cat. Although there have been a great many successful silver tabby shorthairs, the first of wide repute was Mrs. Herring's 'Champion Jimmy', born in 1890, who carved an enviable reputation for himself and who fortunately left behind, an excellent spread of his genes in both male and female progeny.

It was in fact, the great catalogue of successes enjoyed by 'Ch. Jimmy' and his sister 'Ch. Laurel Queen' (owned by Charles Lane), that helped to establish a strong contingent of early shorthair fanciers, who wished to duplicate their winning ways.

The next cat to begin duplicating this success was Mrs. Collinwood's 'James II', who accumulated an enviable record of wins in record time. 'James II' was also a prolific producer, and from him were descended several more generations of Silver Tabbies, on both sides of the Atlantic, establishing him as one of the prime progenitors of the Silver Tabby Shorthair in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

PARENTAGE & OWNERSHIP:

        King of the Fancy, Silver Tabby
    Eng Ch Jimmy, Silver Tabby
    |   Tibbie, Silver Tabby
James II, Apr-1901, Silver Tabby, M
    |   Gypsy King, Silver Tabby
    Rose, Silver Tabby
        Lady Godiva, Silver Tabby

'James II' has a rather clouded start. Although he is clearly named after his illustrious sire 'Ch. Jimmy' the first published records of his existence show him as sire and dam unknown. This appears in both the National Cat Club listings published in Our Cats for 12th April, 1902 in which his date of birth is given as 'April 1901'. Likewise, in The Cat Club Register, his transfer of ownership is recorded with sire and dam as unknown. However, this has been amended by hand, (presumably by Mrs. Clinton Locke), to show that his dam was Mrs. Newland's 'Rose'.9

In Volume 1 of The Cat Fanciers' Association Stud-Book, under the registration of his son, 'Pretty Correct', we find that 'James II' has by this time been given a National Cat Club registration number (NCC: 4742). We have no official record of his breeder, but if his dam was indeed Mrs. Newlands 'Rose' we can find another male named 'Jim Shelley' (NCC:3321) born in 1895, whose breeder of record is Mr. E. Newland. It seems a little more than coincidence that this male also shares the name 'Jim' and that 'James II' may in fact have been from a repeat breeding. So while our 'James' only may have been bred by Mr. Newland, there is no doubt that his first owner of record was Mrs. Leuty Collins. She appears as his owner in The Cat Club Register, where the transfer of ownership of 'James II' is recorded between Mrs. Leuty Collins and Mrs. Collingwood.

Two images of Mrs. Herring's 'Champion Jimmy', sire and name-sake of Mrs. Collingwood's 'Champion James II'.
Drawing from The Daily Graphic October, 18917; Photo by Vandycke, The Sketch, 18968
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

His former owner, Mrs. Leuty Collins, was a known fancier and columnist and a clear admirer of silver tabbies. In an article she wrote for The Windsor Magazine published in 1899, about show winning cats she describes his sire thus:

"Champion Jimmy, the property of Mrs. Herring, the veteran pioneer of lady fanciers, always holds his own. He revels now under the titles of 'Champion' and 'Premier', and has gained for his mistress over fifty first and special prizes, with silver cups and medals. He is a magnificent English silver tabby, with perfect markings, and, having captured so many coveted honours, considers himself beyond the average professional."10

On the character of Mrs. Collingwood as later his owner, Frances Simpson makes this observation:

"I know many cat-loving people, but I do not think that I have ever seen greater devotion shown to the feline race than is displayed at Bossington. Mrs. Collingwood is ever ready to support cat shows by entries, by guaranteeing classes, and by giving handsome prizes. Her cats are all shown in the pink of condition, and it is seldom that they appear in the pens unless their devoted mistress is in attendance."2

We then find an interesting tidbit about his home-life with Mrs. Collingwood in an excerpt taken from an article about her cattery and cats, that was published in the Christmas (Dec.19th) issue of Our Cats in 1903:


Jim is quite the pet of the establishment, and has the free run of the house. He appreciates the comfort of the kitchen fire, and always sleeps at the bottom of his mistress' bed.

"It is rare to find a lover of one kind of animal only. Those who have this taste inborn usually find room in their hearts for many, or, at least, several kinds. Mrs. Collingwood is an enthusiast in the hunting field, and the stables at Bossington contain about a dozen horses.

"But we are more particularly concerned with the cats, and with the cat of all others, Ch. James II, the silver tabby short-hair, whose wins during a short show career constitute a record, and are recorded in full in another place in these pages. Jim is quite the pet of the establishment, and has the free run of the house. He appreciates the comfort of the kitchen fire, and always sleeps at the bottom of his mistress' bed. It is not at all extraordinary that Mrs. Collingwood, having this perfect silver tabby male in her possession, should have turned her attention seriously to the breed. She has procured one or two very good queens as his mates, and has met with the most conspicuous success in her breeding this season."11

SIBLINGS & SHOWS:

The following are the notable sire-siblings of 'James II', by Champion Jimmy:

Males:

  • 'SIR BROWNIE' (NCC: 3336), Brown Tabby Shorthair Male born 2nd June, 1896 Breeder/Owner: Mrs. Louisa Herring.3
  • 'BENGAL' (CCR), Silver Tabby *Longhair Male, born 10th March 1899; out of 'Brighton Midget'. Breeder/Owner: Miss Meilan Wilkinson.4

Females:

  • 'TIPPAWEE' (CCR), Smoke Shorthaired Female, born 25th March 1895. Out of 'Cheechi'. Breeder/Owner: Mrs. Clarence J. Meller Bonny.4
  • 'HEATHER QUEENIE' (CCR), Silver Tabby Shorthair Female, born 6th June, 1897; out of 'Tippawee'. Breeder/Owner: Mrs. Clarence J. Meller Bonny.4
  • 'PRINCESS DIVA' (NCC: 3316), Brown Tabby Shorthair Female, born 25th March 1895, out of Cheechi. Bred by Mrs. Clarence J. Meller Bonny, owned by Mrs. Louisa Herring. *Later owned by Lady Claud Alexander.3
  • 'JENNY', (NCC: 1841), Silver Tabby Shorthair Female, born June, 1892, out of Miss Florence Moore's 'Nanny'. Breeder/Owner: Miss Moore.3
  • 'DOLLY VARDEN' (NCC: 3304), Silver Tabby Shorthair Female, born 20th June, 1898. Out of 'Queen Silvia'. Breeder/Owner: Mrs. Louisa Herring.3
  • 'BELLE OF LEE' (CCR), Brown Tabby Shorthair Female, born 25th November, 1890; out of 'Lady Jasmine'. Breeder/Owner: Mrs. Louisa Herring.4

Mrs. Collingwood with 'Champion James II'
Photo: Alice Hughes, Gower St. The Book of The Cat (1903) by Frances Simpson 2
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

Show wins:

Show wins of record for 'James II' have been sourced from a combination of Show Catalogues, a review of his wins published in Our Cats up to the end of 1903, and the National Cat Club stud book. They include the following:

1st, Slough, 1901; 1st Brighton, 1901; 2nd, Reading, 1901; 2nd, Manchester, 1901; 2nd, NCCC Show, 1902; 1st Harpenden, 1902; 1st and Championship, Edinburgh, 1902; 1st and Championship, Botanic, 1902; , Altrincham, 1902; 1st and Special for Best Cat in Show, Crystal Palace, 1902; 1st and Special for Best Cat in Show, Cheltenham, 1902; 1st, Championship and Special for Best Short-hair Cat in Show, Midland Counties Cat Club Show, 1902; 1st and Championship, Northern Counties Cat Club Show, 1903; 1st and Championship, Harrogate 1903; 1st Sandy, 1903; 1st and Special for Best Short-hair Cat, Glasgow, 1903; 1st and Special for Best Cat in Show, Cheltenham, 1903; 1st and Special for Best Cat in Show, Brighton, 1903; 1st, Midland Counties Cat Club, 1903; 1st, Crystal Palace, 1904; 1st Sheffield, 1904; 1st Southampton, 1905; 1st Sheffield, 1905.

As can be seen from the above, these awards include 5 Championships and multiple Best Shorthair and Best Cat in Show wins. In the December 1903 edition of Our Cats the following codicil is added for his listed wins gained in 1903:

"His wins have been made under the following judges: Mrs. Mackenzie-Stewart, Miss Cochran, Miss F. Simpson, Sir Claud Alexander, Messrs. Louis Wain, Gresham, Mason, House, Ambrose, Roberts, Woodiwiss, Welburn, Lane, and Young."

We also find the below commentary on his winning ways, in The Book of The Cat (1903), by Frances Simpson:

"James, is a beautiful specimen of a silver tabby, and during this year alone has won eight first prizes. At Altrincham, he had the honour of claiming championship and silver medal for the best cat in show, beating all the long-haired cats that generally carry off this coveted prize; and at the Crystal Palace, he was the admired of all admirers, with a number of prize tickets covering his pen."2

And under his photograph in the book Cats: Show and Pet (1903) by Charles House, we find the following caption:

"Winner of Premiership best Short-haired Cat Crystal Palace, Colmore challenge bowl for Best Cat in Show at Cheltenham, gold medal best Cat in Show at Altrincham and many other first and special prizes."1

BREEDING & PROGENY:

This stunningly marked Silver Tabby was only naturally highly sought after by other breeders as a potential mate for their queens. So much so, that Mrs. Collingwood received so many requests for his services that she reconsidered her original stance, not to have him standing at stud. Accordingly the following announcement appeared in the editorial columns of 'Our Cats' on 5th September, 1903.

"Mrs. Collingwood has been so overwhelmed with requests to receive visitors to her grand silver tabby stud cat, 'James II', that at last she has decided to place him at stud for a few weeks, and an advertisement to that effect will be found in this issue. 'Ch. James II' is without doubt, the finest living silver tabby shorthair. He has won five N.C.C. Championships, and many times taken special for best cat in the show over longhairs. His numerous prizes have been won under twelve different judges."12

A morning meal at 'Bossington'.
Photo: A.J. Anderson & Co, Luton. The Book of The Cat (1903) by Frances Simpson2
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

Notable progeny were sired by 'James II' from a number of queens, which we list here in order of litter date by queen, with subsequent progeny:

From 'HEATHER BELLE':

(Litter born March, c.1902).
'Dame Fortune', Silver Tabby Shorthair female, bred and owned by Mrs. Mellor Bonny (MCCC 1903). Dam of many successful breeders, among them, 'Dame Fortune II', sired by 'Sweet William', and 'Dame 'Dame Fortune III', sired by 'Silvester'. 'Dame Fortune II', was bred by Miss Bonny and exported to Mrs. J. Cathcart (USA) (ACA:501)(ACA v2). 'Dame Fortune III' was bred and retained by Mrs. Mellor Bonny.

'Dame Fortune' by 'James II' out of 'Heather Belle'
Photo: L.R. Stickels, Cranbrook. The Book of The Cat (1903) by Frances Simpson2
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

From 'TIDDLES':

(Litter born 2nd May, 1903).
'O'Liza', Silver Tabby Shorthair female, bred and owned by Mrs. Collingwood.(OC: 28/Aug/1903)

From: 'NANIE'

(Litter born 1st July, 1903).
'Miss Toodles', Silver Tabby Shorthair female, bred and owned by Mrs. Collingwood. The outstanding Shorthair kitten of 1903, with multiple Best Shorthair Exhibit in Show awards. Dam of 'Sally Ugly Mug' and grand-dam of 'The Buzzing Silver'. (OC: 05/Mar/1904)

(Litter born 14th June, 1905)
'Pretty Flower', Silver Tabby Shorthair female, bred and owned by Mrs. Collingwood. Full younger sister to 'Miss Toodles'. (OC: 30/Sept/1905)

'Miss Toodles' by 'James II' out of 'Nanie'
Photo: Every Womans Encyclopaedia (1909)6
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

From 'WYNNSTAY SILVER PRINCESS':

(Litter born 28th April, 1904).
'Wynnstay Silver Jim', Silver Tabby Shorthair male, bred by Mr. Walby and owned by Mrs. F.W. Western. (OC: 03/Sept/1904) 'Wynnstay Sylvia', Silver Tabby Shorthair female, bred by Mr. Walby and owned by Mrs. F.W. Western. (OC: 27/Aug/1904)

From 'MUTTIE':

(Litter born 21st May, 1904).
'Young Lady', Silver Tabby Shorthair female, bred and owned by Mrs. Collingwood. (OC: 11/Feb/1905)

From 'O'LIZA':

(Litter born 12th June, 1904).
'My Bubbles', Silver Tabby Shorthair female, bred by Mrs. Collingwood and owned by Mrs. Roch. (OC: 10/Dec/1904).

From 'MISS TOODLES':

(Litter born 20th April, 1905) (Father/Daughter breeding).
'Flash Jim', Silver Tabby Shorthair male. (OC: 29/July/1905)
'Ja-Me', Silver Tabby Shorthair male. (OC:29/July/1905)
'Sally Ugly Mug', Silver Tabby Shorthair female.(MCCC: 1905)
All bred and owned by Mrs. Collingwood.

From 'TITSIE' (aka TESSIE):

(Litter born 23rd April, 1905)
'Holmefield Tabby Boy', (aka Holmefield Silver Tabby Boy), Silver Tabby Shorthair male, bred by Mrs. Chivers and owned by Mrs. E.T. Moore. (MCCC:1905), later owned by Lady Decies and renamed 'Fulmer Tabby Boy'.(NCC:5810) As 'Holmefield Silver Tabby Boy', he was the sire of 'Silver Prince Fortunatus'(ACA:502) out of 'Dame Fortune II', (ACA:501). 'Silver Prince Fortunatus' was bred by Mrs. Bonny and exported to Miss J.Cathcart (USA).
'Holmefield Tabby Girl', Silver Tabby Shorthair female, bred by Mrs. Chivers and owned by Mrs. E.T. Moore.(OC: 26/Aug/1905)

'Holmefield Tabby Boy', by 'James II' out of 'Titsie'
Owned by Mrs. E.T. Moore

Photo: The Cat: Its Points and Management (1908) by F.T.5
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

From 'RAMBLING KATE':

(Litter born May, 1905).
'Simple Simon', Silver Tabby Shorthair male, bred by Mrs. Thompson and owned by Mrs. Collingwood. (MCCC: 1905)

From 'BUNNIE':

(Litter born 28th October, 1905).
'Pretty Correct', Silver Tabby Shorthair male, bred by Mrs. Collingwood and exported to Miss J.R. Cathcart (USA). (CFA:18)(CFA v.1).
'Silver Stripes', Silver Tabby Shorthair male, bred by Mrs. Collingwood and exported to Miss J.R. Cathcart (USA). (ACA:424)(ACA.v.2). 'Silver Stripes' was the sire of the magnificent 'Genesee Valley Jane', whose dam, 'Dame Fortune II' was also a grand-daughter of 'James II'.

From 'SALLY UGLY MUG':

(Litter born 9th June, 1906).(a direct Triple on James II!)
'The Buzzing Silver', Silver Tabby Shorthair female, bred by Mrs. Collingwood and exported to Mrs. J.C.Mitchelson (USA). (ACA:4129) (ACA v2).(CFA:312)(CFA v1).

'The Buzzing Silver' by 'James II' out of 'Sally Ugly Mug'
Photo: Stud Book & Register of the Cat Fanciers Association (1909) Vol.1 4
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

From 'YOUNG LADY':

(Litter born 22nd October, 1906).(Father/daughter breeding).
'Simple Simon II', Silver Tabby Shorthair male, bred and owned by Mrs. Collingwood. (MCCC:1907)

PHOTOS:

Mrs. Collingwood's 'Champion James II'
Photo: J. Russell & Sons, Crystal Palace, Cats: Show and Pet (1903) by C.A. House 1
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

Mrs. Collingwood's 'Champion James II'
Photo: J. Russell & Sons, Crystal Palace, The Book of The Cat (1903) by Frances Simpson 2
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

SOCIAL MEDIA :

Stud advertisement for 'Ch. James II' as it appeared in Our Cats, 12th Sept. 19033
Image courtesy of The Harrison Weir Collection

In Summary:

In many ways, 'James II' falls into a special category of his own as the progenitor of so many lovely silver tabbies registered in both the United Kingdom and the United States. His was a lasting legacy, with the early and spectacular arrival of his progeny such as 'Miss Toodles' making a grand entry into the show scene as a winning kitten in England in 1903, and later, his grand-daughter/great grand-daughter 'Genesee Valley Jane' having a similarly spectacular entry into the show scene in the United States in 1908.

Other sons and daughters in both countries would carry his bloodlines into succeeding generations making him an early foundation cat for the British Shorthair and their American-bred counterparts, long before their breed names were even established.

Through his own heritage, he connects his progeny to the originating silver line that began with Mr. T. Sugden's "King of the Fancy". But none of this would have been possible had it not been for the intervention of Mrs. Collingwood. It was she who, after obtaining 'Jim' from Mrs. Leuty Collins, campaigned him so successfully and then carefully selecting his future mates. Mrs. Collingwood consistently produced some of his best early progeny, ultimately sharing the lines with the incomparable Miss Jane Cathcart in the United States, who was careful to accumulate a bevy of sons, daughters, grandsons and grand-daughters, in order to preserve the availability of the lines and the distinctive pattern held within that gene pool.

That 'James' was able to enjoy such a natural and happy home life, while also being a much-admired show specimen presented in prime condition, and producing an array of spectacular progeny, must be attributed to Mrs. Collingwood's excellent management and great care. It is a reminder to us that a healthy, top show and breeding cat, should always be, first and foremost, a much-loved and appreciated pet.

REFERENCES:

  1. Cats: Show and Pet, by Charles A. House, 1903
  2. The Book of The Cat, by Frances Simpson, 1903
  3. Our Cats Magazine, 12th September, 1903.
  4. Stud Book & Register of The Cat Fanciers' Association, Vol.1, 1909
  5. The Cat: Its Points and Management, by F.T. Barton, 1908
  6. Every Woman's Encyclopaedia, 1909
  7. The Daily Graphic, October, 1891
  8. The Sketch, 1896
  9. Our Cats Magazine, 12th April, 1902
  10. Windsor Magazine, 1899
  11. Our Cats Magazine, 19th December, 1903
  12. Our Cats Magazine, 5th September, 190.
  13. The National Cat Club Stud Book and Register, Vols.1-5
  14. The Cat Club Register, Vols.1-5
  15. Stud Book of The American Cat Association', Vol.2
  16. Midland Counties Cat Club -Show Catalogues, 1903-1907
  17. 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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