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Item Description

​Item Details:

• ​Type: Original Real Photographic Postcard (RPPC)

• ​Subject: Magnificent long-haired tabby cat posed in a formal photographer's studio, wearing a large neck bow/ribbon and lounging beside a fur throw/blanket, leaning against an elegant parasol or walking cane.

• ​Era / Date: Circa 1905–1915 (Edwardian / early 20th century)

• ​Format: Standard vintage postcard size (approx. 5.5 x 3.5 inches / 14 x 9 cm)

• ​Back: Divided back, unposted / unused (blank correspondence and address fields)

​Historical Note

​During the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, formal studio photography of domestic pets—particularly pampered cats and dogs—became a fashionable trend. Animals were often treated as true portrait subjects, brought into studios and posed on draped tables with elaborate props such as silken bows, fur blankets, and parasols.

​Taking a clear, sharp photograph of a cat with early photographic plates required remarkable patience, as exposure times still required the animal to hold still. The sharp detail in the cat’s expressive eyes, luxurious whiskers, and textured ruff makes this a standout example of early British/European animal studio portraiture.

​Condition Report

• ​Front: Very good antique condition. Crisp focus with rich sepia/silver-toned contrast and glossy sheen. Light surface wear consistent with age, including very faint edge rubbing and minor handling marks.

• ​Back: Clean, unwritten, and unposted. Natural light age-toning and minor faint foxing spots as shown in scans.