This antique hand-colored woodcut engraving titled *Prize Cats* features a collection of prominent and diverse feline breeds celebrated during the 19th century. The print presents six individual vignettes, each showcasing a specific breed or category of cat, along with their descriptive labels. The cats are depicted in various poses, emphasizing their unique features and personalities, from the sleek Siamese cats to the regal Persian and the distinctive Manx, or tailless cat.
Details: - Title: Prize Cats - Medium: Hand-colored woodcut engraving - Artists: Includes contributions by Percy Macquoid (credited for the English cat illustration) and H. Howard - Date: Late 19th century - Source: Likely from a Victorian-era illustrated publication
Featured Cats: 1. Manx or Tailless Cat 2. British Wild Cat 3. Persian Cat 4. English Cat – noted as the biggest in the show 5. Siamese Cats 6. French-African Cat
Each vignette is framed with fine linework, and the hand coloring adds depth and character to the illustrations. This detailed engraving highlights the Victorian fascination with animal taxonomy and the increasing interest in cat shows and exotic breeds during the period.
Condition report: Good condition overall. Vibrant hand coloring intact. Slight toning and minimal wear along the margins consistent with age.
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.