Scanning Around With Gene: Those Darn Cats

Gene Gable

I was ready this week to do a column on the typefaces used in the movie Citizen Kane, when a sick cat distracted me from that topic. As all pet owners know, the problem with pets is that eventually you lose them, and it is never easy. Noodle, the last in a long line of cats I’ve had the pleasure of living with, died this week at the age of 16.
Given changes in my lifestyle and the fact that I’ve become more of a dog person, I think Noodle is the last cat I’ll ever own, so her passing was symbolic as well as sad. I’ve had at least one (and up to five) cats in my life for each of the last 25 years. They are great companions and every one has been a pleasure. Click on any image for a larger version.

I’ve often thought that you can’t completely trust a person who doesn’t like cats (those with allergies excepted). Yes, cats often pack an attitude, but that just adds to their charm, and I like that they don’t necessarily show complete devotion the way most dogs do.

In art, cats are often portrayed as sophisticated, noble, or even arrogant. We interpret, rightly or wrongly, their patience and concentration as thoughtfulness or contemplation. Cats seem much wiser than dogs.


I don’t know what goes on in a cat’s mind, but they don’t get riled easily. I’ve been jealous of their ability to detach from the crises that fill up my own life.

These two Library of Congress prints are from 1871, the first from Thomas Kelly and the second from Currier & Ives.


In my experience cats are not inclined to dress up and pose for photographs, but somehow in 1914, 1906, and 1898, someone got these cats to do just that.



And for some reason there were numerous portraits in the Library of Congress of various people with a cat named Buzzer. Here is Buzzer with a nude woman and a young Dutch girl.


As cat owners know, cats are killers, and waking up to a dead mouse or the gift of a dead bird is not unusual. Here is a staged photo of a distraught family from 1900, lamenting the loss of their pet bird. It’s followed by a 1911 portrait of the aviator John Moisant and his pet cat.


My own experience with cats is all very positive. Dogs tend to keep you company by sleeping, while cats watch very closely. When a cat is in the room you can feel their presence and can’t help but wondering if they are judging your behavior.

This advertisement for International Baking Powder is from 1885, the Harper’s magazine cover is from 1898, and the poster for David Belasco’s farcical comedy is from 1899.



Here is a picture of “Tige,” the cat of First Lady Coolidge. Tige was found after a prolonged absence from the White House by a guard at the Navy building in Washington in 1924. That image is followed by a great photograph of artist Salvador Dali with flying cats and water (two things that don’t mix well).


Cats are often thought of as finicky eaters, which I appreciate, being one myself. These cat food ads are from 1966, 1963, and 1961.



Go to page 2 for more vintage images and photos of Noodle herself.

1 2 Next