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50 Fascinating Historical Photos That Might Change Your Perspective On Cats, As Shared By This Twitter Page (New Pics)

Interview With Owner

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Say what you will, but one thing's certain: everyone's Twitter (or should we now call it 'X'?) feed has been chaotic lately. Whatever alterations the current platform CEO implemented in the algorithm seem to favor posts from verified random accounts and brands that hardly align with our interests. However, amid this whole mess, one account consistently graces my timeline – Cats of Yore.

The account delivers precisely what it promises: snapshots of cats from bygone days. These cats could be in history paintings or accompanying a child in early 20th century New York City. They can play with a ball of string or wear a top hat. They may be napping, hissing, or hanging out with their owners. Still, one thing our whiskered friends all have in common is extreme cuteness! And well, if you like cats, that's more than enough of a reason to check out some photos from Cats of Yore (click here for part one).

More info: twitter.com | Instagram

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Miss Ann Twynam and Smoky. 1943.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

144points

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Bored Panda reached out to Molly Hodgdon, the owner of "Cats of Yore" on Twitter and Instagram, a platform dedicated to showcasing vintage cat photos. A passionate lover of cats, Molly gave us a glimpse into her personal journey with these feline companions and her initiatives to support animal shelters.

When asked about a specific moment from her childhood that solidified her bond with cats, Molly recalled, "When I was a baby, my parents had a cat named Harry who was very attached to me. Even though I’m sure I was grabby like every other child, he was constantly by my side. My parents would actually try to shoo him away from me because they were afraid I would hurt him, but he’d come right back! I imagine some kind of imprinting probably took place - this feline face and presence were a constant source of comfort, joy, and tactile enjoyment for my developing brain. I still get a rush of positive feelings every time I see any cat."

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#2

Notice which person is smiling.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

123points

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#3

Time for eepy. 1940.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

121points

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Addressing the idea of curating an exhibition around vintage cat photos, Molly shared, "That would be wonderful but I’m not sure how I would do it! I live in Vermont so we don’t really have a super high concentration of galleries and museums here that might be interested in hosting such a thing, nor the crowds to support it. If anyone reading this has a connection, please get in touch! Our shared history with cats is woven through so many historical subjects - agriculture, epidemiology, religion, art, sea travel, colonization, photography, etc. It would be really fun to create an exhibit viewing human history through that lens."

#4

Photo by Anneke Hilhorst, 1973

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

108points

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#5

This would have made a much better Sistine Chapel. Ca. 1960.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

105points

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Impressed by her fundraising success for animal shelters, Molly was proud to mention, "Last Christmas was wonderful. I was raising money for our local animal shelter with a goal of $2,000 and ended up with over $10,000! Over the past few years, I’ve been able to give about $45,000 to animal shelters, low-cost veterinary and spay/neuter clinics, and farm sanctuaries. Most of that has been through Twitter, though. I'm currently working hard to build community on other platforms since the future of that site seems uncertain."

#6

"A cat peers over the top of a Kodak Supermatic camera. " Ca. 1930.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

102points

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#7

New Of The Best Photos Shared By This Twitter Account That Collects Historic Photographs Of Cats With Their Stories

"Three kittens cuddle in front of a giant fish tank, eyeing a very large grouper" 1952.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

102points

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Regarding any cultural practices or beliefs related to cats she discovered through her research, Molly highlighted, "Japan has a very long history of truly incredible, beautiful, complex lore relating to cats. There are whole shrines dedicated to cat legends, like Nekogami Jinja and Ōmatsu Daigongen. I read a book a few months ago that collects many interesting cat legends called Kaibyō: The Supernatural Cats of Japan by Zack Davisson. I would highly recommend that to anyone interested in learning more about Japanese cat lore, plus it is richly illustrated with period pieces of art."

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#8

Smoosh. 1937.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

101points

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#9

Please sir, my apéritifs. 1975.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

96points

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#10

New Of The Best Photos Shared By This Twitter Account That Collects Historic Photographs Of Cats With Their Stories

"A man in Paris carries his cat to a local park, where he'll play cards with friends." 1968.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

95points

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#11

"Whisky the cat was 'babysitting' for young Jaqueline Hewitt's doll, but found it so comfortable in the pram that he fell asleep on the job." 1954.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

92points

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#12

Chub snugs. 1963.

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Final score:

92points

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#13

Gladys (Simmons) Van Kleeck and her cat Patsy. 1910.

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Final score:

89points

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#14

Business networking. 1946.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

88points

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#15

A cat being lowered in a basket. 1933. People used to do this to let cats outside when they lived in apartment buildings. Maybe some people still do? I hope not. It's cute but doesn't seem safe.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

86points

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#16

Coolest couple in the neighborhood. Photo from my collection, 1937.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

85points

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#17

"The belly! Ca. 1950."

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Final score:

84points

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#18

New Of The Best Photos Shared By This Twitter Account That Collects Historic Photographs Of Cats With Their Stories

London, 1962.

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Final score:

82points

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#19

Black cat auditions for the film Tales of Terror, 1961.

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Final score:

77points

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#20

GET OFF MY LAWN. 1950.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

76points

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#21

"Sorry, normally I limit this account to domestic cats but I just found this stunning night photo of a Canada Lynx in 1906 that I can't not share. "

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

73points

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#22

Weather forecast: five clouds! Postcard from my collection, mailed 1907.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

71points

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#23

"Helmuth Grandpa Deetjen at Deetjen's Big Sur Inn at Castro Canyon circa 1960."

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

69points

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#24

What a wonderful kitty face. Leon Levinstein, 1954.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

68points

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#25

Lunch! Ca. 1950s.

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Final score:

67points

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#26

Stunning. 1943.

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Final score:

67points

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#27

"Dorothy Van Kleeck with her cat Tommy Toodles" 1914.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

66points

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#28

The grocer's cat. 1939.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

66points

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#29

Kitchen helper. 1954.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

65points

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#30

Gremlin! 1976.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

65points

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#31

New Of The Best Photos Shared By This Twitter Account That Collects Historic Photographs Of Cats With Their Stories

"British disc jockey Jack Jackson pictured with his cat ‘Tiddles’ in the studio in May 1951."

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

65points

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#32

"Cat on Manhattan" 1964.

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Final score:

64points

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#33

Happy home. 1950.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

64points

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#34

Elizabeth Bishop and her cat, Minnow. 1938.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

63points

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#35

Watcher. Ca. 1950.

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Final score:

63points

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#36

"That is one absolute unit of void. Photo from my collection, no info known."

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

63points

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#37

Mrs. Annette Munn, Mr. Munn and their pet cat. Ca. 1900.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

61points

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#38

Final score:

60points

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#39

What a great portrait - I don't know anything about this auction site though so I'm not recommending. Caveat emptor.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

60points

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#40

Scaling Mount Snackies. 1913.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

60points

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#41

I can't decide if this is an author dust jacket portrait or glamour shot. 1952.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

59points

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#42

This cat knew exactly how far it needed to sit. Negative from my collection, no additional info.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

59points

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#43

"Man Seated with Cat at a Party". William Hague Foster, ca. 1940-49.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

57points

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#44

New York City, 1950.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

55points

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#45

Fishing cat! There's no date but I'm guessing 1930s because of the type of paper it is printed on.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

54points

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#46

My Master’s Hat. Postcard from my collection, copyright 1904 and mailed 1908.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

54points

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#47

Cool guys love kittens. Photo from my collection, no further info known.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

52points

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#48

Cats are part of the family. 1913.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

52points

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#49

Boo! From the book 'Sam' with text by John Crawford and photos by Edward Quigley, 1937.

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Final score:

50points

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#50

Cat at Front Street Playground. Ca. 1922.

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Final score:

49points

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#51

All in all you're just a kittens' milk bottle wall. 1946.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

38points

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#52

Tiny pioneers. 1911.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

38points

#53

Treats in the sun! Ca. 1942 - 1943.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

37points

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#54

"Scheffler Family ladies with kitten" Ca. 1900.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

36points

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#55

A little lord with his huntress.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

36points

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#56

"The caretaker's cat" 1947.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

36points

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#57

Anna and Queen Esther. 1905.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

36points

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#58

New Of The Best Photos Shared By This Twitter Account That Collects Historic Photographs Of Cats With Their Stories

A very good 19th century potato babby.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

35points

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#59

"Grandad Albert with Arthur the cat, 1940, Bristol, UK."

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

34points

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#60

Shop cat. Ca. 1950s.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

34points

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#61

Neighborhood gossip. 1955.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

34points

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#62

Mirror, mirror. Ca. 1938.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

33points

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#63

Milk drunk. 1955.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

32points

#64

Cat meeting in Italy. 1956.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

32points

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#65

Květoslava Neradová and friend. 1945.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

32points

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#66

Beautiful. Likely late 19th century.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

31points

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#67

"I probably paid a little more than I should have for this photo but I love it. I love the cat’s position and expression, I love the texture of the fur and the grass/foliage, and I love the ethereal light leaks. From my collection, no info known."

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

31points

#68

Ta daaa! Photo from my collection, no info known.

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

30points

#69

"Ornch. Photo from my collection, no info known."

CatsOfYore Report

Final score:

27points

Hidrėlėy

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Diana Lopetaitė

Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

What do you think ?

Lyone Fein 1 year ago

I feel so touched that you shared your collection with the rest of us. Your descriptions and comments are all so perfect. Thank you for this article.

9points

Rosie 1 year ago

It's confirmed. Cats have had us trained for many, many generations. We all still smile at their antics, carry them around (if allowed), stop to pet them (no matter the inconvenience), etc. I bet if we could find images of the early days of cats' "taming" they'd show the same thing.

7points

PunchinelloTX Premium 1 year ago

These are delightful.

5points

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Lyone Fein 1 year ago

I feel so touched that you shared your collection with the rest of us. Your descriptions and comments are all so perfect. Thank you for this article.

9points

Rosie 1 year ago

It's confirmed. Cats have had us trained for many, many generations. We all still smile at their antics, carry them around (if allowed), stop to pet them (no matter the inconvenience), etc. I bet if we could find images of the early days of cats' "taming" they'd show the same thing.

7points

PunchinelloTX Premium 1 year ago

These are delightful.

5points

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