"Two chinchillas, which get name from long, silvery coat, are held up at same time by Judge Edith Schulte to determine which is the better cat."George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
During National Cat Week in November 1952, Los Angeles hosted more than 300 felines and their owners from all over the country for America’s biggest cat show of the year. “One couple from Wyoming,” LIFE magazine informed its readers in an issue published a few weeks later, “arrived in grand style in a big green Cadillac with six highly pedigreed cats.”
Other exhibitors brought less aristocratic cats on the trolley [i.e., the now-defunct Los Angeles Railway streetcar system]. Many cages were festooned with ribbons and equipped with castles and thrones and with pans filled with an absorbet deodorizer called Kitty-Litter.
Competition was fierce, with both the cats and owners displaying tempers. The cats caterwauled, clawing at the judges and spitting at each other, while owners muttered charges of bias and politics. . . . Some of the cats were petulant because their owners starved them to make them look lean and svelte, and one judge stopped the show twice to urge exhibitors to feed their pets. “These poor kitties are hungry,” she said, “and we judges are not so stupid that we don’t know the difference between a fed cat and a fat cat.”
In the end, the best cat in show was a blue female longhair called Bentveld Rosemary, the pride of San Antonio, Texas. No word, alas, on the reception she received upon returning home. We can only assume it was commensurate with her achievement.
Caption from LIFE. "J. W. Blackford comes to show carrying one Siamese by the leg and another on shoulder."George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "After his cat had come out fourth in its class, Dr. R. G. Boren consoles himself by letting pet lick his nose."George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Judge C. F. Rotter strokes tail to see whether it has a kink in it."George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCat show, Los Angeles, Calif., 1952.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Murbar's Miss America, the best white Chinchilla female kitten, clutches ribbon. Cardboard was put on cages because cats clawed at each other."George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Snarling Siamese rests on shoulder of Philip Norman of Los Angeles. Siamese males gave most trouble, scratching and biting owners and judges."George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Two Siamese are examined by judge, who holds their ears back to study profile and coloring, which, with body conformation, are factors in judging.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCat show, Los Angeles, Calif., 1952.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCat show, Los Angeles, Calif., 1952.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCat show, Los Angeles, Calif., 1952.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCat show, Los Angeles, Calif., 1952.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCat show, Los Angeles, Calif., 1952.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images"Two chinchillas, which get name from long, silvery coat, are held up at same time by Judge Edith Schulte to determine which is the better cat."George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCat show, Los Angeles, Calif., 1952.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images"Best cat in show, blue female longhair called Bentveld Rosemary, is held by Judge Rotter. Owner is Mrs. Howell Mueller of San Antonio, Texas."George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCat show, Los Angeles, Calif., 1952.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Winning Manx, Senza Coda's Misty, spits at photographer. She took cup as best Manx kitten in show. A champion Manx must be completely tailless."George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
