Presidential and Portrait Studio Cats

There are those who are comfortable with cats, and those who aren’t — or maybe it is one thing to be in the company of a cat [human] you know, and altogether different to be with a strange cat [human]. 

The first four images are from the National Archives. The remainder are from the Library of Congress.

Socks the Cat on President William J. Clinton’s Shoulder, 03/25/1993. ARC Identifier 2131121

 Socks the Cat Visiting the U.S. Soldiers and Airmen’s Home, 09/16/1993. ARC Identifier 3578323

No one would know from these pictures that Amy Carter didn’t often smile for the photographers who hounded her. And isn’t it nice to see an apple-faced Siamese instead of the bony, hyper-angular look breeders seem to think all must prefer these days? 

Amy Carter with her cat Misty Malarky Ying Yang, 08/15/1977. ARC Identifier 175914

 Amy Carter with her cat, Misty Malarky Ying Yang, 02/03/1978. ARC Identifier 177850

“‘Tige, the White House cat and pet of Mrs. Coolidge, has been returned. Benj. Fink, guard at the Navy Dept. found Tige promenading around the Navy Bldg. and immediately returned him to the White House.  Tige’s disappearance was broadcasted by Wash. radio stations.” March 25, 1924. LC-USZ62-131880

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These next photographs are all by Arnold Genthe  (1869-1942). Born and raised in Germany, his first studio was in San Francisco where he worked from 1898 to 1911, when he moved to New York City. He photographed the rich and famous, but also is remembered for his books of images of Chinatown in San Francisco, New Orleans, and dance.

Now, here is Buzzer his studio cat. If he doesn’t look too pleased posing alone, he seems to barely tolerate the series of fine ladies who disturb his days.

 

 Buzzer the cat, portrait photograph. LC-G432-0187

Who does Buzzer like least? And what does he think of that fox head?

There are dozens more of these at the Library of Congress — different ladies, same disgruntled cat.

 

LC-G432-0185, LC-G432-0604-A,  LC-G432-0870, LC-DIG-agc-7a13489