Siamese Cats
The Siamese cat is one of the oldest breeds around today but I have had a hard time trying to find out correct information about these regal looking cats. While it appears that the original cats were around somewhere between the 14th and 18th centuries, I think it is fair to conclude that the origins of the Siamese are somewhat shrouded in mystery, legend and myth.
The first pair were bought back from Siam to England in 1884. Their names were Pho and Mia, father and mother, and are listed as 1a and 2a in the British Siamese Cat Register although they have no 'pedigree' and their background is unknown.
Another such legend talks about a time when the men of the palace were away defending the kingdom. A pair of Siamese cats were left to guard the treasure until they returned. The pair mated in the interim. Eventually, they got tired of waiting for the master to return and the male of the pair went off to find someone else to guard the treasure, leaving the female to guard the treasure in the meantime. So anxious was she that she curled her tail tightly around the neck of a goblet and did not take her eyes off it. This led to her tail becoming permanently kinked and she developed a permanent squint. In the meantime, her kittens were born and each kitten had a kink in its tail and a squint...
Famous Siamese cats include the troublesome duo from Walt Disney's Lady and the Tramp, Si and Am, and the Siamese Cat Song.
Also, Jason, a Seal-Point Siamese born on May 3rd 1964, star of the famous children's TV program, Blue Peter, in the late 60's and 70's.
Contributed by Sonia Bryant If you enjoyed this then why not look at our other articles.
A selection of our Siamese cat books... |
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A COMFORT OF CATS
Tovey, Doreen. Illustrated by Wilson, Maurice. Stock no. 593838 Michael Joseph. 1st ed 1979. Fine condition in a nearly fine dustwrapper. Green boards, gilt title to spine. The story of two siamese cats.071811826X Price: £45.00 Add to Basket or Enquire About This Book |
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CATS' COMPANY
Mackenzie, Compton. No illustrator listed. Stock no. 598802 Elek Books. 1st ed 1960. Fine condition in a very good dustwrapper. The author tells of his experiences with animals, particularly Siamese cats. Grey boards, red title to spine. B/w photos. Pictorial wrapper is edge-rubbed & scuffed with a small closed tear to lower edge of front panel. Price: £5.00 Add to Basket or Enquire About This Book |
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CATS IN MAY
Tovey, Doreen. Illustrated by Wilson, Maurice. Stock no. 626168 Elek Books. 1st ed 1959. Slightly better than very good condition in an almost very good dustwrapper. Features Siamese Cats and Blondin the Squirrel. Red boards, gilt title to spine. B/w illustrations. 147 pages. Sequel to Cats in the Belfry. Top of spine & corners bumped. Contents clean. Pink pictorial wrapper is edge-worn with slight loss and repaired to verso with clear tape. Price: £7.00 Add to Basket or Enquire About This Book |
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YOUR SIAMESE CAT
Baker, Hettie Gray. No illustrator listed. Stock no. 626687 Derek Verschoyle. 1st ed 1952. Almost very good condition with no wrapper. All about the Siamese cat and how to care for it. xvi & 94 pages. Blue boards, dark blue title to spine. B/w photos. Covers unevenly faded, with pale damp mark to lower front edge. Small hole to edge of spine. Name in ink to front endpaper. Pale foxing to endpapers else contents clean. Price: £4.00 Add to Basket or Enquire About This Book |
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THE STORY OF TIMMY PRINCESS ELIZABETH'S SIAMESE KITTEN
Guest, Phyllis. Illustrated by Guest, Phyllis. Stock no. 819733 H.A. and W.L. Pitkin Ltd.. Almost very good condition. Yellow pictorial card wraps. B/w photos. Line drawings. 32 pages. Covers grubby with creasing to corners. Price: £5.00 Add to Basket or Enquire About This Book |
Click here to view our all our Siamese cat books .
Bright blue eyes, slightly crossed. Tail with an odd kink at the end. Small in build but big in voice! What does this description bring to mind? Of course, what else could it be but the Siamese Cat!
There is a general agreement that the Siamese cat originated in the Far East , Siam (or Thailand as it is now known). The King of Siam was very proud of his cats at the palace and it was forbidden for anyone else outside of the palace to own one. It is said that the cats were used to guard the palace and the King's children hence the characteristic vocals of the Siamese cat.
Many myths and legends have sprouted around the Siamese cat. One such legend states that a Princess of the Royal House of Siam was bathing in a stream. She was afraid of losing her rings and looked for a place to put them. Her Siamese cat obligingly kinked its tail for her and she was able to place her rings safely on the tail without fear of them falling off.
Siamese cats are a popular breed today. Indeed, they are also a popular subject for many books about cats. My favourite are the books by 