Ditties about kitties...plus 2 Book Reviews for cat lovers

Let's talk about kitties.

I had contemplated showing off a few photos of our two fur balls, but became sidetracked, while doing a bit of research on line.

On line I found a medieval cat tarot and that made me think of two cat books I own which I wanted to share with you.

I came across this little ditty written eleven hundred years ago. 

In the 9th century, an Irish monk living in Reichenau on Lake Constance in Germany revealed his humor, learning, and love for his little white cat in a poem he wrote.

I and Pangur Ban my cat,

 'Tis a like task we are at,

Hunting mice is his delight,

Hunting words I sit all night

'Tis a merry thing to see,

At our tasks how glad are we

When at home we sit and find,

Entertainment to our mind.

'Gainst the wall he sets his eye,

Full and fierce and sharp and sly,

'Gainst the wall of knowledge I,

All my little wisdom try.

So in peace our task we ply:

Pangur Ban my cat and I

In our arts and in our bliss,

I have mine and he has his.

Excerpts from: Life in Medieval Times by Marjorie Rowling. New York: The Berkely Publishing Group, 1979.

So here is the first of my own two cool cat books. 

 "Medieval Cats" by Susan Herbert. 

Hard cover edition ISBN 0-8212-2179-5.

Other than the preface of the book there is no text.

This hard cover book contains 31 color illustrations.

 

In the preface to the book, it discusses a sensational discovery in 1991 of a cache of delicate miniature paintings in the ruins of the Abbey of St. Wilderic in France.

Authenticated Illuminations which had first been sketched out with cats as stand-ins for the characters in the final paintings of medieval masters.

If you are wondering, image above:

(St. Catherine of Alexandria - Hours of William, Lord Hastings) 

I loved all the illustrations in the book,  including the "Peasants Dancing" Les Heures de Charles d'Angouleme (Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris) and the images for King Rene's Book of Love,  French, 1457.

It would make a great gift for any cat lover.

It is an  attractive coffee table book for your side table. A thin book only about 12 x 12 inches in size. 

The author Susan Herbert specializes in limited editions prints of theatrical cats and frequently exhibits her work.

Upon research, I found four more titles like the "Cats Gallery of Art" and "The Victorian Cat's Journal" .

All titles are available at amazon.com and I suppose wherever else books are sold.

The next cat book captivated my attention the moment I spotted it. 

Altogether different, it is available only in French, but who cares, only the preface has text. 

ISBN2-84096-2179 - published by Parigramme.

Paris entre Chats

features stunning black and white photography. Each image is a beautiful composition, reflects a mood or captures a fleeting moment in the lives of cats. The photographs are a collection chosen by the author. The 73 images depict cats in the city of Paris spanning a period of time from 1932 to 1981, that fact alone makes it an interesting volume to peruse. 

Turning each page was like a present, you knew not what it might contain, but you were certain it would be good.

Ansel Adams is the only black and white photographer I am familiar with. Several of the images in this hard bound volume show the same style and sensitivity which one can observe in Amsel's pictures.

Here is a sampling of the pictures, none of these can be found on line so I scanned them from the book.

I do hope they will give you at least a clue of the artistic imagery you can expect to see.

The image below has it all, I'd love to find a poster of it.

Together with the image up top in my article of Monsieur ogling "le chat" that would be a cool grouping for a wall display.

My favorite......look at those eyes and those shadows.

Then there is this 1930s picture of the cat in the window of a lingerie shop.

I practically howled when I saw that.....it is a hoot.

The black widows sitting at the grave with the kitty on the bench next to them. 

Talk about an atmospheric shot.

Well, despite being tempted, I resisted adding any more pictures so as not to spoil the anticipation for this book.

Just thought I'd give you a heads up on this little jewel, from one cat lover to another!

If you enjoy B&W photography and have a penchant for cats or know someone who does - this book is for you to enjoy.

http://www.amazon.com/ has the book in stock.  I picked up my own hard cover copy in Europe.

Tarot of White Cats/Tarot de Los Gatos Blancos (Cards)
by Severino Baraldi (Artist, Illustrator) Available and copied from amazon.com/uk