In 1886, Louis Wain, artist and illustrator, finally had his drawings published in the form of an 11 panel series called “A Kitten’s Christmas Party” in the London Illustrated News. The illustrations featured drawings of anthropomorphized cats; that is, cats with people qualities, doing people things.

This series of illustrations became so popular that requests came from all over the world for copies. It sparked a trend of cats featured in all manner of illustration: cats in bonnets, cats riding bicycles, Cats swimming, cats eating spaghetti, cats playing golf…you get the idea.

Overnight, Louis Wain became famous, with his cats published in children’s books, in prints, and most notably, in postcards. He was even elected President of the National Cat Club.

Humane organizations from across the world sought his partnership to promote cats positively as companions, and his work became a crucial part of the societal change around the way we view pets. His illustrations remain some of the most recognized and nostalgic from the Victorian era.

Thank you so much to all of you who work so tirelessly on the behalf of pets, in whatever capacity. I hope this holiday season finds you and yours safe, happy and well.

-Audrey

Here’s a selection of his holiday cats for this Christmas day.