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12 Photos That Show Cats Have Always Been Cats

Here’s a selection of photos from our archive to celebrate all things cats!

(12 because we couldn’t narrow it down further.)

Leaving the rat race

A tabby cat in Lombard Street, City of London
A tabby cat in Lombard Street, City of London, probably 1960s © Historic England Archive | AA077785

If I choose to tear them down, it’s none of your business

A cat on a brick wall in front of a house and a line of washing, 1964 - 1973
A cat on a brick wall in front of a house and a line of washing, 1964 – 1973 © Historic England Archive | AA080027

Someone give her a tablet

Portrait of a young girl cuddling a cat while reading a book, December 1960
Portrait of a young girl cuddling a cat while reading a book, December 1960 © Historic England Archive | AA080123

It’s lockdown and I haven’t seen anyone in days

Cat lying on a country road verge in front of a bridge with a brick parapet, looking towards a cluster of houses in the distance, 1950 - 1952
Cat lying on a country road verge in front of a bridge with a brick parapet, looking towards a cluster of houses in the distance, 1950 – 1952 © Historic England Archive | AA081690

I would’ve asked but there seemed plenty to go around

A cat with a milky tongue beside a pail of milk, 1950s - 1960s
A cat with a milky tongue beside a pail of milk, 1950s – 1960s © Historic England Archive | AA076241

High five!

Portrait of a ginger cat lying on a chair in a garden, 1955 - 1965
Portrait of a ginger cat lying on a chair in a garden, 1955 – 1965 © Historic England Archive | AA086297

Mine’s a nice slice of mice

View looking out through the window of Claire's cake shop in Padstow, with finished cakes on display in the foreground and a cat resting on the window sill outside, 1956
View looking out through the window of Claire’s cake shop in Padstow, with finished cakes on display in the foreground and a cat resting on the window sill outside, 1956 © Historic England Archive | AA086802

Working from home

A black shorthair cat stands on papers on top of a desk, taken inside an unidentified house on the Isle of Wight, 1960s
A black shorthair cat stands on papers on top of a desk, taken inside an unidentified house on the Isle of Wight, 1960s © Historic England Archive | AA092291

Too many dreamies

A cat sunbathing in the George Inn Yard in front of the 17th century galleried coaching inn from which the yard takes its name, 1960 - 1969
A cat sunbathing in the George Inn Yard in front of the 17th century galleried coaching inn from which the yard takes its name, 1960 – 1969 © Historic England Archive | AA099523

The original Grumpy Cat

A cat on an armchair, 1950s
A cat on an armchair, 1950s © Historic England Archive | AA099577

I like driving in my car, it’s not quite a Jaguar

A British shorthair cat is sitting on the bonnet of a mini parked in Pond square, behind another cat is sitting upon a brick pier in front of a house, 1969
A British shorthair cat is sitting on the bonnet of a mini parked in Pond square, behind another cat is sitting upon a brick pier in front of a house, 1969 © Historic England Archive | AA084423

Putting the cat before the horse

A horse with a cat sitting on it in the stable courtyard at Minley Manor, October 1903
A horse with a cat sitting on it in the stable courtyard at Minley Manor, October 1903 © Historic England Archive | BL17971/014

Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.

Further reading:

10 responses to 12 Photos That Show Cats Have Always Been Cats

  2. Diane Cartwright says:

    Too many dreamies – great cat – great building.

  3. Meryl Hayward says:

    The original grumpy cat made me smile

  5. Rob Belcher says:

    ‘Working from home’ cat for me! Seems appropriate.

  6. Lee Sharpe says:

    Now living in a retirement flat, I do miss having a cat, so love the photos you have found. Thanks for sharing …

  8. Martin Saunders says:

    These are great, thank you. ‘Mine’s a nice slice of mice’, because it hints at sustainable food packaging (paper bags just out of shot)

  9. Gills says:

    The photo of the city cat in Lombard Street is my favourite – great artistic composition.
    And how I wish the the car with the number plate CAR had been CAT!

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