It’s Friday the 13th so here is a handsome little black cat wearing a jaunty red bow to maybe momentarily distract you from the chaos. 

Funny, we’re making the same face…

Image:  J.A. Ladd & Son, Booksellers and Stationers…West Chester, PA. [Philadelphia], [ca. 1880].
Chromolithograph; 3.25 x 2.25 in.

Happy Caturday! 

This card is from the 1843 edition of the popular 19th-century matching and memory card game, Game of Dr. Busby, designed by Ann Abbot. The game is composed of four suits of five cards (Busby, Doll, Mr. Ninny-Come-Twitch, and Gardener). Suits are denoted with a different pictorial detail in the upper right corner: a mortar and pestle; pan of milk; an eye; and a spade.

The card featured is from the Doll suit.

Game of Dr. Busby [graphic]. Abbot, Anne W. (Anne Wales) , 1808-1908.  Salem, Mass. : Published by W. and S. B. Ives,  1843. 20 prints : hand-colored wood engravings ; sheet 9 x 7 cm (3.5 x 2.5 in.) + maroon paper slip case and inner white cradle.

“Now make room upon your lap, ask your silly questions while I nap!”

(Because we all know that is the real reason why cats pass judgement on their owners) Happy Caturday!

[Hearts! At once I plainly see.] Comic Valentine, 14.50.

Happy Halloween! Cats have a prominent place in scenes of Halloween and superstition, but they are lovely companions, and fine little helpers if you are magically inclined. This fearful feline familiar is a part our American Sunday School Union woodblock collection, he is nothing but a scaredy-cat. #caturday

[ASSU Illustration 3650. Woodblock for printing an illustration of a cat. 1 wood block ; 2.2 x 2.0 x 2.3 cm.]