40 Vintage Cat Photos That Prove Cats Have Always Been Internet Gold
Long before memes, TikToks, and social media, cats were already busy being the stars of every photo album.
These vintage photos prove felines have always been the real internet gold, even before the internet was invented.
A big thanks goes to Brazilian journalist Paula Leite Moreira, who runs the Instagram account All Vintage Cats, where she unearths old photos showcasing these cats in all their retro glory.
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1. 1930s
“As humorous as ever, French-Japanese painter Tsuguharu Foujita captured one of his cats wearing ‘glasses’ that resembled his own.”
2. 1955
“During his studies, French actor and screenwriter Sacha Guitry had the company of this magnificent cat, who would comfortably settle among the paperwork.”
3. Worthing, United Kingdom, 1956
“Ever imagined being almost the same size as your cat? The British Henry Behrens, considered the smallest man in the world at the time, was photographed dancing with his pet cat in front of his house.”
4. 1980
“In 1980, anthropologist and linguist Yuri Knorozov was photographed with his Siamese cat, both sporting rather serious expressions.
Knorozov was responsible for deciphering the Mayan writing system, revolutionizing the study of this ancient civilization’s culture.
With an assistant like that, making history becomes easy.”
5. Skibotn, Norway, 1967
“Finnish photographer Ismo Hölttö captured this moment of pure companionship between a simple man and his pet cat.”
6. 1968
“The first wife of Paul McCartney, American photographer and animal rights activist Linda McCartney, captured the musician with this little furry friend.”
7. 1917
“These are Louise Fazenda, an American actress, and Pepper, an Oriental Maltese kitten who starred in several silent comedy films in the last century.
The two rested together during the filming of the short film ‘Are Waitresses Safe?’ (1917).
Famous for her photogenic beauty and playful yet adorable personality, Pepper became one of the first feline celebrities in film history.”
8. 1970
9. 1957
“In 1957, in Japan, a young Haruki Murakami was already surrounded by feline friends. Decades later, they would become a constant presence in the Japanese writer’s literary works.”
10. 1872
“The year was 1872, and British photographer Henry Pointer already knew that photographing kittens was a great investment.
How do you deal with the cuteness of this little guitarist?”
11. 1960s
“Silence, two icons meditating…
Thelonious Monk, American jazz pianist and genius, is pictured here holding the Siamese cat of British baroness Nica de Koenigswarter.
The photo, taken by Nica in the early 1960s, was shot at her home in New Jersey, United States—a home that once housed around 300 cats and that Monk called ‘Catville’.”
12. 1963
“With the sensitivity inherent to artists, Australian painter Hal Missingham captured this moment of affection between his Swiss colleague Sali Herman and a pet kitten.”
13. 1983
“Check out this priceless portrait of then-couple Robert Downey Jr. and Sarah Jessica Parker playing with a little kitty around 1983.”
14. 1941
“In 1941, Luso-Brazilian singer Carmen Miranda was already an international star. But in this image from the time, the artist shares the spotlight with a cat that seems delighted by the company.”
15. 1955
“Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.”
16. Surrey, United Kingdom, 1970
“A true British lord disguised as a cat. This white-mustached gentleman with a serious gaze probably made the little girl’s childhood much happier.”
17. 1932
“While Paris went about its rhythm in 1932, Hungarian-French photographer Brassaï captured silent moments like this: a cat, flowers, and the poetry contained there, in a grocery store window.”
18. 1922
“When you and your friend are completely different, but have similar tastes.”
19. London, United Kingdom, 1957
“A girl’s best companion? Her Siamese kitten. Only a kitty could match the beauty of British actress and singer Diana Dors.”
20. 1960
“For former UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson, holding his cat wasn’t enough. He had to read the day’s news with his feline companion.”
21. Between 1890–1894, Amsterdam, Netherlands
“Just two aristocrats posing for eternity.”
22. 1956
“Nothing better than a feline exuding the beauty and elegance so typical of our beloved four-legged friends.”
23. 1972
“Two kittens, many little paws.”
24. 1968
“The wife of British painter Ben Nicholson captured this intimate moment between the artist and the couple’s pet cat, Tommy.
Felicitas Vogler was a renowned German photographer, known for her recordings of landscapes and everyday life.”
25. 1967
“From the series ‘Bearded Men Also Love’. Shot by Norwegian photographer Kjell Søgård.”
26. 1956
“Another writer captivated by feline charm: British poet Mary Wilson had a beautiful Siamese as her pet.”
27. 1971
“A duo worth millions: country music icon, American singer Johnny Cash, was also photographed with a cat in this portrait taken around 1971.”
28. 1960
“Farid al-Atrash, the Syrian-Egyptian singer, didn’t live by compositions and melodies alone. Here, around 1960, he is seen holding his cat, a very charming Siamese.”
29. United States, 1955
“It’s impossible not to be charmed by the elegance of American actress Allison Hayes and her four-legged partner in the publicity for the film Chicago Syndicate.”
30. Paris, France, 1951
“Wearing a Balenciaga dress, American model Mary Jane Russel posed for the lenses of her compatriot, photographer Louise Dahl-Wolfe, under the curious gaze of a charming feline.”
31. 1974
“Is it rock’n’roll you want? Then here’s another legend! American singer Patti Smith, in 1974, at the height of the New York punk scene, sitting on her bed with a cat in her lap.”
32. 1966-1968
“What can be said about the beauty of this duo? For the promotion of the Batman television series (1966–1968), the American actress Julie Newmar posed with a beautiful cat, dressed as Catwoman, her character in the show.”
33. Around 1912
“Ballerina Anna Pavlova knew how to appreciate the beauty in life’s little things, from a dance movement to the graceful company of a feline. She was right, wasn’t she?”
34. Paris, France, 1952
“No place in this world is so good that a cat couldn’t make it better.
Photograph by German-French photographer Gisele Freund.”
35. Surrey, United Kingdom, 1957
“Giving medicine to pets is usually quite a torment for their owners. But that doesn’t seem to be the case for this fluffy fellow.”
36. 1970
“That portrait is an absolute flood of beauty. In 1970, British actress Lynn Redgrave posed close to a Siamese cat for a photoshoot.”
37. 1947
“A true work of art, this shot promoting the drama ‘Nora Prentiss’ (1947). The beauty of American actress Ann Sheridan blends perfectly with that of a fluffy feline.”
38. 1917
“Responsible for numerous portraits of royalty, British photographer Alexander Bassano captured his compatriot, actress Christine Silver, with an adorably cute four-legged model.”
39. Whittlesey, United Kingdom, 1961
“Four distinguished men entertaining three (equally distinguished) cats with live music. What could the song be?”
40. 1953
“Photographer for LIFE magazine, the Polish Nat Farbman managed to capture this extremely tense struggle over a little milk.”