Like many felines, the stories associated with Steiff's fabulous and legacy arched-backed black Tom Cats seem to have nine lives. And here's another one that Steiffgal has just discovered!Look what just snuck in on little cat's feet. While doing some research for an unrelated Steiff project, Steiffgal came across this very interesting blurb in the Cieslik's Button In Ear The History of the Teddy Bear and His Friends reference book. She was looking up information on tea cozies, and the book pictures a black Tom Cat on one of these kitchen-helpers. In addition, the copy describing the photo notes... "This Tom Cat was especially popular at Halloween time in the USA and was also in demand as a souvenir item, as "Blackie the White House Mascot, c. 1924." The picture from Cieslik's book is pictured here on the left.
This was the first Steiffgal had ever heard of Blackie, so she did a little research. Most people are familiar with US Presidents having a "First Dog" pet as part of their administration family. For example, LBJ invited his famous beagle pair "Him and Her" to many official White House affairs and happenings. But it turns out that in 1924, there was a "First Cat," or actually a pair of First Cats, belonging to President Calvin Coolidge and his wife. According to the Oct. 22, 1923 edition of the New York Tribune, these two pretty kitties made their debut as follows:
“THE NEWEST ARRIVALS AT THE WHITE HOUSE: Introducing Blackie & Tige, two friendly kittens recently received by the President and Mrs. Coolidge. Peter Pan and Laddie Buck, the President’s wire-haired terrier and Airedale, respectively, have refused to be quoted concerning the latest additions to the White House zoo.” This 1923 picture from the story is from the Library of Congress.
So how does all of this fit into Steiff's product development and design history? Purrr-fectly, actually. The original Tom Cat was produced in both black and white velvet. Both versions were very skinny, standing on all fours, unjointed, and had arched backs and open mouths. They all left the factory in Giengen, Germany wearing a silk ribbon and bell. Black Tom cats were produced in 10, 14, and 17 cm from 1904 through 1918. White Tom cats were produced in 14 and 17 cm for three years only - from 1906 through 1908 - and are exceptionally rare. You can see one of these very early velvet Tom Cats here on the left, he dates from around 1905 or 1906.
It is interesting to note that there was a five year gap in black Tom Cat production, with the final ones leaving the Giengen factory in the late 19-teens. Then, all of a sudden, this beloved pattern re-emerged in 1923 - just as Blackie here in the US was making headlines. Like his older brother, Steiff's 1920s-era black Tom Cat also was standing and unjointed. He was produced in 8, 10, 14, 17, 22, and 28 cm through 1943; the 8 and 10 cm sizes were made from black velvet while the 14 cm and larger versions were made from mohair. All sizes had prominent green and black glass eyes. Unlike the original super skinny Tom Cat, design, these were all a little more robust in appearance, had closed mouths, and bushy mohair tails regardless of sizes. These design updates reflect the general mid-1920s Steiff aesthetic of "fluffy, fat, and feminine." You can see one of these 1920-era black Tom Cats here on the left, he dates from about 1923 through 1935.
Given Steiff has always looked to headline making news for product development inspiration, Steiffgal suspects the grand second debut of its black Tom cat pattern in 1923 was no coincidence at all.
Steiffgal hopes this amazing and little known Steiff cat tale has tickled your whiskers today.
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