The exact origins of the cats that have come to be known as Persian may forever remain muddled, but most authorities concur that longhaired cats were brought into Europe from points East. Europeans and Americans began to breed these imported longhaired cats together, selecting the traits that they found most desirable, to meet the growing demand. Cat clubs were formed to record lineages of these pets, and the natural outcome was that in July of 1871 the world’s first cat show was held in England at the Crystal Palace in London.
The Father of the Cat Fancy title must undoubtedly go to English gentleman and artist Harrison Weir, who produced the first and subsequent cat shows at the Crystal Palace. He also authored a book, Our Cats and All About Them in 1889, that contained beautifully rendered drawings of the various breeds as well as a Standard of Points of Excellence that is remarkably like those still in use today.