Peke-Face Red Persians

The peke-faced solid red Persians would surely be first on the endangered species list, if CFA had such a list. One must be reminded to include the color class 0112 and 0113 in the Solid Division. Peke-face solid reds are not seen in exhibition today. Few of the judges polled can remember handling a solid peke-face. CFA reports only one (a male) registered in 1993 and a total of only 98 registered since 1958.
Peke-faced reds should conform in color and general type to the standard for reds; however, allowances should be made for the slightly higher ears. The underlying bone structure of the head differs greatly from the standard Persian. The nose should be depressed and indented between the eyes. The muzzle should be wrinkled. There should be a horizontal break located between the usual nose break and the top dome of the head. This second break creates half-moon boning above the eyes and an additional horizontal indentation in the center of the forehead.
Over the years the term peke-face has been inaccurately applied to many Persian exhibiting extreme head type. A true peke-face must possess the markedly different skull structure described in the standard. A peke-face red can appear in litters of normal reds. Mating a peke-face to another peke-face does not ensure that there will be pekes in the resultant litter.

Cream Persians

The first recorded cream was Cupid Bassanio born in 1890 and bred by Mrs. Kinchant. He was noted to be a big full-coated male with tabby markings and bars and is not recorded as the sire of any kittens. At the beginning of this century Miss Frances Simpson wrote that creams were then looked on as freaks or flukes and were considered spoilt oranges that were given away as pets. By 1903 it was noted that the goal of producing a coat of a pale, even shade of cream had not been attained. It was felt too many creams were dark and bordered on the color referred to as fawn. Color faults notwithstanding, the early cream/fawn Persians exhibited outstanding eye color. Many were described as having the deep copper or brown color that was most desirable. CH Romaldkirk Admiral and CH Romaldkirk Midshipmate were a pair of famous cream Persians bred in England by Miss Beal. Known as the Heavenly Twins they were big boned, fawn in color, and known for tremendous coats that they exhibited all year long. In 1903 it was said that no creams had yet been bred that could beat these twins.
Mrs. Clinton Locke introduced a number of creams into the U.S. and her male Kew Laddie proved to be a very successful stud. A photo from that time shows he had tall ears and a long nose but a beautiful coat.
The 1950's were distinguished years for creams. GC Longhill's Tres Chic of Flagstone was shown by Helen Muller of Texas to All American Cream Female 1953-1954-1955-1957-1959. Anthony DeSantis' GC Longhill's Michael was a historic cream male, admired for his flowing coat which was very pale and sound of color. Michael was an important show cat and a successful stud. A litter brother to Michael, CH Longhill's Michaelangelo sired for Dick Gebhardt for over 13 years. GC Lee's Hi Hat Cherie and her son, 1958 Cat of the Year GC Rosemont Golden Boy, were shown by Frances Kosierowski.
Marcena Myers began breeding in 1950. Her Castilia cattery began with Silvers and soon afterward whites and blues were added. Castilia excelled in whites, blues, and blue-creams, but when she got to creams Marcena said that was it. Her first creams were purchased from Ella Maderia (Maderia Cattery). Mrs. Maderia believed in using torties (and occasionally blue-creams) for her cream breeding. She would sell most of her creams and keep the torties for breeding. Marcena was inspired by the Longhill, Nor-Mont, and Rosemont creams and listed Longhill's Michael as one of the most impressive creams she had seen. She purchased a son of Michael named GC Longhill's Michael II of Castilia. Michael II lived up to the famous Longhill name. In 1963 a cream male, GC Nor-Mont Brandy of Castilia, placed 10th in the national awards and became the first of many historic combinations between Castilia and Nor-Mont catteries. Marcena explained that creams can exhibit a change in color, barred and dark one year and pale the next year. She said, "GC Castilia Pekoe of Nor-Mont was the same. He was dark the first year and got a nice color later to be the 1968 Cat of the Year. If I have to choose between color and type, I would take type over color. For no matter how good the color is, a cat must have body and head type underneath."
In 1960 Mrs. Verner Clum (Gaylands) imported Beamsley Sunshine of Gaylands. Beamsley Sunshine was an important cream of his time with a big head, wide top head, and little ears. He proved to be an excellent combination with several famous lines: Ben-Mar, Larks Purr, and Kohinoor, to name a few. The 1962 Cat of the Year was GC Chez Moumette Cal of Mor-Mont, a double up on Longhill's Michael. He was described as being very typey for his day with good bone and a large head. Cal was bred by Elaine Owens and owned by Maurine Hoag.
Cream lovers must pay homage to Lillias Bloem and her gorgeous, pale Bloemhill cats. Deserved respect goes to Curt Hammel and his Hadleigh cats, GC Hadleigh Hedda of Misty Mornin and Hadleigh Karmel of Misty Mornin in particular. Hadleigh Hedda was shown to 1967 Kitten of the Year by Charles Milwain and William Nix. Most importantly, credit goes to Mary Kate Carroll whose dedication to dilutes and love for creams in her Kohinoor Persians is fondly remembered by many who were privileged to know her. Her legendary breeding of littermates GC Kohinoor Cymbal and GC Kohinoor Myth will long be remembered for producing cream litter sisters GC Kohinoor Cynthia and Kohinoor Cybele. Cynthia was 20th Best Cat in 1972. Other important creams of this era are credited to Woodkiff Cattery in Tennessee (Diane Gessell) and Kilarney Cattery in NY (Ellen Brown).