Cats have been beloved members of our families for centuries. Their curious and often silly nature makes them the subject of many works of art, sources of humor, and entertainment. The Strong was recently gifted a delightful collection of 74 “Mainzer Dressed Cat” postcards, which feature brightly colored scenes of anthropomorphic cats dressed in human clothing and engaging in a variety of humorous activities, in situations that often threaten an impending calamity.
This collection of cards was designed by Swiss painter Eugen Hartung (1897–1973). Hartung’s illustrations brought a distinct personality and liveliness to each character, often placing them in playful or satirical social scenes that mirrored human behavior. His attention to detail, expressive faces, and clever scenarios helped the postcards gain international popularity, making them enduring favorites among collectors. Hartung also created cards depicting dressed dogs, mice, and hedgehogs, however they never reached the same level of interest as his felines.
In many of the cards, the anthropomorphic felines sometimes have pet dogs or mice who are not dressed up. Dogs can be seen pulling carriages or getting underfoot—so frustrating for a cat! Hartung’s illustrations stand out not only for their technical skills, but also for their unique blend of whimsy, wit, and cultural commentary.
Hartung’s cats were originally published as postcards by Max Kunzli in Zurich. However, hundreds of the cat images were licensed in the 1940s by the Alfred Mainzer Company, a New York printing company that specialized in postcards and greeting cards. Their line of postcards with Hartung illustrations grew in popularity and came to be referred to as “Mainzer Dressed Cats.” The Alfred Mainzer Company moved several times within the New York City area, and the addresses listed on the back of the postcards can help our curatorial team date the cards. Cards bearing “118 East 28th Street” were printed before 1955, while “29th Street Long Island City” were printed between 1955 and 1977.
This collection of Mainzer Dressed Cat postcards was owned by Ruth Hanford Munn (1887–1976) of Cambridge, Massachusetts. According to her nephew, Richard LeRoy, she kept them on a dresser in her bedroom and would turn to a new one daily to give herself a chuckle. Throughout the cataloging process, they have continued to keep our team giggling. This collection of cards demonstrates that humans have, and will continue, to adore our feline friends.
You can view the entire collection on our online collections database by searching the phrase, “Mainzer Dressed Cat.”