Seeing the cover of The New Yorker today (Obama herding cats) made me wonder about the other felines who have graced the cover of this literary magazine in the past.
January 13, 2013 “Herding Cats” by Barry Blitt
A quick search revealed a wonderful collection of city feline covers. I guess it makes sense given cats are the perfect urban furry companions. So I picked just a few to share with you here today.
(left) January 12, 2009 by Mark Ulriksen (right) November 24, 1997 by Jean-Jacques Sempe
I particularly love the illustrations of the cats taking in the view of the city from their apartments. Though the one with the Empire State building and the kitty eating ice cream might be two of my favorites.
February 8, 1988 by Ronald Searle
If you notice, the magazine sold for a mere 50cents back in the early 70s and now retails for $6.99! Yikes!
(left) May 12, 1973 by Andrew Francois (Right) March 1, 1982 by Jean-Jecques Sempe
I put the two covers below together because of the juxtaposition of what seems to be an Upper East Side pampered kitty (whose owner has a super fancy shoe in a cage) with that of a regular city street cat.
(left) September 1, 2008 by Ana Juan (right) May 3, 1969 by Ronald Searle
Which of these covers is your favorite and why?
I like the cover with the kitty and doggie looking at each other – just because I love kitties and doggies.
So cute right? They wanna be friends!
I love that the artist took the time to make cats that are very obviously different breeds. Must be a cat lover.
I know right!? Great one!
aaww these are great Tamar!!!
Thanks! I wish i could have them all and frame them – talk about looking like the crazy cat lady then! LOL!
Tamar, this is truly inspired–thanks for doing the research! I’ve always loved ‘New Yorker’ covers, something to aspire to for any illustrator. I really like today’s, because of the variety of cats and their postures I can tell the artist knows cats well and that’s the first thing I look for in cat art (well, I like the president too!) But I’ll choose the one from ’97 with the kitty on the bed because it looks like something I’d like to paint.
The kitty on the bed reminds me o my apartment. A friend of mine actually got a color copy of that cover for me once (sadly it hasn’t lasted the test of time). Glad you enjoyed it. You are so very observant about the cats!
The one with the kitty looking at the Empire State Building is my favorite….I cat is thinking “World domination soon…it will be my Empire headquarters…” …lol…
I know, i LOVE that one! I want it!
My favorite is the one with the cat on the comforter! So sweet and obviously, that’s where kitty sleeps!! It is her bed! Make no mistake!!!
I agree! It’s the itty bitty kitty in the big big city!!
awwwww itty bitty kitty in the big big city – i like that!!!
I think ANY copy of the New Yorker with a cat on the cover is awesome! Although I am least fond of the latest, political cover because it really is not making a cat statement.
Some of these go back quite a way – and I remember them!
Cats and New York, the two things that make me really happy just thinking about.
me too! cats and new york!
May 1969. The broad-beamed puddinpie has such a dazed zen look on his face. And he’s blobby-shaped – cute!
From Pam of New Zealand and hubby-and-my three furbuddies; Pushkin, Pitta and Boi. >^∞^<
Tehe! love the name of your furbabies! Thanks for reading and posting Pam!
We like November, 1997 because it is so us cats. Snoozing on the bed no matter what city we live in!
I saw a vendor in Manhattan who had pictures of New Yorker covers with cats. I didn’t feel like carrying a bag so I thought I’d find them at another vendor. Never saw them again.
Bummer! Yeh, they are $100+ on the Conde Naste website!
These are great! Thanks for showing them.
We love most New yorker covers, but ESPECIALLY the ones with kittehs!
I, too, like the kitty in the big comfy bed. Just looks so cozy. Love all the covers, though and I also found it fun to see how the price has gone up over all the years!