Afternoon at Home Bookmark

Cats at tea. Standing upright, saucers balanced in their paws, mid-conversation in a red drawing room hung with pictures — and every one of them wearing an expression you have definitely seen on a real cat.

This is Louis Wain (1860–1939), the artist who did more than anyone to change how Britain felt about cats. Before him they were working animals that lived in the scullery; after him they were characters, personalities, members of the household. His anthropomorphic cats appeared everywhere from Christmas annuals to postcards in the late Victorian and Edwardian years, and H.G. Wells remarked that Wain had invented a cat style, a cat society, a whole cat world. He was president of the National Cat Club, and he drew cats being far more sociable than most cats actually are.

At 48 × 162mm with a navy ribbon marker, it lies flat in any book. A lovely small gift for a cat owner, a lover of Victorian illustration, or anyone who has ever ascribed a full inner life to their pet.

Come and see the full Museums & Galleries range in the shop — there's always more on the shelves than we can fit online.

Key features

• Afternoon at Home illustration by Louis Wain (1860–1939)
• Anthropomorphic cats taking tea in a Victorian drawing room
• Navy blue ribbon marker
• 48mm × 162mm
• Museums & Galleries, the British art-stationery publisher behind the V&A, Tate, Natural History Museum and British Museum ranges
• Flat enough to post inside a greetings card
• Perfect for cat lovers, fans of Victorian illustration and book club gifts

FAQ

• Who was Louis Wain? A British artist (1860–1939) famous for his drawings of anthropomorphic cats, hugely popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. He served as president of the National Cat Club.
• What does the design show? Cats standing on their hind legs, taking afternoon tea in a drawing room.
• What colour is the ribbon? Navy blue.
• What size is the bookmark? 48mm wide by 162mm tall.
• Is it suitable as a gift? Yes — a lovely small gift on its own, and light enough to post inside a card.