Racy Cat Meet

Children like their depictions of animals to be as human as possible. Children are most pleased when the animals themselves are as human as possible. So you can imagine how excited I probably was to receive a piece of mail so titillating as this card, “Swim Meet,” from the Alfred Mainzer Humorous Dressed Cats collection.

My grandparents sent me this postcard in October 1968 from the Jersey Shore. That I was violently allergic to cats was a well-known fact. Perhaps Nana thought these rendered felines would make up for what I saw as high childhood trauma, and serve as a good substitute a real cat. I’m still allergic to cats, but no longer want one. I still love getting postcards, so I guess Nana was right.

These cards were known as the Humorous Dressed Cats postcards. They were originally published from the 1940s through the 1960s by Alfred Mainzer Inc. in New York City. The early postcards had a rough finish, brilliant colors, and scalloped edges. This card appears was printed in New York City. It is numbered, and has what appears to be a Mainzer logo.

But enough of that.

It is said that all good stories – even those for children – have at least two components: sex and violence. Throw in some telling detail, and we’ve got ourselves a blockbuster.

First, the sex. The two piece bikini bathing suit may no longer have been seen as totally scandalous by 1968, but in Virginia they were still considered racy for anyone but little girls to have worn. Judging by the unmistakable, delicate curves of these female kittens, all rules were off, however, when it came to teenage cats.

In preparation for her lap in the relay race of life, Miss Green Tomboy, applies lipstick at the last minute. Note Miss Pink One-Piece’s jaunty placement of hands on hips. Then there is the fair and lovely Miss Sky Blue who appears so earnest and encouraging with her self-conscious

, articulated stance and coquettish turn of ankles. The concept of “girl posing for boy” wouldn’t be lost on a girlie little six year old (that would have been me.)

The male component of this feline fray brings our story its hint of violence. The Tom with the scowl and a gun that he just shot at the ceiling, gives some cause for concern.. And his counterpart, paparazzi boy, clearly is enthusiastic in his pursuit of a photograph of Miss Dark Green’s humiliation at losing her top. These two gentlemen are fully clothed, and remembered to wear their best high water pants with shoes and socks.

Thankfully, I didn’t study this postcard anywhere near this hard when I was six.

For more Postcard Friendship Fridays, please visit Marie at Cpaphil Vintage Postcards.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

22 Comments

sassafrasjunction April 3, 2009 at 11:42 am

I wish they still made these! They are the only postcards I would ever send anyone, ever.
The Shark Tank April 3, 2009 at 2:09 pm

The one losing its top is gratuitous indeed. I can only imagine this represents a scene minutes before a total swimming pool orgy.
Amy April 3, 2009 at 2:15 pm

Love this.
Evelyn Yvonne Theriault April 3, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Thanks for sharing, Margo. Even though I’m Canadian I was familiar with the American “dogs playing poker” genre – but not the swimming cats genre (smile).
I get such an education on Postcard Fridays!
Evelyn in Montreal
MuseSwings April 3, 2009 at 2:45 pm

I was just sure those poker playing dogs were Canadian….: )

This is a swimmingly lovely addition to another fun PFF!
Sheila April 3, 2009 at 3:30 pm

What a fun card! The more you look at it, the more you see.
Chris Overstreet April 3, 2009 at 4:20 pm

Of course the gentlemen are fully clothed; they’re not going swimming. But I don’t think the referee with the starter pistol is scowling; it’s just that his feline face can’t express excitement in a more anthropomorphic way.
OGLADI April 3, 2009 at 5:01 pm

Dude, I’m totally freaked out by human bodies with animal heads. That sh!t makes me cringe. But the card was cute!
Margo April 3, 2009 at 5:39 pm

Sorcia, Me too… I’m going to ask for a set for mother’s day – there is a reprint of the series available.

Shawn, very few mental laps need be taken to get there

Amy, thanks for stopping by!

Evelyn, I’m glad you like it. PFF is such a fun way to learn new things.

Thanks, Cynthia! I like it too. I only wish I’d kept all of the ones my grandmother sent me.

Sheila, I can’t get over the detail myself.

Chris, the men should be swimming, or at least showing a little leg. Now that I look at them, all of the cats who are diving in the pool have the same menacing open jaw expression. They’re going to swallow pool water!

Amy, Definitely the stuff of nightmares! But like any thriller, I just can’t stop watching
Aimee April 3, 2009 at 6:27 pm

What a great card! Very amusing!
Marie Reed April 3, 2009 at 6:48 pm

Wild! I am so thankful for your posted observations! I went back to really gape and analyze the image with you! Eye candy!
Carl April 3, 2009 at 8:22 pm

Hahahahaha… That postcard had me laugh in tears. Thank your grandma for me. Hahahahaha…
Eddy April 3, 2009 at 9:06 pm

hello,
thank you to visit my blog.
Your poscards are very funy.
They look like Tasha Tudors drawing
I like them.
LiLu April 3, 2009 at 9:10 pm

Ahhh, I love it! Have you ever seen the pictures of the little Easter chicks? I’ll try to remember the website and come back if I can find it…
papel1 April 3, 2009 at 10:00 pm

I love Mainzer postcards. They are such fun.
Judy
blueviolet April 3, 2009 at 11:41 pm

It’s really pretty interesting when you stop and study it. It’s so cool that you still have it.
Postcardy April 4, 2009 at 1:13 am

I love the Mainzer dressed cats (& poodles).
Margo April 4, 2009 at 11:11 am

Aimee, Thanks so much for stopping by!

Marie,Wild, yes. I love PFF. How’s the wedding planning going?

Carl, My grandmother would have loved that she gave you a good laugh. She was a big cat lover like you

Eddy, I love Tasha Tudor. They have definitely stood the test of time. Thanks for stopping by!

Lilu, I think I know the ones you are talking about. Let me know if you come across them xxx ooo

Judy, I was just introduced to them and have enjoyed looking at them. Fascinating!

blueviolet, I know. There really is a good story in the details.

postcardy, Poodles! I’d love to see those. Thanks for stopping by!
OGLADI April 4, 2009 at 8:01 pm

I passed on your award btw…
Pricilla April 4, 2009 at 8:10 pm

Hmnm, are there any with goats?
Vic April 4, 2009 at 9:20 pm

I love old postcards, but I tent to get caught up with the writing on the back, rather than the pictures.

The racy kitties, on the other hand, are fascinating.
Margo April 4, 2009 at 10:21 pm

Amy, cool, I’ll check that out.

Pricilla, NO! I thought about you and looked already! If I come across any, I’ll let you know ASAP

Vic, I love the words too. The text in this one was kind of strange and I didn’t want to go there, if ya know what I mean another mood, another post. xxx ooo