1878 – Royal Tom

“Royal Tom” is a full page book plate image, taken from the “Chatterbox Album of Animals”, published by W.W.Gardner, circa 1878. From the accompanying anecdote we learn: “Royal Tom, was a splendid Tom-cat, which was for many years a well-known sight, as he sunned himself in the shop-window of Messrs Sturrock, hairdressers, of Princes Street, Edinburgh. He was called ‘Royal Tom’ because H.R.H the Duke of Edinburgh took special notice of him; and in 187o he was exhibited to the Princess of Wales and her children. Tom did not long survive this great honour, for he died in 1871, aged fifteen and a half years.” Currently available in A4, A3 and A2 sizing options.