Artwork : ArchiveNo00118

Lucky Black Cat 1939

ContributionForm
Contributor Name	Portsmouth Football Club
Contributor Image	richard_owen_web.jpg
Profession
Location	Fratton
Collection Date	03.04.08 3.25pm
Artefact Name	Lucky Black Cat
Artefact Description	Mascot for Portsmouth Football Club. 35cm tall approx. Cat is in an arched pose with a shocked expression on her face! Green eyes and red lips. Worn in some areas. Stuffed with straw and hand sewn. Fair / poor condition.
Artefact Date	1939
Artefact Stored	Portsmouth City Museum (but currently on display at PFC – in the Victory Lounge Fratton Park)
Artefact Form
Artefact Image	00018_-_black_cat.jpg
Sample Taken	Loose fibres from cat’s fur / straw stuffing
Sample Image
History of Artefact	It was taken by fans to the 1939 FA cup final – they won against Wolves (4-1 at Wembley). Pompey held the cup for the longest time – until 1946 because WWII prevented the cup being played for six years. The cat was tied to the front radiator grill on the supporter's motor coach – which set forth from Portsmouth to Wembley. It has been specially made – not mass produced. 50/2000 Museum number.
Historian	Richard Owen / John Stedman
Previous Owners	Club fan, and one other
Special Memories	'On 12 Jan 1941 the cup obtained at this final had to be dug out from rubble at Commercial Rd (it had lived in various locations around Portsmouth). The museum bought it at auction, it’s been expensively conserved. Portsmouth City Museum are the third owners. '
Artwork Image	00118_weby.jpg

Topic attachments
I	Attachmentb	Action	Size
jpg	00018_-_black_cat.jpg	manage	38.5 K
jpg	00118_weby.jpg	manage	401.4 K
jpg	Resize_Wizard-1_-_00118_Lucky_Black_cat.jpg	manage	112.0 K
jpg	richard_owen_web.jpg	manage	154.2 K