4. The First Viral Cats
Henry Pointer’s innovative approach resonated with the Victorian public, and by 1872, he had produced over 100 such captioned images. The series, collectively titled “The Brighton Cats”, expanded to approximately 200 photographs by 1884. These images were widely distributed as cartes-de-visite – small photographic prints mounted on cards—that served both as collectibles and as a form of social correspondence. The popularity of Pointer’s work extended beyond commercial success, and garnered great critical acclaim.
He exhibited his photographs at the annual exhibitions of The Photographic Society of Great Britain between 1870 and 1885, and his feline subjects often took center stage. Pointer’s “Brighton Cats” series not only entertained his contemporaries, but also laid the groundwork for the modern phenomenon of humorous cat imagery. He was a pioneer in pet photography, and his ability to capture the endearing and amusing aspects of feline behavior continues to influence visual culture to this day.
