Eugen Hartung's Mainzer Cats
These whimsical feline characters, known for their charming escapades and clever wit, first appeared on postcards in Switzerland through Max Künzli of Zurich, featuring continuous tone printing. Post-World War II, the Alfred Mainzer Company in Long Island City, NY, continued publishing these beloved cats, often in brighter colors than the original run. They came to be known widely as Mainzer Cats.
Eugen Hartung's illustrations brought these cats to life with expressive faces and playful antics, showcasing his deep understanding of cat behavior. These postcards typically depict settings filled with action, often with a minor disaster just about to occur. We have quite a few original postcards in our archives, and it was hard to choose which ones to reproduce because they're all so fun!
