Early Birmans

Most pedigree information, if there was any, on Birmans bred through the 1920's and 30's was destroyed during the second world war.  What little information we have points to the use of Siamese, semi-longhaired Siamese, "half-Birmans," Persians, etc. being used to develop this breed that was in its infancy.  It is known that sometimes kittens in Siamese litters would have white spots, including white on their feet.  It is also known that there were breeders scattered around Europe working on the development of long-haired Siamese.  Some breeders working on "Colourpoints" were also working on Birmans.  When a "perfect" Birman was produced, it was often bred repeatedly into a line, to fix the characteristics.

Along with the Madalpour line, the most notable post World War II breeder was Mlle. Boyer of France.  She obtained her first Birman, a male, Fly de Kaabaa in 1928.  After the war, it is said that only two Birmans remained, a male, Orloff de Kaabaa, and a female, Xenia de Kaabaa.  It is said that all Birmans of today are descended from this pair.  Orloff's date of birth is given at 1943; however, some sources put Xenia's date of birth at 1949.

On early Birman pedigrees, if one parent was a Birman, the kittens were registered as Birmans.  It would be noted if they were gloved or not gloved, sometimes stating the number of gloves such as, "Sacre de Birmanie with two gloves."  In some cases, cats would be registered as Birmans even when the parents were not known, as registration was based solely on phenotype--if the cat looked like a Birman, it was registered as a Birman.

The 1950's and 1960's saw the rebirth of the Sacred Cat of Burma, as breeders worked hard to develop and improve this breed, and to fix its characteristics.  Outcrosses were still being made when necessary.  The influential Madame Simone Poirier ("de Crespieres" cattery) made outcrosses to a Colourpoint and to a blue-eyed white Persian, to invigorate and improve her stock.  Other notable French cattery names of this era are des Muses, du Clos Fleuri, de Ratnapoura, de Lugh, de Rhatt'oun, and de Khlaramour.

Hamlet de Madalpour
Born in 1957 and found in many pedigrees.