Development in the USA

Gertrude Griswold brought her Birmans to CFA shows on "exhibit only" during the years 1964 to 1967, in a devoted effort to promote the breed and gain CFA recognition.  Verner Clum, well-known in the cat fancy, was also instrumental in presenting the Birman to CFA, and she provided the literal translation of the French standard to CFA, from which the American standard was derived.  It was through the support of Dick Gebhardt, a respected CFA judge, and pressure from the European fancy, that the Birman achieved championship status in the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1967.  The breed name, Sacred Cat of Burma, was changed to "Burman" as a simplification, and then later (taken from the French, "Birmanie") to "Birman" to avoid confusion with the Burmese.

In the 1972-73 show season, Griswold's Romar of Bybee, a blue point male, was the first Birman CFA grand champion.

Frances Price, "Tai Ming" cattery, obtained her first Birman, Ch Griswold's Ombelle in 1968.  Her second was a blue point male, Ch Gayland's Rapture of Tai Ming.  Rapture sired the second Birman to achieve grand championship status in CFA, Tai Ming's Verner of Jandra.  Frances imported many Birmans from England, primarily out of the Praha and Smokeyhill catteries, and she contributed greatly to the development of the Birman in the U.S.

In 1970 Ed and Harriet Rindfleisch, ("Rindy's Haven"), began their journey into the world of the Sacred Cat of Burma with their foundation cats, Ch Smokeyhill Kwan Yin, a seal point male, and Ch Praha Amrita, a blue point female, both top show cats imported from England.  Kwan Yin's sire was Ch Praha Sik-Kim and his dam, Ch Paranjoti Kimsallie.  The Rindfleisch's brought in several more English imports and also added two females, L'enchante Bai and L'Enchante Lisa.  Bai was sired by Neko de Lao-Tsun and on her dam's side there is Opale de Khlaramour (imported by Gertrude Griswold), a litter-sister to Orlamonde de Khlaramour.

Rindy's Haven produced many champions and grand champions.  Both Smokeyhill Kwan Yin and Gayland's Rapture of Tai Ming are behind many of the successful show cats from that era.  Ed and Harriet, along with Frances Price, established the Sacred Cat of Burma Fanciers in 1972, a successful show-producing club.    

Gayland's Rapture of Tai Ming,

blue point male