Dating to 1894, The Kitten’s Breakfast was one of Rudolf Eickemeyer’s very first early award winning photographs. This example was most likely made late that year, and is his original exhibition entry print for the Photo Club de Paris 1895 Salon, where it was one of 7 photographs entered by the Yonkers, N.Y. photographer. Catalogue #240: Le Déjeuner du Jeune Chat, (The Young Cat’s Lunch, or Breakfast) was a direct platinum print submitted, and earned Eickemeyer the silver medal at the salon that year.

Print Notes:

Mount, Verso: In black ink by artists hand: R. Eickemeyer Jr. Yonkers, N.Y. U.S.A.; exhibition # in large graphite: 240, twice underlined; and a white paper lithographic label 10.4 x 9.0 cm for the Photo Club de Paris, centered. Representing the diaphanous maidens of Light, Art and Science, it was a plaster-relief medallion commissioned by the club in around 1895 and executed by French artist Paul Roussel. (1867-1928) It was struck in silver medallion (87mm x 57mm) by 1896. The label and medal are marked at the top Photo Club De Paris and on lower sides: “La Lumiere Unit L’Art Et La Science.” (Light Unites Art and Science)  There are additional marginalia in graphite, some crossed out, and some most likely pertaining to framing instructions.

Mount, Recto: no markings: the original acidic overmatt has been removed by this archive for conservation purposes and replaced with a non-acid matt.