A rare, miniature WW1-era, lucky black mascot cat, possibly by Farnell. Nicknamed Smudge, he’s woodwool-stuffed and unjointed, standing 5cm (2″) high, and 6.5cm (2.5″) long from nose to tail.

One of Smudge’s tiny green glass eyes is original, while the right one is an even tinier replacement.  His original nose and mouth are sewn in tan thread, and he still has a few whiskers remaining. His little black felt ears are intact, one of which has been re-secured.

Smudge’s tail is now a scruffy tuft of sewn-down black mohair, and there’s an area on the right side of his body (above his foreleg), that is heavily darned, and a little threadbare.

Over time, Smudge’s head has taken on a brownish tinge, and his fur shows general thinning, with a few bald patches, which is only to be expected given his age.

Overall, though, Smudge is a very cute, solid puss, with a typically-wary feline expression! He’s wearing an old pale green neck-ribbon, and travels with his handmade Union Jack cushion, plus a ‘Guardsman at Buckingham Palace’ vintage hankie.