The cat

Published in the United States, The Cat is an exceptional and highly collectible vintage graphic humor volume created by legendary animator, illustrator, and director Gene Deitch, accompanied by commentary from renowned Columbia Records jazz producer George Avakian. Originating as a fan-favorite cartoon strip in the influential publication The Record Changer during the late 1940s and early 1950s, the book captures the essence of the mid-century jazz enthusiast—the ultimate hepcat or cat—navigating record collecting, slang, musical obsessions, and audio fidelity crazes. Through sharp graphic artwork and witty commentary, the volume serves as a brilliant cultural time capsule of the post-war American jazz scene.

The front cover features a high-contrast black-and-white design framed by an artistic distressed border, with the original $1.00 price printed in the top right corner. The center displays a circular portrait medallion framed by a floral wreath, enclosing Gene Deitch's stylized line drawing of a sharp-dressed character with pointed features, glasses, suit jacket, and bow tie. The lower section displays by gene deitch in lowercase sans-serif lettering, followed by the large bold title the cat, and commentary by george avakian along the bottom margin. Inside, the pages present a rich selection of original comic strips and illustrated essays. An essential centerpiece collectible for jazz history enthusiasts, Gene Deitch collectors, animation archives, and mid-century graphic art libraries.