Ylla. Cats. Design by Bob Cato.

NY: Harper & Brothers, [1952]. Foreword by A.D. Hippisley Coxe. [Ylla (1911–1955), whose real name was Camilla Koffler, was considered one of the most accomplished photographers of animals in the world and published many books of her work, most intended for children. She died tragically after falling from a jeep while photographing a bullock cart race in India.] A very good copy with wear at bottom two corners, slight darkening along top edge of paper-covered boards, no dust jacket.  Summary:

Cats, published in 1952, is a celebrated monograph by Ylla (Camilla Koffler), widely regarded as the greatest animal photographer of her time. With a sophisticated layout designed by the legendary Bob Cato, the book elevated feline photography from amateur "pet pictures" to the realm of fine art.

Photographic Approach

Unlike the stiff, posed animal portraiture common in the early 20th century, Ylla’s work in Cats is characterized by:

• Candid Vitality: She captured cats in mid-motion—leaping, stretching, and hunting—utilizing fast shutter speeds and immense patience to document their natural grace.

• Expressive Portraits: Ylla had a unique ability to capture feline "personalities," focusing on the intensity of their eyes and the subtle textures of their fur.

• Close-Up Geometry: The images often utilize tight cropping to emphasize the abstract beauty of a cat's form, aligning the book with the "Straight Photography" movement.

Design by Bob Cato

The book’s lasting influence is due in large part to the work of Bob Cato, who would later become a giant in record cover design (winning two Grammys).

• Minimalist Layout: Cato utilized clean white space and bold typography to allow Ylla’s high-contrast black-and-white images to dominate the page.

• Cinematic Sequencing: The photos are arranged to create a rhythmic flow, mimicking the stealthy, fluid movements of the cats themselves.

Historical Significance

Cats was a commercial and critical success that redefined the "animal book" for an adult audience. It proved that a specialized subject could be treated with the same aesthetic rigor as fashion or architectural photography. For collectors, the 1952 edition remains a quintessential example of mid-century book design, representing a perfect marriage between Ylla's technical mastery and Cato's modern visual sensibility.