More purchases from eBay include these early cast photos and autographs from original presenters from the 1960s, including Christopher Trace with Petra the dog and one of John with Patch, Chris Trace and Valerie with Jason the cat.
The lot included cards with their autographs.
Jason was a seal-point Siamese cat who first appeared on Blue Peter on 1 June 1964. Jason has been described by Blue Peter producers as "the perfect television cat, sitting so still that some viewers thought he was stuffed!" A role later taken over by Peter Purves (ouch!). Anyone recall a parody of Blue Peter where Pete was represented by a life-sized 2-D cardboard cut-out being carried around by John or Val? A bit unfair I feel as Peter often actively helped Val to make things, including the iconic Tottenham Hotspur rattle - aren't we glad most soccer stadiums now have shops where you can buy branded merchandise at extortionate prices though still less than it costs to buy the high quality planed timber, vice, carpentry tools and workbench which Blue Peter neglected to tell you you'd need to make an item which Spurs supporters had probably last used to cheer on Danny Blanchflower in the FA cup final of 1961 (now there's an idea - perhaps Spurs need to ditch Bale and bring back the Peter Purves Rattle).
No, but really Peter … much respect. You were and still remain a true pro and a nice guy.
Jason the cat did go some way to restoring the reputation of the Siamese cat for British children after Walt Disney had completely demonised the breed in Lady and the Tramp. Although I still wouldn't trust one alone in a room with either a sleeping baby or a goldfish. And when the cat starts to blame the hapless barking mutt - don't believe a word of it.
On reflection … Jason probably was stuffed. Valerie would have insisted as she was always very sensible.
