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March 22, 2007 | Issue 4-17

CLAY CITY, Ky.--A grandmother of seven in rural Kentucky is knocking on the door of absolute fulfillment. Two porcelain cats are all that stand in her way of that euphoric realization.

Selma Morton’s passion for more than 15 years has been porcelain cats from the collectors’ series Cats Me If You Can. The manufacturer had produced 394 different limited edition cat figurines when it stopped making them in 2003. The Kentucky grandmother has collected every one except figurines number 87 and 224, Squeky and Daffodil respectively.

Morton acquired more than 200 of the series in her first two years collecting them. She purchased her 392^nd in 2005 and has since pursued the remaining Squeaky and Daffodil.

“There are only a few [of those particular collectables] in existence,” said Morton. “When I have them my life will be complete.”

Morton’s passion has led her to many disappointments. “I saw an ad saying Daffodil would be at a flea market a few years back, but they were just lying to get customers showing up.”

The Sqeaky figurine has been reported as fetching up to $68 at auction and the top price ever paid for a Daffodil is rumored to be $125.

“These aren’t things you just toss aside,” said Morton. “My collection is probably worth at least $900. They are my life, though; I could never part with them.”

The 74-year-old is very protective of her porcelain felines. When her grandson Luke accidentally chipped the tail of figurine 154, Morton lectured him for an hour. So precious is the collection, neither Luke nor his parents have been welcome in Morton’s home since.