The book “Little Folks of Animal Land” by Frees was released in 1915, and featured adorable cats and kittens in various human scenarios — cleaning, getting married, eating dinner, etc.
Most of the scenarios are clearly of another era, but that’s all part of the charm. We do particularly love the little kitten selling prohibition drinks, though, and the cats taking a blimp across the Atlantic. In addition to appearing in his books, the images were used on greeting cards and postcards, and even in advertisements.
Take a look at the pictures from this book and many others he took of these cute critters more than 100 years ago.
Little Folks of Animal Land: A note from the author
The series of animal pictures reproduced on the following pages have all been photographed from living animals.
The difficulties encountered in posing kittens and puppies for pictures of this kind have been overcome only by the exercise of great patience and invariable kindness. My little models receive no special training, and after their daily performance before the camera, they enjoy nothing better than a frolic around the studio.
My work in the posing of animals has been so highly successful as to give rise to a doubt in some minds that the pictures are genuine. For this reason, I take occasion to give my personal assurance that all pictures appearing in this book are photographed from life.
I sincerely hope that others will derive as much pleasure from the antics of these “Little Folks of Animal Land” as I experienced in picturing and telling about them. – Harry Whittier Frees
The entanglement
Lily Bufkins becomes Mrs Stripes
The guests admired the presents
The Bufkin Twins were swinging
An adorable bowling cat
The seamstresses would like to play
Mrs Bufkins had a busy day
