February 16, 2011

A favorite pic from "The Little Kittens' Nursery Rhymes", a thin book (only 12
such shots, including the cover and title page) I first saw in the early 1960s.

There were various other such books and reprints over the decades. Except for
a set of lengthwise black & white books several years back, all of them are new
to me.

Mine, similar to the 10 cent Whitman books of that period, actually has a 1941
copyright and had the typical statement in front that, "These unusual photo-
graphs...were made possible only by patient unfailing kindness on the part of
the photographer at all times."

That was Harry Whittier Frees (1879-1953), who created them for kids' books
and popular postcards. He had a number of rather cursory imitators, but Frees' always seem to have that certain extra something the others lack.


I won't argue here about the relative wisdom or mercy of such enterprises, or the 'psychological damage' in posing a preschool pig or dressing a baby cat. I take them at their word that the animals weren't tormented, with wires or staples or the like. They look contented enough under the circumstances. Maybe a little baffled. I enjoy looking at them.

These two look like they're part of the same story. Can't say I'd like bread with
cat hair. Though it would have more fiber.

Kittens seemed to've worked best and look best. Tho' there are some good ones with puppies, rabbits, & occasional others. Even a doll or two.

'You bend, I'll pump.'

Some are stranger than others. But, surely they are a few notches above hopping overstressed circus poodles, the utterly pointless 'Puppy Bowl' of recent years, and the ugh-pew factor of toy piano peckin' chickens.

And not even in the criminally crippled running with the needled shins of
high stepping horses and endless lab animal abuses. Anyone pulling their
hair out over the spectra of more colossal abuses, probably won't like this
stuff either. I have no real defense for it, if it even needs one. It's just
something else I took in as a kid.

Maybe their only violation is their wardrobe. (Too many pajamas?). But,
even on the 'Planet of the Kittens' we can't wear pinafores ALL the time.

Anyhow, he had a great name for auditory mangling...Harvey Prettier
Wheeze, "Hurry, Fritterer of Peas!", Purry Kittner Knees or so, and
you're off on another oddball character name.