While researching historical photography through the Library of Congress, we came across a un-digitized collection of images that appeared to be old images by Harry Whittier Frees. Frees was a famous photographer in the early 1900's who specialized in creating cute portraits of animals, dressed and posed in human situations. With no way to visually confirm what the images were, we put in a request to the LOC’s Archivists to delve into their records and find the corresponding originals. Due to the sensitive nature of the original images, the archivist could only send snapshots of the images by mail. Researchers determined the images to be from Frees, and at our request the LOC scanned the originals to produce high-resolution digital files of these lost images. These historic images were then made available to the public, and went on to be featured in The Atlantic’s In Focus blog, as well as other national media outlets.

1. Restoring the work of Harry Whittier Frees
presents

2. Harry
Whittier
Frees
was
an
American
photographer
who
became
well
known
for
his
adorable
portraits
of
animals,
dressed
and
posed
in
human
situations.
He
began
his
unique
career
in
1905,
and
his
first
book,
The
Little
Folks
of
Animal
Land,
was
published
in
1915.

3. “Rabbits
are
the
easiest
to
photograph
in
costume,
but
incapable
of
taking
many
'human'
parts.
Puppies
are
tractable
when
rightly
understood,
but
the
kitten
is
the
most
versatile
animal
actor,
and
possesses
the
greatest
variety
of
appeal.”
–
H.W.
Frees

4. Reconnecting
with
the
Little
Folks
After
confirming
they
were
indeed
images
created
by
Frees,
we
requested
the
LOC
scan
the
originals
to
produce
quality
digital
files
of
these
lost
images.
These
scans
were
made
available
to
the
public,
and
went
on
to
be
featured
in
The
Atlantic’s
In
Focus
blog,
as
well
as
other
national
media
outlets.
Low
resolution
snapshot
of
original.
While
researching
photographs
through
the
Library
of
Congress,
we
came
across
an
un-­‐digitized
collection
of
images
that
appeared
to
be
created
by
Frees.
Unable
to
visually
confirm
the
content,
we
requested
LOC
Archivists
search
their
records
to
locate
the
corresponding
originals.
Due
to
the
delicate
quality
of
the
historic
prints,
they
sent
us
snapshots
of
the
images
by
mail.

5. This
is
the
high
resolution
scan
of
one
of
the
original
photographs,
provided
to
us
by
the
Library
of
Congress.
Our
experienced
team
carefully
restored
each
of
the
scans
to
create
high
quality,
printable
images.

6. Restored
image
by
Historic
Pictoric.

7. Historic
Pictoric
is
an
innovative
design
company
that
explores
the
evolution
of
the
Americas
by
showcasing
the
best
of
historic
photography
and
design.
Through
countless
hours
of
research
and
restoration,
we
work
to
make
the
inspired
art
of
past
generations
accessible
and
relevant
to
modern
society.
Our
collections
connect
communities
with
the
past
lives
of
their
streets,
buildings
and
public
spaces.
HISTORIC
CALENDARS
POSTERS
&
MAPS
PRINTS
FRAMING
Visit
us
online
at
www.HistoricPictoric.com