No way are you going to get three kittens to hold still in a pose like that, particularly while shoved into uncomfortable costumes, they must be stuffed. While the focus is soft in some areas I don't really see any motion blur.

[Harry W. Frees worked with live animals. -tterrace]

Okay, I'll take your word for it but it must have been really difficult in a world of slow exposure film.

it's the little things in life that brighten your day and this photo did just that. Thank you Shorpy.

I read somewhere that the animals in these posed shots were almost always dead and mounted via taxidermy. Look at the eyes - they're always a bit, well, off and unfocused. All those cute chicks and bunnies in Easter pics of this era? Dead. Stuffed. The dog's back legs in the pic above are waaaay too long for a real dog. Anyone else ever read about that?

[If they were stuffed, there'd be no sign of motion blur, which there is. Except for the pony. -tterrace]

I went back and read about Frees - made his name with live animals. I have a couple of photo essay books where, rabbits in these cases, are very obviously mounted. It's weird and a little creepy. All I can say is that Frees must have had the patience of Job.

Leaves no doubt it is a Tabby with that prominent "M on the forehead.