Otto Hillig can be considered one of the great photographers in Catskills history. Arriving from Germany in the United States as a poor teenage immigrant he took on a series of odd jobs before developing a prosperous photography business at his adopted hometown in the village of Liberty in Sullivan County, New York. He operated a well-regarded portrait studio in the village, extensively photographed the landscapes of the region and was considered an earlier pioneer of aerial photography.

I have recently acquired a number of photographic items published by Otto Hillig, including postcards, a photograph and a rare stereoview. They have all been added to the Otto Hillig gallery, which now contains over 120 of his works.

Liberty House, Liberty, N.Y.

Liberty House, Liberty, N.Y.This vintage postcard published by photographer Otto Hillig depicts the grand Liberty House, located in the village of Liberty, New York. The postmark on the reverse side shows that the postcard was mailed in 1911.

Colonial Hall, Liberty, N.Y.

Colonial Hall, Liberty, N.Y.This vintage postcard by photographer Otto Hillig depicts the charming Colonial Hall building in the village of Liberty, New York. The postcard was never mailed.

Crest Lawn, Liberty, N.Y.

Crest Lawn, Liberty, N.Y.This vintage postcard published by photographer Otto Hillig depicts the charming Crest Lawn building in the village of Liberty, New York. The postcard was never mailed.

The Mapledoram Log Cabin, DeBruce, N.Y.

The Mapledoram Log Cabin, DeBruce, N.Y.

Xmas at the M. E. Church, Liberty, N.Y.

Xmas at the M. E. Church, Liberty, N.Y.

Grooville, N.Y.

Grooville, N.Y.

Beautiful Scenery near Grooville, N.Y.

Beautiful Scenery near Grooville, N.Y.

One of the Many Waterfalls in Sull. Co., N.Y. Parksville, N.Y.

One of the Many Waterfalls in Sull. Co., N.Y. Parksville, N.Y.

Koons Bros. Turning Mill, Emmonsville, N.Y.

Koons Bros. Turning Mill, Emmonsville, N.Y.

Young, Messiter and Dodge Float. Centennial, 1907, Liberty, N.Y.

Young, Messiter and Dodge Float. Centennial, 1907, Liberty, N.Y.

I. O. G. T. Float from White Sulpher Springs. Centennial, Liberty, N.Y. 1907

I. O. G. T. Float from White Sulpher Springs. Centennial, Liberty, N.Y. 1907

The Trout Stream near Lake Ophelia, Liberty, N.Y.

The Trout Stream near Lake Ophelia, Liberty, N.Y.

Arriving of the U.S. Mail, Grooville, N.Y.

Arriving of the U.S. Mail, Grooville, N.Y.

Remains of the Old Tanning Industry, Claryville, N.Y.

Remains of the Old Tanning Industry, Claryville, N.Y.

The Acid Factory, Willowemoc, N.Y.

The Acid Factory, Willowemoc, N.Y.

Stevensville, N.Y.

Stevensville, N.Y.

Untitled (Man, Horse and Wagon)

Man, Horse and Wagon

Hillig’s Castle

Hillig's Castle

Otto Hillig and Holger Hoiriis

Otto Hillig and Holger HoiriisOtto Hillig and Holger Hoiriis, with their plane Liberty, are depicted on this vintage advertising card, which highlighted their trans-Atlantic flight from New York to Copenhagen in 1931.