This is off the album cover, Rapture, by Grace and Wilbur Thrush, 1971.  So, furry has been around since at least the dawn of the modern age, or 'prehistory' as it is known by the majority of the members of any anthropomorphic art site today.  This album cover is the most reviled I can find on the web, and for good reasons.  However - though it can be said that these fursuiters shouldn't go out in public dressed this way no one can say that they didn't.   I admire courage and determination, yes I do. https://misterscribbles.blogspot.com/ They are posing in front of racks hung with sleigh bell collars for horses.  SnowCon '71 musta really been something to see.  And hear. Wilbur indeed!