Technically, this is not really ephemera, and it certainly is not a postcard (even though I've listed it in that category). It's art of a sort--a sepia print lithograph to be exact. But it's not high-brow art-y art, and since it's printed on paper, not canvass or another semi-permanent substrate, I'm featuring it here, among the ephemeral. Besides, I doubt the Ullman Mfg. Co., the makers of this litho, get many kudos for their work these days.
It's kind of interesting, no?
This example, "The Old Oaken Bucket," was printed in 1900 in New York. From what I gather, Ullman lithos were all printed within a few years of either side of the turn-of-the-century, and where semi-popular with those unable to afford oil-on-canvass masterpieces.
There's another reason I'm posting it here among the other ephemera. Although you can find a one or two of these little beauties online, they weren't the type of art that was typically passed down generation-to-generation. Now, of course, today they are somewhat scarce and relatively old, and so they have found a well-earned place in a few collector's hearts.
Welcome to the ever expanding tent of ephemera, my Ullman Mfg. Co. friends!
