The word ephemera is defined as:

“Things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time such as items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity”.

That definition is a mouthful and far different from the colloquial term that defines ephemera as something with no lasting significance. In today’s digital world, less is printed and as a result, photos and postcards of present are sent in the form of texts and emails. Gone are the days of the abundant tangible letter, the tattered photo in a wallet, the shopping list tucked in a purse or a postcard pinned to the refrigerator. Rather, these memories exist on cell phones and laptops and in a blink of an eye, these cherished memories, far too often, disappear from the record of the past, never to make history. What was once a form of communication, today ephemera has become an artifact, objet d’ art — especially postcards.

Postcard collecting is a big industry and sales can skyrocket with the right combination of various factors,
which include the artist or photographer, as well as, the subject and medium. Years ago, I stumbled across a shoebox of postcards, which from sales on the internet, paid my rent for three months. Over a decade has
passed since I was a budding personal property appraiser and liquidator. This shoebox was my first insight, not only into the monetary value of postcards, but more importantly, their historical significance.

As estate liquidators, we come across many interesting estates, but not always as colorful as our recent
discovery of a little-known artist named L.H. “Dude” Larsen. Larsen was a well-known businessman, Senator, and distributor of postcards across the United States (U.S.). Although Larsen was one as one of the largest printers of postcards in the mid 20th century, the average public did not know all of his cards were based on original artwork. So, it was refreshing to research an estate and uncover so much history just sitting in a closet.

The process of liquidating an estate can become personal as the research opens a private window into a life and time passed. While sales and history of Larsen’s postcards can be found, there are no public records of auction prices for his original art. When work like this comes along, it is an obligation and duty to introduce it for others to enjoy. In this instance, shedding light on the lesser known part of the postcard moguls’ humble beginnings and his endeavor to carve out a piece of history.

Larsen had been painting since he was a teen and often wrote poetry to accompany his art, such as Sunset, painted in 1943.

Sunset painted 1943 Card No. 37

“With a glow of Admiration
The master artist of them all
Paints the Western skies at sunset
To bring His love, to our recall.”

During the Depression, the young Larsen took a break from his ranch life in Utah by spending several months in Washington D.C., painting murals in government buildings. The wage did not pay well enough to live in D.C. and upon suggestion of the heads of the Art and Sculpture Department, he returned home and established a postcard business based on his art. The brief respite had a powerful impact as he turned his love of painting the Western landscape into a very successful business of printing and selling postcards.

Along with his wife Dot, a shop was set up and in 1938, his first postcard order was reproduced by E.G.B. Co.
Traveling through the U.S. taking orders personally, his paintings and humor would be played out on
postcards for years and become part of popular Western Americana collected today.

As the Western Frontier eased out popularity, his art had captured on an index-sized card, a way of life lost.
While postcard collecting is still in full drive, collecting postcards compared to the original artwork, is a different market altogether. One example of the vast difference from art to postcard is Larsen’s Battle Mountain . This painting is a large oil on canvas, painted in 1947, and is encased in a museum-quality frame measuring 46×65 inches – pretty intimidating next to reproduced postcard No. 52.

Battle Mountain painted 1972 Card No. 52 reproduced from the original by L.H. Larsen in 1947

There were 14 original works by Dude and Dot Larsen uncovered on this estate in the little town of Woodland, California. The paintings were part of an estate belonging to Larsen’s son and daughter-in-law who preserved the paintings since L.H. Larsen passed in 1997. In addition to the art, the estate has over a thousand postcards, including a collection of black and white cards and large hand drawn storyboards illustrating works of Hoke Denetsosie, a Navajo artist illustrator. Also in the collection are several etched copper stamps used for hand printing postcards.

To sell paintings without auction prices seems a formidable task for those up to the challenge, but a task that could prove futile without established auction values. Upon consultation with a few art dealers, we established value for the paintings and proceeded with reserve prices. One of the paintings that sold at the estate was The Chief, painted in 1938, by Dot Larsen.

Another painting showcasing Larsen’s masterful ability to capture the mood was The New Range Ahead,
completed in 1939. One of his earlier oils on board, the painting has an eerie quality, transcending the viewer right into the landscape, as if you are planted across from the forlorn cowboy. Larsen’s art seems to catch the viewer off guard, bringing them in, and revealing so much, but you are not saddened by the cowboy, rather right along with him.

The New Range Ahead painted 1939 Card No. 3

Currently, the sales of these paintings have been reported and will make it into the various venues that record an artist’s sold work.

Larsen ran for senator in 1949, but politics rarely appeared in his creations, rather, he was sentimental and a
humorist. The latter of the two can be seen in many of Larsen’s printed cards showcasing the silly and risqué culture he was known for.

How Cowboys Keep Young painted 1946 Card No. 29

As a liquidator, the ability to find the right audience for items with risqué chauvinistic references can be
challenging, but there is always an audience for postcards as they are tiny portals into the past.

How Come You’re Through With Jim? No.90

Taking In Places… No. 20

The Roundup , a western working scene included in the collection, represents a fall roundup the Larsens did with their cousins who homesteaded along Westwater Creek, Utah. Painted in 1940, the canvas features several cowboys finishing a long day’s work and gathering for an open fire meal. Complete with a chuck wagon in the background, this early 1900’s scene represents the work and drive of cattle to the Colorado and Kansas markets.

The Roundup painted 1940 Card No.14

As we prepare these amazing and rare pieces of art for final auction, we feel privileged to have stumbled upon this estate and learn so much about this little part of American culture and history. The sale of these paintings will also include paintings by Dot Larsen. One particular painting, The Scout , painted in 1946, illustrates the early history of southeastern Utah. The Scout gained popularity when it was featured in a 1998 documentary highlighting the Red Rock desert. It should be noted the card No.45 was mistakenly credited to Dude Larsen.

The Scout painted 1946 Card No. 45

The liquidation industry has many levels and processes with varied degrees of involvement. With most estates the process is a straightforward sale with no personal involvement. Each time an estate like this comes along, it should be treated as historical reference and curated as such. We are proud to represent L.H. “Dude” Larsen’s artwork and have enjoyed the adventure of revealing this artists’ original works. We hope you will have an opportunity to view [Dot and Dude] Larsens’ art and enjoy a piece of history

Dudes Taught Here unknown date and actual title

For more information visit Levy Estate Services’ website . Levy Estate Services is poised to bring a selection of the Dude’s little-known hobby to light. Titled, “The Cowboy Artist.” The sale will feature twelve Larsen paintings, eight storyboards and multiple lots of postcards. Contact Levy Estate Services by phone at (916) 286-9698 for more information about their professional estate liquidation services, including inventory and valuation services, or to schedule a consultation. Levy Estate Services serves the greater Sacramento, California area including all of Gold Country and Northern CA including Roseville, CA; Folsom, CA; Lodi, CA; Elk Grove, CA; Rancho Cordova, CA; Citrus Heights, CA; and Carmichael, CA..