Vintage Bulgarian Set of 6 Cotton Table Napkins, TK “1 May” Varna, 1987 – New Old Stock

Description

Vintage Bulgarian Set of 6 Cotton Table Napkins – TK “1 May”, Varna

Original complete set of 6 vintage Bulgarian table napkins, produced by TK “1 May”, Varna, during the socialist period in Bulgaria.

The set has never been used and remains preserved with its original factory paper label. It is therefore best described as New Old Stock (NOS) – an authentic period textile set that survived unused from the time of manufacture.

The original label records the article as “Napkins”, model 38/38, 6 pieces, fabric type “Paloma”, first-quality classification, quality-control inspection and an original retail price of 2.70 leva. A marking at the bottom indicates May 1987.

100% Cotton and Classic Checked Design

The napkins are made from 100% cotton, giving the fabric a natural woven texture and a soft, practical character.

The design features a light ground crossed by blue-grey, ochre and fine brown woven lines, creating a restrained checked pattern typical of household textiles from the 1980s.

A close view of the fabric reveals the visible weave structure and the way the coloured threads form the pattern directly within the textile rather than as a surface print.

Complete Set of 6 Napkins

The set remains complete with all 6 matching napkins.

Each napkin measures approximately 38 × 38 cm / 14.96 × 14.96 in and is finished with bound, gently rounded edges.

The survival of the complete six-piece set together with its original factory label adds significantly to its documentary and collector interest.

Original Factory Label

One of the strongest features of the set is the surviving original paper factory label, still attached with its red thread.

The front identifies TK “1 May”, the “Shirpotreba” workshop and Varna.

The reverse preserves the original production information, including the article type, model, number of pieces, fabric designation, quality classification and original retail price.

This documentation provides valuable provenance and allows the set to be identified as an authentic Bulgarian household textile from the late socialist period rather than simply as an anonymous vintage textile.

First Quality and Factory Quality Control

The original label carries a first-quality marking together with an OTK quality-control stamp.

These marks form part of the original factory documentation and provide an additional snapshot of how Bulgarian consumer textiles were classified and inspected before sale.

Condition

The set is unused and preserved as New Old Stock (NOS).

The napkins show no signs of normal household use and remain together with their original factory label.

Minor traces of long-term storage may be present, consistent with a textile set approaching four decades in age. The paper label also shows natural age-related wear.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Measurements and Details

• Object: set of table napkins
• Quantity: 6 pieces
• Manufacturer: TK “1 May”
• Workshop: “Shirpotreba”
• Place of manufacture: Varna, Bulgaria
• Period: People’s Republic of Bulgaria
• Date: May 1987, according to the original label
• Size of each napkin: approx. 38 × 38 cm / 14.96 × 14.96 in
• Material: 100% cotton
• Fabric designation: “Paloma”, according to the original label
• Pattern: checked
• Colours: light ground with blue-grey, ochre and brown lines
• Quality: first quality, according to factory marking
• Quality control: OTK stamp
• Original retail price: 2.70 leva
• Condition: unused / New Old Stock (NOS)
• Original label: present

Bulgarian Household Textile from the 1980s

This set is an interesting surviving example of Bulgarian industrial and household textile production from the 1980s.

Its restrained geometry, natural cotton fabric and practical format reflect the everyday design language of domestic textiles produced for Bulgarian households during the period.

Today, complete unused sets retaining their original factory documentation are considerably more informative than isolated used examples because they preserve not only the textile itself, but also its original commercial and manufacturing context.

Collector and Decorative Interest

The set will appeal to collectors of Bulgarian vintage textiles, socialist-era design, Eastern European household objects, New Old Stock items and documented 1980s domestic textiles.

It is also suitable for a vintage or retro interior, period display, photographic or film prop collection, or for anyone seeking an authentic unused Bulgarian textile object from the late 1980s.