Matchbox Label Set - 011

Authentic collection of original Soviet (USSR) matchbox labels dating from the 1950s–1960s.
The set includes a wide variety of designs reflecting Soviet everyday life and ideology: industrial progress, traffic and fire safety, Red Cross themes, space exploration (Sputnik), aviation, and state propaganda.

Printed by different Soviet factories, these labels showcase strong graphic composition, bold colors, and period typography typical of Cold War-era visual culture.
All labels are original vintage items, preserved together as a collectible set.

A highly decorative and historically significant group, suitable for collectors of:

• Soviet ephemera

• Matchbox labels (phillumeny)

• Cold War & propaganda art

• Graphic design history

???? Sold strictly as historical collectibles.

Details

• Origin: Soviet Union (USSR)

• Era: Mid-20th century (approx. 1950s–1960s)

• Theme: Gas & household safety

• Material: Printed paper

• Condition: Original vintage condition with light age-related wear

• Quantity: Full set as shown in photos

This is a vintage Matchbox label set, featuring a selection of original printed labels from various historical matchbox designs.

Each label captures a unique example of graphic art and advertising from the early-to-mid 20th century, representing regional styles, printing techniques, and commercial design aesthetics of their time.

The set includes authentic matchbox labels with colorful and detailed artwork — ideal for collectors of vintage ephemera, matchbox enthusiasts, or lovers of historical design.
These small yet beautifully crafted pieces of art tell the story of everyday culture and design heritage through decades of craftsmanship and creativity.

Considering that set pieces were prepared specially for thematic exhibitions, their design corresponds with that particular exhibition. That is, they are displayed (glued on) a A4 size sheet of paper, which reflects design tendencies and possibilities of that time period.

Phillumeny (also known as Phillumenism) is the hobby of collecting different match-related items: matchboxes, matchbox labels, matchbooks, matchcovers, matchsafes, etc.

Collecting of matchbox labels emerged together with matches. In some collections it is possible to find labels from chemical matches, produced in 1810—1815—long before the modern matches arrived. Quite often people who went abroad brought back matchboxes as souvenirs from other countries. After World War II a lot of match factories worked in close contact with local phillumenists, issuing special non-advertising sets. The hobby became especially widespread from the 1960s through the 1980s. Widespread introduction of bulky (for collectors) cardboard matchboxes with less distinct images on them, much poorer quality of print and, also some social phenomena, made this hobby (like many others, not connected with commerce) much less engaged.