Original 1985 Soviet May Day Poster – "Welcome, Sunny Spring Holiday!" – Artist Yuriy Kopeiko

This original 1985 Soviet poster celebrates Pervomay — the International Day of Workers’ Solidarity — with a warmth and lightness that sets it apart from the heavier industrial imagery of earlier Soviet decades. Published by the Malysh («Малыш») Publishing House and accompanied by a festive verse by G. Ladonshchikov, the composition places a cheerful group of children with balloons, flowers, and flags against the iconic silhouette of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square — projecting the official state vision of a peaceful, prosperous future built on communal labour.

The artwork was created by Yuriy Kopeiko (Ю. Копейко, 1933–2010), an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation and one of the most celebrated Soviet illustrators of his generation. Kopeiko was a long-standing collaborator of the Malysh Publishing House, renowned for his ability to blend narrative warmth with architectural precision and a distinctly fairytale-like sensibility. His work spoke directly to children while carrying a quiet, enduring beauty that resonates just as strongly in contemporary interiors. Printed in a run of 100,000 copies for mass street display, posters like this were ephemeral by design — making well-preserved originals increasingly rare finds for collectors of late-Soviet graphic ephemera.

Aesthetic Breakdown

With its soft watercolour palette, playful balloons, and charmingly detailed figures, this poster radiates a warm mid-century children’s book aesthetic. The contrast between the rigid, historic Kremlin towers and the fluid, colourful balloons gives it a whimsical yet historically grounded presence. Its gentle tones and joyful subject matter make it exceptionally versatile — a natural fit for eclectic living rooms, mid-century modern interiors, creative studios, or a sophisticated children’s bedroom or nursery.

Authenticity

100% Guaranteed Original Vintage Poster — not a modern reprint or reproduction.

Artist: Yuriy Kopeiko (Ю. Копейко)
Verses: G. Ladonshchikov (Г. Ладонщиков)
Year: 1985 (approved for print 15 February 1985)
Publisher: Malysh Publishing House (Издательство «Малыш»), Moscow
Printer: Rosglavpoligrafprom Factory No. 1, Moscow
Print Run: 100,000 copies
Original Cover Price: 23 kopecks
Printing Technique: Offset Lithograph
Dimensions: 60 cm × 90 cm (approx. 23" × 35")

Condition

Overall: Good Vintage Condition

Wear: Creasing and soft wrinkles across the paper body consistent with age and storage. Small conservation tape repairs on the reverse along the edges. Faint pencil inscription on the verso («Дети в полёт…» / “Children in flight…”), likely a former archivist’s note. Minor paper thinning on the top right corner where a label was once removed.

Details: Colors remain vibrant and graphics crisp. Presents beautifully and is ready for framing. Genuinely uncommon condition for a 40+ year-old Soviet lithograph.

This is an authentic vintage item. Please review the high-resolution photographs for a full and accurate representation. What you see is what you receive.

Shipping & Packaging

We handle historic paper with the utmost care to ensure it arrives immaculate.

Handling: Dispatched within 1–3 business days from our studio
Packaging: Rolled in acid-free tissue paper and shipped in a heavy-duty reinforced mailing tube — no folding, no creasing, no edge damage
Tracking: Fully tracked from our studio to your door
Standard delivery: Registered post (BH Pošta), arriving in 1–4 weeks
Express delivery: DHL Express available at checkout — delivery in 2–5 business days

International buyers are responsible for any applicable customs fees or import taxes.

Framing

Professional custom framing is available for this piece upon request. Contact us before checkout to discuss options and tailored pricing.