Printed Tablecloths

I grew up in a time when putting a tablecloth on our kitchen table was commonplace. Tablecloths were just as much a part of the kitchen table as the dinnerware and silverware were. I think we all have special feelings to things that either fascinate us or invoke pieces of our past.

***

Many of the printed tablecloths we find today in flea markets, antique shops and estate auctions are from the 30's, 40's and 50's. It seems there were unlimited designs and themes during these years. I have come across a variety of printed tablecloths during my flea market years and to this day I find them all fascinating.

***

Tablecloths with fruit and flowers were very popular and you will find these in every flea market and antique shop in the United States. These fruit and flowers usually date to the 30's & 40's. Themed tablecloths were more popular in the 1950's ,although the 30's and 40's did produce some as well.

***

In the 30's & 40's themes usually surrounded around children, people, jobs and social issues in animated layouts. In the mid 40's pine cones and trees were quite popular for a brief time. In the late 40's and 50's whimsical tablecloths featuring cartoon figures, home towns, monuments, state fairs, nursery rhymes and advertising were common. The 50's produced a lot of amusing tablecloths that are fun to look at and collect.

***

I do have a few other tips to help date printed tablecloths. Color is a good indicator of dating a tablecloth, for example, in the 20's the colors were soft pastels and there was usually only one color per tablecloth. In the late 20's and 30's pastels were out and bright colors were in. During the 30's the white background of the tablecloth outlined the bright colors showing white in between each color. In the late 40's the dominating colors were enhanced with lighter shades of the same color. When shading was added the tablecloths went from flat to a three dimensional type look.

***

The placement of the print will also date a printed tablecloth. During the 20's and 30's the corner prints were large or they had small print surrounding the border. The size is another way to date a printed tablecloth, during the 20's and 30's tablecloths were generally 54”x54” in size. During the 40's and 50's you will find larger sized printed tablecloths.

***

In the late 40's matching items became popular, napkins and place mats were made to match the tablecloth.

***

I still buy these tablecloths at estate auctions and yard sales to resell but they don't always make it to the public in a timely manner. I have several in the bottom of my china cabinet, it is actually stuffed with assorted tablecloths from several era's.