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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Estonia - Folk Costumes 1997


1997 Folk Costumes - Ruhnu Island & Vormsi Island
Thousands of Sweden lived on Estonian Islands and coastal areas before World War II. Their resettlement in Sweden in 1943-1944 to escape Soviet occupation cut short their traditional centuries-old way of life. Folk costumes not yet influenced by modern trends were worn by the Estonian Swedes on Ruhnu and Vormsi Islands up to that time.

Ruhnu Island
The stamps show Ruhnu costumes. Nowhere else in Estonia have printed fabrics been so widely used. WOmen had dark goffered skirts worn without an apron on working days. The bonnet, a taller version for married women and lower one for girls, was covered with printed silk or cotton cloth. Outdoors, it could in turn be covered with a kerchief. Men wore light grey suits bordered in black.

Vormsi Island
The stamp depicts Vormsi folk costumes from the middle of the 19th century. Women wore goffered black skirts similar to those worn on other islands, but sewn to a very short bodice covered with short sleeves. Women also wore short black jackets decorated with strips of blue broadcloth and copper buttons, as were men's jackets. Hair was arranged in arches and braided with yellow and scarlet ribbons. The child's doll is dressed as a bride. Besides their archaic cut, Vormsi costumes also stand out for their colours: black, white, pure yellow and scarlet. Children's the neighbouring Hiiumaa Island. Their breeches were of dark woolen or white linen fabric.

1997 Folk Costumes - Ruhnu Island
Denomination: 3.30
Date: 10 June 1997
Print: Offset
Designer: Mari Kaarma
Perforation: 13 3/4 x 14
Sheets: 10 x 5
Quantity issued: 1,204,700
Printing house: AS Vaba Maa



1997 Folk Costumes - Vormsi Island
Denomination: 3.30
Date: 10 June 1997
Print: Offset
Designer: Mari Kaarma
Perforation: 13 3/4 x 14
Sheets: 10 x 5
Quantity issued: 1,202,350
Printing house: AS Vaba Maa



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