Title : Traditional Culture Special (5th Issue)
Stamp Serial#
 2383
KPC#
 C-1849 
StanGib#
 2763 
Scott#
 2150b 
Date of Issue
 06/24/2004
Quantity
 560,000 
Denomination
 190 won 
Design
 Thimble 
Designer
 Roh, Jung-hwa 
Image Area
 35mm x 35mm 
Perforation
 13 
Sheet Composition
 4 x 4
(four stamps setenant) 
Paper
 White unwatermarked
Printing process
and colors
 Intaglio, two colors
(Octagonal-shaped stamp) 
Print
 Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation 
Description
This fifth stamp packet in the Traditional Culture Special introduces Korea's traditional needlework tools. Since ancient times, the needle, thread, ruler, thimble, scissors, soldering iron, and flatiron were considered as the "seven best friends in a lady's sitting room (known in Korean as gyujungchiru), and women were never without them. These stamps, illustrating needlework equipment dating from the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), are displayed at the National Folk Museum of Korea.

Thimble:
Placed on the end of the index finger, the thimble is used to push the blunt end of the needle through the fabric without injuring the finger. Thimbles were constructed of colored silk, leather and other materials, and some were even embroidered. In the past, neighborhood women would visit the home of the bride-to-be to see the articles in her wedding chest. At that time, the bride would give out 40 or 50 thimbles as well as needles, not only as token for guests, but also to display her needlework skills.