January 26, 2024 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2024
Starting in the early 1930s when the RV (Rancheros Visitadores) began its renowned springtime Santa Barbara trail ride, co-founder Elmer Awl, would have Luis make him a new rawhide hatband every season adding one rawhide loop for each year. This hatband, now sitting atop a dark brown maker-marked Visalia Stock Saddle Company Stetson has 5 bands indicating that it was probably made by Ortega for the 5th annual ride in 1935.
Provenance: High Noon Collection, Los Angeles, California