This tall hat was worn by the father of Imelda Kroon, Jose M.P Kroon, during the opening of the first state year of the Curaçao territory (gebiedsdeel Curaçao) in 1937. The States was the successor to the Colonial Council of the Dutch colony Curaçao. Mrs Kroon (1926) tells us: “My dad bought this hat originally to use on his wedding day, but later he also wore it on other special occasions like political ceremonies.”

Jose Kroon was head of the Catholic Trade Union and member of state. His brother Ciro Kroon was Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles from 1968 to 1969.

This hat, now more than hundred years old, is an authentic Borsalino; made by the oldest Italian luxury hat manufacturer in Italy. This fine quality black velvet hat is lined with 100% silk and has a customized stamp on the inside stating the text ‘Almacén del Zulia Curaçao’.