Offered is the MUCH MORE RARE STYLE of the Elvis Presley "ELVIS NOW INTERNATIONAL" Styrofoam hat with a orange satin--rather than paper--band. Making this example UNIQUE in the world of Elvis straw hats is that Colonel Parker had the hat PAINTED GOLD, and then he himself autographed the hat for family member of his right-hand man, Tom Diskin! "To Jimmie, From Uncle Colonel" is written neatly on the interior of the hat. An incredible artifact from the early heady days of Elvis' concerts at the Las Veges International Hotel.
When Elvis hit the stage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in July 1969, he once again took the world by storm as he reinvented his career after a decade of acting in Hollywood films. He returned with a vengeance and over the next several years between 1969 and 1976 performed more than 600 sold out shows in Las Vegas in addition to his concert tours across the country. A staple of every show during this revival period were the concert souvenirs, which varied widely in type, size and style. Many were generic enough to use in a variety of venues, but all had the similar thread of Elvis’ image or name adorning each one. An ideal example was the Styrofoam hat created to resemble a straw boater hat that could be used at different events and venues simply by adjusting the paper band.
This original, period 1970s hat measures 6 1/2 by 8 inches on the interior and 4 inches in height and still retains the original rubber bands on the interior. Near Mint condition.
Emanating from the collection of a Tom Diskin Family Member.