Hat, Cowboy - Gail Davis
Object number2013.129.08
Mediumleather, beaver felt, rhinestones
Dimensions4 x 11 1/2 x 14 3/4 in. (10.2 x 29.2 x 37.5 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
DescriptionA Nudie cowboy hat worn by Gail Davis. Gail Davis was born Betty Jeanne Grayson on October 25, 1925, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in McGehee, Arkansas. She is best known as TV's "Annie Oakley" and was the first woman to have her own western series. Upon her arrival in Hollywood, Davis began playing small roles in films and television. Western star Gene Autry recognized Gail as "the perfect western heroine" and cast her as the female lead in 15 of his Columbia films and 28 TV episodes of "The Gene Autry Show." Davis went on to star in 81 episodes of her own TV series, "Annie Oakley." Davis has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Davis died March 15, 1997.
The hat is made of 5X quality beaver felt dyed white and is ornamented with several clear rhinestones. The brim, crown, and hatband are white felt without embellishment. The rhinestones are positioned beneath the brim in elegant scroll patterns with several stones missing. Inside of the hat, "Nudie's Rodeo Tailors North Hollywood California" and the Nudie logo has been stamped into the brown leather sweatband in gold ink. Along with the logo, "XXXXX BEAVER" and "Self-Conforming" have also been stamped in gold ink along the sweatband. The interior liner of the hat is made of red silk surrounding a "Resistol" logo.
Status
On view
