This is Rosendo Delgado. He was often the cortador for his hats. He and Victoria did the first cutting of the long brim straws on almost all of their hats.

I am very glad he is who I found when I first went hunting for hats in Montecristi. We worked together for many years. He always had the most hats, and often the best hats.

He and Victoria helped me in extraordinary ways. They helped me find a doctor so I could provide medical services for weavers. They showed me how the hats are made. They helped me to learn.

I was privileged to work to do business with Don Rosendo and Doña Victoria for many, many years.

Victoria has twice gone to rescue hats for me from sellers who “forgot” to send me the hats I had paid for.

The first time, the dealer who had my money and my hats had died. Victoria and a Peace Corps volunteer had to take my hats away from relatives more greedy than grieving. They did it.

The second time was from her own nephew. He simply could not bring himself to send me the hats I had paid for. He already had that money. And he had the hats. If he sold those hats (again) he would have more money. Can’t argue with his logic. Just his ethics.

Thank you, thank you, Victoria.

Don Rosendo grew older. His health failed. A younger, stronger family became the largest dealers. Así es la vida.

Okay, back to making hats. Below, the cortador cuts the long straw at the end of the brim.