Sydneysiders have a long history with panama hats The Powerhouse Museum has a Panama hat from the 1870s in its collection.

When the photograph was taken Caramba was located in one of King Street's Art Deco buildings which has original fluted glass windows.

This used to be a fashion business called Rags to Riches, and was a dressmaker's shop from 1900.

The Hatte family sold Panama hats, helmets and 'down-river' hats from their King Street store. In 1906 the shop was spruced up with over 100 electric light globes. Country customers were offered free refreshments.

Panama hats, like many other American goods, were shipped from Ecuador to the Isthmus of Panama before being shipped to their final destination, thus acquiring the name that reflected their point of international sale.

In December 2012, the art of weaving the traditional Ecuadorian toquilla hat was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Known today as the Panama hat, it has been produced in Ecuador since the seventeenth century. A Panama hat is only genuine if it is made in Ecuador.