Well, after many hours research (thank you to many of the above posters / contributors) and considering panama hats from: Lock & Co; Christys' of London; Bates; Olney Hats: US Panama Hats Direct ($155.00; £125.00 +P&P, VAT & Import duty - warning! don't use their cut out size band, it is totally useless and inaccurate); US Gamboa Premium Panama Hats (£308.00 +P&P, VAT & Import duty); US The Panama Hat Company - fantastic site, extremely good information; all of the other producers, mentioned in the posts above, I have now taken the plunge and obtained a beautiful Panama Hat based on the the information posted by Frankie G on 15.02.2020 (Thank you FG) which is the Borges & Scott Signature Panama Fedora. Taking all things into consideration, this specific hat was actually whittled down to my front runner and then I remembered Frankie's post. I therefore went for a second at £31.95 and I am extremely pleased with my purchase. Panama Hats are indeed a fascinating subject and there is a lot to learn, but when all is said and done I personally could not warrant spending more than say £150.00 for such a purchase, when the likely hood of me wearing the hat (or indeed any hat for that matter) is very limited. BUT, I am planning a trip around India, but not in the foreseeable future, where the hat will be of great value!
Needless to state, I am very happy with my purchase and at £31.95 for a quality panama hat, must be considered to be a bargain. Thanks again to all of the advice gained within the above contributions and posts; hats off to yer!.