Borsalino Hat Museum Pictures

[jamespowers]

Here is a picture of one of the lining books that was in the factory . As I mentioned , a store could pick out the design of their choice when buying a hat.

The liner in the lower right hand corner must have been a popular or cheap choice for the US. I have seen many of that liner.

Regards,

J

 

[feltfan]

Here is a picture of one of the lining books that was in the factory . As I mentioned , a store could pick out the design of their choice when buying a hat.

Thanks so much for the photos. What a place!

Did they explain how stores were able to co-label with Borsalino?
Many Borsalinos from Italian stores have liners with logos from both
Borsalino and the store, often comingled in such a way that they
had to be designed like that.

And now that you can post photos, looking forward to
seeing your collection!

 

[astaire]

You got a private tour and permission to touch those hats?!?!?!

You are a very lucky man, Besdor. Please keep those pics coming.

BTW, can people just show up there on weekends to see the hats or do you have to obtain special appointments?

 

[besdor]

As far as I know , the museum is open to the public on the weekends . Alessandria is a nice place to visit for the day. There is a nice hotel down the block called the Boi Rossi that I've stayed in about 40 times . It is part of the Ancor hotel chain .
I'm not sure if they will let people open the cases though .

More pics coming soon .



Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Brad Bowers]

This is a hat Douglas would love to own . A cav edge Borsalino in mint condition . It was dated 1924 inside the hat . It was light as a feather

Thanks for posting this one, Steven. This is the first evidence I've seen of an early non-Crofut & Knapp/Cavanagh with a Cav Edge. Wonder if it was licensed. International patent enforcement, what's that?lol

Brad

 

[besdor]

Brad , from what I've been told , Cavanaugh did create the process of folding the brim to create the Cav edge but it was copied by alot of companies . Borsalino called it " Bordo Doppio" or double edge . I've seen it on other hats such as Lee and Caxton as well .



Steven
Bencraft Hats

 

[DOUGLAS]

Oh Steven, You have no idea what you are doing to me. I have not been able to wipe the drool from my shirt. My wife asked me why I was just staring at a photo and mumbling to myself.

I gotta go to that museum. GOOD GOD how amazing. Thank you Steven for taking the time and energy to post such beauty.

 

[besdor]

Another picture

Here's one I missed while emptying my camera .

This hat is an early one -dated 1915 . It was worn as a brim up ,with the sides gently curled . It hasen't lost it's shape in 90 years.


Steven
Bencraft Hats

 

[DOUGLAS]

Yes ,ok ,I will admit that I covet. Increadable Steven, I WANT that one. What great proportions.

 

[besdor]

On many of the earlier hats , you cant even see the stitch marks that were used to sew on the bands .The workmanship was truly incredible because it was all done by hand.



Steven
Bencraft Hats

 

[astaire]

This is one side of the museum . These showcases are the original sample cases used to show buyers what Borsalino had for sale . The museum itself is housed in one large room that was in the original factory . My father came along on this trip and remebered working in this room back in the 1950's . It was a trip down memory lane!!!!

Steven

Before I read Douglas' replies, I thought Besdor was visiting Douglas' basement

 

[Dinerman]

what an interesting ribbon on that 1915 one.
I wonder why no one does that style now.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Dinerman, They will start using that bow now.

 

[ideaguy]

Bravo! The thing that excites me the most is the fact that there are
so many true lovers of the form of the hat, as iconic object and sculpture
for the outside of the head-the old saw "everyone's a critic" was never so
true-we're simply using criticism in it's positive direction this time. What a
unique opportunity to see the best of the best- more please!!

 

[besdor]

Another interesting hat

This is an example of a Borsalino Safari hat from the 1930's . I never knew that they made these . This particular hat was for a store in Nirobi in Africa !!

It was in perfect shape .


Steven
Bencraft Hats

 

[Dinerman]

Dinerman, They will start using that bow now.

I like big ol' fat ribbons, with wide whatever you call the vertical part in the middle.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I like big ol' fat ribbons, with wide whatever you call the vertical part in the middle.

Isn't that the knot? [huh]

.

 

[Dinerman]

is that what you call it? I was sure there was a word for it.

 

[feltfan]

Men's Hats

Doesn't anyone have "Men's Hats" in the Chronicle Books
Bella Cosa Library, ISBN: 0811810593 ?

If you like these hats, get it. Amazon.com has used copies
now for less than $10, as do other online used book sellers.

The book is entirely pictures of the Allesandria and Monza
museums which, if I remember correctly, have been combined.
There's a whole little section on so-called Borsalino pith helmets.
Other sections present Borsalino hats by year.

Of course Besdor's fine photos here show hats not shown
in the book (it's a small book). But if you like these photos
(and I can never get enough of them!), get the book, too.
BTW, there are other books in the series such as "Fountain Pens"
and "Pocket Watches" that might be of interest here.

 

[besdor]

If I would have known the response to my pictures , I would have taken more . I promise next time I will take as many as possible .






Steven
Bencraft Hats
At your service since 1948