Borsalino Marque Grand Luxe Beaver Fedora

[2000hpbob]

Here is a Borsalino Marque Grand Luxe vintage beaver fedora. This fedora has been professionally dry cleaned and is ready for a true 7-1/4” head to proudly sit atop. I acquired the fedora from a family member that was more a collector than a hat enthusiast and evidence shows it was rarely, if ever worn. It is a 100% beaver fur specimen and it is truly magnificent. It was created by the Borsalino hat company in Alessandria, Italy, sometime between 1940 and 1948. The features would include a 2 1-2" brim, 6" crown unformed, gold embossed leather sweatband, and 1 1-4'' bowed hatband.

Pictures: http://s1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj579/Robertsvintagefedoras/

This fedora will be available on ebay in Mid-March.
Reguards,
Robert

 

[carouselvic]

?Are you sure about all of this?

 

[2000hpbob]

I'm fairly certain although I could be misinformed. Does something appear incorrect?

 

[Aureliano]

Shouldn't this be in the Borsalino Brotherhood? thread

 

[barrowjh]

Up to this point I thought Borsalino did not reveal the beaver content of its hats during vintage times, and I am not sure this is a clear change. I see the Marque Grand Luxe, but I do not see where this is clearly claimed as 100% beaver. I have seen very few (if any!) of these, so I will allow that it might be 100% beaver and a superior felt, just not seeing the clear claim to that effect (a Stetson claiming '7X Clear Beaver Quality' is a rather clear claim). Maybe there are some advertisements that explain 'Marque Grand Luxe' is 100% beaver?

 

[randooch]

Shouldn't this be in the Borsalino Brotherhood? thread

Yeah, or the Future Classifieds thread . . .

 

[bond]

2000hpbob if this is for sale give us a price and put the ad in the classifieds
Thanks

 

[Chief000731]

Here is a Borsalino Marque Grand Luxe vintage beaver fedora. This fedora has been professionally dry cleaned and is ready for a true 7-1/4” head to proudly sit atop. I acquired the fedora from a family member that was more a collector than a hat enthusiast and evidence shows it was rarely, if ever worn. It is a 100% beaver fur specimen and it is truly magnificent. It was created by the Borsalino hat company in Alessandria, Italy, sometime between 1940 and 1948. The features would include a 2 1-2" brim, 6" crown unformed, gold embossed leather sweatband, and 1 1-4'' bowed hatband.

Pictures: http://s1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj579/Robertsvintagefedoras/

This fedora will be available on ebay in Mid-March.
Reguards,
Robert

Whens it for sale?
I'll buy it... Carl

 

[Chief000731]

If it's for sale I will buy it rght now.
Carl

 

[2000hpbob]

Aside from the "X" markings there are no other identifiable signs. Back in the day I believe Borsalino and others only used beaver. The man who dry cleaned the hat is an expert in vintage fedoras and he also mentioned that this is a magnificent beaver specimen, and it is evident from holding it that the fur is of superior quality.

My intention was to either list the hat at $4 and hope to ignite a bidding war or list it at $325 and hope for a few high bidders. I’m leaning toward the latter option. I've had a startlingly high number of people contact me with interest in the fedora so I am hesitant to sell it without an auction but I would for the right price.

Thanks for the advice Bond, will do.

 

[Aureliano]

Back in the day I believe Borsalino and others only used beaver.

Not true. They used everything.

 

[Aureliano]

...and it is evident from holding it that the fur is of superior quality.

Aside from the "X" markings there are no other identifiable signs. Back in the day I believe Borsalino and others only used beaver. The man who dry cleaned the hat is an expert in vintage fedoras and he also mentioned that this is a magnificent beaver specimen, and it is evident from holding it that the fur is of superior quality.

Holding a hat is not always a reliable way to tell if it is of higher quality. All the Marque G.L I've seen have been velours and those are inherently softer and have a velvet hand which can lead to think they are beavers or higher quality. I've owned a couple of MGL and comparing them to the feel of my Borsalino Qualita Suprema, they all fall short. Your hat is great, no question about it but stating that it is 100% beaver using as an evidence the statement of a dry cleaner, just doesn't seem valid enough. Hat manufacturers pride themselves to this day and make sure everyone knows when their hats are made of more exotic furs.

 

[2000hpbob]

Your correct, I intended to say, "only used beaver on their high quality fedoras", or atleast had high beaver content. I believe Borso went up to XXXXXX, possibly only XXXXX in the 40's? This is a XXXXX so if it isnt 100% beaver it is likely very high beaver content. I have owned a few 100% beaver hats in the past and the quality of this fedora far surpasses anything else I have ever owned.

 

[alanfgag]

As Aureliano notes, there are many 5X Marque Grand Luxe Borsalinos in Fedora Lounge collections. I don't believe anyone has the answer to the felt fur content. They are very nice hats - most examples I have seen are from the 1950s. The manufacturing label underneath the sweatband would aid in determining the vintage. A 6" open crown would also be an unusual dimension.

Best of luck with your auction.

 

[DJH]

2000h - the Marque Grand Luxe is a super hat, I have a fine example myself. I've always assumed that it is a rabbit/hare blend making up the felt, I don't believe it contains much beaver, maybe none. Hat companies can print as many XX's on the hat as they want, but (with some exceptions, like the 7XCB Stetsons) it generally doesn't mean much.

Borsalino must have made a bunch of these, they are always popping up on eBay. There's one there now, same size as yours with a $222 BIN price - nice condition but been for sale at that price for quite a while.

 

[mayserwegener]

According this ad (posted by Robert) Velour finishes were the most expensive.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?13133-The-BORSALINO-BROTHERHOOD&p=1389851&viewfull=1#post1389851

 

[Chief000731]

2000h - the Marque Grand Luxe is a super hat, I have a fine example myself. I've always assumed that it is a rabbit/hare blend making up the felt, I don't believe it contains much beaver, maybe none. Hat companies can print as many XX's on the hat as they want, but (with some exceptions, like the 7XCB Stetsons) it generally doesn't mean much.

Borsalino must have made a bunch of these, they are always popping up on eBay. There's one there now, same size as yours with a $222 BIN price - nice condition but been for sale at that price for quite a while.

And one for $149.00 thats been up for awhile as well the guy offered it to me for $120.00 I may grab it

 

[Aureliano]

And one for $149.00 thats been up for awhile as well the guy offered it to me for $120.00 I may grab it

Grab it.

 

[Chief000731]

Aureliano you really think $149.00 is a good deal? It is one that didn't have a liner in it does that mean anything?
here is the hat. I made him an offer what do you think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-BOR...886?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3371ff319e

 

[alanfgag]

Aureliano you really think $149.00 is a good deal? It is one that didn't have a liner in it does that mean anything?
here is the hat. I made him an offer what do you think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-BOR...886?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3371ff319e

We're not talking the same hat here.