Damaged Borsalino straw hat

[tonylumpkin]

I'm looking for advice on whether this hat is repairable. And, if so, who might be a reputable craftsman capable of handling the repair.

 

[hatsRme]

My approach to this project would be to get a toothpick (applicator) and a flexible adhesive, (I've used clear silicone) and settle in for a long, step-by-step process of "micro-gluing" the braid. Skip the coffee the day you do this; you'll need a steady, almost robotic hand. Tiny, VERY tiny spots of the adhesive, beginnign at the outer section of the split, held in place with tape, letting it dry a section at a time. Did I say TINY spots? Tiny. No excess.

If you really love the hat (it IS magnificent, I have almost exactly the same Borsa Milan), and don't feel confident to try this yourself there is a company in Newton, Massachusetts that does museum quality artwork restoration on all manner of items. Trefler and Sons at http://trefler.com/ This may be a project that would be suitable for their fastidious artisans.

They don't make Milan braid like that anymore, you know!

Good luck!!

 

[Borsalino Fan]

Hello:

I know that this is off the subject of this thread, but I really don't know where else to ask my question. You'll notice that in this hat there are stamped the owner's initials in. I've just acquired several gorgeous , almost new vintage Borsalino's. I want to find a store that has the machine that does this stamping of initials. There used to be several stores in Boston which did this service, but they are all out of business. Can anyone help? In addition, is there anyone on this site who is familiar with a store in boston which was called Scott & Co., Ltd? They were at 340 Washington Street for decades. My family were all customers and I'm trying to find one of the former clerks.

Thank you!

 

[TheDane]

You could also call Optimo and ask, if you can mail them the pictures. I'm very sure, they can fix the thread, so it won't keep unraveling - and re-sew the "broken" brim. They have the right machinery and the experience to do the job. They would absolutely be my very first choise.

 

[hatsRme]

As long as we're here, two updates here to this thread.

The Borsa Milan repair may also be approached using a milliner's thin sewing needle and fine, correctly colored thread. I have seen that technique used, and it was remarkable. Tedious, I'm sure, but worth it.

In the Boston area, the only place that initials hat sweatbands may be Salmagundi, on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain. If they aren't doing it yet, check with the hatter of your choice, online. Some do stamped gold leaf type, such as is seen in the Borsa, above, or they do a punched-in perforated monogram. Art Fawcett does perforated letters, I'm not sure who does the gold stamp, but you can check it out. Best of luck.

P.S. (if there even is "P.S." anymore) Found nothing online about the store you mention, and my mother, at 86-1/2 years of age, doesn't recall the store either. I will inquire of other elders from that part of town, as you have piqued my curiosity.

 

[TheDane]

I'm in line with you Charlie, but if the hat really matters to the owner, I would try Optimo as my first choise. I believe, that is the American custom hatter with most experience on high quality milans - and repairs like this can be quite tricky to tackle. Just my two

 

[-30-]

"Can anyone help?"
Borsalino Fan.

Try this and other sites for historical info:

http://distantcousin.com/Directories/MA/Boston.html

You could also search internetarchive.org not only for that,
but for books etc.

Regards,
J T

 

[Tomasso]

I second the Optimo rec. Send them some pics and see what they say.