G.B.Borsalino Fu Lazzaro & C. <1936

[Rmccamey]

Hello everyone.
Today I want to share with you one of the last hats I have found: a wonderful G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro in black, in a preservation state which is like new. I am going to show it only with the crown open because I think this has a particularly interesting shape. Really full and somehow flat crown.
Love also the shape of the ribbon aside.
The size is a medium 5 1/2 French Punti (58cm) and the model name (as reported on the interior label) is BUSTO which is a model I had never seen before.
I think it has been worn not more than ten times by the original owner.
The other very interesting feature is the little blue label "CONTROLLO" coming out internally from the sweatband which is obviously a quality supervision certificate. Never seen before on another Fu Lazzaro hat.
The other particular thing is about the shop: "Oreste Rollo" was a very big and very important hat shop in the heart of the city centre of Brindisi, southern Italy. Rollo was a very very important hat trader in the first years of 1900 and he and his brother also had a hat shop in Hong Kong.
About the production era, I would say mid-1930s, because the Fu Lazzaro trade mark version should be the last used before the factory was absorbed by the Antica Casa.
Hoping that you all are going to like it, please add some corrections if I made some mistake or whatever, since I am always pleased for it!

You picked up a very nice sample, indeed. Hope to see some head shots soon.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Hello everyone.
Today I want to share with you one of the last hats I have found: a wonderful G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro in black, in a preservation state which is like new. I am going to show it only with the crown open because I think this has a particularly interesting shape. Really full and somehow flat crown.
Love also the shape of the ribbon aside.
The size is a medium 5 1/2 French Punti (58cm) and the model name (as reported on the interior label) is BUSTO which is a model I had never seen before.
I think it has been worn not more than ten times by the original owner.
The other very interesting feature is the little blue label "CONTROLLO" coming out internally from the sweatband which is obviously a quality supervision certificate. Never seen before on another Fu Lazzaro hat.
The other particular thing is about the shop: "Oreste Rollo" was a very big and very important hat shop in the heart of the city centre of Brindisi, southern Italy. Rollo was a very very important hat trader in the first years of 1900 and he and his brother also had a hat shop in Hong Kong.
About the production era, I would say mid-1930s, because the Fu Lazzaro trade mark version should be the last used before the factory was absorbed by the Antica Casa.
Hoping that you all are going to like it, please add some corrections if I made some mistake or whatever, since I am always pleased for it!

A beautiful hat: congratulations! I'm most excited by the arrangement of the hat band - a mixture of shark gills and block bow - simply great!

 

[Francesco1992]

Hello everyone!
Today I am going to show you another OUTSTANDING G.B. Borsalino Fu Lazzaro from my collection. This incredible hat, size 5 French Punti (57cm) was destined to the French market, particularly for the hat shop of Colin Hyacinthe of Denain; plus, I had the luck to speak with the seller who is the great-granddaughter of the original owner, and she certified that this hat was bought (and probably produced) in 1931, since her great-grandfather ordered it especially for the Paris Exhibition which was held that year. I think this could be useful for posterity to date other Fu Lazzaro hats.
The model name appears to be BUSSETO (mod. 12451), and, on the other hand, the Colour name code is C. SEGALE (which, I have to admit, is really fantastic and makes this hat a rare gem). The name “Artale” could be referred to the brim shape, but tell me if it is not like this in your opinion.
Hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!

 

[steur]

Hello everyone!
Today I am going to show you another OUTSTANDING G.B. Borsalino Fu Lazzaro from my collection. This incredible hat, size 5 French Punti (57cm) was destined to the French market, particularly for the hat shop of Colin Hyacinthe of Denain; plus, I had the luck to speak with the seller who is the great-granddaughter of the original owner, and she certified that this hat was bought (and maybe produced) in 1931, since her great-grandfather ordered it especially for the Paris Exhibition which was held that year. I think this could be useful for posterity to date other Fu Lazzaro hats.
The model name appears to be BUSSETO (mod. 12451), and, on the other hand, the Colour name code is C. SEGALE (which, I have to admit, is really fantastic and makes this hat a rare gem). The name “Artale” could be referred to the brim shape, but tell me if it is not like this in your opinion.
Hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!

Another fabulous addition, Francesco. I find myself getting excited when I see you posting. I think Artale is the colour of the felt, as the c. segale is the colour of the ribbon (the c. being short for cinta, something we see in the other Borsalino hats as well). The cloth crown patch reminds me of the one I have in my GB Borsalino homburg hat of the same era. So the thirties it is.

Tall crown, wide ribbon and perfect brim width: love the hat!

 

[Francesco1992]

Hello everyone again!
This time I would like to show another G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro hat from my collection with which I hope to delight you all.
This is a wonderful G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro roulé hat in a very fascinating (and rare, I think) green that was produced for the French market. It was sold by “Foch-Artisan chapelier” in Bordeaux, and its size is a 4 1/2 French Punti.
I made a very long work of putting in shape and cleaning on this one, because it had a lot of skin dirt on the sweatband as well as a lot of mold on it. In some pics you see some water spots because I was finishing with the washing work.
This particular model is called “OVIGLIO” (a little town near Alessandria), and I am thinking about dating it around the end of the 1920s (please correct me if you think I could be wrong), also due to the fact that it still has got the “casa Moderna’s” logo by Simonetti stamped on the sweatband.
I am totally in love with this one!

 

[Rmccamey]

Hello everyone again!
This time I would like to show another G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro hat from my collection with which I hope to delight you all.
This is a wonderful G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro roulé hat in a very fascinating (and rare, I think) green that was produced for the French market. It was sold by “Foch-Artisan chapelier” in Bordeaux, and its size is a 4 1/2 French Punti.
I made a very long work of putting in shape and cleaning on this one, because it had a lot of skin dirt on the sweatband as well as a lot of mold on it. In some pics you see some water spots because I was finishing with the washing work.
This particular model is called “OVIGLIO” (a little town near Alessandria), and I am thinking about dating it around the end of the 1920s (please correct me if you think I could be wrong), also due to the fact that it still has got the “casa Moderna’s” logo by Simonetti stamped on the sweatband.
I am totally in love with this one!

A beautiful hat.

 

[steur]

Hello everyone again!
This time I would like to show another G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro hat from my collection with which I hope to delight you all.
This is a wonderful G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro roulé hat in a very fascinating (and rare, I think) green that was produced for the French market. It was sold by “Foch-Artisan chapelier” in Bordeaux, and its size is a 4 1/2 French Punti.
I made a very long work of putting in shape and cleaning on this one, because it had a lot of skin dirt on the sweatband as well as a lot of mold on it. In some pics you see some water spots because I was finishing with the washing work.
This particular model is called “OVIGLIO” (a little town near Alessandria), and I am thinking about dating it around the end of the 1920s (please correct me if you think I could be wrong), also due to the fact that it still has got the “casa Moderna’s” logo by Simonetti stamped on the sweatband.
I am totally in love with this one!

Spectacular find, Francesco and excellent cleanup. They just keep coming and I love it. I admire your ability to find these hats and please don't stop! Love the shape of this one. And it's even in my size.

 

[steur]

I've posted this GB Borsalino fu Lazzaro before (here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/g-b-borsalino-fu-lazzaro-c-1936.53129/post-2946489).
Last week I had some time on my hands and a replacement sweatband came in by chance, so I thought "why not?".

Before:

The Italians all came together on this one. A replecement ribbon was provided by the bigger Borsalino and the replcement sweatband came from Barbisio. Unreeded it was a pain to put in. It had been used before as there are tiny pinholes all around the sweatband. I think I did a decent enough job.
After:

Still needs a bit of work here and there (the sweatband bow won't sit straight), but I'm happy for now.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

I've posted this GB Borsalino fu Lazzaro before (here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/g-b-borsalino-fu-lazzaro-c-1936.53129/post-2946489).
Last week I had some time on my hands and a replacement sweatband came in by chance, so I thought "why not?".

Before:
View attachment 486796

The Italians all came together on this one. A replecement ribbon was provided by the bigger Borsalino and the replcement sweatband came from Barbisio. Unreeded it was a pain to put in. It had been used before as there are tiny pinholes all around the sweatband. I think I did a decent enough job.
After:
View attachment 486804

View attachment 486797 View attachment 486798 View attachment 486799 View attachment 486800 View attachment 486801 View attachment 486802 View attachment 486803

Still needs a bit of work here and there (the sweatband bow won't sit straight), but I'm happy for now.

Nice job, Stefan! The replacements work great with the wonderful hat!

 

[steur]

Nice job, Stefan! The replacements work great with the wonderful hat!

Thank you, Matt.

 

[Blare]

I've posted this GB Borsalino fu Lazzaro before (here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/g-b-borsalino-fu-lazzaro-c-1936.53129/post-2946489).
Last week I had some time on my hands and a replacement sweatband came in by chance, so I thought "why not?".

Before:
View attachment 486796

The Italians all came together on this one. A replecement ribbon was provided by the bigger Borsalino and the replcement sweatband came from Barbisio. Unreeded it was a pain to put in. It had been used before as there are tiny pinholes all around the sweatband. I think I did a decent enough job.
After:
View attachment 486804

View attachment 486797 View attachment 486798 View attachment 486799 View attachment 486800 View attachment 486801 View attachment 486802 View attachment 486803

Still needs a bit of work here and there (the sweatband bow won't sit straight), but I'm happy for now.

Well done, Stefan. Looks great

 

[steur]

Well done, Stefan. Looks great

Thank you, Joe.

 

[Steve1857]

I've posted this GB Borsalino fu Lazzaro before (here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/g-b-borsalino-fu-lazzaro-c-1936.53129/post-2946489).
Last week I had some time on my hands and a replacement sweatband came in by chance, so I thought "why not?".

Before:
View attachment 486796

The Italians all came together on this one. A replecement ribbon was provided by the bigger Borsalino and the replcement sweatband came from Barbisio. Unreeded it was a pain to put in. It had been used before as there are tiny pinholes all around the sweatband. I think I did a decent enough job.
After:
View attachment 486804

View attachment 486797 View attachment 486798 View attachment 486799 View attachment 486800 View attachment 486801 View attachment 486802 View attachment 486803

Still needs a bit of work here and there (the sweatband bow won't sit straight), but I'm happy for now.

Nice job, Stefan. Really like the contrasting ribbon. It brings the hat to life.

 

[steur]

Nice job, Stefan. Really like the contrasting ribbon. It brings the hat to life.

Thanks, Steve. Yes, a bit of luck that the ribbon works so well.

 

[Francesco1992]

Hello!

Today I’d love to show you one of the most interesting bowler hats I have. This is, I would say, a 1930s Gibì Borsalino fu Lazzaro bowler which has also got a particular felt, that I would define “rougher” and maybe stiffer than the felt of the other bowlers I have. It was produced expressively for Benaglia’s hat shop in Torino and it shows some features that make me think it was somehow a special request: for example, the white sweatband which is always a very very high-class thing; then, we can find the hat shop’s logo stamped on the liner (which also has its particular processing and shape) and the Fu Lazzaro’s “later” logo stamped on the sweatband, together with another wonderful “Benaglia” logo written with the typical art-deco/futurist font; just love it. The hat model is “OSLO” and the size is a 6 1/2 French punti, 60cm (maybe at the time of its production, not anymore today because it hardly reaches a size 59).
Finally, since the sweatband is almost fully detached, I would love to ask you what you normally can do with bowlers when you have such problems, because I would really love to perfectly restore it.
Thank you all very much in advance!

 

[steur]

Hello!

Today I’d love to show you one of the most interesting bowler hats I have. This is, I would say, a 1930s Gibì Borsalino fu Lazzaro bowler which has also got a particular felt, that I would define “rougher” and maybe stiffer than the felt of the other bowlers I have. It was produced expressively for Benaglia’s hat shop in Torino and it shows some features that make me think it was somehow a special request: for example, the white sweatband which is always a very very high-class thing; then, we can find the hat shop’s logo stamped on the liner (which also has its particular processing and shape) and the Fu Lazzaro’s “later” logo stamped on the sweatband, together with another wonderful “Benaglia” logo written with the typical art-deco/futurist font; just love it. The hat model is “OSLO” and the size is a 6 1/2 French punti, 60cm (maybe at the time of its production, not anymore today because it hardly reaches a size 59).
Finally, since the sweatband is almost fully detached, I would love to ask you what you normally can do with bowlers when you have such problems, because I would really love to perfectly restore it.
Thank you all very much in advance!

A beautiful bowler, Francesco. Some great art deco designs on sweatband and liner alike and high quality finishes all around. I don't have any experience with restoring a bowler myself, but it can certainly be done. I don't know if the sweatbands are attached through the felt in the same way as a soft felt, which would just require a bit more force to get the needle through the hard shell of the hat, or if the holes are pre-punched (which would make it a lot easier).

 

[Francesco1992]

A beautiful bowler, Francesco. Some great art deco designs on sweatband and liner alike and high quality finishes all around. I don't have any experience with restoring a bowler myself, but it can certainly be done. I don't know if the sweatbands are attached through the felt in the same way as a soft felt, which would just require a bit more force to get the needle through the hard shell of the hat, or if the holes are pre-punched (whcih would make it a lot easier).

Hello Steur and thanks as always for your fantastic comments that show so a great passion and competence. I am sure that it can certainly be done as you stated, but unfortunately here in northern Italy there are very very few hatters left today that could do it. I would not know who I could ask, because I fear that a particular kind of needle is needed. I also fear that the restorer should get the needle through the hard shell of the hat, because it does not seem to me that there are pre-punched holes: I will look better anyway. What would you suggest to do at this point? My Zenit top hat would also need the same treatment, although the situation is not so bad as in this case.

 

[steur]

Hello Steur and thanks as always for your fantastic comments that show so a great passion and competence. I am sure that it can certainly be done as you stated, but unfortunately here in northern Italy there are very very few hatters left today that could do it. I would not know who I could ask, because I fear that a particular kind of needle is needed. I also fear that the restorer should get the needle through the hard shell of the hat, because it does not seem to me that there are pre-punched holes: I will look better anyway. What would you suggest to do at this point? My Zenit top hat would also need the same treatment, although the situation is not so bad as in this case.

Only way to go about this is to try it yourself I'm afraid. I can't in good conscience recommend my hatter at this point in time, because she has other things on her mind (been waiting for my own hats for about two years now). What you can do however is to seen if you can buy a cheap bowler somewhere and use that as a try-out. That way you'll have a much better feeling of what is needed when you try for the real hats. It's what I did when I had a first go at repairing hats. Never tried a bowler though. The sweatband is reeded, so that's quite a bit less to worry about.

 

[Rmccamey]

Hello!

Today I’d love to show you one of the most interesting bowler hats I have. This is, I would say, a 1930s Gibì Borsalino fu Lazzaro bowler which has also got a particular felt, that I would define “rougher” and maybe stiffer than the felt of the other bowlers I have. It was produced expressively for Benaglia’s hat shop in Torino and it shows some features that make me think it was somehow a special request: for example, the white sweatband which is always a very very high-class thing; then, we can find the hat shop’s logo stamped on the liner (which also has its particular processing and shape) and the Fu Lazzaro’s “later” logo stamped on the sweatband, together with another wonderful “Benaglia” logo written with the typical art-deco/futurist font; just love it. The hat model is “OSLO” and the size is a 6 1/2 French punti, 60cm (maybe at the time of its production, not anymore today because it hardly reaches a size 59).
Finally, since the sweatband is almost fully detached, I would love to ask you what you normally can do with bowlers when you have such problems, because I would really love to perfectly restore it.
Thank you all very much in advance!

What a beautiful bowler. I envy you with such a fine sample. I hope you will show us more pics once you get the sweat back in shape.

Just a thought but you might contact Mike Miller at Northwest Hats. He makes a great modern bowler, has years of experience, and is usually very prompt with email replies. Mike may be able to give you some idea as to what would be required to make the necessary repairs.

 

[mayserwegener]

Hello Steur and thanks as always for your fantastic comments that show so a great passion and competence. I am sure that it can certainly be done as you stated, but unfortunately here in northern Italy there are very very few hatters left today that could do it. I would not know who I could ask, because I fear that a particular kind of needle is needed. I also fear that the restorer should get the needle through the hard shell of the hat, because it does not seem to me that there are pre-punched holes: I will look better anyway. What would you suggest to do at this point? My Zenit top hat would also need the same treatment, although the situation is not so bad as in this case.

This is a Reeded Sweatband so it might be best to leave as is assuming it doesn't slip while wearing or doesn't fallout on its own. The reason being is visually you can't tell the Sweatband is not attached. It's much simpler to reattach a Reeded Sweatband (assuming it's still complete and the leather is supple). If you have a Stiff Felt with a hand stitched in Reeded Sweatband a good seamstress can replicate. If I have time I will take some photos. I sent you a PM with photos.

The Sweatband on your Stiff Felt is stitched in through the Felt which is common with European made Hats from this time period (see the photo).

If you raise the lower edge of the Ribbon / Band you can probably see thread residue from the stitches at the Crown edge. See photo.