My First Borsalino

[Visigoth]

The Borsalino Diamante II Has Arrived

Well, the hat (shown in the ebay picture) has arrived. A pleasant surprise: it really is in new condition, and... it is not brown. Not that I don't like brown, but this is an even nicer greyish green color -- might call it "olive." It was crushed slightly on arrival, and instantly steamed back into shape. And it fits *perfectly.* Will post pics soon. The edge of the brim is turned down and stitched underneath.

Now, here's what the paper label beneath the sweat band says:

3894 71582
lauro c. stura

Um... does this mean it's a 1971 hat? The lining is "sewn" in, I suppose: a thread is run through it, with a stitch every two inches or so. Surely it's not a 1982 hat?

Oh, and the grain of the ribbon is not straight up and down, all around... tilts to the side before it meets the bow... I take it that's normal? (From stretching to fit the taper?)

 

[Bros.HatShop]

Nice hat.

 

[John in Covina]

Sewn in Liner

The lining is "sewn" in, I suppose: a thread is run through it, with a stitch every two inches or so. Surely it's not a 1982 hat? Doug

*********
When I took my Dad's Borsalino in for renovation, the hatter was delighted to see that the liner was sewn in and showed it to all of the people employed there. He said that although he had seen this previously, many have not.

The hatter explained it is a detail that is very expensive to produce, long ago it was more prevelant, but probably only seen on the better or best hats back then. He said now you'll probably never see it outside of a custom hat, and even then rarely as the time factor makes it cost prehibative. My Dad's Borsalino is possibly from the 40's or more likely from the 50's. It was bought in Italy as a gift for my Dad by my Uncle Charlie while in the Navy.

Best wishes with your hat!

 

[Visigoth]

This sewing doesn't look labor-intensive, frankly -- it really is just a thread poked through every two inches. Could do it in a minute, I suspect. I take it your "sewn-in" lining was actual sewing...

 

[Baron Kurtz]

This sewing doesn't look labor-intensive, frankly -- it really is just a thread poked through every two inches. Could do it in a minute, I suspect. I take it your "sewn-in" lining was actual sewing...

Sounds like the normal job on a sewn in liner. I've never seen anything else.

Labour intensive: 1 hat per 2 minutes versus 4 hats per 2 minutes when using splodges of glue.

bk

 

[Visigoth]

Pics of the new Borsalino

Okay, here it is, in all its glory (after being brushed with a nice shoe brush). Oh, and note the word "Augusta" in the lining -- I found one site online where they sell the Augusta line of new Borsalinos as an upgrade from "Regolare;" the line is a notch less expensive than "Superiore," which itself is below "Pesca/Velour." I have no idea whether this was true back in the day, and what it actually means...

http://dysmedia.com/borsalino.html

 

[stylin]

Kiwi shoe brushes are perfectly fine...in fact they are easy to come by, cheap and soft. You don;t need a "hat brush" unless you feel the need to tickle your wallet and let the marketing geniuses laugh their way to the bank with your hard earned money. [huh]

 

[RedPop4]

Nice catch, good on you.