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Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Beater 1950s Dobbs Twenty

View attachment 300371

2 inch Cavanagh edge brim
4 5/8 to 3 1/2 slant crown crease
Braided leather hat band

We all here seem to have various degrees of measure as to what qualifies as a beater. This one to me fits that definition very well. I picked up this beat up 1950s Dobbs Twenty a couple months back for a few bucks not knowing the size or much about its condition. Turned out a fairly shot sweatband and a couple sizes too big at 7 1/4. The felt is fairly faded as you can see where the original ribbon has been replaced with a braided leather band almost like the end of an old whip. There are a couple small wear tears in the pinch of the crown but MAN what a crease!!! A super tight pinch with a slant. Rakish both front to back and left to right. The oil skin liner is completely unattached. Sure I could reinstall it. But what’s the need. I say shove some felt strips in the back to soak up some of the extra room and wear this till what’s left of the sweat falls out as a beach and bad weather ultra casual beater hat!!

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Well, that certainly has loads of character, Joe.
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Second gem in the middle of some overly rolled stone.
genova-gb-borsalino-1-jpg.300566

Another creation by G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro.
genova-gb-borsalino-4-jpg.300567

Bowler size 51/2 or 58 cm or 7 1/4 in the US.
genova-gb-borsalino-3-jpg.300568

The internal measures are slightly smaller than yesterday's sister: 19.8x16.4 let's say a 58 with some small restrictions. We are in the presence of a hat for the high end society then in Italy, superb finishes and craftmanship.
genova-gb-borsalino-6-jpg.300569

What is noticeably different is the sweatband here in dark green, almost black, so my eyes tell me but it could be just my impressions.
genova-gb-borsalino-interno-totale-jpg.300570

The bowler hat was sold in the center of Genoa, towards the port in a street that for years was a bit difficult to cross.


The conditions are perfect and time seems to have not affected the elegance of this hat.
The interior is wonderful and so is the rest.

The label in the paper states that this bowler hat has no quality designation, but a model name "Ascott".
genova-gb-borsalino-5-jpg.300575

This find was lucky and also a good experience helps to have a hat from a hundred years ago here.
Another superb find; what are the odds? The one even has the fighting dogs on the liner. Doesn't get much better than that, Daniele (or it would be that they were your size).
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Ladies and Gentleman: The Rolling Stones
Two hats that rolled in life and now bear the marks.
View attachment 300591
Borsalino Qualità Extra Superiore size 4 or 55 centimeters.
View attachment 300592
It is relatively modern, you can see from the paper label, but it has lived so long that the lining, in bad condition, is completely detached.
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The felt is "Sebino" color, one of Borsalino's not too seen grays, quite rare.
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The felt has areas to be cleaned with care, while the ribbon is intact.
These are the measurements: the raw brims are 6 cm. and the crown at the lowest point is 11cm, the ribbon is 3.5cm.
View attachment 300595
A nice hat to restore.
The second is a rarity for all Borsalino lovers because it is one of those who arrived on the market in disguise.
These are the measurements: the raw brims are 6.5 cm. and the crown at the lowest point is 11cm, the ribbon is 3 cm. View attachment 300596
The hat is finished in an impeccable way and has been sold in one of the most famous hat shops in Turin with the evident inscription "Worked by hand" on the sweatband.
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Its condition testifies to its excessive use.
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The lining is almost completely detached and the ribbon shows obvious signs of wear.
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The label tells us that the felt is "Ossido" and the combination with the ribbon is fantastic.
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The size is 5 therefore a 57 centimeters or 7 in the States.
To see them again on the stage of life they need care :)
Let's see if we can bring the bear back to life, Daniele.
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Stetson Nutria Quality

View attachment 300764

Stetson Nutria Quality - Black ‘Western Derby’
Early 1950s OPS Era
5 1/4 Firm Open Crown
3/8 grosgrain western style ribbon
2 3/4 front 2 1/2 sides brim with pencil curl

I am very pleased and relieved this beautiful hat has finally arrived after being lost in a post office in Tyler, Texas for about the last month. At long last I have finally received this hat that is a Christmas present from my son and came off a well appreciated tip from @BobHufford. I have been really looking forward to it’s arrival and I am ecstatic it has now arrived. Not only am I happy to own my first Nutria Quality... this hat has a styling like no other hat in my collection. I’m sure others could tell me the name of this style hat... but I would describe it is a ‘western derby’. The western style hat features a hard firm derby like open crown that measures about 5 1/4 inches. The pencil curl Brim is dimensional reaching 2 3/4 inches to the curl in front and about 2 1/4 on the sides with no edge binding. In the sellers photos is the original OPS Era price tag stating a selling price of $17 and pinning the dating of this hat to the 1951 to 1953 OPS era. The seller indicated the tag was placed back behind the sweat. However the sweat is getting a bit stiff and brittle from age and on my precursory investigation I have not located it. It’s not worth damaging the old sweat bearing the Stetson Nutria Quality badge with stars shield logo any further so for now I will leave well enough alone. A good brushing out of decades of dirt along with a lint roller really cleaned it up well.. though clearly i missed a bit of pet hair. :):rolleyes: A little sponge cleaning might fix up some of the remaining dirty spots. Did I mention I’m excited about this one!?!? Thanks again to Bob for this awesome heads up and to my son Riley for this wonderful gift.

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Great score, Joe. I like the way the open crown looks. Cool hat.
 

Mean Eyed Matt

One Too Many
Messages
1,142
Location
Germany
Looks good, Matt. I wonder if the liner is a replacement liner. Usually these early G.A. Dunn liners were much more elaborate and decorative.

Thank you, Stefan. I understand what you mean:
The linings of the pre-war Dunns I've seen here were all more elaborate.
And also later linings e.g. at bowlers often have at least elaborate imprints.
But my impression is that the dating with the "G.A. imprint" is just not correct
and it is not a hat from the 30s/40s. The shape (crown tapers) and materials
are high quality, but I think from the 50s.
The relatively simple lining with just the gold print looks very elegant
and maybe that was the purpose - originally!? The print on the lining
and the one on the sweat also match perfectly

I looked closely again and found no evidence of a replacement lining.
But how should that look - I have no idea! Do you have a clue?
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Thank you, Stefan. I understand what you mean:
The linings of the pre-war Dunns I've seen here were all more elaborate.
And also later linings e.g. at bowlers often have at least elaborate imprints.
But my impression is that the dating with the "G.A. imprint" is just not correct
and it is not a hat from the 30s/40s. The shape (crown tapers) and materials
are high quality, but I think from the 50s.
The relatively simple lining with just the gold print looks very elegant
and maybe that was the purpose - originally!? The print on the lining
and the one on the sweat also match perfectly

I looked closely again and found no evidence of a replacement lining.
But how should that look - I have no idea! Do you have a clue?
Unlikely that someone would make a copy of an old liner imprint, so there has to be a point in time where these liners were used. Haven't seen one before, so there's not much to go on. Until we find one or more others like it, it will be a mystery I'm afraid.
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
I'm kind of partial to nutria felts and this one popped up at a low price. It is a bit of a beater but still very wearable as a grab and go hat.
Borsalino Lunasca Amarena nutria. Size 56 with the brim at 7cm and the crown at 11 at the center dent. Liner went missing and there are some small holes in the felt. Sweatband is not in the best condition either (despite it having slurped up about a gallon of mink oil).

borsalino amarena_10.jpg
borsalino amarena_08.jpg
borsalino amarena_09.jpg
borsalino amarena_07.jpg
borsalino amarena_06.jpg
borsalino amarena_05.jpg
borsalino amarena_04.jpg
borsalino amarena_02.jpg
borsalino amarena_01.jpg
borsalino amarena.jpeg
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Sools of Paris in grey/sand colour called Tunis. Size 55 with the brim at 5cm and the crown at 10,5 cm at the center dent. A somewhat thicker felt that needs some persuading to go where I want it. Weighs 114 grams. Some superficial moth damage, but nothing serious.
More in the French hats and makers thread.

sools-tunis_01-jpg.301671
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sools-tunis_03-jpg.301673
sools-tunis_04-jpg.301674
sools-tunis_05-jpg.301675
sools-tunis_06-jpg.301676
sools-tunis_07-jpg.301677
sools-tunis_08-jpg.301678
sools-tunis_09-jpg.301679
sools-tunis_10-jpg.301680
 
The Dobbs Hanover Square showed up at my house at noon the same time I did ... and my wife is out of town. A perfect delivery!

Came with a knocked-about Resistol box, but it does have the insert. The hat needs a bit of brushing / steaming, but I'm happy as it fits my head and fit into my "bottom feeder" hat budget (at $7.50). Early 1950s?

The hat is browner than these pics.

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IMG_0221.jpg


IMG_0222.jpg


IMG_0223.jpg


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IMG_0225.jpg


IMG_0219.jpg


These are color accurate:

IMG_0226.jpg


IMG_0228.jpg
 
Last edited:
Messages
11,630
The Dobbs Hanover Square showed up at my house at noon the same time I did ... and my wife is out of town. A perfect delivery!

Came with a knocked about Resistol box, but it does have the insert. The hat needs a bit of brushing / steaming, but I'm happy as it fits my head and fit into my "bottom feeder" hat budget (at $7.50). Early 1950s?

The hat is browner than these pics.

View attachment 302594

View attachment 302601

View attachment 302606

View attachment 302605

View attachment 302604

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View attachment 302596

View attachment 302595
Heck yeah. Hit the trifecta on that one Bob. Great hat. Great price. Perfect delivery window. LOL
 

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,813
Location
Denmark
That is one beautiful chocolate brown Dobbs, Bob. Supper ribbon, too.

The Dobbs Hanover Square showed up at my house at noon the same time I did ... and my wife is out of town. A perfect delivery!

Came with a knocked-about Resistol box, but it does have the insert. The hat needs a bit of brushing / steaming, but I'm happy as it fits my head and fit into my "bottom feeder" hat budget (at $7.50). Early 1950s?

The hat is browner than these pics.

View attachment 302594

View attachment 302601

View attachment 302606

View attachment 302605

View attachment 302604

View attachment 302603

View attachment 302602

These are color accurate:

View attachment 302596

View attachment 302595
 

Bill Hughes

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,162
Location
North Texas
The Dobbs Hanover Square showed up at my house at noon the same time I did ... and my wife is out of town. A perfect delivery!

Came with a knocked-about Resistol box, but it does have the insert. The hat needs a bit of brushing / steaming, but I'm happy as it fits my head and fit into my "bottom feeder" hat budget (at $7.50). Early 1950s?

The hat is browner than these pics.

View attachment 302594

View attachment 302601

View attachment 302606

View attachment 302605

View attachment 302604

View attachment 302603

View attachment 302602

These are color accurate:

View attachment 302596

View attachment 302595
Knockout hat. I think the Hanover Square is my favorite of the Dobbs.
 
Messages
19,408
Location
Funkytown, USA
The Dobbs Hanover Square showed up at my house at noon the same time I did ... and my wife is out of town. A perfect delivery!

Came with a knocked-about Resistol box, but it does have the insert. The hat needs a bit of brushing / steaming, but I'm happy as it fits my head and fit into my "bottom feeder" hat budget (at $7.50). Early 1950s?

The hat is browner than these pics.

View attachment 302594

View attachment 302601

View attachment 302606

View attachment 302605

View attachment 302604

View attachment 302603

View attachment 302602

These are color accurate:

View attachment 302596

View attachment 302595

Congrats, Bob, that looks great. My kinda price, too!
 
Messages
12,002
Location
Southern California
The Dobbs Hanover Square showed up at my house at noon the same time I did ... and my wife is out of town. A perfect delivery!

Came with a knocked-about Resistol box, but it does have the insert. The hat needs a bit of brushing / steaming, but I'm happy as it fits my head and fit into my "bottom feeder" hat budget (at $7.50). Early 1950s?

The hat is browner than these pics.

View attachment 302594

View attachment 302601
Bummer. I really preferred the way the colors looked in the first photos. Regardless, I like the proportions. Sharp hat!
 

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