The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[Hoss & da Posse]

I don't plan on putting mine back in the box. While it is certainly "rollable" I think this was really meant for packaging or shipping and not storing once the hat had been shaped. I think mine is 50's but I'm not sure.

I agree...did you use a block or some other tool to restore it to its open crown shape sans wrinkles, etc. or just steam and a brushing?

 

[Rodkins]

I agree...did you use a block or some other tool to restore it to its open crown shape sans wrinkles, etc. or just steam and a brushing?

I brushed it really well and then sprayed it with a mist of distilled water and let it dry in open crown. I then lightly misted it and shaped it.

 

[Hoss & da Posse]

Thanks...I'll give that a try after I get a ribbon on there

 

[Rodkins]

Thanks...I'll give that a try after I get a ribbon on there

If it were mine I would mist it and let it dry in open crown now, put a ribbon on it, and then shape it.

 

[mikeh]

Buongiorno!

I would like to petition for Brotherhood membership. Apologies for what turned out to be a long post. My first Borsalino, and only my second legit Fedora, so I might be a little over-excited.

I stopped by a consignment shop today over lunch and instead of the typical "one-size" wool Target hat, I spied a lovely Fedora sitting on one of the racks. I picked it up, and was very surprised to see:

The hat was in great shape, if a little, er, crushed looking, so I decided that I should probably buy it even if it didn't fit. I mean, somebody here would want it, I assumed. And there was no way it would fit - what was that size, a 6? a 9?

Well, it didn't look that huge or that small, so just in case I tried it on. It might as well have been made for me. I was just a little giddy as I walked up to the counter to plunk down my entry fee into the Borsalino Brotherhood.

Now I have a few questions for my new brothers. First of all, what's with that size tag? Second, can you tell me anything about the hat based on the lousy ipod picture of the label? I'll tell you what it reads because I can't get the liner pressed up against the label to see through it while also taking a picture. The top says Qualita Speciale; in the center - Borsalino Giuseppe & Fratello; and at the bottom Alessandria Italia.

I know that it was sold in Frankfurt am Main by Alfred Bender:


But what exactly is that plastic thing. I realize that it goes in the front to maintain shape, but do people wear the hat with it in or is it just for retail?

Finally, the hat itself. It will definitely need a little help with shape, the front brim wants to go up before it comes down, and the whole thing is just a little off balance. The previous owner apparently had it shaped slightly off center (that is, the front of the hat as worn, and as the plastic spacer was placed was a little to the side of how it came from the shop). Does that matter at all? As you can tell, I'm not very experienced, so I beg your guidance. Also, what is, and what do I do with, the little extra cord running around the ribbon. I'll at least have to deal with the brim - is steam going to be the best way to deal with that. I surely don't want to do anything to screw it up.


-mike

 

[zetwal]

I would like to petition for Brotherhood membership.

Congrats on your new hat, and welcome to the Brotherhood. By the way, the Italian 6 size tag means that it is a US size 7 3/8. Enjoy!

 

[Hoss & da Posse]

Congrats on the find! Most excellent! I'll defer to more expert opinions regarding the best way to rehab your hat but to answer your question about the size...your hat was tagged using the punti system and I think a 6 is the same as a 7 1/4. The cord you referred to is a wind trolley and attaches to a button near the bow (if it's still there). Enjoy

 

[zetwal]

[...] your hat was tagged using the punti system and I think a 6 is the same as a 7 1/4.

If we are talking US sizes, this statement is incorrect. As I said earlier, the Italian size 6 is the same as US 7 3/8.

 

[mikeh]

Congrats on your new hat, and welcome to the Brotherhood. By the way, the Italian 6 size tag means that it is a US size 7 3/8. Enjoy!

Thank you! No surprise, 7 3/8 is exactly what I am!

Congrats on the find! Most excellent! I'll defer to more expert opinions regarding the best way to rehab your hat but to answer your question about the size...your hat was tagged using the punti system and I think a 6 is the same as a 7 1/4. The cord you referred to is a wind trolley and attaches to a button near the bow (if it's still there). Enjoy

Thanks. I do see where it all knots up near the bow, now that I look for it. No button though, I guess it left long ago on some blustery German or Milwaukee morning.

 

[zetwal]

Thank you! No surprise, 7 3/8 is exactly what I am!

It's always a great pleasure to find a vintage hat that fits just right.

Enjoy! :yo:

 

[VetPsychWars]

Hey, neighbor. Lucky find for you. Take it to John at Brass Rooster for a cleaning and blocking, he'll take good care of you.

Tom

 

[rlk]

Cambini flyer

 

[Hoss & da Posse]

If we are talking US sizes, this statement is incorrect. As I said earlier, the Italian size 6 is the same as US 7 3/8.

I stand corrected

 

[Aureliano]

Great post, Robert. This is huge in validating the theory that the triangular boxes were meant for shipping only. I guess we can call this theory a fact now, right?

 

[mikeh]

Hey, neighbor. Lucky find for you. Take it to John at Brass Rooster for a cleaning and blocking, he'll take good care of you.

Tom

Tom, I may do that. I like John and the shop very much (had a hat redone there not long ago http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...end-a-ribbon&p=1391819&viewfull=1#post1391819 ).
I just thought I'd have a crack at it myself first. I tend to be that guy who tries to DIY a bit more than he ought, and spend more time on it that he ought, but at least he has fun.

EDIT: Hmm, having seen the above post, perhaps I shall go "subject it to water steam for a few minutes."

Also just noticed that I did pay just a bit more than the prices listed in that catalog!

 

[bond]

Good find mike! Maybe well cross paths at the brass rooster as I am a regular there.

 

[VetPsychWars]

Tom, I may do that. I like John and the shop very much (had a hat redone there not long ago http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...end-a-ribbon&p=1391819&viewfull=1#post1391819 ).
I just thought I'd have a crack at it myself first. I tend to be that guy who tries to DIY a bit more than he ought, and spend more time on it that he ought, but at least he has fun.

EDIT: Hmm, having seen the above post, perhaps I shall go "subject it to water steam for a few minutes."

Also just noticed that I did pay just a bit more than the prices listed in that catalog!

You can do it! Just get a big honkin' kettle (I use an old Griswold aluminum). What I do is reblock it open and then crease it how I like.

When you're done, it ends up looking like this.

Tom

 

[TipTop]

RLK, Thanks for that very handsome and informative literature post.

Wish I had seen these grades/prices earlier, I might have been persuaded to stay in on the brown Borsalino on ePrey this morning. Assuming it was high-grade, I had eSniped a $345 bid earlier, but when I saw this morning it had gone to $375, I retracted. I just don't know enough about them to "invest" at that price level. One can get a Ritch Rand Euro clay or Fedora for about that money, just not as soft.
http://www.randhats.com/hat_detail.cfm?CID=1000,2002&id=if20l1636swnpi

 

[Mystic]

Saw a "Barlesoni" hat on ebay last night. At first I thought it was just a "Borsalino" knock-off hat.

But it did have a hat liner with name and crest.

is this company a hat producer simply attempting to play off the "Borsalino" name or a legit company that just happens to have a similar name?

anyone know the quality of "Barlesoni" hats?

 

[bowlerman]

A few people have them around here. RLK comes to mind as someone I recall having some really nice examples. They look like very fine hats.