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The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
Borsalino thin ribbon "pocket hat". Man the felt on this hat is awesome. Just going to need a little steam tonight to get it looking better after its abuse by the postal service! This hat is as light as a feather!










damn you Rick Clark !!!!!
(fist in the air looking to the sky)
 
Messages
15,077
Location
Buffalo, NY
Alan, do you have any photos of any "pocket hats" folded up? The middle crease on this one is clearly visible.

I've purchased quite a few Borsalinos with their triangular coffins... most if not all were 60 years old, brand new and had never lived outside the box. The Pocket Hat was one of these.

This is another:

foldingborso2.jpg


foldingborso3.jpg


and another...

borsolontra1.jpg


It can take quite a bit of work to get them into wearable shape.

Here is the Pocket Hat after smoothing with steam and an iron on a block and flange:

flange5.jpg


At the end, usually some trace of living in a box remains.

2rollables2.jpg


The Pocket Hat with its fabric sweatband is the only one I would roll again. And I have.
 

rclark

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,272
Location
Central Texas
I've purchased quite a few Borsalinos with their triangular coffins... most if not all were 60 years old, brand new and had never lived outside the box. The Pocket Hat was one of these.

This is another:

foldingborso2.jpg


foldingborso3.jpg


and another...

borsolontra1.jpg


It can take quite a bit of work to get them into wearable shape.

Here is the Pocket Hat after smoothing with steam and an iron on a block and flange:

flange5.jpg


At the end, usually some trace of living in a box remains.

2rollables2.jpg


The Pocket Hat with its fabric sweatband is the only one I would roll again. And I have.
Very cool Alan! I think I will keep my hat away from the coffin! Weren't those used for American tourists to easily pack their new Italian hat in their luggage for the journey back home?
 
Messages
15,077
Location
Buffalo, NY
Very cool Alan! I think I will keep my hat away from the coffin! Weren't those used for American tourists to easily pack their new Italian hat in their luggage for the journey back home?

Yes, I believe so. The Pocket Hat can be rolled quite easily for travel. Open up the crown and fold inward to a half dome. You can then roll in from one side. Keep it gentle and loose. You could protect it in a short tube. Or put it back in the coffin for the trip. ;^)
 

Michael R.

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,889
Location
West Tennessee USA
Two Borsalino browns - post war to early 1950s. Inside and outside, Curdo (left) and Monlov (right).

monlov1.jpg


monlov2.jpg

Yeah , I'm lurking and lusting ... , I've been wanting to ask about Brown Borsa , I've been looking and it was Brown or Taupe , ... leaning Brown , especially now . Thanks Alan ! Gorgeous ! I can't figure where y'all come up with all these Great Lookers ! Are those 2 1/2 " Brims ? Actually in one picture they look like 2 3/4" , but one may be 2 1/2" and the other 2 3/4" , PURDY ! What Hat were you wearing at the Exhibit ? And dimensions , it was nice , looked like a rollable , to me , anyway . Nice color , too .
 
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Daniele Tanto

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,220
Location
Verona - Italia
A Borsalino "very Italian style" except for the wind trolley.....
2hx0ylc.jpg

.......sold in Hamburg - Germany as export quality
2zycyvp.jpg

It arrived as it was flooded in the water for sometimes. Some deposit remains on the lining
nwixj7.jpg

It lost the shape and was really dull. Restored in Milan. Sergio Anzani - Cappelleria Melegari did the excellent work
166zp0x.jpg

Crown is 11 cm. and the brim (bounded) are 5 cm.
verpqc.jpg

Felt is malleable and the color is dark grey.
The paper label is present but faded probably for the water
mvgdqq.jpg

Qualità Extra Superiore
213n512.jpg

There is new life in the Borsalino "saved from water"
 

Daniele Tanto

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,220
Location
Verona - Italia
Daniele, why is the wind trolley not "Italian style?"

Or am I misunderstanding something?

Jim the wind trolley is not used commonly in Italy.
The shape of the Borsalino is very Italian or EU style and the proportions are classic for the hats made during the 60', 70', 80' until these days, mostly for EU countries
It was sold as export quality in Germany and very often Borsalino made "special" types (shapes, brims, crown) of hats for every market outside Italy (the Borsalino called in the USA "Alessandria" is the main example), this one is so "Italian".
For these reasons I called it "Italian style" without the final motto "outside Italy" :)

A special wedding-springtime composition with Borsalino as centrepiece.....not bad
 

seabass

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,161
Location
nor cal
Very nice pocket hats & small boxes EZ for export back in the days

I found this yesterday & it has a box but the shop owner needed a high ladder so I shall retrieve the box as it has to be special if it original to this export I found yesterday.

IMG_4648_zps13lkh382.jpg

raw edge is thick but the felt is Light & very soft & molds EZ by hand
IMG_4636_zps5jrcnp0f.jpg

Sadly someone cut the windcord off
IMG_4647_zpstzo2ufvg.jpg

sorta a Blued Gun finish color in the shade
IMG_4644_zpsa1qclkyo.jpg

a few moth bites here & there but with a good brushing & some steam I can hide em, these pics are as I found the hat.
IMG_4632_zpsc0ixtqq3.jpg

some detail,
IMG_4635_zps6slelui7.jpg

cool stamping detail
IMG_4634_zpsjsgmzg2g.jpg

yea don't make em like this no more
IMG_4617_zpsszp5mphz.jpg

the LEO is also ink stamped inside the sweat
IMG_4627_zpswezuutk5.jpg

a very thick onionskin under the sweat but this does not make this hat feel like a helmet or a modern hat & it actually helps conform to my LO shape
IMG_4630_zpsrmgqem1s.jpg

it has the square size tag in red print somewhere a size 5 which translates to 7 1/8
so a interesting hat marked Fabrizi Roma & a cool Lion graphic accompanied by a LEO
on the liner & stamped on the sweat & the exceptional Luso finish.

Measurements
crown open - 5 1/8"
brim width - 2 5/8" front & rear, 2 1/2" sides
ribbon - 1 1/8"

Ok so I have not been regular here on the FL lately & my pal Mike "mikespens"
encouraged me to post up this Borsalino & stated Alan & Steve would like to see it in detail
So any info would be fun to know, Thanks
che
 
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