The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[Daniele Tanto]

The Italian hats (Borsalino, Barbisio, Vanzinas, Panizza etc.) tend to have fewer large sizes that European counterparts.
Then it depends on the shape of the hat, some (few) Borsalino or other Italian brands in size 6 (59 cm.) dress perfectly. My right size is 60 cm. or 6 1/2 is often right for Italians hats, other times it may be slightly tight. In contrast the French hats are generous in size as well as the Germans or Austrians.
Believe me that much depends on the shape of the hat to find the right size in the Italian hats

 

[Daniele Tanto]

These three are the Borsalino who are accompanying me in the spring of 2016

They are a gray color variation declined in various shades.
The form is in vogue in the 60s and 70s and not so use in these days
The brims are narrow and the crown is of medium height

Starting from the left you can see the "Savona", then two who have no name on the sweatband

The Savona has the following measures: brim at 4 cm. crown and 12 cm. Color Uranio with black ribbon 5cm. wide and wind trolley

Borsalino in the center has: color Amiata type Ta Etiomi, brim at 4.5 cm. crown and 11 cm. silver ribbon at 5 cm.

Right Borsalino color Ghiaccio, type Astalto, brim at 4.5 cm. crown and 11 cm. Black ribbon at 3 cm.
All three have the ventilation in the front part of the sweatband

The two leftmost were produced for the US market having the indication of the size 7 1/2, while the Ghiaccio was sold in Italy

They are my vintage companions in this springtime that is going sunny and hot!
Enjoy these Borsalinos so out of fashion, porbably it will be hard to have more in the same quality

 

[mayserwegener]

Great hats + photos!

 

[RJR]

Great hats + photos!

+1

 

[nickwellings]

Hi all, I'm new here, but have been a reader for a few months now. I guess I got bitten by the hat bug I am near London, UK.

I was in Paris for my birthday (special trip, obviously) and decided to go to the many thrift stores they have there. In a heap of hats (literally, a heap) I found a Borsalino, a bit squashed. (I also found a nice Mayser Elite City, again squashed, but steam helped restore it! Also a nice Tonak bodied something trilby, but it was beyond hope/my abilities to resurrect.)

2 Euros for the Mayser, and 3 euros for the Borsalino.

I was hoping to get a little more information on the Borsalino, perhaps?

It's seen better days, and has a stain or two, and I doubt it's worth much (even good condition ones here don't go for much it seems).

I have determined that it's a punti 4.5 and I can normally take a 56 so, as these forums say, the sizes seem to run small. I left the shop, then came back 5 mins later. I guess I wanted to "own" a Borsalino... The lining came detached in transit (I had to carry it by hand everywhere and have it nested in the Masyer on my flight home. Didn't want to pack it.) I think the small size is why no-one bought it.

I have been thinking about getting a milliner lady nearby to stretch it for me........

The felt brim still has some snap. Brim is two inches wide. The band is 4cms high, crown is 11.5 cms high. Sorry the pics are so huge.

The lining is completely detached now. The bow is trashed too.

Weird light staining.

Thanks for any advice and info! Look forward to posting a little more around here. It's a great place.

 

[mayserwegener]

I believe it's a later one after the old factory closed so post mid 1980s. There are some posts by Steven (Besdor) that explain some of these later codes.

 

[nickwellings]

Thank you, mayserwegener. I have found a few posts from Mr besdor. From them I can tell the COL refers to Colour, code 64. I don't know what colour that actually is for Borsalino. I don't know what COD means. Nor any of the other numbers. But I know now it is fairly recently made. (post 1986 is fairly recent to me )

 

[moontheloon]

Sent from my iPhone while orbiting the earth in a sea foam green 1957 Cadillac

 

[Frunobulax]

Excellent, Anthony! Been hitting estate sales?

What's the weight on the featherweight?


Sent directly from my mind to yours

 

[Michael R.]

Sent from my iPhone while orbiting the earth in a sea foam green 1957 Cadillac

WOW ! Connections ... obviously ! Help a Bro out ! 7 3/8 ... (actually 58.5 cm). AMAZING Anthony !!!

If it was Estate finds , man , keep your Eagle Eyes open (please) for me .

 

[moontheloon]

Excellent, Anthony! Been hitting estate sales?

What's the weight on the featherweight?


Sent directly from my mind to yours

one from Adrian
one from Goodwill

 

[alanfgag]

very nice!

 

[1mach1]

Wow. Great couple there, A.

 

[Chepstow]

Recent finds! Borsalino Qualita Speciale very short brim in like new condition!

Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk

 

[RJR]

very nice!

+1,really like the TAR.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Anthony this is really nice!
I will wait to see you with this Borsalino.
It is a variation in a long serie of narrow ribbon........

 

[moontheloon]

Anthony this is really nice!
I will wait to see you with this Borsalino.
It is a variation in a long serie of narrow ribbon........

thank you Daniele
I am actually completely stumped as to the era of that specific hat
any ideas ?

I'm not familiar with that liner ... or really anything about this Feather Weight for that matter

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Anthony a photograph of the paper label would help to understand the era of this hat.
The lining is an interpretation of Borsalino for a dealer or perhaps the type of hat (I doubt about this).
Is it sold in Rome? If so could you supply the address?
I too have a featherweight completely different in my collection and done with otter fur. Or so says the hat.
The featherweight was a Borsalino marketing plus in the US market where the hats were more massive and heavy or in Italy for the tourist in search of a souvenir during the 50' and 60'.
How have you seen recently Alan has some, some foldable, others in perpetual form. Mine is the second species.
Before closing it in the mailbox for the summer I will publish a photo.

 

[alanfgag]

A good summary, Daniele. Those that I have owned were all sold in Italy - most with Feather Weight written in English, though one is marked Piuma. 1950s - 1960s. All had a raw brim edge.

 

[carouselvic]

OPS era