The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[40Cal]

Great looking hat, Robert. Thank goodness I'm not the only one struggling with these windcords!

Thanks steur. I keep thinking it's just me regarding the wind cord on this one. It's different than others I have. Can't seem to figure out exactly how it is supposed to re` attach. I know I will figure it out......eventually! haha

 

[steur]

We're getting to the more interesting finds of friday's haul. Borsalino Export Qualität Gran Lusso in the colour Albino. This might be a bit of a Frankenhat because there are signs it has some history. But dimensions first: size 59 (6 punti) with an overwelt brim at 6cm and crown at 10,5 cm at the pinch. Ribbon in puggaree style in the colour Sigaro. No label inside the hat. Lined with an onionskin/oilskin covering of the crown patch. How do I know about the colours if there's no label inside the hat. Well, I had a hat like this before and that one had a label. The sweatband had glue residue on the iside and the liner is glued inside the hat, which make me think it might not be its original liner (it's good enough for me though). The sweatband might be a replacement as well, because the size tag isn''t even close to it's actual size. It barely fits my pinhead, so it's a 56 (4 1/2 punti) at best. Borsalino is not that accurate on sizes, but they're never that many off. A few nibbles at the side, but all in all a great hat. Pretty chuffed with this one.

 

[steur]

Sure here are detail pics

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Looks superb. Thanks.

 

[steur]

Part two of the Albino. Its twin (used to have an overwelt edge too).

 

[bond]

Thanks . I began my hat journey with a vintage 1940s Borsalino long ago, about 10 years in hatters time, so finally finding a nice one in a large size and color , believe me, Ive waited long enough!
Now the challenge is trying to keep it realizing I may never find another in this lifetime at least . Lol



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[steur]

Thanks . I began my hat journey with a vintage 1940s Borsalino long ago, about 10 years in hatters time, so finally finding a nice one in a large size and color , believe me, Ive waited long enough!
Now the challenge is trying to keep it realizing I may never find another in this lifetime at least . Lol



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Must be frustrating to see all these hats in small sizes come by. I realise I'm very lucky to have such a small size. Have and had quite a few Borsalinos by now but only owned one size 7 punti (which explains why I got a good price for it when I sold it).

 

[steur]

First of the grey Borsalinos of friday's haul. Borsalino in the colour Amiata (and the designation Ergosan). Size 56 (4 1/2 punti). Raw edge brim at 7 cm and crown 10cm at the pinch. Nice liner with the onionskin/oilskin covering of the crown patch. No picture of the label this time because the stitching of the sweatband came loose from the reed when I first looked. Needs a bit more steam, but it already has come a long way from where it was when I dug it out of the pile. Last two tomorrow.

 

[Redfokker]

Third black one. Borsalino Export Qualität Gran Lusso nero in size 59. Bound brim at 5,5cm and crown 10cm at the pinch. Another one with the onionskin/oilskin liner. Someone wrote 57 on it as a size, but the label says different (the label's right).

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Three classic looking Borsalinos. The fact you can find a pile of them in one place...incredible. And so, European.

 

[Redfokker]

Steve, thanks. I'll tell her that. As for the hat heavens: it takes a bit of searching. Holland has quite a solid organisation for collecting old clothes (several organisations actually). These deliver collected goods to only two or three wholesellers. These wholesellers are active all over Europe collecting and sorting out clothes. They in turn are the supplier for all these vintage stores and boutiques (and quite a lot gets exported to Africa I've read). Well, part of the collection consists of hats and you can actually buy mens' felt hats by the kilo! That is to say: bags of either 25 or a 100 kilo! Don't know the price yet, but I'm on it. Problem is that you will probaly end up with 90-99% worthless hats.
The location I found friday was someone who bought from these wholesellers and had three or four bags of these hats lying around. Only downside is that they don't treat the hats the way we collectors and afficionados like to see (but hats are tough, thankfully)!
Now if I really want an argument with my wife I can go and try to order a bag of 100 kilo hats!

I'm sure you would get support for such a purchase from your spouses here on the lounge. We outnumber her. Of course, you don't have to live under the same roof as us.

 

[Redfokker]

Here’s a fine example of a mid century vintage Borsalino that I just restored .All the interior markings appear in liner and embossed at front of sweatband of hat. Liner and sweat are excellent as this hat appeared to have been worn a lot ,which helped to preserve the sweat from drying out . Silk liner is exceptional too as is onion skin and all graphics. Rare large size Punti 7 or USA 7 1/2. Brim was 2 7/8 but I carefully trimmed off a 1/8 and finished with a single stitch around the edge so it would flange better. Also replaced the crown ribbon w a vintage silk 1 3/8 grosgrain as the 3/4 black original was shot. Finally over the past couple of weeks I used copious amounts of steam as well as quite a bit of stiffener to get the felt back to hold a shape that would not collapse when handled . A Sweet summer time hat in lieu of a Panama now as the light avorio or ash grey compliments a range of clothing colors .

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A very special Borsalino. The rare large size is quite a find. The restoration is aces!

Third one of the Mirtillos. The best one really. Borsalino Export Qualität Gran Lusso in Mirtillo. Size 57, with a triple stitched raw edge brim at 5,5cm and crown at 10,5 cm at the pinch. Shark gill bow and windcord. The retailer Dallüge of Hannover was a furrier who did other clothing and hats as well. The company trademark with the bear refers to their fur trade.

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We're getting to the more interesting finds of friday's haul. Borsalino Export Qualität Gran Lusso in the colour Albino. This might be a bit of a Frankenhat because there are signs it has some history. But dimensions first: size 59 (6 punti) with an overwelt brim at 6cm and crown at 10,5 cm at the pinch. Ribbon in puggaree style in the colour Sigaro. No label inside the hat. Lined with an onionskin/oilskin covering of the crown patch. How do I know about the colours if there's no label inside the hat. Well, I had a hat like this before and that one had a label. The sweatband had glue residue on the iside and the liner is glued inside the hat, which make me think it might not be its original liner (it's good enough for me though). The sweatband might be a replacement as well, because the size tag isn''t even close to it's actual size. It barely fits my pinhead, so it's a 56 (4 1/2 punti) at best. Borsalino is not that accurate on sizes, but they're never that many off. A few nibbles at the side, but all in all a great hat. Pretty chuffed with this one.

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First of the grey Borsalinos of friday's haul. Borsalino in the colour Amiata (and the designation Ergosan). Size 56 (4 1/2 punti). Raw edge brim at 7 cm and crown 10cm at the pinch. Nice liner with the onionskin/oilskin covering of the crown patch. No picture of the label this time because the stitching of the sweatband came loose from the reed when I first looked. Needs a bit more steam, but it already has come a long way from where it was when I dug it out of the pile. Last two tomorrow.

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I just spent a very enjoyable time looking at these incredible finds. Stefan, you are amazing. It was a window into Borsalino styles and colors all in one place. With that many hats in your hands at a time, it would be a temptation to toss them all on a bed and roll around naked in them. (Oh no, did I say that in my outside voice...). Cant wait for more.

 

[steur]

Three classic looking Borsalinos. The fact you can find a pile of them in one place...incredible. And so, European.

I'm sure you would get support for such a purchase from your spouses here on the lounge. We outnumber her. Of course, you don't have to live under the same roof as us.

A very special Borsalino. The rare large size is quite a find. The restoration is aces!









I just spent a very enjoyable time looking at these incredible finds. Stefan, you are amazing. It was a window into Borsalino styles and colors all in one place. With that many hats in your hands at a time, it would be a temptation to toss them all on a bed and roll around naked in them. (Oh no, did I say that in my outside voice...). Cant wait for more.

Mike, thanks. Finding this many fine hats in one go is not everyday for me either (thank goodness). I will not be keeping all of them myself of course. My spouse is very understanding but she does keep me in check as it were. I did lighten the load somewhat because I sold a bunch of hats on to a fellow lounger recently (to make some room for a package I'm expecting). There are 57 sized hats that are just too roomy for me and end up not being worn. No matter how nice they are I still have to get rid of them (which is odd, because the bowlers and top hats I have don't get worn either. But those I could wear in theory). A loose fitting hat bugs me no end and spacers only help when the size difference is very small.
Anyway: when I found them they looked like someone already had rolled around in them (one would hope fully clothed). Nothing like lots of steam to get them on track again. In a moment the last two. You wont be disappointed (promise).

 

[steur]

Which one to post first of the last two? Either one will do actually. Let's go by weight. This one could be the title of a short story "mister Steur finds his dream hat". This one is nothing short of incredible. Borsalino Export Qualität Gran Lusso in the colour Ghiaccio and the designation Bocciasti. Size 57 with a bound brim at 5cm and crown at 10cm at the pinch. Lined with onionskin/oilskin covering of liner tip, corrugated spacer in front and with a windcord this hat comes in at a stunning 77 grams. Fantastic thin and soft felt that takes and holds any shape. A 5cm brim is short for my taste but it does fit this hat perfectly.

 

[steur]

Final one (for this haul). This one took me by surprise a bit. It was so incredibly crumpled that at first I thought it was one of those coffin hats. Great colour and other than the crumpled look in fine shape, so I had to have it. Still looks a bit creased but more steam will be applied. Borsalino in the colour Palladio and designation Ergosan. Size 56, unreeded and unlined, but with a corrugated spacer in front. Lovely stitched raw edge brim at 6,5 cm and crown at 9,5cm at the pinch. This hat comes in at an astonishing 60 grams (a good 2 ounces). I have other lightweight Borsalino hats, but this one beats them by a landslide. Touching the hat is shaping it and you could literally blow it into shape. A very nice touch are the starshaped perforations on either side. I've never seen these before on a Borsalino. I take a bow for the amount of incredible craftsmanship that must have gone into this hat.
Rest of the pictures in part II.

 

[Frunobulax]

A very special Borsalino. The rare large size is quite a find. The restoration is aces!









I just spent a very enjoyable time looking at these incredible finds. Stefan, you are amazing. It was a window into Borsalino styles and colors all in one place. With that many hats in your hands at a time, it would be a temptation to toss them all on a bed and roll around naked in them. (Oh no, did I say that in my outside voice...). Cant wait for more.

Remind me not to buy any hats from you.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[steur]

Part II
Fritz Mayer still exists today (under a different name though).

 

[Bill Hughes]

I just snagged this on eBay. Not much listed in the auction and the pictures are not the best. But the price seemed worthy of taking a risk. I'm hoping it's at least 1950s or older. But I must admit the stitching on the brim is what caught my eye. Not to sure about the puggaree ribbon. It will be interesting to see the tags when it arrives.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Borsalino-7-1-8-Fedora-Hat-Cowboy-Mods-Stetson-Style-Rock/142650376890?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

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It arrived today. Pretty dirty. I've scrubbed it and will steam it tomorrow. These pictures are pre-cleaning. The pictures don't really show the dirt/stains. The puggaree ribbon is in better shape than I thought. The stitching on the brim is outstanding.

I don't understand the label.
Carla: ??? (maker? buyer?)
Elefante = elephant (color - brownish)
Faunosca = ???? (model - I think that is a sir name)

 

[bond]

Nice one Bill, like the detail stitching on the brim.


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[mayserwegener]

Part two. The hat has some minor flaws I admit and the most important one is that it's not my size! Somehow the newspaper behind the sweat got stuck together with the oilskin/onionskin that was located between the sweatband and the felt. Not major, but just a niggle.

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Stefan, Congrats on the great haul of Borsalinos! This one really caught my eye which I am sure doesn't surprise you. Great felt (color and finish) and super form. I also like the bow design and the sweatband is fantastic (I can't remember one like it on a Borsalino).

 

[mayserwegener]

Part II
Fritz Mayer still exists today (under a different name though).

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Stefan, Super + interesting! Do you think it could have been modified?

 

[mayserwegener]

It arrived today. Pretty dirty. I've scrubbed it and will steam it tomorrow. These pictures are pre-cleaning. The pictures don't really show the dirt/stains. The puggaree ribbon is in better shape than I thought. The stitching on the brim is outstanding.

I don't understand the label.
Carla: ??? (maker? buyer?)
Elefante = elephant (color - brownish)
Faunosca = ???? (model - I think that is a sir name)

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Bill, Super find! I hope you can get it cleaned up. I look forward to seeing more.