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The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,813
Location
Denmark
I have very few green hats in my collection. It's just a difficult colour for me. This one I could not pass up. Borsalino in green (can't make out the name on the label properly for its Italian name). Lovely proportions and nice ribbon. Overwelt brim at 5,5cm and crown 10 cm at the pinch. The shop it came from still exists in The Hague. The felt is lovely on this one; not exactly a longhair but not standard. It does have corrugated cardboard in front which is unusual for European market Borsalinos.

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Stefan, as always, wow, what a find! Love the light green olive colour. Congrats.
It's not a difficult colour if you wear what passes. Enjoy!

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk
 
Messages
15,072
Location
Buffalo, NY
Borsalino for Oviatt's...

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Nathaniel Finley

A-List Customer
Messages
328
Location
World wide
So I arrived back to my folks’ home in Alabama yesterday and the modern Borsalino I’d purchased was waiting for me. Not at all what I expected and to be honest I was rather disappointed, even if my expectations weren’t high to start with. It certainly isn’t worth much more to me than the 45 USD I paid for it, but it’s funny - the thing’s starting to grow on me.

First the good:
- I look great in black!

-The felt is super soft. Maybe too soft, it wouldn’t hold a cattleman’s crease until I steamed it. The brim won’t hold much of anything but what it’s been programmed to do.

-I like the shark gill thin ribbon.

-It’s super light weight.

-I especially like the profile on it.

Now the bad:
-The satin lining is itchy is hell. It must be the black die. Plus the thing is glued in - at least that means I can take it out without much argument.

-The wind cord is made of elastic. Really? I mean, it’s attached but this can’t be more than
aesthetics.

- The hat is much smaller than I had expected, but again it’s kind of growing on me. Anyway, that’s my fault for having expectations off a few photos on eBay!

-This hat feels extremely fragile. I suppose it’s meant to be something like a prom queen, all dressed up in sequins and make up but to me it feels more like a drama queen, ready to fall apart at the seams at the slightest instigation.

- I won’t ever need to purchase another modern Borsalino, although if this fellow survives a good rainshower its stock will rise dramatically in my estimation.

——
Here are some photos, along with a free shot of a portrait done in Gaeta, Italy 35 years ago of my mother and baby sister. Appropriate for the Borsalino - if this hat lasts as long as the portrait has I’ll be overchuffed.


49E3F185-AB7D-4D2D-9741-AD172B8F1A18.jpeg
B791021C-FDE9-4D9E-A74B-C720CC5AED23.jpeg
D7ABA653-69E5-4C01-BB84-85CA86AED3FB.jpeg
DD3F4E06-82F1-42DC-B4CE-9268B587A252.jpeg
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AED27002-45AC-42B5-8EA8-994B2E76F09D.jpeg
C63ECA54-6140-4086-BEBE-4A00392DB831.jpeg
BE423207-11DB-4467-A35D-A1F70536CDA5.jpeg


One day I’ll get a vintage Borso. But for today I’m satisfied and that’s good enough for me for now. It’s all a learning game at this point in my collection.

Cheers,
Nathan
 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,823
So I arrived back to my folks’ home in Alabama yesterday and the modern Borsalino I’d purchased was waiting for me. Not at all what I expected and to be honest I was rather disappointed, even if my expectations weren’t high to start with. It certainly isn’t worth much more to me than the 45 USD I paid for it, but it’s funny - the thing’s starting to grow on me.

First the good:
- I look great in black!

-The felt is super soft. Maybe too soft, it wouldn’t hold a cattleman’s crease until I steamed it. The brim won’t hold much of anything but what it’s been programmed to do.

-I like the shark gill thin ribbon.

-It’s super light weight.

-I especially like the profile on it.

Now the bad:
-The satin lining is itchy is hell. It must be the black die. Plus the thing is glued in - at least that means I can take it out without much argument.

-The wind cord is made of elastic. Really? I mean, it’s attached but this can’t be more than
aesthetics.

- The hat is much smaller than I had expected, but again it’s kind of growing on me. Anyway, that’s my fault for having expectations off a few photos on eBay!

-This hat feels extremely fragile. I suppose it’s meant to be something like a prom queen, all dressed up in sequins and make up but to me it feels more like a drama queen, ready to fall apart at the seams at the slightest instigation.

- I won’t ever need to purchase another modern Borsalino, although if this fellow survives a good rainshower its stock will rise dramatically in my estimation.

——
Here are some photos, along with a free shot of a portrait done in Gaeta, Italy 35 years ago of my mother and baby sister. Appropriate for the Borsalino - if this hat lasts as long as the portrait has I’ll be overchuffed.


View attachment 110416 View attachment 110417 View attachment 110418 View attachment 110419 View attachment 110420 View attachment 110421 View attachment 110422 View attachment 110423

One day I’ll get a vintage Borso. But for today I’m satisfied and that’s good enough for me for now. It’s all a learning game at this point in my collection.

Cheers,
Nathan
Greetings Nathan et al:
Welcome back man. Love that review...Prom Queen...priceless. Yeah, that’s a new Borsa alright, ok but??? Sounds like you’re ready for a vintage Borsa to me. Maybe something along the lines of your 3x?? Might look for a darker color, less worry. Shouldn’t be hard to find if you are patient.
Be well my friend. The black Borsa looks good on you. Wear it out. Bowen
 

Nathaniel Finley

A-List Customer
Messages
328
Location
World wide
Greetings Nathan et al:
Welcome back man. Love that review...Prom Queen...priceless. Yeah, that’s a new Borsa alright, ok but??? Sounds like you’re ready for a vintage Borsa to me. Maybe something along the lines of your 3x?? Might look for a darker color, less worry. Shouldn’t be hard to find if you are patient.
Be well my friend. The black Borsa looks good on you. Wear it out. Bowen

“Wear it out” = excellent advice, Bowen. Indeed it is on my head as I type!

Yes, I hope to get a vintage Borso one day. Right now the cost is prohibitive but I’m keeping my eyes open. I did just pick up a very nice looking 50s Stetson 3X wide-brimmed for 20 USD. That’s about my speed at the moment and I’m kind of enjoying exploring with limited funds. I’ll post photos when the new-to-me Stetson arrives.

Cheers,
Nathan
 

Cornshucker77

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,691
Location
Northeast Nebraska, USA
“Wear it out” = excellent advice, Bowen. Indeed it is on my head as I type!

Yes, I hope to get a vintage Borso one day. Right now the cost is prohibitive but I’m keeping my eyes open. I did just pick up a very nice looking 50s Stetson 3X wide-brimmed for 20 USD. That’s about my speed at the moment and I’m kind of enjoying exploring with limited funds. I’ll post photos when the new-to-me Stetson arrives.

Cheers,
Nathan
$20......... that's a great deal. Congrats!
 

KarlCrow

One Too Many
So I arrived back to my folks’ home in Alabama yesterday and the modern Borsalino I’d purchased was waiting for me. Not at all what I expected and to be honest I was rather disappointed, even if my expectations weren’t high to start with. It certainly isn’t worth much more to me than the 45 USD I paid for it, but it’s funny - the thing’s starting to grow on me.

First the good:
- I look great in black!

-The felt is super soft. Maybe too soft, it wouldn’t hold a cattleman’s crease until I steamed it. The brim won’t hold much of anything but what it’s been programmed to do.

-I like the shark gill thin ribbon.

-It’s super light weight.

-I especially like the profile on it.

Now the bad:
-The satin lining is itchy is hell. It must be the black die. Plus the thing is glued in - at least that means I can take it out without much argument.

-The wind cord is made of elastic. Really? I mean, it’s attached but this can’t be more than
aesthetics.

- The hat is much smaller than I had expected, but again it’s kind of growing on me. Anyway, that’s my fault for having expectations off a few photos on eBay!

-This hat feels extremely fragile. I suppose it’s meant to be something like a prom queen, all dressed up in sequins and make up but to me it feels more like a drama queen, ready to fall apart at the seams at the slightest instigation.

- I won’t ever need to purchase another modern Borsalino, although if this fellow survives a good rainshower its stock will rise dramatically in my estimation.

——
Here are some photos, along with a free shot of a portrait done in Gaeta, Italy 35 years ago of my mother and baby sister. Appropriate for the Borsalino - if this hat lasts as long as the portrait has I’ll be overchuffed.


View attachment 110416 View attachment 110417 View attachment 110418 View attachment 110419 View attachment 110420 View attachment 110421 View attachment 110422 View attachment 110423

One day I’ll get a vintage Borso. But for today I’m satisfied and that’s good enough for me for now. It’s all a learning game at this point in my collection.

Cheers,
Nathan
Looks great, perhaps one angle out of the pile that ain't great.
 

Tonio

A-List Customer
Messages
445
Here's a rarity I recently received from a gentleman knowledgeable in Italian militaria.

1935-1940 Borsalino Alessandria MVSN (Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza) medical officer's bustina cap.

Borsalino did not seem to have military caps in their standard production. I suspect that they were made to order for very rich people. This belonged to a doctor of the voluntary national security MVSN militia during the Italian war in Africa orientale 1935/1940.

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Bill Hughes

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,162
Location
North Texas

I finally got around to cleaning and shaping this rust colored Pesca. Had a hard time getting the dent centered. Then realized the sweatband was not centered. Adjusted for that but it still didn't look right. Finally figured out the brim on the right side was 1/8" wider than on the left. After a bit of playing I was able to come up with this which I believe is pretty good.

I am just crazy about this color!

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RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
I finally got around to cleaning and shaping this rust colored Pesca. Had a hard time getting the dent centered. Then realized the sweatband was not centered. Adjusted for that but it still didn't look right. Finally figured out the brim on the right side was 1/8" wider than on the left. After a bit of playing I was able to come up with this which I believe is pretty good.

I am just crazy about this color!

View attachment 111331 View attachment 111332 View attachment 111333 View attachment 111334 View attachment 111335
Great color.
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Here's a rarity I recently received from a gentleman knowledgeable in Italian militaria.

1935-1940 Borsalino Alessandria MVSN (Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza) medical officer's bustina cap.

Borsalino did not seem to have military caps in their standard production. I suspect that they were made to order for very rich people. This belonged to a doctor of the voluntary national security MVSN militia during the Italian war in Africa orientale 1935/1940.

View attachment 110723 View attachment 110724 View attachment 110725 View attachment 110726 View attachment 110727
Unique find. Love these really special items you keep showing us, Tonio!
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
I finally got around to cleaning and shaping this rust colored Pesca. Had a hard time getting the dent centered. Then realized the sweatband was not centered. Adjusted for that but it still didn't look right. Finally figured out the brim on the right side was 1/8" wider than on the left. After a bit of playing I was able to come up with this which I believe is pretty good.

I am just crazy about this color!

View attachment 111331 View attachment 111332 View attachment 111333 View attachment 111334 View attachment 111335
Wow, now there's a colour that catches the eye. Never seen anything like it.
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Promised to post this one yesterday, so here it is. Borsalino Misto in topo colour. Size 7 1/8 (made for the American market) but it fits me near enough. Model is called Landasti. It had a few spots when I bought it on the bay, which is probably why i got it cheap. Fantastic soft and light heather felt. The hat weighs only 80 grams. Brim 5,7cm and crown 11 cm at the pinch. Quite an early one; my guess is thirties.

borsalino topo_02.jpg
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Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
Here's a rarity I recently received from a gentleman knowledgeable in Italian militaria.

1935-1940 Borsalino Alessandria MVSN (Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza) medical officer's bustina cap.

Borsalino did not seem to have military caps in their standard production. I suspect that they were made to order for very rich people. This belonged to a doctor of the voluntary national security MVSN militia during the Italian war in Africa orientale 1935/1940.

View attachment 110723 View attachment 110724 View attachment 110725 View attachment 110726 View attachment 110727
This is incredibly cool Tonio. Truly an interesting piece of Italian history.
 
Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
I finally got around to cleaning and shaping this rust colored Pesca. Had a hard time getting the dent centered. Then realized the sweatband was not centered. Adjusted for that but it still didn't look right. Finally figured out the brim on the right side was 1/8" wider than on the left. After a bit of playing I was able to come up with this which I believe is pretty good.

I am just crazy about this color!

View attachment 111331 View attachment 111332 View attachment 111333 View attachment 111334 View attachment 111335
Wow! Interesting dimensions, factory?
 
Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
Promised to post this one yesterday, so here it is. Borsalino Misto in topo colour. Size 7 1/8 (made for the American market) but it fits me near enough. Model is called Landasti. It had a few spots when I bought it on the bay, which is probably why i got it cheap. Fantastic soft and light heather felt. The hat weighs only 80 grams. Brim 5,7cm and crown 11 cm at the pinch. Quite an early one; my guess is thirties.

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This one turned out quite nice. It looks better all Euopeanized with a classic crease. What did you use to get the stains out?
 

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