The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[hbenthow]

It's a nice hat - most likely 1950s. The Borsalino manufacturing tag behind the sweatband is the most reliable tool for dating the brand.

Be careful cleaning the liner - it is silk. I don't remember seeing this liner/tip imprint with a paper protector in place. You can remove the remaining shards with a tweezer... again, carefully. The liner can be removed from the hat for cleaning. It was originally tacked in place with a running stitch, but if the hat has been cleaned earlier in its life, the liner might be held in place with small pieces of tape.

Do you have any recommendation on what to use for cleaning the liner? Also, what is your opinion of the current condition of the felt?

 

[alanfgag]

Do you have any recommendation on what to use for cleaning the liner? Also, what is your opinion of the current condition of the felt?

I have no experience cleaning a Borsalino silk liner. The felt looks to be in good shape as does the sweatband. The ribbon seems to be coming detached in areas. It's hard to tell for certain from your photos. Steaming and brushing are a good friend to a long hair finish hat such as this.

You do realize that Meyer the Hatter remains open for business in New Orleans? Can't say that about very many sellers imprinted on the sweatband of a mid-century vintage hat.

 

[alanfgag]

ps... this is a quality hat with a lovely finish and nice felted edge. The model is likely imprinted on the manufacturing tag behind the sweatband - Gorasgu, perhaps. I would guess a $20 hat when it was new. Worth spiffing up a bit.

 

[hbenthow]

I have no experience cleaning a Borsalino silk liner. The felt looks to be in good shape as does the sweatband. The ribbon seems to be coming detached in areas. It's hard to tell for certain from your photos. Steaming and brushing are a good friend to a long hair finish hat such as this.

Do you know a good place (on or off this forum) where I could find detailed instructions (perhaps even tutorials) on how to properly clean a silk liner, as well as how to safely steam and clean the hat?

You do realize that Meyer the Hatter remains open for business in New Orleans? Can't say that about very many sellers imprinted on the sweatband of a mid-century vintage hat.

I didn't know that. That's very interesting.

 

[alanfgag]

Do you know a good place (on or off this forum) where I could find detailed instructions (perhaps even tutorials) on how to properly clean a silk liner, as well as how to safely steam and clean the hat?

There are many threads and knowledgable FL members who can help. Ask away on the "ask a question" thread. I would start off by contacting Meyer. They might enjoy the chance to be of help. My wife is a costume designer with much experience in cleaning. She looked at your photos and said the stains look like mildew... or perhaps a very bad hair dye job.

 

[hbenthow]

There are many threads and knowledgable FL members who can help. Ask away on the "ask a question" thread. I would start off by contacting Meyer. They might enjoy the chance to be of help.

Thank you for the advice.

My wife is a costume designer with much experience in cleaning. She looked at your photos and said the stains look like mildew... or perhaps a very bad hair dye job.

It's definitely mildew.

 

[Tukwila]

I missed a nice Borsalino 25 "OR" looking lid on ebay this morning. It was oh, so pretty, but my bid was too low.... sniff, sniff. Hope someone here got it!

 

[bond]

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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Nice color Bill, is that the original ribbon?



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[bond]

Nice color Bill, is that the original ribbon?



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Vintage Borsalino Brim repair. Mid century light weight wide brim posed a challenge binding. Had a 1/2 cut in front of brim and owner wanted a wider binding added w a possible brim trim . After thinking about possibilities I decided to carefully stitch the slit closed w a couple of x stitches first and followed up with a 1/8 stitch around the perimeter edge. Finished with a Brim binding ribbon in Muffalotto, a color Borsalino used frequently on their vintage dress hats from this period.

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[RJR]

Vintage Borsalino Brim repair. Mid century light weight wide brim posed a challenge binding. Had a 1/2 cut in front of brim and owner wanted a wider binding added w a possible brim trim . After thinking about possibilities I decided to carefully stitch the slit closed w a couple of x stitches first and followed up with a 1/8 stitch around the perimeter edge. Finished with a Brim binding ribbon in Muffalotto, a color Borsalino used frequently on their vintage dress hats from this period.

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Great repair,Scott!

 

[Bill Hughes]

Nice color Bill, is that the original ribbon?



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I don’t know. The sweatband has been replaced so the ribbon had to at least been removed. In fact I’m not impressed with the sweatband replacement so you may be seeing this hat in the future.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Vintage Borsalino Brim repair. Mid century light weight wide brim posed a challenge binding. Had a 1/2 cut in front of brim and owner wanted a wider binding added w a possible brim trim . After thinking about possibilities I decided to carefully stitch the slit closed w a couple of x stitches first and followed up with a 1/8 stitch around the perimeter edge. Finished with a Brim binding ribbon in Muffalotto, a color Borsalino used frequently on their vintage dress hats from this period.

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In case anyone is wondering I first listed this hat in the eBay thread. I had won the auction but when it arrived the brim had been cut in the packing process. The seller said she thought she knew what happened but didn’t realize it at the time. She gave me a full refund and I sent it to Scott for repair. In fact I told Scott to do whatever he thought was best. I knew I couldn’t go wrong. As you can see I was correct. Scott is da man. When referring to Scott I always say “I got a guy”.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...eats-gripes-items-of-interest.27695/page-1490

 

[Tukwila]

In case anyone is wondering I first listed this hat in the eBay thread. I had won the auction but when it arrived the brim had been cut in the packing process. The seller said she thought she knew what happened but didn’t realize it at the time. She gave me a full refund and I sent it to Scott for repair.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...eats-gripes-items-of-interest.27695/page-1490

I remember. The final result here is outstanding... a fine Borsalino!

 

[Revilo61]

Hello Brotherhood Members, been lurking here for a while but I just got my first vintage (?) Borsalino, so I figured it’s time to join the discussion.
This hat has the softest, most pliable felt I’ve ever experienced, kind of a peach fuzzy feel. It will take and hold any shape I want.
Any info you knowledgeable people here are willing to share about my new hat will be greatly appreciated!

 

[jlee562]

Thank you for the advice.



It's definitely mildew.

P.S. To this, I was in New Orleans a few weeks ago, and Sam Meyer, the third generation owner, is still working in the store. They might not be able to provide much info, but it's probably worth a phone call just to be sure. The store seems like the kind of place that just might have 60 year old paperwork laying around.

 

[hbenthow]

P.S. To this, I was in New Orleans a few weeks ago, and Sam Meyer, the third generation owner, is still working in the store. They might not be able to provide much info, but it's probably worth a phone call just to be sure. The store seems like the kind of place that just might have 60 year old paperwork laying around.

Thank you for that information.

 

[moltar227]

Nice thrift store find.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Hello Brotherhood Members, been lurking here for a while but I just got my first vintage (?) Borsalino, so I figured it’s time to join the discussion.
This hat has the softest, most pliable felt I’ve ever experienced, kind of a peach fuzzy feel. It will take and hold any shape I want.
Any info you knowledgeable people here are willing to share about my new hat will be greatly appreciated!

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Love the colors.

 

[Redfokker]

Nice thrift store find.

Very nice Moltar! Welcome to the lounge. Photos of the liner, sweat and any tags under it would help with some dating of this beauty. Good on ya!

 

[Redfokker]

Hello Brotherhood Members, been lurking here for a while but I just got my first vintage (?) Borsalino, so I figured it’s time to join the discussion.
This hat has the softest, most pliable felt I’ve ever experienced, kind of a peach fuzzy feel. It will take and hold any shape I want.
Any info you knowledgeable people here are willing to share about my new hat will be greatly appreciated!

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Love that ribbon treatment. Great catch.