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The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

Messages
15,080
Location
Buffalo, NY
Do you think modern-day factory-made hats, e.g. Stetsons will be considered Vintage in 40 years? Quality-wise I mean? Or just old?

Sure. They are part of the continuum of civilization and at some point will qualify as vintage and in time, antique. Like 19th century copies of 17th century Japanese ceramics. I expect there will be collectors of Abercrombie stuff - perhaps more than there are/will be collectors of Abercrombie & Fitch. Time heals all offense. At least I think so. ;^)
 

drmaxtejeda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,354
Location
Mexico City
Sure. They are part of the continuum of civilization and at some point will qualify as vintage and in time, antique. Like 19th century copies of 17th century Japanese ceramics. I expect there will be collectors of Abercrombie stuff - perhaps more than there are/will be collectors of Abercrombie & Fitch. Time heals all offense. At least I think so. ;^)
To some degree, yes... I still dread my second wife, though.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk
 
Messages
18,410
Location
Nederland
Back to Borsalino. Occasionally a hat comes along which is a bit different. This is one of them. This is a heather felt and that has me as good as sold anyway. Frequently these heathers are a mix of wool and fur and this is no exception. It even seems that there's more wool in the mix of this one (the felt feels different and heavier than other heather felts I have).
Anyway: Borsalino M. (misto) Stagno. Ribbon in the colour Buio. Size 57 with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the pinch. My guess is mid sixties to early seventies.

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Tonio

A-List Customer
Messages
445
Back to Borsalino. Occasionally a hat comes along which is a bit different. This is one of them. This is a heather felt and that has me as good as sold anyway. Frequently these heathers are a mix of wool and fur and this is no exception. It even seems that there's more wool in the mix of this one (the felt feels different and heavier than other heather felts I have).
Anyway: Borsalino M. (misto) Stagno. Ribbon in the colour Buio. Size 57 with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the pinch. My guess is mid sixties to early seventies.

View attachment 130424 View attachment 130425 View attachment 130426 View attachment 130427 View attachment 130428 View attachment 130429 View attachment 130430 View attachment 130431 View attachment 130432 View attachment 130433

Nice! That is sharp!
 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,829
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Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen
 

drmaxtejeda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,354
Location
Mexico City
View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen
Beautiful. Hermosísimo.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk
 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,829
C6CBAA66-5C15-4742-B126-B4126477E6E7.jpeg
View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen
Guess this one didn’t post.
B
 

MondoFW

Practically Family
Messages
852
View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen
W O W! You people need to stop reminding me that I'm in desperate need of a Borsalino...This hat has my favorite fedora proportions, the sweatband and felt both look rich--Wear this one in good health, Bowen. Amazing how many hats have stood up to 70+ years of time like it's nothing.
 
Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen
You can almost feel that felt through the computer monitor (now it is all smudged;)). This is one of the most beautiful Borsalinos floating around the Lounge.
 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,829
You can almost feel that felt through the computer monitor (now it is all smudged;)). This is one of the most beautiful Borsalinos floating around the Lounge.
Thank you very much Red. That’s very high praise and some elite company. I’m humbled. It is a nice felt, unique feel that’s difficult to describe. It does have what i call “the look” i like.
I believe it is the same as one Alan has.
If i ever get rid of it...it’s yours.
Thank you again for the kind praise.
Be well. Bowen
 
Messages
18,410
Location
Nederland
View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen
I can only see one thing wrong with this hat and that is that it's part of your collection instead of mine:)
Superlatives all around.
 
Messages
18,410
Location
Nederland
Thank you very much Red. That’s very high praise and some elite company. I’m humbled. It is a nice felt, unique feel that’s difficult to describe. It does have what i call “the look” i like.
I believe it is the same as one Alan has.
If i ever get rid of it...it’s yours.
Thank you again for the kind praise.
Be well. Bowen
I see an inkling of hope for the future there:D
 

Steinbockhase

Practically Family
Messages
514
Location
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
What about Borsalino's own quality classifications; they don't have that many to my knowledge.
I have some vintage Borsalinos, some marked "Qualita Superiore" and others "Qualita Extra Superiore".
Is my assuption that "Extra Superiore" is usually 100% or atleast mainly beaver fur felt correct?

I will start posting detailed photos of my Borsalino collection soon.
 
Messages
17,483
Location
Maryland
I am not aware of a fur content listing for "Qualita Superiore" and "Qualita Extra Superiore". Daniele or someone else might have some information. Here is an pre WWII "Qualita Extra-Extra Superiore" ( not sure of fur content but could have beaver fur) Stiff Felt of mine. You see Beaver fur used more often in Pre WWII European Stiff Felt hats and rarely in Soft Felts.

8367413953_55dc5ebe18_b.jpg


8367417311_3f8ebbe4c7_b.jpg


8367432717_b8a0556edd_b.jpg


8368495166_a7917b7044_b.jpg


In the following Qualita Extra Superiore are listed as having Rabbit fur content but this is not a Borsalino publication. Velour is the highest price point.

Giusepe Gallieni Rome sponsored Map/ad (probably 1950s)

SCAN0371.JPG
SCAN0372.JPG

SCAN0374.JPG
SCAN0373.JPG
 
Last edited:

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,100
Location
San Francisco, CA
Here's a hat I haven't posted since the great Photobucket purge.

I'm not sure of the date on this one? Onionskin liner that has a bit of damage and there's one small stain on the brim, but otherwise good condition for a decently vintage Borso. The basting stitches are still present. Color is "opale," which I'm going to go out on a limb and say is Opal. A very nice light grey. Qualita Extra Extra Superiore, Italian market.
Outdoors:

Indoors:

Bow, ribbon,basting stitches:



Liner, label, imprints:



 

Steinbockhase

Practically Family
Messages
514
Location
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
I am not aware of a fur content listing for "Qualita Superiore" and "Qualita Extra Superiore". Daniele or someone else might have some information. Here is an pre WWII "Qualita Extra-Extra Superiore" Stiff Felt of mine. You see Beaver fur used more often in Pre WWII European Stiff Felt hats and rarely in Soft Felts.

8367413953_55dc5ebe18_b.jpg


8367417311_3f8ebbe4c7_b.jpg


8367432717_b8a0556edd_b.jpg


8368495166_a7917b7044_b.jpg


In the following Qualita Extra Superiore are listed as having Rabbit fur content but this is a not a Borsalino publication. Velour is the highest price point.

Giusepe Gallieni Rome sponsored Map/ad (probably 1950s)

SCAN0371.JPG
SCAN0372.JPG

SCAN0374.JPG
SCAN0373.JPG


I am not aware of a fur content listing for "Qualita Superiore" and "Qualita Extra Superiore". Daniele or someone else might have some information. Here is an pre WWII "Qualita Extra-Extra Superiore" Stiff Felt of mine. You see Beaver fur used more often in Pre WWII European Stiff Felt hats and rarely in Soft Felts.

8367413953_55dc5ebe18_b.jpg


8367417311_3f8ebbe4c7_b.jpg


8367432717_b8a0556edd_b.jpg


8368495166_a7917b7044_b.jpg


In the following Qualita Extra Superiore are listed as having Rabbit fur content but this is a not a Borsalino publication. Velour is the highest price point.

Giusepe Gallieni Rome sponsored Map/ad (probably 1950s)

SCAN0371.JPG
SCAN0372.JPG

SCAN0374.JPG
SCAN0373.JPG


What about Borsalino's own quality classifications; they don't have that many to my knowledge.
I have some vintage Borsalinos, some marked "Qualita Superiore" and others "Qualita Extra Superiore".
Is my assuption that "Extra Superiore" is usually 100% or atleast mainly beaver fur felt correct?

Thanks for the good information and reference material; very much appreciated.
That's a beautiful Borsalino Bowler.
I am currently bidding on a similar Borso-Bowler on eBay, but it is definately newer (maybe 70s - 90s) and is marked as "Qualita Speciale". How much would such a Bowler be worth? I don't intend to bid more than 50% of that estimate ... cause I'm the Bargain-Hunter :)
 

Steinbockhase

Practically Family
Messages
514
Location
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Here's a hat I haven't posted since the great Photobucket purge.

I'm not sure of the date on this one? Onionskin liner that has a bit of damage and there's one small stain on the brim, but otherwise good condition for a decently vintage Borso. The basting stitches are still present. Color is "opale," which I'm going to go out on a limb and say is Opal. A very nice light grey. Qualita Extra Extra Superiore, Italian market.
Outdoors:

Indoors:

Bow, ribbon,basting stitches:



Liner, label, imprints:





Beautiful Borso. Does the paper label reveal the year it was made? Not sure how to read them.
 

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