The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[T Jones]

Just a few updated photos of my black Borsalino under a different light. The ribbon shows up purple in these pics but it's actually black. Come to think of it, I think a black and purple combo would look pretty good

On the head early this a.m. for a noir effect

 

[Redfokker]

Just a few updated photos of my black Borsalino under a different light. The ribbon shows up purple in these pics but it's actually black. Come to think of it, I think a black and purple combo would look pretty good

On the head early this a.m. for a noir effect

Beautiful Terry. I think you are on to something with that black/purple idea!

 

[T Jones]

Beautiful Terry. I think you are on to something with that black/purple idea!

Definitely. I gotta try to come up with another black hat and try to find some purple ribbon. I want to see how that would work out for real.

 

[alanfgag]

A finely finished velour Borsalino from the Zlateff collection (a stash of stored hats from Bulgaria that made the rounds on eBay some years back)... WWII era or perhaps earlier. One of the first hats I purchased from eBay... had it at Gary White's for what seemed like an eternity for a new ribbon, got impatient and took it back and gave it to my father who has a smaller head and wore it beautifully. Now back with me. It still needs a new ribbon.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

A Lobbia Borsalino made probably ten years after the Zatleff - Sofia - Bulgaria, Alan show above

Lobbia Borsalino. Qualità Suprema, size 5 1/2 58 centimeters

Made probably during the late forties and early fifties at Borsalino historical factory in Alessandria.

The color is "Opale" c. (cinta = ribbon) Nera, type Mula 40 The felt is plain with contrasting ribbon as in the origin for this lobbia

This hat was made for the Italian market, particularly for "Vedova di Vincenzo Foresto" one of the best hats shop in Turin

The felt is typical of the Borsalino of after war: very dense e medium thickness. In Qualità Suprema is a little bit more stiff than others Borsalino qualities.

Proportions: Brim at 7 cm. Crown al 11 cm and the ribbon is 4 cm. sweatband is 5 cm.

I'm lucky because the hat was used, but in excellent conditions

Final profile from the side, my favourite

 

[steur]

A Lobbia Borsalino made probably ten years after the Zatleff - Sofia - Bulgaria, Alan show above
View attachment 138563
Lobbia Borsalino. Qualità Suprema, size 5 1/2 58 centimeters
View attachment 138565
Made probably during the late forties and early fifties at Borsalino historical factory in Alessandria.
View attachment 138566
The color is "Opale" c. (cinta = ribbon) Nera, type Mula 40 The felt is plain with contrasting ribbon as in the origin for this lobbia
View attachment 138567
This hat was made for the Italian market, particularly for "Vedova di Vincenzo Foresto" one of the best hats shop in Turin
View attachment 138571
View attachment 138569
View attachment 138570
The felt is typical of the Borsalino of after war: very dense e medium thickness. In Qualità Suprema is a little bit more stiff than others Borsalino qualities.
View attachment 138568
Proportions: Brim at 7 cm. Crown al 11 cm and the ribbon is 4 cm. sweatband is 5 cm.
View attachment 138572
I'm lucky because the hat was used, but in excellent conditions
View attachment 138574
Final profile from the side, my favourite

It does not get better than this. Truly splendid hat, Daniele.

 

[Steve1857]

Indeed it is Stefan, and I'm planning on being it's new lucky owner [emoji4]

It does not get better than this. Truly splendid hat, Daniele.

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

 

[Redfokker]

View attachment 124503 View attachment 124504 View attachment 124505 View attachment 124506 View attachment 124507 View attachment 124508

Wow! Museum piece. It would make a beautiful display, not a daily driver but wow!

 

[jonesy86]

Hey Guys

I have been searching for a Vintage Borsalino for a while, but size 7 1/2 seems elusive in any make. I am tempted by this hat on the bay but know very little about what I am looking at. Any insight or opinions on age, quality, or value would be appreciated.

Peace.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Borsalino-...t-Condition-Free-Shipping-in-U-S/132813547768

 

[steur]

Hey Guys

I have been searching for a Vintage Borsalino for a while, but size 7 1/2 seems elusive in any make. I am tempted by this hat on the bay but know very little about what I am looking at. Any insight or opinions on age, quality, or value would be appreciated.

Peace.

View attachment 139432

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Borsalino-...t-Condition-Free-Shipping-in-U-S/132813547768

Not their best work in my view. Most likely seventies and maybe even early eighties. The felt will be thicker (in fact it's listed as a heavier hat) and not as finely pounced. I have a borsalino from the same period, not from the Colombo line but the ribbon treatment is the same. Fine enough hat, but certainly not the best borsalino I have. From the pictures the finishing is below par with some sloppy stitchwork visible. There are a couple size 62 borsalino hats listed that are more recent, but look better (and can maybe be had cheaper). Value is a relative measure, but I think the listed price is quite high. You can always ask Daniele if he has something worthwhile for you.

 

[steur]

I have had quite a few of these pass through my hands in various guises, but this one might replace one I have for quite some time (and that's saying something).
Borsalino homburg Gulaela in Nero. Size 57 with the brim at 6cm and crown 11cm at the pinch. The same size as an Export Qualität Borsalino Gran Lusso homburg I had in the same colour, but that one wasn't a Gulaela model and did not fit me as well as this one.

 

[Redfokker]

I have had quite a few of these pass through my hands in various guises, but this one might replace one I have for quite some time (and that's saying something).
Borsalino homburg Gulaela in Nero. Size 57 with the brim at 6cm and crown 11cm at the pinch. The same size as an Export Qualität Borsalino Gran Lusso homburg I had in the same colour, but that one wasn't a Gulaela model and did not fit me as well as this one.

Incredible Impermeabile Stefan. Love the lines.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

A Lobbia Borsalino made probably ten years after the Zatleff - Sofia - Bulgaria, Alan show above
View attachment 138563
Lobbia Borsalino. Qualità Suprema, size 5 1/2 58 centimeters
View attachment 138565
Made probably during the late forties and early fifties at Borsalino historical factory in Alessandria.
View attachment 138566
The color is "Opale" c. (cinta = ribbon) Nera, type Mula 40 The felt is plain with contrasting ribbon as in the origin for this lobbia
View attachment 138567
This hat was made for the Italian market, particularly for "Vedova di Vincenzo Foresto" one of the best hats shop in Turin
View attachment 138571
View attachment 138569
View attachment 138570
The felt is typical of the Borsalino of after war: very dense e medium thickness. In Qualità Suprema is a little bit more stiff than others Borsalino qualities.
View attachment 138568
Proportions: Brim at 7 cm. Crown al 11 cm and the ribbon is 4 cm. sweatband is 5 cm.
View attachment 138572
I'm lucky because the hat was used, but in excellent conditions
View attachment 138574
Final profile from the side, my favourite

Hermosísimo

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

 

[steur]

Incredible Impermeabile Stefan. Love the lines.

Thanks, Mike. I had the chance this time to compare a few Borsalino homburg models side to side (forgot to take pictures though). The Gulaela wins hands down: it has the stature that should come with a homburg I think.

 

[steur]

Borsalinos' Marque Grand Luxe hats have been getting some attention in this thread lately and I recently posted a hat in Lupo colour with that designation. Well, it appears that was not my first MGL (to my surprise this one has the same moniker). I posted this one before, so I won't post it all over again, but it deserves a bit of attention.
Borsalino MGL 6x, morello colour Ta-Dalmami (whatever that may mean). This felt is nothing short of incredible.

 

[steur]

Borsalino fedora in black, qualitá speciale. It also says Export Qualität on the sweatband, so made for the German market. Size 57 with the bound brim at 5,5cm and crown at 11cm at the pinch. I wasn't going to keep this one (just like the borsalino homburg in black I posted recently), but this hat has so many redeeming qualities it will stay. I don't have a lot of black borsalino hats to be honest. And these cellophane covered liners always have my resolve turn into dissolve...

 

[steur]

Borsalino nutria in Condor colour. Model Ecosca. Size 56 with the raw edge brim at 6,5cm and the crown at 10cm at the pinch. Superb felt that dry creases easily but still feels sturdy (but not stiff). The hand is very soft. The seller had his (or her) own ideas about this hat because it was creased the other way round and there was a thread sewn in around the reed. I thought it was because the sweat was loose from the reed, but that was not the case.

 

[steur]

Part II

The stitching:

And the backwards shape:

 

[belfastboy]

Just a few updated photos of my black Borsalino under a different light. The ribbon shows up purple in these pics but it's actually black. Come to think of it, I think a black and purple combo would look pretty good

On the head early this a.m. for a noir effect

That looks great on you. I shy away from wearing black hats but when I see one that looks this good I cannot help but reconsider.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Borsalino fedora in black, qualitá speciale. It also says Export Qualität on the sweatband, so made for the German market. Size 57 with the bound brim at 5,5cm and crown at 11cm at the pinch. I wasn't going to keep this one (just like the borsalino homburg in black I posted recently), but this hat has so many redeeming qualities it will stay. I don't have a lot of black borsalino hats to be honest. And these cellophane covered liners always have my resolve turn into dissolve...

Borsalino nutria in Condor colour. Model Ecosca. Size 56 with the raw edge brim at 6,5cm and the crown at 10cm at the pinch. Superb felt that dry creases easily but still feels sturdy (but not stiff). The hand is very soft. The seller had his (or her) own ideas about this hat because it was creased the other way round and there was a thread sewn in around the reed. I thought it was because the sweat was loose from the reed, but that was not the case.

Stefan, I think it is a wise decision to keep the black Borsalino in black. It is a "Qualità Speciale" that is not so often see and also because is very elegant. May be I'm little prone to black hats in this period.
Second the Nutria witha rare color "Condor" is a superlative hat. Very simple and so sharp.
For your purpose to know the Borsalino colors I have two new for your record data: "Marocco" a very, very deep brown, almost black and "Pomice" another grey shade you will see in these days. With Steve we visited Merano and have the chance to see others Borsalino colors that in the huge quantity of hats looked in the past were lost. The marocco is not in my hand. It is too tight!