The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[carouselvic]

A 1981 alessandria in cobalt blue. Right out of a shipping box that that was too small.

 

[steur]

A 1981 alessandria in cobalt blue. Right out of a shipping box that that was too small.

Very nice, Vic. Cobalto is a far more elusive colour than Mirtillo.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Newest addition to the brotherhood:

Specs:

6.5cm Brim
13.5cm Crown (Open)
3.0cm Ribbon
105.0g Weight
​

The felt is softer than my nutria homburg, less claylike yet still extremely malleable. After some steam and a brush will need to spend some time with each to compare/contrast. Thinking of trying for a diamond crease for this fedora but will let the felt show me what it wants.

Also was able to find a bit of info on A. Berbiconi, which seems to have had ties to the Vatican:

 

[Just Daniel]

Just caught this one on eBay. My second Borsalino purchase, one I couldn’t pass up. No size indicated, but odds are it will fit my smaller head.

 

[Steve1857]

Just caught this one on eBay. My second Borsalino purchase, one I couldn’t pass up. No size indicated, but odds are it will fit my smaller head.

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Nice catch! Looks like it has quite some age to it, too.

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[Just Daniel]

Any guesses on the decade?

Nice catch! Looks like it has quite some age to it, too.

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[Steve1857]

Any guesses on the decade?

I'd say 1920s to early 30s. I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will help out here.

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[steur]

Just caught this one on eBay. My second Borsalino purchase, one I couldn’t pass up. No size indicated, but odds are it will fit my smaller head.

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That's a fantastic find, Daniel. How come I missed that one on Ebay? Can't wait to see detailed shots of it when it arrives, but I think Steve is spot on with putting this in the twenties or thirties period.

 

[Just Daniel]

It was only up a few minutes! I was already in a panic because two other folks had looked at it...

...and I figured I’d have to move fast to beat out Dr Max!

Daniel

That's a fantastic find, Daniel. How come I missed that one on Ebay? Can't wait to see detailed shots of it when it arrives, but I think Steve is spot on with putting this in the twenties or thirties period.

 

[steur]

It was only up a few minutes! I was already in a panic because two other folks had looked at it...

...and I figured I’d have to move fast to beat out Dr Max!

Daniel

That explains it. No worries: Max is into Russian hats these days!

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^^Good luck Russia!!
The Mexican has landed!

 

[mayserwegener]

Just caught this one on eBay. My second Borsalino purchase, one I couldn’t pass up. No size indicated, but odds are it will fit my smaller head.

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Great find. It appears to be a G. B. Borsalino Fu Lazzaro & C. made for the American market. It's definitely old. Look forward to seeing more.

 

[sh71382]

Well it’s official, I just bought my first Borsalino, it’s used has a couple of moth spots on the brim but still a nice clean wear hat. But there are a couple issues I’d like to ask about. The leather band inside has separated from the hat and remaining leather in several places, is this repairable? Also compared to my other hats it’s a very soft and pliable fur felt, doesn’t retain much stiffness, I know from browsing the many hundreds of pages of responses about Borsalinos and many hats in general that many hats come in nice plush soft felt, so my question is two fold. Firstly what is the best and safest method of returning a bit of stiffness to it for a complete novice, I’ve read about steaming, blocking, hairspray etc but I really don’t want to mess the old girl up. Secondly I am a heavy sweating guy and would like to know peoples experience with methods of preventing staining or moisture wicking with the soft felts. Finally I am curious about methods of dating older Borsalino hats as I went through many pages and didn’t find a definitive answer that she’d much light on it for me. Here are a few photos of my new hat! Also for those who can’t see the number it’s Finisher 501, and there is an ink stamp just forward of it towards the pinch that looks to read |6932|

 

[Steve1857]

Well it’s official, I just bought my first Borsalino, it’s used has a couple of moth spots on the brim but still a nice clean wear hat. But there are a couple issues I’d like to ask about. The leather band inside has separated from the hat and remaining leather in several places, is this repairable? Also compared to my other hats it’s a very soft and pliable fur felt, doesn’t retain much stiffness, I know from browsing the many hundreds of pages of responses about Borsalinos and many hats in general that many hats come in nice plush soft felt, so my question is two fold. Firstly what is the best and safest method of returning a bit of stiffness to it for a complete novice, I’ve read about steaming, blocking, hairspray etc but I really don’t want to mess the old girl up. Secondly I am a heavy sweating guy and would like to know peoples experience with methods of preventing staining or moisture wicking with the soft felts. Finally I am curious about methods of dating older Borsalino hats as I went through many pages and didn’t find a definitive answer that she’d much light on it for me. Here are a few photos of my new hat! Also for those who can’t see the number it’s Finisher 501, and there is an ink stamp just forward of it towards the pinch that looks to read |6932|

That's a nice buy, congrats. A Borsalino made for the US market. By its shape and ribbon I'd say very early 50s, possibly late 40s. I particularly like the colour and width of the ribbon. The fact that it has a wind cord is a great bonus.
The sweat band can be sown back. You could try it yourself or find a hatter in your area.
I wouldn't worry too much about sweating. The sweat band and liner will protect the felt.
Steam should help stiffen it some more. Remember to brush it first and shape it as you desire during the steaming process.
Cool hat, enjoy it.

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[deadlyhandsome]

Although not my size, this hat caught my eye. It reminds me of the Pocket Hat with its thin fur felt, ribbon sweatband, and packable/rollable qualities. The blue felt with the frequent longer hairs is appealing, as is the soft hand. The felt is dark blue with the contrasting green stitching and I find it quite striking.

It’s 5” open crown, 4 1/8” at the front of the crease, and it has a 2 1/8” brim with decorative stitching. No ribbon or similar treatment, just a Borsalino label. Maybe made for the tourist trade?

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[Steve1857]

Although not my size, this hat caught my eye. It reminds me of the Pocket Hat with its thin fur felt, ribbon sweatband, and packable/rollable qualities. The blue felt with the frequent longer hairs is appealing, as is the soft hand. The felt is dark blue with the contrasting green stitching and I find it quite striking.

It’s 5” open crown, 4 1/8” at the front of the crease, and it has a 2 1/8” brim with decorative stitching. No ribbon or similar treatment, just a Borsalino label. Maybe made for the tourist trade?

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Wow, Brent! That is one mesmerizing, sci-fi, liquid vortex, Dr. Who kind of stitching on that kitsch modern Borsalino. Hate to say it, but I love it [emoji4]. Nice find.

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[deadlyhandsome]

Wow, Brent! That is one mesmerizing, sci-fi, liquid vortex, Dr. Who kind of stitching on that kitsch modern Borsalino. Hate to say it, but I love it [emoji4]. Nice find.

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Thanks, Steve. The classic elegance of it made me suspect pre-war; possibly 1930s?

Let me know if you’re interested in it. It would go great with a velvet Elvis or a tiger wall tapestry. To be honest, it’s a neat little hat that you can fold/roll up and stash in a pocket. If it was my size I’d keep it.


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[alanfgag]

Well it’s official, I just bought my first Borsalino, it’s used has a couple of moth spots on the brim but still a nice clean wear hat. But there are a couple issues I’d like to ask about. The leather band inside has separated from the hat and remaining leather in several places, is this repairable? Also compared to my other hats it’s a very soft and pliable fur felt, doesn’t retain much stiffness, I know from browsing the many hundreds of pages of responses about Borsalinos and many hats in general that many hats come in nice plush soft felt, so my question is two fold. Firstly what is the best and safest method of returning a bit of stiffness to it for a complete novice, I’ve read about steaming, blocking, hairspray etc but I really don’t want to mess the old girl up. Secondly I am a heavy sweating guy and would like to know peoples experience with methods of preventing staining or moisture wicking with the soft felts. Finally I am curious about methods of dating older Borsalino hats as I went through many pages and didn’t find a definitive answer that she’d much light on it for me. Here are a few photos of my new hat! Also for those who can’t see the number it’s Finisher 501, and there is an ink stamp just forward of it towards the pinch that looks to read |6932|

I believe your hat is from the 1970s or thereabouts.

 

[FateOrFaded]

Hi! New here. And to the world of hats. Picked this up for 25 cents about a year ago, was trying to research the age. Lots of different information I've scanned through on the boards, so I'm unsure.
Any idea on age or value?
It is a Borsalino Pocket Hat, Size 4 1/2.

Things I know from researching myself:
The M. Sodio is not the name of the owner, but color and fur felt type.
The hat most likely did not come with the peacock feather, but someone added it.
The 4 1/2 is not a US size..?
The serrated edge tag is between 50s-60s ?
Red paper size tag - I forgot what the info on this was besides being different from the blue one.
The gold sticker inside that reads Quality Extra Extra Superiore is the quality rating
I don't believe this was an American Market hat from the Salvatore Balbi marking, I could be wrong though.

If there's any other info, I'd love to learn it!

Thanks in advanced!

 

[DRB]

25 cents paid for a $200 hat is pretty good. Welcome to the F.L. This is a unique hat.