The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[steur]

Thanks, Stefan. I have some check weights with my relaxing scale: I can’t believe it’s truly that light.

Any guess on when this hat was made?

It probably is that light. I have one that is 2.15 ounces and Alan has one of a similar weight. Mine is unlined with a leather sweatband and Alan's is lined, but with a grosgrain sweatband. Yours is lined, has a leather sweatband and in a large size! Only a couple of years ago Borsalino still offered a hat onder the name "50 grammi" in their line-up, which would be 1.75 ounces (but that was likely just for the felt).
Label says between 1936 and 1953, but I think a bit towards the later end of that time frame. Late forties or very early fifties I think.

 

[Just Daniel]

I classify the writing on the sweatband “swoosh” below Borsalino as a post WWII characteristic.

It probably is that light. I have one that is 2.15 ounces and Alan has one of a similar weight. Mine is unlined with a leather sweatband and Alan's is lined, but with a grosgrain sweatband. Yours is lined, has a leather sweatband and in a large size! Only a couple of years ago Borsalino still offered a hat onder the name "50 grammi" in their line-up, which would be 1.75 ounces (but that was likely just for the felt).
Label says between 1936 and 1953, but I think a bit towards the later end of that time frame. Late forties or very early fifties I think.

 

[PanosChris]

The second Mirtillo I find this summer in my market. Luckily that one is in my size.

Personally I prefer a rolled upbrim (like this has) over a snap brim fedora but that's just me. The style is misleading but from the label I am thinking 60s(late)?

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Borsalino thin ribbon. A great light mocha brown. 5.5” open crown and just over 2 3/4” bound brim. The felt is some of the best I’ve ever handled. It’s incredibly thin, but it’s not at all limp. It easily creases and the creases stay exactly as it’s put in. I love this claylike felt. I dry creased it with a fairly shallow center dent to accentuate the crown height. I knew this was a light hat from the moment I picked it up, but I can’t believe my postal scale which consistently reads 2.1 ounces. Is that possible?

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Very nice one Brent. It is amazing how light the Borsalino felts are. I know they are hard to find in larger sizes. Glad you found this one. It looks fantastic.
B

 

[Blare]

The second Mirtillo I find this summer in my market. Luckily that one is in my size.
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Personally I prefer a rolled upbrim (like this has) from a snap brim fedora but that's just me. The style is misleading but from the label I am thinking 60s(late)?

Love it Panos

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Very nice one Brent. It is amazing how light the Borsalino felts are. I know they are hard to find in larger sizes. Glad you found this one. It looks fantastic.
B

Thanks, B. I’m continuously amazed with vintage Borsalinos.

 

[Steve1857]

Great find, Panos. Late 50s / early 60s I'd say.

The second Mirtillo I find this summer in my market. Luckily that one is in my size.
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Personally I prefer a rolled upbrim (like this has) over a snap brim fedora but that's just me. The style is misleading but from the label I am thinking 60s(late)?

 

[steur]

The second Mirtillo I find this summer in my market. Luckily that one is in my size.
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Personally I prefer a rolled upbrim (like this has) over a snap brim fedora but that's just me. The style is misleading but from the label I am thinking 60s(late)?

Lovely hat, Panos. This rolled up style, sometimes called camber, was very popular at one point, especially in Germany.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I came across this Borsalino Quo Vadis and thought I’d document it here. Looks like a large proportioned lords hat. I dig it.
(NOT MY HAT)

 

[Bill Hughes]

I have a new to me fantastic condition Borsalino coming my way that I purchased directly from @Miamibruno. (I am in need of a basic gray/black combination.) I believe the ribbon has been replaced based on the tag. The ribbon currently on the hat is 2" and appears to be black or maybe a dark charcoal. But the label reads it's "Uranio". Google translation says that's Uranium which would be a silver/gray color. Maybe Uranium can be a darker color? The color of the felt is "Venina". Am I right in my interpatation of the label? My understanding of the label is...
First word = color of the felt
Middle word if present = color of the ribbon (this is only listed if different than the felt color)
Last word = model

 

[Daniele Tanto]

I have a new to me fantastic condition Borsalino coming my way that I purchased directly from @Miamibruno. (I am in need of a basic gray/black combination.) I believe the ribbon has been replaced based on the tag. The ribbon currently on the hat is 2" and appears to be black or maybe a dark charcoal. But the label reads it's "Uranio". Google translation says that's Uranium which would be a silver/gray color. Maybe Uranium can be a darker color? The color of the felt is "Venina". Am I right in my interpatation of the label? My understanding of the label is...
First word = color of the felt
Middle word if present = color of the ribbon (this is only listed if different than the felt color)
Last word = model

Very, very nice Borsalino Bill
Your understanding of the label is right
Maybe the ribbon was replaced, but you'll be sure when it will be in your hands

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Fantastic hat, Bill. Love the softness of the felt that comes through in the photos.

 

[Pellie]

Great Borsalino, congrats.

 

[DaveProc]

Newly arrived Alessandria

 

[Miamibruno]

Bill,

The ribbon has not been replaced. It is a darker gray color. She's a beauty. You'll see soon enough.

Adrian

 

[Bill Hughes]

Bill,

The ribbon has not been replaced. It is a darker gray color. She's a beauty. You'll see soon enough.

Adrian

I’m sure I’ll like it no matter what. I was hoping it was original but knew I wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t.

 

[Blare]

I have a new to me fantastic condition Borsalino coming my way that I purchased directly from @Miamibruno. (I am in need of a basic gray/black combination.) I believe the ribbon has been replaced based on the tag. The ribbon currently on the hat is 2" and appears to be black or maybe a dark charcoal. But the label reads it's "Uranio". Google translation says that's Uranium which would be a silver/gray color. Maybe Uranium can be a darker color? The color of the felt is "Venina". Am I right in my interpatation of the label? My understanding of the label is...
First word = color of the felt
Middle word if present = color of the ribbon (this is only listed if different than the felt color)
Last word = model

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Absolutely beautiful hat Bill. Looks like a wonderful color combination

 

[PanosChris]

Another local find. I was already very happy with what my local market had to offer this year but this one exceeded all of my expectations. I'll let the pics do the talking.

Originally imported for the Swedish market, but luckily ended up in Norway. This is the original crease the hat came to me with, though after brushing and steaming no creasing marks were left, it wasn't worn much either. Fantastic fur felt. Handwritten label, also I can't recall seeing before a Borsalino (in person at least) with stitched in place ribbon and bow, usually associated with German-Austrian hats. Everything says late 20s-early 30s to me, others might know better.

 

[mayserwegener]

Another local find. I was already very happy with what my local market had to offer this year but this one exceeded all of my expectations. I'll let the pics do the talking. View attachment 359296 View attachment 359297 View attachment 359298 View attachment 359299 View attachment 359300 View attachment 359301 View attachment 359302 View attachment 359303 View attachment 359304
Originally imported for the Swedish market, but luckily ended up in Norway. This is the original crease the hat came to me with, though after brushing and steaming no creasing marks were left, it wasn't worn much either. Fantastic fur felt. Handwritten label, also I can't recall seeing before a Borsalino (in person at least) with stitched in place ribbon and bow, usually associated with German-Austrian hats. Everything says late 20s-early 30s to me, others might know better.

Panos, Super find! I haven't seen a cell label with a separate size stamp before. My guess is it is sometime in the early 1930s prior to the non cell label paper labels with separate size labels which are later 1930s early 1940s for Echter Borsalinos (assuming they are similarly labeled). It's a Type 2 celled label.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/borsalinos-with-celled-paper-labels.96832/

 

[steur]

I have a new to me fantastic condition Borsalino coming my way that I purchased directly from @Miamibruno. (I am in need of a basic gray/black combination.) I believe the ribbon has been replaced based on the tag. The ribbon currently on the hat is 2" and appears to be black or maybe a dark charcoal. But the label reads it's "Uranio". Google translation says that's Uranium which would be a silver/gray color. Maybe Uranium can be a darker color? The color of the felt is "Venina". Am I right in my interpatation of the label? My understanding of the label is...
First word = color of the felt
Middle word if present = color of the ribbon (this is only listed if different than the felt color)
Last word = model

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That is a beautiful Gorasgu hat, Bill. Worth it to get anytime one pops up. Venina is a colour we haven't seen before.

Newly arrived Alessandria

Good catch, Dave. Nice shape to that hat.

Another local find. I was already very happy with what my local market had to offer this year but this one exceeded all of my expectations. I'll let the pics do the talking. View attachment 359296 View attachment 359297 View attachment 359298 View attachment 359299 View attachment 359300 View attachment 359301 View attachment 359302 View attachment 359303 View attachment 359304
Originally imported for the Swedish market, but luckily ended up in Norway. This is the original crease the hat came to me with, though after brushing and steaming no creasing marks were left, it wasn't worn much either. Fantastic fur felt. Handwritten label, also I can't recall seeing before a Borsalino (in person at least) with stitched in place ribbon and bow, usually associated with German-Austrian hats. Everything says late 20s-early 30s to me, others might know better.

Fabulous find, Panos. In magnificent shape for a hat of that age. I think the written model name is "Natalsca". Super.