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The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

Mean Eyed Matt

One Too Many
Messages
1,142
Location
Germany

That Velour looks great!

I agree, the source of inspiration is endless. Regardless however I think there was some kind of consistency within the same name-codes, but then maybe not.
Anyways that is my Morello ;) View attachment 379166 View attachment 379167

As with your hat, Brent's velour doesn't appear to be pure black
- the shots in the light reveal a purplish-brown cast (if that's not my computer).
By the way, Brent's Velour reminds me of the brown Borsa you showed me - same model!?
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
That Velour looks great!



As with your hat, Brent's velour doesn't appear to be pure black
- the shots in the light reveal a purplish-brown cast (if that's not my computer).
By the way, Brent's Velour reminds me of the brown Borsa you showed me - same model!?


It must be my photography skills: the velour is completely black with complete saturation. The felt is darker than the eyes of Feleena. :)
 

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,813
Location
Denmark
It must be my photography skills: the velour is completely black with complete saturation. The felt is darker than the eyes of Feleena. :)

I thought too that there was a tinge of blue in the felt from the photos, Brent. Thought it was Mirtillo until I checked the label again.

I'm pretty sure Borsalino were trying to refer to the colour and texture of a black horse, hence cavallo. Otherwise it would just be designated as nero. I'm willing to be proved wrong though. Wouldn't be the first time :)
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
I thought too that there was a tinge of blue in the felt from the photos, Brent. Thought it was Mirtillo until I checked the label again.

I'm pretty sure Borsalino were trying to refer to the colour and texture of a black horse, hence cavallo. Otherwise it would just be designated as nero. I'm willing to be proved wrong though. Wouldn't be the first time :)


Like with Eric’s charcoal Gannon that looked purple today, I find it difficult to accurately photograph felt. There isn’t any blue in this velour.
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,817
Location
Central Texas
Smashing colors and classic styles, gentlemen. Way to go.

Export Qualität Gran Lusso lobbia in Nizza:
View attachment 376980 View attachment 376981 View attachment 376982 View attachment 376983

Specs:
5-1/4" Crown (open)
2-1/2" Brim
1-9/16" Ribbon
128g Weight
I didn't really need another grey homburg but I didn't have one that was tone on tone. Bonus that it was a German market Gran Lusso with a wind trolley. Also had the European style initial pins on the sweatband and that shape reinforcement (?) insert in the front. How could I possibly say no?

Perhaps a big brother to Stefan's Nizza lobbia as well?

Today I introduce you to the Borsalino range sold in Italy in the 60s and 70s.
None of the hats presented and made in Alessandria have a glued lining, they are all with a sewn lining, therefore they are still in the era of classic production. They are children of their time.
noce-borsalino-4-jpg.377439

Borsalino Qualità Extra Superiore size 4 1/2 or 56 cm or 6 7/8 in the USA. The color of the felt, of medium-fine consistency and soft to be able to shape it with your hands, is "Noce-Walnut".
noce-borsalino-5-jpg.377440
The ribbon and the hem of the brims are in a slight contrast in color, compared to the felt. Classic with autumn colors.
noce-borsalino-7-jpg.377441

These are the measures: the edged brims are at 5 cm, the crown at its lowest point is at 10 cm. and the ribbon, of the same color as the one that borders the wings, is 3 centimeters.
nocciola-borsalino-3-jpg.377442

Borsalino Qualità Superiore size 5 or 57 centimeters in the USA becomes a 7. The color of the felt is not specified on the paper label. It is a color that I don't have in my collection. The felt is medium, consistent in the crown, less in the brims.
nocciola-borsalino-4-jpg.377443
Classic shape in those years with the elegant hem of the brims in contrast with the felt and even more the ribbon with the bow.
nocciola-borsalino-6-jpg.377444
These are the measures: Tense, edged, at 5 cm., Contrasting ribbon at 3 cm. and the crown at the lowest point is 10 cm.
spaggiari-borsa-8-jpg.377445

Sold in my city in Piazza Erbe, the ancient Roman forum is probably the oldest of the three.
Borsalino without denomination of quality, the size is 5 or 57 centimeters in the US it becomes a 7.
spaggiari-borsa-5-jpg.377446

The felt is soft and very malleable with an overall profiled shape. Color is one of the Borsalino grays and find out which one is a small business.
spaggiari-borsa-2-jpg.377447

Very classic it has the following measures: brims, sewn with two seams above 5.5 cm., the lowest point crown is 10 cm and the light contrasting ribbon is 3 cm.
They are all three for sale at very fair prices. You ask, I will answer :)

New to the Borsalino family (as we know it).
Borsalino Farotto in the colour Malva, which means "mauve". It doesn't look mauve to my eye, but what do I know (I'm colourblind or at least colourweak). Overwelt brim with a partial spiral stitch at 7cm and the crown at 11cm at the center dent. I call it a spiral stitch, but it's not really a spiral but separate closed ovals, which stop hafway down the brim from the edge.
The model name Farotto is a new one. The name actually means something: it's a dish similar to risotto, but made with "farro" (spelled grain). Both model name and the size are written on the label. What is missing on the label is the number that we always find in the upper left corner. First time I've seen that. The hat has a bit of a womens' hat styling about it, with the light coloured ribbon. The flange on it when it arrived was quite extreme with a sharp upturned brim at the back, wrapping around the crown. Still needs a bit of work, but it's wearable already. I'm thinking forties on this one. Weighs 113 grams.

borsalino-malva_01-jpg.378580
borsalino-malva_02-jpg.378581
borsalino-malva_03-jpg.378582
borsalino-malva_04-jpg.378583
borsalino-malva_05-jpg.378584
borsalino-malva_06-jpg.378585
borsalino-malva_07-jpg.378586
borsalino-malva_08-jpg.378587
borsalino-malva_09-jpg.378588
borsalino-malva_10-jpg.378589
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
I wish I could contribute to this thread more often: There’s just something special about vintage Borsalinos.

Despite my resolve to not buy more stingy brims, I couldn’t resist this velour. The black is so deep and so complete it’s like it’s like the void of space. 5 1/2” open crown and 2” raw ends brim. The felt is so malleable that it’s impossible for the hat to not change shape throughout the day. The hand is velvety smooth. While it isn’t a generous fit, I’d say it fits close to true to size…not something you can take for granted with Borsalino.

View attachment 379143 View attachment 379144 View attachment 379145 View attachment 379146 View attachment 379147 View attachment 379148 View attachment 379149 View attachment 379150 View attachment 379151 View attachment 379152

In my next day off I’ll fix the wind trolley and flatten out the ribbon.
That's a great find, Brent and I can just about feel that felt under my fingers. Morello is an odd colour in the very large spectrum of Borsalino colours. Quite a bit of variation in there between them, as can be seen with the one Panos posted. Here are a few that have passed through my hands:

borsalino morello homburg_02.jpg


borsalino morello padova_06.jpg


borsalino morello_06.jpg


In normal felt the very dark brown with reddish tones can be readily spotted, but the velour ones appear to be solid black. Takes the light to fall on it in a special way to be able to see it.
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Borsalino Export Qualität fedora in Mogano colour in a size 59. Nicely done underwelt brim at 5cm and the crown at 11cm at the center dent. Ribbon in moka and liner states Qualitá Speciale. Sold to me as a size 56, having specifically asked the seller about the size:rolleyes: Weighs 119 grams. This one is actually dated (something more common for hats sold in Germany): 20 october 1961. A bit of conformation of what we think we know.

borsalino-mogano59_14-jpg.380857
borsalino-mogano59_15-jpg.380858
borsalino-mogano59_16-jpg.380859
borsalino-mogano59_17-jpg.380860
borsalino-mogano59_19-jpg.380861
borsalino-mogano59_08-jpg.380852
borsalino-mogano59_09-jpg.380853
borsalino-mogano59_11-jpg.380854
borsalino-mogano59_12-jpg.380855
borsalino-mogano59_13-jpg.380856
 

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,813
Location
Denmark
I've been excitedly waiting for over a week for this one to arrive. It was worth the wait. Borsalino "Rizzo" Bowler. The establishment it was sold in, English House, was one of Copenhagen's most sought after gentleman's outfitters. They're slogan was, "The house that every gentleman knows".
Founded in 1910 and closed in 1955 at the location shown on the liner, it had its hey day in the 20s and 30s. From the label and liner, I'd place this one in the 1940s. Whether WWII 40s or post war is hard to say.
A "soft" Bowler, 154 grams, 5cm to the brim curl, 13.5cm crown height. Nice hand to the felt, and quality details on the ribbon and bow.
The only thing wrong with this Borsalino is it's not my size. The 6.5 punti is misleading as 7 1/4 should be a 6 punto, so 59 in cm.
Despite it's size, I'm happy :)
20211123_164356.jpg 20211123_164526.jpg 20211123_164725.jpg 20211123_164736.jpg 20211123_164941.jpg
 

Pellie

One Too Many
Messages
1,644
Location
Enschede, Netherlands
I've been excitedly waiting for over a week for this one to arrive. It was worth the wait. Borsalino "Rizzo" Bowler. The establishment it was sold in, English House, was one of Copenhagen's most sought after gentleman's outfitters. They're slogan was, "The house that every gentleman knows".
Founded in 1910 and closed in 1955 at the location shown on the liner, it had its hey day in the 20s and 30s. From the label and liner, I'd place this one in the 1940s. Whether WWII 40s or post war is hard to say.
A "soft" Bowler, 154 grams, 5cm to the brim curl, 13.5cm crown height. Nice hand to the felt, and quality details on the ribbon and bow.
The only thing wrong with this Borsalino is it's not my size. The 6.5 punti is misleading as 7 1/4 should be a 6 punto, so 59 in cm.
Despite it's size, I'm happy :)
View attachment 381483 View attachment 381484 View attachment 381485 View attachment 381486 View attachment 381487

Suits you very well Steve. Congrats!
 
Messages
17,466
Location
Maryland
I've been excitedly waiting for over a week for this one to arrive. It was worth the wait. Borsalino "Rizzo" Bowler. The establishment it was sold in, English House, was one of Copenhagen's most sought after gentleman's outfitters. They're slogan was, "The house that every gentleman knows".
Founded in 1910 and closed in 1955 at the location shown on the liner, it had its hey day in the 20s and 30s. From the label and liner, I'd place this one in the 1940s. Whether WWII 40s or post war is hard to say.
A "soft" Bowler, 154 grams, 5cm to the brim curl, 13.5cm crown height. Nice hand to the felt, and quality details on the ribbon and bow.
The only thing wrong with this Borsalino is it's not my size. The 6.5 punti is misleading as 7 1/4 should be a 6 punto, so 59 in cm.
Despite it's size, I'm happy :)
View attachment 381483 View attachment 381484 View attachment 381485 View attachment 381486 View attachment 381487
Steve, Congrats! It's a real gem! My guess would be mid 1930s very early 1940s. This is based on Echter Borsalinos with the the separate size stamp.
 

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,813
Location
Denmark
Steve, Congrats! It's a real gem! My guess would be mid 1930s very early 1940s. This is based on Echter Borsalinos with the the separate size stamp.

Thank you, Steve. I knew from your posts that Borsalino changed their cell labels in about the mid 30s. Stefan's register of Borsalino labels also indicates that the sideways Borsalino mark is from 1936 to 53. Thanks for the additional information about the separate size stamp.
 
Messages
11,630
I've been excitedly waiting for over a week for this one to arrive. It was worth the wait. Borsalino "Rizzo" Bowler. The establishment it was sold in, English House, was one of Copenhagen's most sought after gentleman's outfitters. They're slogan was, "The house that every gentleman knows".
Founded in 1910 and closed in 1955 at the location shown on the liner, it had its hey day in the 20s and 30s. From the label and liner, I'd place this one in the 1940s. Whether WWII 40s or post war is hard to say.
A "soft" Bowler, 154 grams, 5cm to the brim curl, 13.5cm crown height. Nice hand to the felt, and quality details on the ribbon and bow.
The only thing wrong with this Borsalino is it's not my size. The 6.5 punti is misleading as 7 1/4 should be a 6 punto, so 59 in cm.
Despite it's size, I'm happy :)
View attachment 381483 View attachment 381484 View attachment 381485 View attachment 381486 View attachment 381487
Quite nice Steve. Congratulations on your new arrival
 
Messages
18,378
Location
Nederland
Dear members of the Borsalino Brotherhood,
Here are some pictures of my latest purchase. I bought this from an elderly lady at a flea market. I forgot to ask where the hat came from and how old it was. Can someone tell me more?
Thanks in advance,
Galgofriend
View attachment 382156
View attachment 382154
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View attachment 382149
View attachment 382148
View attachment 382147
As others have pointed out in the "ask a question" thread this is a modern Borsalino and there is not much to go on to distinguish between them as the size tags and labels don't change from the early eighties onwards. That being said there is something about this one that makes it an early modern Borsalino. The liner has a plastic covering of the crown portion and that is something that is modern Borsalinos no longer have. It is likely that it carried over for a short while from the earlier hats. So I'd place it in the early eighties.
 

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