The modern size tag and having New York on the head band would give me pause. I see they want $40. After postage and insurance, it would be more. I would offer $20 and take a gamble if I felt I could restore enough I would want to wear it. It's my size as well, but it looks too trashed for to take a gamble unless it was like $15.00.
It's the sweatband in particular that has me wondering if this one is perhaps one of the Borsalino hats made under license by Bolmann. They held the license for a while. I have no experience with one of their hats, but they don't get good reviews.
Exactly, I am seeing a lot of Borsalinos on Ebay that look like of inferior quality. You can tell by the texture, headband, and liner.
Fabulous Brent
I think it's a glorious hat, Brent and a great find. By the time Borsalino used this label they weren't using the model names for a longer time, but judging by the pictures I'd say it's their Gulaela homburg model. Made in 1978, so still the "old" Borsalino. Congrats. I'm going to keep a Mirtillo or Cobalto homburg on my search list.
Interesting question. I don't think you can date a Borsalino reliably by the sweatband (if they can be dated reliably at all
). The American market Borsalinos I own all have the patent and "made in Italy" on the sweatband, but all of them are vintage. So I'm unsure if the modern ones have the "plain" sweatband.
John Lofgren Monkey Boots Shinki Horsebuttt - $1,136 The classic monkey boot silhouette in an incredibly rich Shinki russet horse leather. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - $395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Schott 568 Vandals Jacket - $1,250 The classic Perfecto motorcycle jacket, in a very special limited-edition Schott double rider style. 
Don’t forget Pervinca.
True! I have added it to the list!
Nice catch, Brent. Well done on capturing that "Cobalto" colour, too. It's vary hard to photograph, but easy to see in hand.
maybe I not following you correctly, I sure don't agree with what I'm reading...OPS prices were user during the Korean conflict...OPA prices were used during WWII
Hopefully an expert here will chime in. But that would give me pause. I have seen a number of Borsalinos on Ebay that look cheaper and not up to standard. None say Qualitia Superiore or made in Italy. I know for a time Bollman Hat Co made lower quality Borsalinos in the USA. I would never purchase them. Some sellers just see the name Borsalino and think they have a quality expensive hat and wonder why it doesn't sell at their prices.
You have me totally lost, and yes I own a number of OPS Borsalino hats as well I own an OPA Borsalino too….but I’m at a loss trying to understand what you are saying.
I think you’ve heard from some experts already!
