The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[Aureliano]

Nice one, Lefty. Very similar in style and color as my "Carla" Feather weight I posted on page 170, did you see it?
Interesting that yours just says Feather and also the name Michele Balbi. We're used to seeing Salvatore's name... I wonder what's their relationship?

 

[Lefty]

I did see yours. I also thought it was unusual that it only said Feather, as I remembered that all the others I've seen say Featherweight. As to Michele, I don't know. It's the first time I've seen that name.

However, I did come across Salvatore just today...

This is the first of these I've ever handled. I really, really want one that fits me.

and it came with the box

 

[Aureliano]

Beautiful! I have the same box as well, I love it.
What size are you, Lefty. I'm good at stretching hats. Maybe I could help.

 

[Lefty]

Thanks. If you've got the magic to turn a 7 1/8 into a 7 1/2, I might soon have a real budget problem.

 

[bond]

Just got my first Marque grand Luxe today,I think its 60s vintage,until I learn otherwise thats what Iam sticking with!
Although at 5x its nice, but my 40s vintage 2x was much nicer.

 

[Aureliano]

Very nice velour, Bond.

 

[VetPsychWars]

That looks like "triple flat" to me but then again I are a musician.

Tom

 

[bond]

Danka,

 

[coble]

Hey guys, I totally missed this until right now that my wife pointed it out. I think my "Carla the maid" hat might be evil . look in the top left, near the white little bow:

Close up:

:eeek::eeek: lol

you better bless that hat before wearing it

 

[Aureliano]

you better bless that hat before wearing it

Too late, I wore it before noticing. I'm doomed. lol

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Borsalino Alessandria Thin ribbon.

 

[DJH]

I liked that hat when Bond was selling it, Ed.

Very nice and looks great on you.

 

[delectans]

Outstanding, Ed! :thumb:

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Thanks Al and David it is a nice hat glad to get it.

 

[ejbhats]

Hoping one of you can help me out a bit...
Recently I went out on a limb and ponied up for another fine Borso. This one supposedly has some provenance with it. A receipt in the box from 1951 and the name of the original owner, unfortunatley written inside the hat. The hat came in it's original box, unbashed, exquistie felt, and appears brand new except for a stain on the still attached OPS sticker. This could have come from the leather sweat, human sweat or the box appears to have some water damage at some point. The other mar would be as shown on the liner logo. It appears to be scratched, or the brown color is weak and flaking. But yet the felt is superb, as if new. The thin ribbon OR-esque is excellent as is the binding. There are no stains or discoloration to the hat anywhere other than noted. The ribbon in back appears to be soiled but i think rather this is the natural color to match the off white of the liner.
My question is... Two words listed, both in Italian, on the model/style tag are "Folco" and "Ludoela". My translator does not translate this can anyone help??
I am unable to determine the writing on the receipt to be positive, it appears to read Borso??
I center dented and slightly pinched the front myself. The cocoa powder brown colored hat seemed to beckon that shape. The crown is very high and must be creased otherwise a beacon would be necessary to warn low-flying aircraft!
Thanks for any input.
Eric

 

[carouselvic]

Ludoela is the model. It predates the Alessandria model. Folco would be a color.

 

[ejbhats]

Thanks for that info! Any idea on a translation? Just curious. My Bohemian is far better than my Italian, and that is limited to a few words...

 

[bond]

Eric , congratulations, that is one ugly hat! I was looking at that one but decided not to due to sizing,that certainly looks like an older
style for sure.

 

[ejbhats]

Eric , congratulations, that is one ugly hat! I was looking at that one but decided not to due to sizing,that certainly looks like an older
style for sure.

Thanks Bond. I think? I assume by "ugly", that is a favorable term? The hat has not been brushed off either, what you see is what I got. My wife thought the box was very nice.
It will require a tweak on the stretcher for a proper fit, nothing severe. I have learned that Borsos are great candidates for taking a stretch with no ill affects.

 

[VetPsychWars]

Since I wasn't terribly thrilled with my Borsalino Palladio (looks like modern Alessandria), I got out my "new" 6-qt kettle and applied some steam. The hat was recently cleaned here in town at London Cleaners, but I wasn't completely happy with how it looked, and the crease was too low.

Therefore, I first steamed the crease out, which was easy but tedious. Steam, press, steam, press, etc. Then I brushed the living #$%^&*( out of it with my stiffer hat brush. This raised the nap a little, evened out the color, and darkened it quite a bit. I then recreased it "dry" and applied a bit more steam to set it. This had an additional benefit of stiffening up the felt a little; I thought it too soft for my liking.

I think it came out nicely. A hat that I was going to get rid of and replace now is one I'm happy to wear. It's a dark grey, by the way, the lights make it look greenish, which is not. The ribbon color is right, though.

Tom