The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[rclark]

Very nice, Alan!

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Yes, an interesting Borsalino Alan.
The advertising are a good guide to understand the story of Borsalino in the USA

 

[mayserwegener]

I came across this ad in the Muskogee (Oklahoma) Times-Democrat from October, 1917. Very interesting reference to the hats making it across the ocean despite the presence of German submarines.

It's possible hats were imported (jobbers) directly or indirectly bypassing the official importer(s). Also the big retail stores (B. Altman & Co., Wanamaker's, and others might have made direct orders. This was the case with some of Austrian hat companies.

 

[Ordinary Guy]

I have just found this great looking Blue gray Is the best I can describe it.....

Alan, I normally wear a 7 1/4 and this has a french size on the tag of 6 but this hat fits me just fine, so I agree with your statement that the french size runs a bit small......

Also the tag under the sweatband was quite faded but these are the numbers I could make out.

U6255 15191
A20160 6

I am thinking this is a newer Borso but not sure of the decade..... anyone have any ideas ????

 

[mayserwegener]

Echter Borsalino, size Point 5, very good condition, probably 1930s. The felt is very soft and light with a unique box bow design for this style hat. It has an fantastic over welt curled brim. There is no tape at the sweatband seam and the non-reed sweatband is very finely stitched to the hat. There is a Point 5 size label at the sweatband seam which I don't believe I have seen before. What is great is it actually fits which is odd because Borsalino hats usually run small. I was afraid to pull back the sweatband but I did take a peak at the paper label and it has the Borsalino name finely printed on the left. The Berlin store / hat company (Max Eckard) that sold it did not survive WWII. The box is from a different Berlin hat store (Wilhelm Gaedke)that also didn't survive WWII. This isn't the hat I bid on but it so fantastic I can't complain. There were (are) a series of hats from an estate sale and the seller was very confusing to say the least.

 

[hatsRme]

Wow! both SPECTACULAR, O.G. and Steve!!

 

[tommyK]

O.Guy-great classic Borso even if it's not that old.

Mayser-another great German market Borso. I wouldn't be upset by that seller's mistake (as long as it fit, that is)

 

[mayserwegener]

O.Guy-great classic Borso even if it's not that old.

Mayser-another great German market Borso. I wouldn't be upset by that seller's mistake (as long as it fit, that is)

Thanks! Yes it fits which is surprising because it shouldn't based on the Point 5 size (unless it's a 6?). The seller just gave a front to back measurement which turned out to be correct.

 

[rclark]

Very nice, Steve!

 

[1mach1]

Ordinary Guy, great color on that Borsos.

Steve, I like the sharks gill on that one!

 

[rlk]

Handsome Borsalino Steve. So far later Echter Borsalinos have run some what larger generally than US and Italian market hats==maybe the choice of sweatband by the importers shrinking less over time.

 

[mayserwegener]

Robert, Thanks! Good observation regarding later Echter Borsalino sizing.

Rick, Harv, Thanks too!

 

[alanfgag]

Fantastic hat Steve. Does it have the corrugated separator in the front of the sweat? Do you think it fits because of the separated rear seam? Liner looks very much like the U.S. sold thin ribbon I posted a few posts back.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! Yes the liners are very similar. The liner on mine really reflects light (the photo is without flash). It doesn't have the corrugated vent at the front. I am afraid to mess with the sweatband (in super condition) because the stitches are very small (they hardly visible from the bottom). Yes I am sure there is some separation at the seam but no visible distortion (the felt is very soft). I can't remember if the paper size tag was torn prior or I did it when I looked under the sweatband. I was surprised there was no tape present.

Here are a some flash photos of the sweatband stitching.

This is almost straight on.

Here are some other Echter Borsalinos from about the same time period.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/50-borsalino-german-market/#entry677

This one is date stamped 1938 and belongs to Manfred.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/50-borsalino-german-market/#entry736

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/50-borsalino-german-market/#entry252

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/50-borsalino-german-market/#entry580

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/50-borsalino-german-market/#entry488

 

[tommyK]

Thanks! Yes it fits which is surprising because it shouldn't based on the Point 5 size (unless it's a 6?). The seller just gave a front to back measurement which turned out to be correct.

That's what prompted me to buy my recent Borso, the 6 1/2 size tag was clearly visable but they gave interior measurements of roughly 8 by 7 which a gambled on being a 7 1/2. It was.

 

[Annixter]

Mayser, wonderful hat there.

 

[mayserwegener]

Annixter, Thanks!

Tommy, Your Borsalino Homburg is fantastic! I am happy the size worked out for you too!

 

[paratroopertim]

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/....jp/blog/2011/11/vintage_borsalino_hat_1.html This is a interesting link.

 

[paratroopertim]

I sincerely apologize to hatsrme and anyone else I might have seemed short with since joining the lounge. I would love to stay here and learn from you all. I never meant to bring negativity or to come across too strong. I believe my lack of knowledge and passion combined had made me become a little frustrated. I had stopped posting because I knew this. I hope all these fine people can forgive me for my lack of patience. I recently have received the information I have been searching for. It just makes me feel saddened I had infiltrated this group causing issues. Things have panned out with this particular lid and and I am very happy. I am stuck on a search for fine to super fine borsalinos. I surely hope people like you can continue to give me input even though I was an ass.

 

[paratroopertim]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=21065&d=1418013540