The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[besdor]

Multo bene' !!

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Lobbia Borsalino Qualità Extra Superiore. Size 6 1/2 or 7 1/2 in US

Color Rutenio with matching ribbon

The shape of this homburg is more massive than other I have that are more "younger"

The curled brim are 6 cm. and the open crown is 13.5 centimeters

It was never sold in Merano, so it is new. Made probably in the 1950s for "M. Hutter" hats shop, now closed.

Classic Borsalino golden sweatband stamps

Lettering of the hat shop

The felt has a soft finish

This is Borsalino homburg shape typical of the 50's

This grey Borsalino "Rutenio" color is more rare with the matching ribbon

 

[michael78]

Lovely colour Dan.....very much on the warm side judging by photos?

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Lovely colour Dan.....very much on the warm side judging by photos?

Thanks Michael. Rutenio is a mid grey with a very low hint of warm.
I suspect that the pink on the back add some warm allusion

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Lobbia Borsalino Qualità Extra Superiore. Size 6 1/2 or 7 1/2 in US

Color Rutenio with matching ribbon

The shape of this homburg is more massive than other I have that are more "younger"

The curled brim are 6 cm. and the open crown is 13.5 centimeters

It was never sold in Merano, so it is new. Made probably in the 1950s for "M. Hutter" hats shop, now closed.

Classic Borsalino golden sweatband stamps

Lettering of the hat shop

The felt has a soft finish

This is Borsalino homburg shape typical of the 50's

This grey Borsalino "Rutenio" color is more rare with the matching ribbon

What a marvelous hat. The color is great and the curled brim is masterfully executed. A rare find in that size.

 

[AbridgedPause]

Hello brothers of the Borsalino clan. I'm not sure if I yet deserve to be a member of the brotherhood because I have only just received my first Borsalino. I got this fedora more by luck than anything else, because the price and size was right at a second-hand store. I never sought out Borsalinos before because they were way out of my second-hand hat price range. I had also never touched a Borsalino so I didn't know the quality that I was missing out on!

So let me introduce my Borsalino: It's a light brown felt fedora (beaver?) with a dark brown ribbon, made in Italy by Borsalino for The Robert Simpson Company Limited (Simpson's department stores in Canada, [for you Americans think of stores like Macy's]). It's a 7 1/4. The inner lining says "Qualita Superiore. Alessandria (Italia) Marca Deposita", with the typical Borsalino logo. Unfortunately there's little else in this hat to go on. My guess is that this hat is from the 70's or 80's, because Simpson's was closed by 1990. This hat is so soft it's unbelievable! It has some wear and the gold lettering on the leather band is almost all worn off but overall, a great quality hat. The plastic protective lining in the hat is well-worn but the silk or satin underneath is in perfect condition. I haven't cleaned nor re-shaped it yet and will post pictures of it once that's done.

Here's a few pictures.

I haven't read through all 280+ pages of this thread yet so forgive my ignorance about this next question. The edge of the brim has a stitching, which I've never seen before. It's not an overwelt, underwelt nor ribbon finish (unless the ribbon was taken off but not the stitches). In one section at the front, likely where the original owner held his hat over time, the stitching has come off for about an inch. Is this raw edge stitching common in Borsalino or Simpson's hats in Canada? Does anyone else have a hat with such edge stitching? I've always prefered raw edges, and at first I thought of removing it. Is this something that you collectors would advise against?

Another thing that I noticed is that I think that the exterior ribbon may have been sewn (or re-sewn) crooked? It sticks out on top towards the back. But it's only held up by a single stitch which I could cut and lower easily enough.

I'd love to know people's feedback on this hat!

 

[RJR]

Hello brothers of the Borsalino clan. I'm not sure if I yet deserve to be a member of the brotherhood because I have only just received my first Borsalino. I got this fedora more by luck than anything else, because the price and size was right at a second-hand store. I never sought out Borsalinos before because they were way out of my second-hand hat price range. I had also never touched a Borsalino so I didn't know the quality that I was missing out on!

So let me introduce my Borsalino: It's a light brown felt fedora (beaver?) with a dark brown ribbon, made in Italy by Borsalino for The Robert Simpson Company Limited (Simpson's department stores in Canada, [for you Americans think of stores like Macy's]). It's a 7 1/4. The inner lining says "Qualita Superiore. Alessandria (Italia) Marca Deposita", with the typical Borsalino logo. Unfortunately there's little else in this hat to go on. My guess is that this hat is from the 70's or 80's, because Simpson's was closed by 1990. This hat is so soft it's unbelievable! It has some wear and the gold lettering on the leather band is almost all worn off but overall, a great quality hat. The plastic protective lining in the hat is well-worn but the silk or satin underneath is in perfect condition. I haven't cleaned nor re-shaped it yet and will post pictures of it once that's done.

Here's a few pictures.

I haven't read through all 280+ pages of this thread yet so forgive my ignorance about this next question. The edge of the brim has a stitching, which I've never seen before. It's not an overwelt, underwelt nor ribbon finish (unless the ribbon was taken off but not the stitches). In one section at the front, likely where the original owner held his hat over time, the stitching has come off for about an inch. Is this raw edge stitching common in Borsalino or Simpson's hats in Canada? Does anyone else have a hat with such edge stitching? I've always prefered raw edges, and at first I thought of removing it. Is this something that you collectors would advise against?

Another thing that I noticed is that I think that the exterior ribbon may have been sewn (or re-sewn) crooked? It sticks out on top towards the back. But it's only held up by a single stitch which I could cut and lower easily enough.

I'd love to know people's feedback on this hat!

Nice catch;the edge stitching is common on Borsos and the bow is done that way intentionally.If you're handy and can find matching thread,I would repair the broken stitching.

 

[steur]

Lobbia Borsalino Qualità Extra Superiore. Size 6 1/2 or 7 1/2 in US

Color Rutenio with matching ribbon

The shape of this homburg is more massive than other I have that are more "younger"

The curled brim are 6 cm. and the open crown is 13.5 centimeters

It was never sold in Merano, so it is new. Made probably in the 1950s for "M. Hutter" hats shop, now closed.

Classic Borsalino golden sweatband stamps

Lettering of the hat shop

The felt has a soft finish

This is Borsalino homburg shape typical of the 50's

This grey Borsalino "Rutenio" color is more rare with the matching ribbon

It is a beautiful hat, Daniele. Great form and colour. It does make me wonder though how consistent the colour was during hatproduction by Borsalino. I have a fedora in the Rutenio colour, which does look like a much lighter shade of grey. This one:

 

[Daniele Tanto]

It does make me wonder though how consistent the colour was during hatproduction by Borsalino. I have a fedora in the Rutenio colour, which does look like a much lighter shade of grey

Thanks Stefan.
I think everything has changed with chemical colors and their action on blends of hairs used in felt.
In the book by Giuseppe Maria Longoni "L'arte dei cappellai", the dying process, its difficulties in obtaining certain colors, is very well explained.
There are also sunburn and "whitening" factors by atmospheric agents, however, the colors of the hats of any manufacturer are unfaithful over the years, is for these reasons in the ancient days the colors of hats are really few.

 

[steur]

Thanks Stefan.
I think everything has changed with chemical colors and their action on blends of hairs used in felt.
In the book by Giuseppe Maria Longoni "L'arte dei cappellai", the dying process, its difficulties in obtaining certain colors, is very well explained.
There are also sunburn and "whitening" factors by atmospheric agents, however, the colors of the hats of any manufacturer are unfaithful over the years, is for these reasons in the ancient days the colors of hats are really few.

Daniele, thanks. You have me there: I do have that book but I still need to find a way to read it in Italian. It does stand to reason though that dyes changed over time and have different properties and stabilities.

 

[mayserwegener]

Lobbia Borsalino Qualità Extra Superiore. Size 6 1/2 or 7 1/2 in US

Color Rutenio with matching ribbon

The shape of this homburg is more massive than other I have that are more "younger"

The curled brim are 6 cm. and the open crown is 13.5 centimeters

It was never sold in Merano, so it is new. Made probably in the 1950s for "M. Hutter" hats shop, now closed.

Classic Borsalino golden sweatband stamps

Lettering of the hat shop

The felt has a soft finish

This is Borsalino homburg shape typical of the 50's

This grey Borsalino "Rutenio" color is more rare with the matching ribbon

Daniele, Fantastic! Really like the color combination (felt, band, binding).

 

[steur]

Borsalino in the colour "Nizza". Size 57 with a bound brim at 5cm and crown at 10,5 cm at the pinch. Larger crown patch with decorative edge. This hat shows the direction in which borsalino hats more or less went after the forties and fifties. While it is an early example (the label has the serrated edges) the brim is getting narrower and the crown shows more taper than before. No longer have this one.

 

[KarlCrow]

Borsalino in the colour "Nizza". Size 57 with a bound brim at 5cm and crown at 10,5 cm at the pinch. Larger crown patch with decorative edge. This hat shows the direction in which borsalino hats more or less went after the forties and fifties. While it is an early example (the label has the serrated edges) the brim is getting narrower and the crown shows more taper than before. No longer have this one.

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I like the colour of the ribbon, contrast to the hat, if I'm seeing it correctly.

 

[steur]

I like the colour of the ribbon, contrast to the hat, if I'm seeing it correctly.

Karl, thanks. Still a nice enough hat and the ribbon constrast doesn't make it bland but the direction was clearly more towards fashion instead of classic style.

 

[Richard Morgan]

Lobbia Borsalino Qualità Extra Superiore. Size 6 1/2 or 7 1/2 in US

Color Rutenio with matching ribbon

The shape of this homburg is more massive than other I have that are more "younger"

The curled brim are 6 cm. and the open crown is 13.5 centimeters

It was never sold in Merano, so it is new. Made probably in the 1950s for "M. Hutter" hats shop, now closed.

Classic Borsalino golden sweatband stamps

Lettering of the hat shop

The felt has a soft finish

This is Borsalino homburg shape typical of the 50's

This grey Borsalino "Rutenio" color is more rare with the matching ribbon

Daniele this hat is perfect, the blend of colors, proportions, everything comes together perfectly. We always notice great materials or great workmanship but I think we love Borsalinos so much because they combined those tangible qualities with exquisite design. They did this better than any other hat maker.

 

[Richard Morgan]

Hello brothers of the Borsalino clan. I'm not sure if I yet deserve to be a member of the brotherhood because I have only just received my first Borsalino. I got this fedora more by luck than anything else, because the price and size was right at a second-hand store. I never sought out Borsalinos before because they were way out of my second-hand hat price range. I had also never touched a Borsalino so I didn't know the quality that I was missing out on!

So let me introduce my Borsalino: It's a light brown felt fedora (beaver?) with a dark brown ribbon, made in Italy by Borsalino for The Robert Simpson Company Limited (Simpson's department stores in Canada, [for you Americans think of stores like Macy's]). It's a 7 1/4. The inner lining says "Qualita Superiore. Alessandria (Italia) Marca Deposita", with the typical Borsalino logo. Unfortunately there's little else in this hat to go on. My guess is that this hat is from the 70's or 80's, because Simpson's was closed by 1990. This hat is so soft it's unbelievable! It has some wear and the gold lettering on the leather band is almost all worn off but overall, a great quality hat. The plastic protective lining in the hat is well-worn but the silk or satin underneath is in perfect condition. I haven't cleaned nor re-shaped it yet and will post pictures of it once that's done.

Here's a few pictures.

I haven't read through all 280+ pages of this thread yet so forgive my ignorance about this next question. The edge of the brim has a stitching, which I've never seen before. It's not an overwelt, underwelt nor ribbon finish (unless the ribbon was taken off but not the stitches). In one section at the front, likely where the original owner held his hat over time, the stitching has come off for about an inch. Is this raw edge stitching common in Borsalino or Simpson's hats in Canada? Does anyone else have a hat with such edge stitching? I've always prefered raw edges, and at first I thought of removing it. Is this something that you collectors would advise against?

Another thing that I noticed is that I think that the exterior ribbon may have been sewn (or re-sewn) crooked? It sticks out on top towards the back. But it's only held up by a single stitch which I could cut and lower easily enough.

I'd love to know people's feedback on this hat!

Very nice, you did well. Borsalinos are notoriously hard to date but the "Original House" on the sweatband instead of "Antiqua Casa" in hats made for the North American market denote pre-1985. I would guess this is earlier, others may be able to give a closer age estimate. As noted, the brim stitching is very common with Borsas. You'll see lots of variations on it. The ribbon treatment is also common in lots of brands of hats so don't worry about it.
Welcome

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Daniele this hat is perfect, the blend of colors, proportions, everything comes together perfectly. We always notice great materials or great workmanship but I think we love Borsalinos so much because they combined those tangible qualities with exquisite design. They did this better than any other hat maker.

Thanks Richard!
Telling you that Borsalino has worked better than any other hats manufacturer is arduous.
I believe that the Italian cappelleria in general has distinguished itself from the others with some few exceptions, due to the quality of the workmanship and the combination of materials and design.
This is because the production of hats has always been semi-craftsmanship until few years ago.
The workers of Borsalino's hats facility were a family, in Panizza even more. A knowledge was created that passed from father to child and a sense of belonging, difficult to find in other situations grown up during years of production.
Also pay attention to the fact that the cappelleria in italy was one of the productive excellence up to the 50s.
The discourse could come to the fore, but there would be arguments that would become difficult to explain in a language other than mine.

 

[Richard Morgan]

I've been posting on the Brotherhood for a while but I've never posted any of my Borsos. I'll start with this homburg in Rutenio. The brim is 2 1/4" front and back and 2" sides and brim to pinch is 4 1/8". This light grey hat fits me in a 5 1/2/58 but with some Borsalinos I have to go to a 59. It's in amazing condition for a hat from Ebay. I'm guessing (really guessing) that this one is from the 50s because of the taped sweatband, the oilskin tip protector and the pleated liner. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

 

[Richard Morgan]

No head shot on this one. It too small, I bought it because I have never had my hands on a Nutria. It's an 4/55 though it has a second size tag under the sweat that lists it a 5. Black homburg, about 1 3/4" brim all around and a little less than 4" brim to pinch.

Has the Eulan Beyar size tag and a size tag that probably puts it in the 50s or early 60s. The felt and trim on the outside is in excellent condition. The liner is in good shape but the stitching on the unreeded sweat has come loose in a couple of places.

 

[Richard Morgan]

This is a narrow ribbon fedora. Brim is 2 1/2" crown measured from brim to pinch is 4". The hat is a little lighter than the pics. I'm still playing with how to get the best photos, and I obviously not there yet. The color in the first couple of pics is pretty true.

The

On the maker's tag where Borsalino gives the color it appears to read Dentesan 37 1/2. There's wrinkle in the tag so it may be Deintesan but that seem unusual. Any help is appreciated, as it any estimate as to the age. I would guess late 50s early 60s.