The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[alanfgag]

Do you think modern-day factory-made hats, e.g. Stetsons will be considered Vintage in 40 years? Quality-wise I mean? Or just old?

Sure. They are part of the continuum of civilization and at some point will qualify as vintage and in time, antique. Like 19th century copies of 17th century Japanese ceramics. I expect there will be collectors of Abercrombie stuff - perhaps more than there are/will be collectors of Abercrombie & Fitch. Time heals all offense. At least I think so. ;^)

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Sure. They are part of the continuum of civilization and at some point will qualify as vintage and in time, antique. Like 19th century copies of 17th century Japanese ceramics. I expect there will be collectors of Abercrombie stuff - perhaps more than there are/will be collectors of Abercrombie & Fitch. Time heals all offense. At least I think so. ;^)

To some degree, yes... I still dread my second wife, though.

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[RJR]

To some degree, yes... I still dread my second wife, though.

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[steur]

Back to Borsalino. Occasionally a hat comes along which is a bit different. This is one of them. This is a heather felt and that has me as good as sold anyway. Frequently these heathers are a mix of wool and fur and this is no exception. It even seems that there's more wool in the mix of this one (the felt feels different and heavier than other heather felts I have).
Anyway: Borsalino M. (misto) Stagno. Ribbon in the colour Buio. Size 57 with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the pinch. My guess is mid sixties to early seventies.

 

[Tonio]

Back to Borsalino. Occasionally a hat comes along which is a bit different. This is one of them. This is a heather felt and that has me as good as sold anyway. Frequently these heathers are a mix of wool and fur and this is no exception. It even seems that there's more wool in the mix of this one (the felt feels different and heavier than other heather felts I have).
Anyway: Borsalino M. (misto) Stagno. Ribbon in the colour Buio. Size 57 with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the pinch. My guess is mid sixties to early seventies.

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Nice! That is sharp!

 

[steur]

Nice! That is sharp!

Thanks, Tonio!

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen

 

[drmaxtejeda]

View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen

Beautiful. Hermosísimo.

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[AbbaDatDeHat]

View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen

Guess this one didn’t post.
B

 

[MondoFW]

View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen

W O W! You people need to stop reminding me that I'm in desperate need of a Borsalino...This hat has my favorite fedora proportions, the sweatband and felt both look rich--Wear this one in good health, Bowen. Amazing how many hats have stood up to 70+ years of time like it's nothing.

 

[Redfokker]

View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen

You can almost feel that felt through the computer monitor (now it is all smudged). This is one of the most beautiful Borsalinos floating around the Lounge.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

You can almost feel that felt through the computer monitor (now it is all smudged). This is one of the most beautiful Borsalinos floating around the Lounge.

Thank you very much Red. That’s very high praise and some elite company. I’m humbled. It is a nice felt, unique feel that’s difficult to describe. It does have what i call “the look” i like.
I believe it is the same as one Alan has.
If i ever get rid of it...it’s yours.
Thank you again for the kind praise.
Be well. Bowen

 

[steur]

View attachment 130677 View attachment 130678 View attachment 130679 View attachment 130680 View attachment 130681 View attachment 130682 View attachment 130683 View attachment 130684 Greetings All:
Today i’d like to submit to the Brotherhood for reference a rather lovely Featherweight 2X Nutria hat in a rich brown color. The felted edge is par excellence, petite and as nice as any i’ve ever seen. The felt weight is almost non-existent and molds at the touch of a finger. One has to love a hat that finds it’s own crease by mere brushing. I can’t say enough superlatives for this hat. It is a true pleasure to wear, pet and to look at. I’m very fortunate to have stewardship af this fine Nutria treat. A favorite, without question.
Be well. Bowen

I can only see one thing wrong with this hat and that is that it's part of your collection instead of mine
Superlatives all around.

 

[steur]

Thank you very much Red. That’s very high praise and some elite company. I’m humbled. It is a nice felt, unique feel that’s difficult to describe. It does have what i call “the look” i like.
I believe it is the same as one Alan has.
If i ever get rid of it...it’s yours.
Thank you again for the kind praise.
Be well. Bowen

I see an inkling of hope for the future there

 

[Steinbockhase]

What about Borsalino's own quality classifications; they don't have that many to my knowledge.
I have some vintage Borsalinos, some marked "Qualita Superiore" and others "Qualita Extra Superiore".
Is my assuption that "Extra Superiore" is usually 100% or atleast mainly beaver fur felt correct?

I will start posting detailed photos of my Borsalino collection soon.

 

[mayserwegener]

I am not aware of a fur content listing for "Qualita Superiore" and "Qualita Extra Superiore". Daniele or someone else might have some information. Here is an pre WWII "Qualita Extra-Extra Superiore" ( not sure of fur content but could have beaver fur) Stiff Felt of mine. You see Beaver fur used more often in Pre WWII European Stiff Felt hats and rarely in Soft Felts.

In the following Qualita Extra Superiore are listed as having Rabbit fur content but this is not a Borsalino publication. Velour is the highest price point.

Giusepe Gallieni Rome sponsored Map/ad (probably 1950s)

 

[jlee562]

Here's a hat I haven't posted since the great Photobucket purge.

I'm not sure of the date on this one? Onionskin liner that has a bit of damage and there's one small stain on the brim, but otherwise good condition for a decently vintage Borso. The basting stitches are still present. Color is "opale," which I'm going to go out on a limb and say is Opal. A very nice light grey. Qualita Extra Extra Superiore, Italian market.
Outdoors:

Indoors:

Bow, ribbon,basting stitches:



Liner, label, imprints:

 

[Steinbockhase]

I am not aware of a fur content listing for "Qualita Superiore" and "Qualita Extra Superiore". Daniele or someone else might have some information. Here is an pre WWII "Qualita Extra-Extra Superiore" Stiff Felt of mine. You see Beaver fur used more often in Pre WWII European Stiff Felt hats and rarely in Soft Felts.

In the following Qualita Extra Superiore are listed as having Rabbit fur content but this is a not a Borsalino publication. Velour is the highest price point.

Giusepe Gallieni Rome sponsored Map/ad (probably 1950s)

I am not aware of a fur content listing for "Qualita Superiore" and "Qualita Extra Superiore". Daniele or someone else might have some information. Here is an pre WWII "Qualita Extra-Extra Superiore" Stiff Felt of mine. You see Beaver fur used more often in Pre WWII European Stiff Felt hats and rarely in Soft Felts.

In the following Qualita Extra Superiore are listed as having Rabbit fur content but this is a not a Borsalino publication. Velour is the highest price point.

Giusepe Gallieni Rome sponsored Map/ad (probably 1950s)

What about Borsalino's own quality classifications; they don't have that many to my knowledge.
I have some vintage Borsalinos, some marked "Qualita Superiore" and others "Qualita Extra Superiore".
Is my assuption that "Extra Superiore" is usually 100% or atleast mainly beaver fur felt correct?

Thanks for the good information and reference material; very much appreciated.
That's a beautiful Borsalino Bowler.
I am currently bidding on a similar Borso-Bowler on eBay, but it is definately newer (maybe 70s - 90s) and is marked as "Qualita Speciale". How much would such a Bowler be worth? I don't intend to bid more than 50% of that estimate ... cause I'm the Bargain-Hunter

 

[Steinbockhase]

Here's a hat I haven't posted since the great Photobucket purge.

I'm not sure of the date on this one? Onionskin liner that has a bit of damage and there's one small stain on the brim, but otherwise good condition for a decently vintage Borso. The basting stitches are still present. Color is "opale," which I'm going to go out on a limb and say is Opal. A very nice light grey. Qualita Extra Extra Superiore, Italian market.
Outdoors:

Indoors:

Bow, ribbon,basting stitches:



Liner, label, imprints:

Beautiful Borso. Does the paper label reveal the year it was made? Not sure how to read them.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Borsalino Nutria. I am reallllly liking narrow-brimmed hats!
They are less expensive, high quality, and look good on me, too.
Viva Italia.

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