The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[fmw]

Ah, so Diamante is the model name. This hat has a very smooth finish - very different from my shaggy Dobbs and your Diamante. Any idea of its age?

 

[mayserwegener]

I would say mid 1960s to very early 1980s. Can you take a photo of the paper label behind the sweatband? That might help out.

 

[fmw]

No, it has been torn out. I've photographed everything that is there. All I can add is that the sweatband is black leather and the felt is very smooth and soft. Perhaps there isn't enough there to nail it down. I appreciate the guess. It's really a very nice hat.

 

[danofarlington]

I would say mid 1960s to very early 1980s. Can you take a photo of the paper label behind the sweatband? That might help out.

Can inferences about date be made by the width of the ribbon? My guess is that such a wide ribbon would not have been popular in all decades, and more prominent in some than in others.

 

[alanfgag]

I think this is a very good range estimate... 1970's seemed to usher in the era of model name imprint on the front of the sweatband. Mine has a very similar styling to yours with a different felt character.

 

[mayserwegener]

Can inferences about date be made by the width of the ribbon? My guess is that such a wide ribbon would not have been popular in all decades, and more prominent in some than in others.

I don't think you can do that with Borsalino unless you are looking at really old ones. If the paper label was available it could help pin point it better with this one. As Alan said probably 1970s is a good bet.

 

[fmw]

Thanks, gents. I appreciate the input.

 

[rlk]

Borsalino Krystal Parmigiano

Arrived flattened like a costoletta di vitello for Scallopine:

Got it back in shape, but still couldn't change the fact that it was a 4-1/2(56) and not the 59 listed. Actually greenish Lattuga(Lettuce). From 1981. Brim is 2-1/8" with triple-stitched over-welt.

 

[DRB]

RLK: I can't believe they sent the hat in an envelope. I am glad you have the hat now and not them. I am sure you will treat it with proper regard.

 

[fmw]

It seems to be none the worse from the shipping experience. Great hat.

On an unrelated question, is it normal for Borsalinos to be a little smaller than usual. My 7 1/8 is like a 7. I had to stretch it. Perhaps it shrunk a little over time. I don't know.

 

[danofarlington]

It seems to be none the worse from the shipping experience. Great hat.

On an unrelated question, is it normal for Borsalinos to be a little smaller than usual. My 7 1/8 is like a 7. I had to stretch it. Perhaps it shrunk a little over time. I don't know.

Borsalinos seem to be all over the place. I have six or seven including two vintage ones. In brief my observations on this small sample are as follows. When a Borsalino has a thick leather sweatband, as I have with two new-bought beaver Borsalino models, it eats up a whole size. So my 7 1/8 Borsalino beaver fit like a 7. Knowing that, next time I bought another size up (7 1/4 or 58 cm), and it fit fine. I have one Borsalino, an Alessandria, with leather band that fits true to size. On the other hand, I have two Borsalinos with a cloth sweatband (meaning thin), and they are too big, a little. Then the two vintage ones with leather sweatbands are true to size. My conclusion is that at least with the new Borsalinos, at least the beaver ones (for sure the beaver ones) a thick leather sweatband reduces the size by as much as 1 cm; and a cloth sweatband on a Borsalino increases size by as much as 1 cm. So sizing with Borsalinos is a tricky business.

 

[rlk]

It seems to be none the worse from the shipping experience. Great hat.

On an unrelated question, is it normal for Borsalinos to be a little smaller than usual. My 7 1/8 is like a 7. I had to stretch it. Perhaps it shrunk a little over time. I don't know.

Yes, usually they arrive slightly undersize. Every one Post WW2 has been smaller than tag size. Never had one with a cloth sweat. My Panizza with cloth sweat is slightly undersize.

 

[gtdean48]

My vintage Borso has the UK size label in it = 7 1/2 but is a Punti 7 which is a US 7 5/8. You have to make sure you have the right standard of size to go from...

 

[alanfgag]

today's puzzler

Anyone have a guess on the vintage of this Borsalino dress western? From the reeded sweatband and liner, I would have guessed 1980s or more recent... but the prior owner feels strongly that it is older. Hat will be in my hands later this week and will post more on it.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Alan -- does the sweat say "Antica Casa" or "Original House"?

 

[alanfgag]

From the seller's description written description:

"Borsalino, Grand Prix Paris 1900, Reg US pat. Off. Made in Italy by Original House Founded in 1857."

To my knowledge, no model name on the front of the sweatband.

 

[rlk]

From the seller's description written description:

"Borsalino, Grand Prix Paris 1900, Reg US pat. Off. Made in Italy by Original House Founded in 1857."

To my knowledge, no model name on the front of the sweatband.

That puts it before the selling of the company in the 80's and retailed in the USA, as does this liner. I couldn't really say much else from the photo and the above info. Reeded US models are somewhat more unusual.

 

[alanfgag]

Thanks for the feedback... will post additional info and pictures when the hat is in hand. The seller said her consignee had an older date from pictures of the hat being worn... I am skeptical, but we'll see.

 

[delectans]

Borsalino, Qualita Speciale

A lightweight, Qualita Speciale.


Color: Rutenio (thanks to carouselvic and Robert for the correction).
Crown: 4-3/4", as creased.
Ribbon: 2", in Asfalto.
Brim: 2-1/2", with 3/16" overwelt edge.
Sweatband: 2".












Textured onion skin covering over liner tip, with the hatter Carlo Lambardi's address incorporated.



Characteristic corrugated spacer at the forehead portion of the sweatband.



Another angle better illustrating the sweatband corrugation.



Very high quality, full 2" sweat with the Grand Prix Paris 1900 logo.



Hatter's name and address duplicated on the sweatband.



Taped sweatband rear seam. Scarce Punti size 6-1/2!!



On the way to Mozart's Die Zauberflote with wife and son, -7F air temperature(-20F upon our return!!!).

 

[carouselvic]

I think your hat color is rutenio and the ribbon color is asfalto. Nice hat.