1950's Brown Borsalino- pick your size!

[Spellflower]

Okay, here's the story. Feltfan offered this Borsalino on his Big Melon Blowout Part 1, and I bought it for $60 plus $15 for shipping. He said it was in perfect condition everywhere except the sweatband, which needed to be replaced.

The brim is 2 1/2 inches, and the crown is nice and tall, though I forget how high he said it was exactly. The hat was made in the 1950's for the Italian market, not intended for export. It has a raw edge.

Feltfan suggested I send it to Graham at Optimo hats, and have him replace the sweatband and resize it from 7 1/4 to my size, 7 3/8, which I did. Unfortunately, when Graham got it, he determined that it is in fact a size 7 1/8.

Now, for him to resize a hat up one size is pretty simple, especially if he's already replacing the sweat. But two sizes requires a complete rebuild, including a new ribbon. The upshot is that he wants $100 to resize it to 7 3/8. By the time he ships it to me, my $60 Borsalino will be a $190 Borsalino. I know that Borsalinos in my size go for that on ebay all the time, but I just can't afford that much right now- I'd have to sell my Whippet!

So, that's where you come in. You can buy this hat from me for $75, which is what I paid Feltfan. The hat is already at Optimo, so all you have to do is call Graham and tell him what you want done with it. As soon as I receive your payment, I'll call Graham and tell him to expect your call.

Here are some examples of what you might do:

If you are a size 7 1/8, you could have Graham clean it, block it, and replace the sweat for $50. He'll ship it to you for $15, and you'll have a gorgeous vintage Borsalino for $140.

If you are a size 7 1/4, you could have Graham clean it, block it, replace the sweat, and resize it for $60, plus another $15 for shipping, making your total $150.

If you are a size 7 3/8, you could get the hat resized to 7 3/8 for $100, complete with new ribbon, sweat, cleaning and reblock. That makes your total $190- still not bad for a vintage Borsalino, if you've got the cash.

Remember, when this hat gets to you, it will be clean and will feature a virgin sweatband, unlike most ebay hats.

If you want to look at Graham's webiste, check it out here:
http://www.optimohats.com/hatcare.htm

Thanks for looking!

 

[Fletch]

And if you are size 7 1/2 or above, as usual, you're fbxrd. [huh]

Sure is a looker. Looking was a pleasure.

 

[feltfan]

My apologies to Spellflower for the mistake.

This is a great hat and the felt is in great shape.
It hurt to part with it and I am sorry to put Spellflower in
the same situation.

 

[Spellflower]

Okay, gang, it's now or never. Graham wants to either start working on this hat, or send it off tomorrow. The first person to stick $75 in my paypal account gets it. Unless I decide I'd rather keep it myself, in which case, anybody interested in a lovely brown Whippet?

Edit: removed email; PM me if ya need me!

 

[AlanC]

...anybody interested in a lovely brown Whippet?

:clears throat: How much?

 

[Spellflower]

SOLD! to the man in the brown Whippet.

Well, it's too late now. I just gave the okay for Graham to turn this hat into a 7 3/8 and send it home. Unless I am not completely in love with the result, the Whippet will be appearing here soon.

 

[Stan]

Hi,

Dang. I'm an hour and as half late, and a size 7 1/8 to boot. Oh, well. [huh]

Stan

 

[Spellflower]

Paddy, I think the answer to that question is: "Considerably more if he's a size 7 1/8 than if he's a size 7 3/8."

 

[ideaguy]

Check your PM- full, I just sent you an important message-ideaguy

 

[Madcap72]

And if you are size 7 1/2 or above, as usual, you're fbxrd. [huh]

Sure is a looker. Looking was a pleasure.

Fark much?