Post New Hats Here!

[Tukwila]

Oviatt Model made in Italy. I just found out from the tags it's a Barbisio. I thought it would be a Borsalino. Dense, beautiful, thin felt.

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Very nice, Max. I've always been impressed by the Oviatt examples posted here on the FL.

 

[steur]

Oviatt Model made in Italy. I just found out from the tags it's a Barbisio. I thought it would be a Borsalino. Dense, beautiful, thin felt.

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Very nice, Max. Barbisio at their best could certainly give Borsalino a run for their money.

 

[steur]

Wow, some great hats in that exchange Stefan!

Thanks, Randy.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Very nice, Max. Barbisio at their best could certainly give Borsalino a run for their money.

Is Stefan pronounced in Holland the same as it is in Germany? Sounds like Shtefan? Or is it pronounced Stefan?

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[Steve1857]

Oviatt Model made in Italy. I just found out from the tags it's a Barbisio. I thought it would be a Borsalino. Dense, beautiful, thin felt.

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Excellent Barbisio, Max. At their best they stand shoulder to shoulder with Borsalino imo. Looks like it has some age to it, too.

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[drmaxtejeda]

There is such a thing as a Christmas miracle: I bought a green hat I like
To be honest it was sold to me as a size 58 or 59 and I thought I could easily pass it on to Max, who seems to be fond of them (they go well with the colour of his golf course). Turns out it is a roomy size 55 in fact, so it fits me well enough and it has some serious redeeming qualities to it.
Brummel's fedora in green (yes, really). Size 55, with the Cavanagh edge brim at a good 6,5cm and the crown at 10cm at the center dent. It is unlined and has a flamboyant flange to the brim, which gives it a certain "bohemian" style. Very lightweight at only 89 grams and the hand of the felt is gorgeous. I'm thinking late forties to early fifties.
A green hat: imagine that!

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Too bad it wasn't my size, S. I like it![emoji51]
I like it fit you, though.

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[steur]

Is Stefan pronounced in Holland the same as it is in Germany? Sounds like Shtefan? Or is it pronounced Stefan?

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It's usually pronounced as Stefan (like "stay-fan"), but sometimes the e gets shortened, making it sound like Steffan.

 

[steur]

Too bad it wasn't my size, S. I like it![emoji51]
I like it fit you, though.

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I thought you'd like it. There's a lot to like, even if it wasn't all that obvious from the auction pics. I didn't have a lot to go on. Nice to have added it to my collection though.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I thought you'd like it. There's a lot to like, even if it wasn't all that obvious from the auction pics. I didn't have a lot to go on. Nice to have added it to my collection though.

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Awful! It's like the seller was being purposely deceitful. It looks like Robin Hood's hat, and it turned out to be a beauty instead.

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[steur]

Awful! It's like the seller was being purposely deceitful. It looks like Robin Hood's hat, and it turned out to be a beauty instead.

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In situations like these it pays off to know a little bit about hats. The price was good and I had good experience with the brand, so I just went for it.

 

[Rmccamey]

My first new one for the year, a Stetson St. Regis homburg. I scored a very nice BIN on this one, so the new year is starting out on a high note. This is a deep blue felt and band and I hope the pictures show the color. It looks black (or dark gray) in other than direct light settings. I have not seen many blue St. Regis hats, so perhaps it is a little on the rare side. This hat is not NOS but has had very little wear, so again I am pleased with that. 1 3/4 ribbon with a wind trolley and 2 3/8 to the edge of the brim curl.

No size tag but the cellophane is clear, flexible and intact. The reorder tag is intact and the numbers match. The white reorder tag itself seems more long and narrow than I have seen on other 50's hats, but some of you with more experience can tell me if that is common or not. The size/lot tag is a white square, about 1 inch, handwritten. The second "half" of the size/lot tag (also handwritten) was also in the box, so that is another little "plus". The felt is soft and malleable and holds its shape easily - similar to the felts on my Whippet and Stratoliners of the same era. I am tempted to say early 50's on this one but with no union label and a price of $12.50, would late 50's, early 60's be a better date? Thanks for looking and Happy New Year.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My first new one for the year, a Stetson St. Regis homburg. I scored a very nice BIN on this one, so the new year is starting out on a high note. This is a deep blue felt and band and I hope the pictures show the color. It looks black (or dark gray) in other than direct light settings. I have not seen many blue St. Regis hats, so perhaps it is a little on the rare side. This hat is not NOS but has had very little wear, so again I am pleased with that. 1 3/4 ribbon with a wind trolley and 2 3/8 to the edge of the brim curl.

No size tag but the cellophane is clear, flexible and intact. The reorder tag is intact and the numbers match. The white reorder tag itself seems more long and narrow than I have seen on other 50's hats, but some of you with more experience can tell me if that is common or not. The size/lot tag is a white square, about 1 inch, handwritten. The second "half" of the size/lot tag (also handwritten) was also in the box, so that is another little "plus". The felt is soft and malleable and holds its shape easily - similar to the felts on my Whippet and Stratoliners of the same era. I am tempted to say early 50's on this one but with no union label and a price of $12.50, would late 50's, early 60's be a better date? Thanks for looking and Happy New Year.



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Very nice, and the color is over the top. I see you’re keeping your resolution to only add exceptional hats to your collection. I’m hoping that one day a mirtillo homburg comes across my path.


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[Steve1857]

My first new one for the year, a Stetson St. Regis homburg. I scored a very nice BIN on this one, so the new year is starting out on a high note. This is a deep blue felt and band and I hope the pictures show the color. It looks black (or dark gray) in other than direct light settings. I have not seen many blue St. Regis hats, so perhaps it is a little on the rare side. This hat is not NOS but has had very little wear, so again I am pleased with that. 1 3/4 ribbon with a wind trolley and 2 3/8 to the edge of the brim curl.

No size tag but the cellophane is clear, flexible and intact. The reorder tag is intact and the numbers match. The white reorder tag itself seems more long and narrow than I have seen on other 50's hats, but some of you with more experience can tell me if that is common or not. The size/lot tag is a white square, about 1 inch, handwritten. The second "half" of the size/lot tag (also handwritten) was also in the box, so that is another little "plus". The felt is soft and malleable and holds its shape easily - similar to the felts on my Whippet and Stratoliners of the same era. I am tempted to say early 50's on this one but with no union label and a price of $12.50, would late 50's, early 60's be a better date? Thanks for looking and Happy New Year.



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Nice catch, Randy. Looks in excellent condition.

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[Héctor Fernández]

This was my last purchase on 2019 and finally arrived. It is a very nice Towncraft in XXX Quality. It was listed as dark brown, but it is actually black with very dark purple hues. It also has a very nice brim matching binding. The union label is printed behind the size label, but it fell, so I placed it between the sweatband and felt, don't want to lose it[emoji6][emoji106]

I love finding dark horses like this one.

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[Randall Renshaw]

Okay, just got this Borsalino homburg today. It’s my first Italian, or foreign hat. Never been near one either, so my only impression comes from this one lid.
From the onion skin tip and sweat blocker I suppose I can assume it’s from the late forties, early fifties, if they used the product over there the same years we were.
The felt is ultra supple, thin and feather light. One question is, were they strictly using hare or rabbit fur during this time period? Probably so, which would explain the felts wispy lightness. It still holds any crease very well. Impressive. As far as the hat’s components go, I’d say it’s no better or worse than any other hat I’ve owned from this era. The crown is relatively short on this hat, 4 1/8 at the front crease.
The seller said the hat measured Eight by six and a 1/4, so I thought it would fit perfectly. But, it really measures seven and 3/4 by six and 3/8, so it’s a little small for me. The BIG question is this: Do these vintage Borsalino reedless hats take a stretch as well as our Reeded hats? The rear seam on the sweat is merely taped , so I’m a little worried about that. The way it nearly fits my head, if it were an American made hat I know it would take the half size stretch with no problems, but on this one I’m not sure. Can anyone that knows for sure help me out?
I’ll include all pics of the important features so the oversea folks can tell me what all this writing means, ie: Steve, Stefan and Daniel. [emoji1]
There is a code embossment on the front of the sweat, meaning, what?

Ps: Is there anything about this particular hat that makes it outstanding from other homburg Borsalinos of this era?
In other words, I got this hat cheap and may resell it if someone here tells me it won’t stretch well and if there is nothing remarkable about it.
Don’t get me wrong, I like this hat very much. It’s very appealing, but I already have a Stetson exactly like it from this time period.
Be glad to keep it .... if it’s a keeper![emoji6]


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[AbbaDatDeHat]

Okay, just got this Borsalino homburg today. It’s my first Italian, or foreign hat. Never been near one either, so my only impression comes from this one lid.
From the onion skin tip and sweat blocker I suppose I can assume it’s from the late forties, early fifties, if they used the product over there the same years we were.
The felt is ultra supple, thin and feather light. One question is, were they strictly using hare or rabbit fur during this time period? Probably so, which would explain the felts wispy lightness. It still holds any crease very well. Impressive. As far as the hat’s components go, I’d say it’s no better or worse than any other hat I’ve owned from this era. The crown is relatively short on this hat, 4 1/8 at the front crease.
The seller said the hat measured Eight by six and a 1/4, so I thought it would fit perfectly. But, it really measures seven and 3/4 by six and 3/8, so it’s a little small for me. The BIG question is this: Do these vintage Borsalino reedless hats take a stretch as well as our Reeded hats? The rear seam on the sweat is merely taped , so I’m a little worried about that. The way it nearly fits my head, if it were an American made hat I know it would take the half size stretch with no problems, but on this one I’m not sure. Can anyone that knows for sure help me out?
I’ll include all pics of the important features so the oversea folks can tell me what all this writing means, ie: Steve, Stefan and Daniel. [emoji1]
There is a code embossment on the front of the sweat, meaning, what? View attachment 203416 View attachment 203415 View attachment 203414 View attachment 203413 View attachment 203412 View attachment 203410 View attachment 203408
Ps: Is there anything about this particular hat that makes it outstanding from other homburg Borsalinos of this era?
In other words, I got this hat cheap and may resell it if someone here tells me it won’t stretch well and if there is nothing remarkable about it.
Don’t get me wrong, I like this hat very much. It’s very appealing, but I already have a Stetson exactly like it from this time period.
Be glad to keep it .... if it’s a keeper![emoji6]


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That’s a beautiful old Borsalino hat for the European market. I’d sure keep it. Just be careful and go very slow with a stretch, if you must, and DO NOT get greedy.
Sweet hat
B

 

[Randall Renshaw]

That’s a beautiful old Borsalino hat for the European market. I’d sure keep it. Just be careful and go very slow with a stretch, if you must, and DO NOT get greedy.
Sweet hat
B

Thanks, Bowen. I sure would hate it if I busted the rear seam on this nice of a hat.
I’ve stretched many a hat, so I kinda know what I’m doing, but I know nothing about stretching an unreeded, unsewn seamed sweatband.


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[AbbaDatDeHat]

Thanks, Bowen. I sure would hate it if I busted the rear seam on this nice of a hat.
I’ve stretched many a hat, so I kinda know what I’m doing, but I know nothing about stretching an unreeded, unsewn seamed sweatband.


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Totally understand your hesitation. It is well taken. I would never say stretch it to anyone. I have before with heartbreaking results and very satisfying victories.
But....if i tried this one, first i would support the taped seam by over taping the original tape. Then condition the sweatband until very pliable. That Borsa is good leather. Once satisfied with the above i would spray the lower half of the crown and about half the width of the brim completely around the hat with sterile water. Let it soak in thoroughly. Use a hat stretcher that is 2 or 3” tall, not the thin 1 inchers. I sometimes even back the sweatband with about a 4 inch tall strip of thin cardboard/poster board the entire inner circumference to diminish a prominent breakline outlining the sweatband. A tall stretcher helps here.
Tighten gently and leave it to dry. Re-wet/soak and repeat slowly and gently. Slow wins the race. I’ve spent several days to stretch a hat 1 size or return a shrunken vintage to it’s original size.
Stretch too much and you destroy the flange and sweatband and get the dreaded sweatband stretch profile on the crown taper.
I would not do any of this for more that a slight nudge in size.
These are things i learned the hard way. I hope my cautions help if you decide to nudge this hat. Other’s hopefully can add their experiences but beware.
YMMV
Be well. Bowen

 

[steur]

My first new one for the year, a Stetson St. Regis homburg. I scored a very nice BIN on this one, so the new year is starting out on a high note. This is a deep blue felt and band and I hope the pictures show the color. It looks black (or dark gray) in other than direct light settings. I have not seen many blue St. Regis hats, so perhaps it is a little on the rare side. This hat is not NOS but has had very little wear, so again I am pleased with that. 1 3/4 ribbon with a wind trolley and 2 3/8 to the edge of the brim curl.

No size tag but the cellophane is clear, flexible and intact. The reorder tag is intact and the numbers match. The white reorder tag itself seems more long and narrow than I have seen on other 50's hats, but some of you with more experience can tell me if that is common or not. The size/lot tag is a white square, about 1 inch, handwritten. The second "half" of the size/lot tag (also handwritten) was also in the box, so that is another little "plus". The felt is soft and malleable and holds its shape easily - similar to the felts on my Whippet and Stratoliners of the same era. I am tempted to say early 50's on this one but with no union label and a price of $12.50, would late 50's, early 60's be a better date? Thanks for looking and Happy New Year.



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Excellent find, Randy, and in a great colour too. These St Regis hats fetch quite a bit of money I've seen. Been looking at a couple of them the past year, but none that came withing my price range. Good catch.

 

[steur]

This was my last purchase on 2019 and finally arrived. It is a very nice Towncraft in XXX Quality. It was listed as dark brown, but it is actually black with very dark purple hues. It also has a very nice brim matching binding. The union label is printed behind the size label, but it fell, so I placed it between the sweatband and felt, don't want to lose it[emoji6][emoji106]

I love finding dark horses like this one.

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Nice one. Seems to be in superb condition.