The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[handymike]

Hello,
I'm a little confused...
I bought a Borsalino on eBay, and it showed up yesterday.
A real beauty. It was advertized as an Alessandria, but is actually a Palatino 1. Here is the confusion- inside the crown, the liner says Alessandria, but the sweatband has Palatino. When did Borsalino start blanket labeling hats with Alessandria? The guy I got it from graciously will take the return, but I'm hoping to avoid this again in the future. Thanks for the help.

 

[mikespens]

Alessandria is the province of Italy where the company is located.

 

[mayserwegener]

It would be a good idea to post photos (side view, front view, liner, sweatband logos, and paper label).

 

[alanfgag]

Alessandria is the province of Italy where the company is located.

Also a model name for a wide brimmed, thin ribbon hat with similarities to the Stetson Open Road and Stratoliner. Some hats were marked as such on the sweatband but here we tend to call hats of this style Alessandria whether they are marked as such or not.

 

[Fastuni]

Does the (reeded leather band) liner indicate a date? When was this type of line first used?

It is an Italian Borsalino, sold originally in Bolzano. It mentions "Grand Prix 1900" and has no trademark R after the "Borsalino".
Also the label cover is oiled silk and not plastic. No paper label inside hat, as it has been reblocked.

Alan, I assume this one you posted is 50's?

 

[mayserwegener]

My guess is late 1950s into 1960s. Hard to be specific with Borsalinos.

 

[alanfgag]

Alan, I assume this one you posted is 50's?

With Borsalinos, the manufacturing tag is often helpful

I concur with Steve's estimate.

 

[rlk]

Borsalino Mascotta Crema/Elefante Celesti



Tough color to reproduce, first image is closest.

 

[job]

Very nice Robert.

Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk

 

[mikespens]

Wow, stunning condition too!

 

[ManofKent]

Wow, stunning condition too!

+1

 

[mayserwegener]

Super! Also timely weather wise.

 

[Purplesage]

Borsalino Alessandria Twenty

I thought I had posted this beige Borsalino Twenty earlier but I guess I didn't. Aside from the oilskin liner which is showing it's age, the hat is in excellent condition. The felt is very soft and malleable. Reminds me of some of the Stetson Playboys I've owned only the felt is of better quality. The brim is approx 2 1/2" with a raw edge and the crown as shown is approx 4 1/2" (5 1/2" open crown). The crown is wrapped in a 7/8" taupe (or at least it looks like taupe to me) grosgrain ribbon. Reeded leather sweatband with taped back seam.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141305356445?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[rlk]

Perforated Borsalino

 

[alanfgag]

Very interesting!... but be careful not to strain yourself, Robert.

 

[mikespens]

Wow!

 

[Purplesage]

Very nice rlk. Looks like a very "cool" hat.

 

[Purplesage]

Bosalino Alessandira Olive/Aqua

Just picked this Borsalino up recently. The tag behind the sweat says "Olivo" which translates to "Olive Tree" so I assume that is the color. It has blue hue so it looks like aqua green to me. In any case it's a nice color. It has a 2 1/2" brim with a raw edge and a 5 1/2" crown which is wrapped in a 3/4" grosgrain ribbon with decorative feather. The inside is unlined with with a reeeded leather sweatband that is taped in the back. The owner's initials "A.L.F" are on the sweatband. Wasn't ALF an alien! Must have been made for the European market because it was sold at a store in Rome, "Rossi, Via Apia Nuova 1488, Roma.". I believe the hat dated from the early 50s or older. I'm planning on selling it so I should have it listed in the classified shortly if anyone is interested.

 

[mayserwegener]

Fantastic!

 

[Ordinary Guy]

ALF = Alien Life Form of which that lid certainly is NOT !!

Beautiful, I don't know where you find all these pieces of history....