The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[Blare]

The second installment is a brother to yesterday's hat. Here is another Gorasti, this time in Stibina (c. Nera):
View attachment 258411 View attachment 258412 View attachment 258413 View attachment 258414

Specs

2-5/8" x 2-3/4" Dimensional Brim (w/ 1/4" felted edge)
5-1/2" Crown (open)
1-9/16" Ribbon
96g Weight
​

There are only a few scant references to Stibina, which is part of the Borsalino metallic color family. Most are thanks to Stefan (@steur) though it's been a few years since this color was last seen. Might just seem to be another prototypical grey with black fedora but this will compliment my Misto Gris Fer nicely given the lighter shade and weight.

Tomorrow's grand finale will feature both an only recently discovered model and a previously undocumented shade of green.

Wow... another beauty Jonathan. Build the anticipation...

 

[Blare]

And now the thrilling conclusion to this three part series, an Ecospo in Pineta:
View attachment 258597 View attachment 258598 View attachment 258599 View attachment 258600

Specs

2-3/4" x 2-7/8" Dimensional Brim (raw edge)
5-3/4" Crown (open)
1-1/4" Ribbon
91g Weight
​

This is the second appearance of the Ecospo model to appear on the forum. Oddly enough the first only showed up about a month ago, courtesy of Mike's (@TheGuitarFairy) beautiful example in Ghiaccio. Interesting to note that both were sold from the same Lambardi shop in Rome. At a mere 91g it is indeed lightweight.

As teased previously, the color Pineta is a new undocumented shade of green. It proved most difficult to accurately capture outdoors on my phone, so after some reading I tried using indirect light indoors. It helped but I still needed to manually correct the pictures. What's shown above is pretty accurate as to the color when seen indoors. Unfortunately, what has been lost is the magic this hat displays when in full natural light. A distinct copper brown tone shimmers through the green and really is something to behold.

And so concludes this Borsalino bonanza.

Absolutely stunning green Jonathan.... if only Stefan could see this

Congratulations my friend. Glad your quest has turned up the beautiful gems!!

 

[BobHufford]

...an Ecospo in Pineta

Congrats Jonathan! And thanks for giving us another “grail” hat to keep searching for. Outstanding!

 

[Daniele Tanto]

First of a recent three hat Borsalino bonanza, Gorasti in Dattero:

The second installment is a brother to yesterday's hat. Here is another Gorasti, this time in Stibina (c. Nera):

And now the thrilling conclusion to this three part series, an Ecospo in Pineta:

Jonathan certainly your find is considerably interesting.
First for the colors of the felt, second for the typology of the shape of the Borsalinos, they are, in fact, "Qualità Speciale" This means that they are a little out of the mainstream of Borsalino production which identified itself in Qualità Superiore, Qualità Extra Superiore e qualità Extra Extra Superiore. This is one of the reasons of the characteristics of the three Borsalinos. The second is that Carlo Lambardi, being in Rome, was a tourist shop, so the offer was more varied than in other stores in Italian cities, however they are three splendid pieces.
A curiosity: did you buy them from a seller in Italy or in the United States?

 

[Steve1857]

Wow! That is the mother of grand finalés, Jonathan. What a super Borsalino and what a fantastic looking colour. I'm green with envy

And now the thrilling conclusion to this three part series, an Ecospo in Pineta:
View attachment 258597 View attachment 258598 View attachment 258599 View attachment 258600

Specs

2-3/4" x 2-7/8" Dimensional Brim (raw edge)
5-3/4" Crown (open)
1-1/4" Ribbon
91g Weight
​

This is the second appearance of the Ecospo model to appear on the forum. Oddly enough the first only showed up about a month ago, courtesy of Mike's (@TheGuitarFairy) beautiful example in Ghiaccio. Interesting to note that both were sold from the same Lambardi shop in Rome. At a mere 91g it is indeed lightweight.

As teased previously, the color Pineta is a new undocumented shade of green. It proved most difficult to accurately capture outdoors on my phone, so after some reading I tried using indirect light indoors. It helped but I still needed to manually correct the pictures. What's shown above is pretty accurate as to the color when seen indoors. Unfortunately, what has been lost is the magic this hat displays when in full natural light. A distinct copper brown tone shimmers through the green and really is something to behold.

And so concludes this Borsalino bonanza.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Whoa!!!!
NOW you’ve got yourself a top shelf Borsalino collection. Not just Borsa’s...but BORSALINO’s!!!
I love my Borsalinos probably even more then almost all my Stetsons, etc.
And i love seeing yours J.
Thanks for sharing.
B

Thanks, B! As much as I love my small hat collection I think I could honestly be happy if all I had were these three Borsalinos. I think this brings the total up to nine Borsalinos now. I just need a Silchi or Angora for a magnificent ten.

Great proportions, but that color is stunning. I love green Hats.

Thanks, Brent! Might not quite be bottle green but I suspected you might like this one. Dare I say that the brim is almost floppy? The kind the flutters in the breeze but then settles back in place.

Wow... another beauty Jonathan. Build the anticipation...

Absolutely stunning green Jonathan.... if only Stefan could see this

Congratulations my friend. Glad your quest has turned up the beautiful gems!!

Thanks, Joe! You've been unveiling some magnificent hats on your quest as well. The hits seem to never end here lately.

Congrats Jonathan! And thanks for giving us another “grail” hat to keep searching for. Outstanding!

Thanks, Bob! I definitely consider myself fortunate now having two green grail hats with this one along with the old hairy wartime Dobbs.

Jonathan certainly your find is considerably interesting.
First for the colors of the felt, second for the typology of the shape of the Borsalinos, they are, in fact, "Qualità Speciale" This means that they are a little out of the mainstream of Borsalino production which identified itself in Qualità Superiore, Qualità Extra Superiore e qualità Extra Extra Superiore. This is one of the reasons of the characteristics of the three Borsalinos. The second is that Carlo Lambardi, being in Rome, was a tourist shop, so the offer was more varied than in other stores in Italian cities, however they are three splendid pieces.
A curiosity: did you buy them from a seller in Italy or in the United States?

Thank you, Daniele, for your kind words and insight. I had sort of suspected with the designation, size proportions, and retail shop being in Rome that it was possible (if not likely) they were more tourist driven. All three hats have the same monogram on the sweatband, so I don't think it's a stretch to assume they were all initially purchased together by someone during a European trip.

As to how I came upon them, I purchased them here in the States via e-commerce. Judging by the decor in the background of the seller's pictures I assumed they were from an antique shop. The owner had them listed online on a buying/trading plarform, however, and was willing to ship to me. Had they declined I was prepared to drive the distance to get them in person, but it truly would have been an all day trip for me.

Wow! That is the mother of grand finalés, Jonathan. What a super Borsalino and what a fantastic looking colour. I'm green with envy

Thanks, Steve. The color really is something to behold and it's a shame my amateur photography skills don't do this hat justice. No need for envy, however, as your collection is equally if not more wonderful. We all have unique pieces to offer and the collective is better for it I believe, so thank you my friend.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^Silchi might maybe be able to arrange sometime.
B

 

[TheOldFashioned]

^^^Silchi might maybe be able to arrange sometime.
B

Thanks, B, but just admiring and aspiring. Not pandering. Besides, the hunt is all part of the fun.

 

[steur]

Borsalino extra extra superiore "The Rollup". Thanks to Brent @deadlyhandsome for this one.
Super soft, malleable felt.
Not sure whether this is a 50's, 60's, or later hat. Help appreciated @steur and @Daniele Tanto
It sure is a super malleable Borsalino. View attachment 258149 View attachment 258150 View attachment 258151 View attachment 258152 View attachment 258153

It is a beauty, Steve. Early sixties I'd say based on what I can see now, but could even be late fifties I think. Is there a label underneath the sweatband?

First of a recent three hat Borsalino bonanza, Gorasti in Dattero:
View attachment 258168 View attachment 258169 View attachment 258170 View attachment 258171

Specs

2-5/8" x 2-3/4" Dimensional Brim (w/ 1/4" felted edge)
5-1/2" Crown (open)
1-9/16" Ribbon
95g Weight
​

Clocking in at a mere 95g this is now one of my lightest hats even though it is fully lined. There is only one other reference for this model, posted by dinerman many years ago. The Dattero color slots in nicely between the darker Folco and lighter Averla in my collection.

Its brother, in a rarer shade of metallic grey, will be posted tomorrow so stay tuned.

You do know how to find them, Jonathan. Magical! Very rare model and Dattero is a great colour.

The second installment is a brother to yesterday's hat. Here is another Gorasti, this time in Stibina (c. Nera):
View attachment 258411 View attachment 258412 View attachment 258413 View attachment 258414

Specs

2-5/8" x 2-3/4" Dimensional Brim (w/ 1/4" felted edge)
5-1/2" Crown (open)
1-9/16" Ribbon
96g Weight
​

There are only a few scant references to Stibina, which is part of the Borsalino metallic color family. Most are thanks to Stefan (@steur) though it's been a few years since this color was last seen. Might just seem to be another prototypical grey with black fedora but this will compliment my Misto Gris Fer nicely given the lighter shade and weight.

Tomorrow's grand finale will feature both an only recently discovered model and a previously undocumented shade of green.

And another one. Stibina is indeed rare, but there are quite a few colours out there we've only seen one or a small number of.

And now the thrilling conclusion to this three part series, an Ecospo in Pineta:
View attachment 258597 View attachment 258598 View attachment 258599 View attachment 258600

Specs

2-3/4" x 2-7/8" Dimensional Brim (raw edge)
5-3/4" Crown (open)
1-1/4" Ribbon
91g Weight
​

This is the second appearance of the Ecospo model to appear on the forum. Oddly enough the first only showed up about a month ago, courtesy of Mike's (@TheGuitarFairy) beautiful example in Ghiaccio. Interesting to note that both were sold from the same Lambardi shop in Rome. At a mere 91g it is indeed lightweight.

As teased previously, the color Pineta is a new undocumented shade of green. It proved most difficult to accurately capture outdoors on my phone, so after some reading I tried using indirect light indoors. It helped but I still needed to manually correct the pictures. What's shown above is pretty accurate as to the color when seen indoors. Unfortunately, what has been lost is the magic this hat displays when in full natural light. A distinct copper brown tone shimmers through the green and really is something to behold.

And so concludes this Borsalino bonanza.

Killing it, Jonathan. A green hat I like? This isolation must be getting to me Outstanding haul. One can only dream of finding a batch like this.

 

[Steve1857]

Thanks, Stefan. It has a wonderful feel to the felt, and sits so well on my head. Danielle places it as 60s. If I remember correctly, your Borsalino label guide would place the label as early to mid 1960s.

It is a beauty, Steve. Early sixties I'd say based on what I can see now, but could even be late fifties I think. Is there a label underneath the sweatband?

 

[TheOldFashioned]

You do know how to find them, Jonathan. Magical! Very rare model and Dattero is a great colour.

And another one. Stibina is indeed rare, but there are quite a few colours out there we've only seen one or a small number of.

Killing it, Jonathan. A green hat I like? This isolation must be getting to me Outstanding haul. One can only dream of finding a batch like this.

Thanks, Stefan! Definitely a lucky find and fortunate the seller was willing to ship to me, though I was ready to hop in the automobile to get them in person.

Regarding the colors, I ran across this old post when looking up Stibina and found it rather enticing:

The Borsalino color chart is a sight to behold. There are many different shades if grays, browns and tans. If people realized how many were available they would go crazy. I dont think many smaller stores know what the company can make otherwise it would get out of hand. Its not like Stetson that offers a certain style in 5 colors. borsalino can make any hat in 50 colors .​

 

[steur]

Thanks, Stefan! Definitely a lucky find and fortunate the seller was willing to ship to me, though I was ready to hop in the automobile to get them in person.

Regarding the colors, I ran across this old post when looking up Stibina and found it rather enticing:

The Borsalino color chart is a sight to behold. There are many different shades if grays, browns and tans. If people realized how many were available they would go crazy. I dont think many smaller stores know what the company can make otherwise it would get out of hand. Its not like Stetson that offers a certain style in 5 colors. borsalino can make any hat in 50 colors .​

Tell me about it: the counter of different Borsalino colours sits at 185 (!!!) at the moment, including the misto felts. And I still keep finding new colours.

 

[steur]

Well, my resolve to not buy any more hats vaporised when I found out some new hats had made their way into the vintage shops recently. I could contain myself, but it was close.

Borsalino Export Qualität in nero in a size 56. Raw edge brim with three rows of decorative stitching at a hair short of 6cm and crown 10,5cm at the pinch. Nice shark gill bow though. Label shows it's from 1981. It's not going to stay (in fact it's already up for auction).

 

[steur]

Seller is asking too much for this one, so this one is not mine. I'm posting some of the auction pics here anyway, because it's a datestamped hat, which is alway interesting.

Ta Avete is a new model we have not seen before, but the really interesting part is that this label (the cerrated edge label with straight sides) was around untill later than previously assumed. I had it down as disappearing around 1966 to be replaced by this one around that time:

This one no longer shows the model name but it doesn't yet have the first two numbers as an indicator of the year.

The label on this hat shows that the cerrated label was still used in 1968 (assuming this hat was not sitting on the shelf for years). It is still an educated guess, based on the few examples we have that are or can be dated in some way, but it does narrow it down a bit more.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Plutone II: I bought this just for the felt. I’m hoping it turns out to be a nice little fedora after blocking to my size and a new sweatband sewn in. I had VS use a similar hat with a bound edge for an Open Road / Alessandria clone that turned out great.

Lots of felt to work with. Even when sized to 7 5/8 LO with a 6” crown I think I can have a 2 3/4” or wider brim. The felt is very soft and thin and denser than the Tonak rabbit hat bodies I’ve handled. Fingers crossed.

 

[steur]

Plutone II: I bought this just for the felt. I’m hoping it turns out to be a nice little fedora after blocking to my size and a new sweatband sewn in. I had VS use a similar hat with a bound edge for an Open Road / Alessandria clone that turned out great.

View attachment 263035 View attachment 263036 View attachment 263037 View attachment 263038 View attachment 263039 View attachment 263040

Lots of felt to work with. Even when sized to 7 5/8 LO with a 6” crown I think I can have a 2 3/4” or wider brim. The felt is very soft and thin and denser than the Tonak rabbit hat bodies I’ve handled. Fingers crossed.

I don't think the rabbi will approve, Brent.

 

[steur]

Still in contact with the seller, but it may not happen. Still, for posterity:
Borsalino Idorsca in Cola. Both model and colour aren't seen around that often. Very different in shape and proportions from the other Idorsca models I have.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I don't think the rabbi will approve, Brent.

They make allowances for the ignorance of us gentiles.

 

[Blare]

Still in contact with the seller, but it may not happen. Still, for posterity:
Borsalino Idorsca in Cola. Both model and colour aren't seen around that often. Very different in shape and proportions from the other Idorsca models I have.

View attachment 263505 View attachment 263506 View attachment 263507 View attachment 263508 View attachment 263509 View attachment 263510 View attachment 263511 View attachment 263512 View attachment 263504

Wow!!

 

[steur]

They make allowances for the ignorance of us gentiles.

Maybe they hope for something divine to rub off on you!