The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[steur]

A sage colored Borsalino with matching grosgrain ribbon. The oil skin is still intact.
Not sure of the model, but maybe somebody here can tell me. The tag shows Olivo, but I think it is closer to sage.

The picture colors may seem a bit off, but I had to adjust the color to more accurately portray the color of the hat. My camera wanted to make it more blue which I wouldn't have minded, but the sage is pleasant.

The felt on this is about a little more than half as think as the last hat I posted and not quite as soft, but still very nice.

The crown is about 4 1/2" bashed.
The brim is 2 1/2" with a small 1/8" grosgrain binding matching ribbon
The ribbon is a matching 1 5/8" grosgrain
The sweatband is 2" without extra backing protection

A very nice hat.

It came with that small Borsalino box with a spare ribbon. Would the hat have been originally sent in that box? The ribbon is a much lighter brown than the picture depicts.

Can somebody here explain the difference between the red size tag versus the blue?

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Great find, Don. First time I've seen one of these coffin box hats come with an extra ribbon. Maybe it was a special request from the buyer. The blue size tags were used for the American market I believe, the red ones we see on the European market.

 

[DonR]

My oh my! Knocking them out of the park, Don! The boxes we affectionately refer to as coffin boxes in reference to their shape. These were intended for tourists to roll up and stow their Borsalino hat purchase for their voyage home. The idea being they could take to their hatter upon return to have it shaped…. Or simply steam it themselves as an instruction pamphlet I found in one of mine indicated.

Thanks Joe. I've heard that these can be rolled up, I couldn't imagine it.

 

[DonR]

Great find, Don. First time I've seen one of these coffin box hats come with an extra ribbon. Maybe it was a special request from the buyer. The blue size tags were used for the American market I believe, the red ones we see on the European market.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

 

[Blare]

Thanks Joe. I've heard that these can be rolled up, I couldn't imagine it.

Yes they can. Although it is believed these boxes were intended for the initial travel home and not as storage boxes. Many seem to be used this way however.

I rolled my borsalino featherweight (which was found in one of these coffin boxes) a few months back to have an extra hat to throw in the suitcase On a flight. I just rolled it up and stuck it in a gallon zip lock instead of using the coffin box as mine are getting a bit old and brittle. Unrolled and shaped fairly well without any steam.

 

[Mighty44]

Thanks Joe. I've heard that these can be rolled up, I couldn't imagine it.

That might not be the crushable hat that came with that box—it looks more substantial to me. @steur ? @Daniele Tanto ? Could you guys weigh in before Don rolls this thing up?

 

[DonR]

That might not be the crushable hat that came with that box—it looks more substantial to me. @steur ? @Daniele Tanto ? Could you guys weigh in before Don rolls this thing up?

Oh I'm not rolling it up. It is much too nice and substantial for me to even try.

 

[Blare]

That might not be the crushable hat that came with that box—it looks more substantial to me. @steur ? @Daniele Tanto ? Could you guys weigh in before Don rolls this thing up?

Truth is any soft felt soft brim hat could be rolled… it depends on the technic and the effort you want to put in to return it to shape

 

[steur]

Truth is any soft felt soft brim hat could be rolled… it depends on the technic and the effort you want to put in to return it to shape

Well, of course you could, but the question is if you should. If it's not a crushable hat (shudder!) I'd avoid rolling them up and just stick with one hat when travelling. These coffin box hats aren't crushable hats and weren't meant to be rolled up again and again.

 

[Blare]

Well, of course you could, but the question is if you should. If it's not a crushable hat (shudder!) I'd avoid rolling them up and just stick with one hat when travelling. These coffin box hats aren't crushable hats and weren't meant to be rolled up again and again.

Yes agreed. There I go again… forgetting my sarcasm font

 

[Rmccamey]

 

[riddlers]

The gray Borsalino arrived today from the previous post #9752. Compared to the Cavanagh I am wearing, the Borsalino feels much stiffer, but holds its shape much better. Here are the additional pictures requested of the inside of the newly arrived Borsalino, but it doesn't look like the pictures will offer much help with dating. It seems like a recent version of a Fedora to my inexperienced eyes.

Regardless, it's a keeper since it fits well and is attractive, albeit a bit darker than anticipated.

 

[steur]

The gray Borsalino arrived today from the previous post #9752. Compared to the Cavanagh I am wearing, the Borsalino feels much stiffer, but holds its shape much better. Here are the additional pictures requested of the inside of the newly arrived Borsalino, but it doesn't look like the pictures will offer much help with dating. It seems like a recent version of a Fedora to my inexperienced eyes.

Regardless, it's a keeper since it fits well and is attractive, albeit a bit darker than anticipated.

It is certainly a modern one. Hard to put a date on it exactly because the labels didn't change anymore. Still a fine hat though.

 

[Martin5760]

Can anyone help date this hat and box ? The thickness and softness of the fur felt makes it easily the finest quality hat I have.

 

[steur]

Can anyone help date this hat and box ? The thickness and softness of the fur felt makes it easily the finest quality hat I have.

Welcome to the lounge. A fine Borsalino to make an entrance with. There should be another label underneath the sweatband opposite the Borsalino logo. That can tell us more, but these Marque Grand Luxe hats usually are from the period 1954-1960.

 

[Martin5760]

Welcome to the lounge. A fine Borsalino to make an entrance with. There should be another label underneath the sweatband opposite the Borsalino logo. That can tell us mor, but these Marque Grand Luxe hats usually are from the period 1954-1960.

Thank you for the information. Interesting that it has remained so clean after all those years. Nothing else under the sweatband - just the 12500 label opposite the Borsalino logo - Italian Lira price ?

 

[steur]

Thank you for the information. Interesting that it has remained so clean after all those years. Nothing else under the sweatband - just the 12500 label opposite the Borsalino logo - Italian Lira price ?

Probably. We see more often that the "good" hats, worn on Sundays and special occasions, and were kept in boxes survive in good condition.

 

[upegelow]

Hi guys,
I am new on this forum, so first a Hello into the round. A few days ago I have purchased my first vintage Borsalino from a private sale. It's a short brim (shy of 2"), open crown hat with a very pleasant velour like touch to the felt and a chocolate brown color. The crown can be very easily shaped when dry.

I'm wondering what might be the model and age. The seller did not have any details. Anyone with an idea?

Best wishes
Ulrich from Düsseldorf, Germany

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hi guys,
I am new on this forum, so first a Hello into the round. A few days ago I have purchased my first vintage Borsalino from a private sale. It's a short brim (shy of 2"), open crown hat with a very pleasant velour like touch to the felt and a chocolate brown color. The crown can be very easily shaped when dry.
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I'm wondering what might be the model and age. The seller did not have any details. Anyone with an idea?

Best wishes
Ulrich from Düsseldorf, Germany

It’s a style that not everyone likes, but the felt on the Marque Gran Luxe (MGL) is a personal favorite. One of the more knowledgeable member can probably help you out with an age.
Welcome to the Lounge!

 

[steur]

Hi guys,
I am new on this forum, so first a Hello into the round. A few days ago I have purchased my first vintage Borsalino from a private sale. It's a short brim (shy of 2"), open crown hat with a very pleasant velour like touch to the felt and a chocolate brown color. The crown can be very easily shaped when dry.
View attachment 583290 View attachment 583291 View attachment 583292 View attachment 583293 View attachment 583294 View attachment 583295 View attachment 583296
I'm wondering what might be the model and age. The seller did not have any details. Anyone with an idea?

Best wishes
Ulrich from Düsseldorf, Germany

Welcome to the lounge. Not a bad way to start with Borsalinos. Like Brent said: the felt is wonderful on these Marque Grand Luxe hats. They no longer have a model name at this time. Mogano (mahogany) is the felt colour. This label we find on hats in the period 1972-1976.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

This is a new arrival. Aside from the size and the 2” wide brim, this is a glorious hat.