The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[Zombie_61]

Traded this a long time a ago with @PanosChris and this week it made it back to me from my hatter (long story). I thought it would look much better with a grosgrain ribbon, instead of the felted ribbon it came with. I'm happy wit the results.
Borsalino MGL Deliaspo in a brown colour called Muflone. Size 57 with the underwelt brim at 7cm and the crown at 11cm at the center dent. Gorgeous chamois felt we've come to expect from the MGL hats.

With its original felted ribbon.

I have to say, replacing the felt ribbon with Grosgrain was a great idea! Maybe because I'm not a fan of felt ribbons, but between the color, the width, and the texture, the new ribbon takes it from a "kick around" hat to at least semi-dress. So much nicer!

 

[steur]

I have to say, replacing the felt ribbon with Grosgrain was a great idea! Maybe because I'm not a fan of felt ribbons, but between the color, the width, and the texture, the new ribbon takes it from a "kick around" hat to at least semi-dress. So much nicer!

Thank you, Alex. Felt ribbons are hard to pull off; they rarely work on hats. This was the better option for this hat.

 

[jeffgarf]

I found a "new" model of not-entirely clear vintage tonight. For $30, a local gentleman sold me this Borsalino Rapallo II. He is moving and had no one to give it to. I have seen information on the Rapallo, with dates given anywhere from the 1960's to the 1980's, but never the Rapallo II. I am including a picture of the white label. The hat is of local interest here in the Tampa Bay area because it is from Ermatinger's, a locally-known but now-defunct St. Petersburg hat store/haberdashery that still has a mural up in St. Pete. I believe the store closed after a fire in 1979 (ruling out the 1980's for the vintage).
As someone who owns several Borsalinos, pre and post 2017, I can report that the fur is everything it is advertised to be and, unlike the 1950's vintage Borsalino I posted here previously, but gave as a gift to a friend it would fit, my heirs will have to pry this one from my cold, dead hands.

 

[Beren]

Borsalino experts, would you please date this Borsalino homburg for me. Thank you.

 

[Pellie]

Borsalino experts, would you please date this Borsalino homburg for me. Thank you.

I'm not the expert, but my guess, according to the label, lining and sizesticker, is late '80's, early '90's. Correct me if i'm wrong! Cool hat though!

 

[steur]

Borsalino experts, would you please date this Borsalino homburg for me. Thank you.

I'm not the expert, but my guess, according to the label, lining and sizesticker, is late '80's, early '90's. Correct me if i'm wrong! Cool hat though!

What Marcel said. These labels we find from 1984 until 1993 and that's as close as we are going to get. Cool looking homburg.

 

[Beren]

My thanks to Pellie and Steur who dated my homburg. I knew I could get accurate Info from the Borsalino brotherhood.

 

[Beren]

I do not know if this is within the forum rules (if not, admins please delete), but I just wanted to share with the Brotherhood that I am selling on eBay the homburg I posted here a few days ago (see above). Age and health compels me to reduce the number of hats in my collection. Here’s the link:

https://ebay.us/m/bE6ZMB

 

[steur]

Borsalino fedora in a light brown colour which somehow got labelled as "palladio" by Borsalino (which is a metallic grey). Size 57 with the raw edge brim at 5,5cm and the crown at 10cm at the center dent. Nice thin felt and it only weighs 90 grams. Qualitá superlativa. Can't make out on the label what the ribbon colour is supposed to be.

 

[steur]

Borsalino fedora in a brown colour called "China" (no tariff added). Size 57 with the raw edge brim at 5cm and the crown at 10cm at the center dent. Very comfortable hat but alas the sweatband is coming awy from the reed and the liner has lost most of its cellophane covering. Very nice shark gill bow on this one. Weighs 103 grams.

 

[Pellie]

Borsalino Nutria in black. 100% mint condition. Arpasti 38.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Borsalino Nutria in black. 100% mint condition. Arpasti 38.
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One of the finest softest felts i ever felt. Unlike any other. Enjoy
B

 

[Pellie]

One of the finest softest felts i ever felt. Unlike any other. Enjoy
B

Thank you. Yes, great felt. I own 3 of them now. This black one, a brown one and a grey one!

 

[Steve1857]

Borsalino Nutria in black. 100% mint condition. Arpasti 38.
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Super find, Marcel. Congrats.

 

[Pellie]

Super find, Marcel. Congrats.

Thanks Steve!!

 

[jeffgarf]

Borsalino Nutria in black. 100% mint condition. Arpasti 38.
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One of my Holy Grail (excuse the mixed religious metaphors) hats from a Jewish religious perspective. I am hoping to have one made of I cannot find a vintage ones of my own. Great find!

 

[Pellie]

One of my Holy Grail (excuse the mixed religious metaphors) hats from a Jewish religious perspective. I am hoping to have one made of I cannot find a vintage ones of my own. Great find!

Thanks Jeff. One day you will find one!

 

[Rollin Rains]

I've read a considerable portion of this thread, and I still haven't been able to wrap my head around dating and quality grading of Borsalinos. They all seem like classics to me.

I just picked this one up on eBay.
Is there any information anyone could share with me???
As always, you all are greatly appreciated.

R.R.

 

[steur]

I've read a considerable portion of this thread, and I still haven't been able to wrap my head around dating and quality grading of Borsalinos. They all seem like classics to me.

I just picked this one up on eBay.
Is there any information anyone could share with me???
As always, you all are greatly appreciated.

R.R.
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Nice find. The dating bit we've have a good idea of (except for the really old ones - think turn of the last century). So this one is from the 1961-1972 time period. We've also figured out that the quality designation was down to the retailer to decide: sweatband imprint and liner were for them to decide. It's not uncommon to find two different quality designations on sweatband and liner. Then we have the felt desiginations (lontra, martora, castoro, nutria, etc.) which do have a meaning where felt content is concerned, but just how much of what goes into the felt remains a factory secret. And finally we have the product line designation, like Marque Grand Luxe, Trionfo, Augusta, etc) which sometimes refer to certain styles of hats, or certain finishes, but not always. Most of it seems to be just marketing.

 

[Rollin Rains]

Nice find. The dating bit we've have a good idea of (except for the really old ones - think turn of the last century). So this one is from the 1961-1972 time period. We've also figured out that the quality designation was down to the retailer to decide: sweatband imprint and liner were for them to decide. It's not uncommon to find two different quality designations on sweatband and liner. Then we have the felt desiginations (lontra, martora, castoro, nutria, etc.) which do have a meaning where felt content is concerned, but just how much of what goes into the felt remains a factory secret. And finally we have the product line designation, like Marque Grand Luxe, Trionfo, Augusta, etc) which sometimes refer to certain styles of hats, or certain finishes, but not always. Most of it seems to be just marketing.

Thanks for the information. You've been very gracious.
It's nice to have friends that appreciate such things.