The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[jeffgarf]

Nice. I think you are right 80's 90's. More specific '84 - '93 with the 6 digits on the label.
But just for me: whats a Borsalino Vivax?

@besdor (Steven Goldstein of Bencraft Hats in Brooklyn, still active on FB) remembered the hat and the name. I'd never heard of it before, but I may reach back out to him if no one here is familiar.

 

[Pellie]

@besdor (Steven Goldstein of Bencraft Hats on Brooklyn, still active on FB) remembered the hat and the name. I'd never heard of it before, but I may reach back out to him if no one here is familiar.

I know Daniele has post 1 before, but i never understood where Vivax is stands for. Maybe the heather felt? The word Vivax is not printed in the hat or something.

 

[jeffgarf]

I know Daniele has post 1 before, but i never understood where Vivax is stands for. Maybe the heather felt? The word Vivax is not printed in the hat or something.

I found a French document on French Hat making, including Borsalino, that I had never seen before. In preparing the translation, I came across this.

Translation of the key Vivax passage: “Vivax (unshorn felt, distributed in Germany).

Edit: File attached to post for those interested.

 

[Gareth]

Nice. I think you are right 80's 90's. More specific '84 - '93 with the 6 digits on the label.
But just for me: whats a Borsalino Vivax?

It is some kind of long haired version, rabbit hair, beyond that I do not know much, seems warm and fuzzy

 

[EL-Jimenez74]

Ok, now I see what the hype is around vintage Borsalino’s. I love this hat I just received! The felt is soft, but holds its shape. The brim is the same, soft, malleable and holds its curves just right. Big, big fan!! Borsalino Ghiaccio from the early 60’s or maybe late 50’s.

 

[Judgmentalist]

I got this one in yesterday. It’s a very odd Borsalino, for me at least. I bought it because it was cheap, I like heathered felt, and I think the ribbon is cool — oh, and at a punti 6 it theoretically fits me, though if I were to wear it, it would need some encouragement in this regard.

I’ve found a couple similar examples posted in this thread, one by @DaveProc and another by @Daniele Tanto.

Daniele refers to his as a mix of wool and fur felt. That would not surprise me here. This one has none of the structural integrity I normally associate with fur-felt hats. The felt is completely malleable — almost cloth-like — but at the same time it is surprisingly difficult to get it to hold a wearable shape. Neither of the other two examples I mentioned appeared to share that particular problem.

The color is Bruma, a very dark heathered gray that can read almost black depending on the light. The ribbon is one of the things that sold me on it: a wide vintage woven ribbon with a lot more visual interest than the usual grosgrain treatment.

The hat is essentially unlined except for the small crown-tip patch, which appears original, though I can’t discern any information in the smear that remains of its print. The sweat is marked “Borsalino – Grand Prix Paris 1900 – Antica Casa Fondata Nel 1857.”

Based on the factory sticker, I am currently assuming this hat is from the 1950s.

It is definitely not one of the more elegant or cooperative Borsalinos I own, but it is interesting. The combination of the Bruma heathered felt, unusual ribbon, minimal lining, and almost complete lack of structure makes it unlike anything else I have.

What do you guys think?

“Bruma” Borsalino (overwelt brim)

 

[Daniele Tanto]

I got this one in yesterday. It’s a very odd Borsalino, for me at least. I bought it because it was cheap, I like heathered felt, and I think the ribbon is cool — oh, and at a punti 6 it theoretically fits me, though if I were to wear it, it would need some encouragement in this regard.

I’ve found a couple similar examples posted in this thread, one by @DaveProc and another by @Daniele Tanto.

Daniele refers to his as a mix of wool and fur felt. That would not surprise me here. This one has none of the structural integrity I normally associate with fur-felt hats. The felt is completely malleable — almost cloth-like — but at the same time it is surprisingly difficult to get it to hold a wearable shape. Neither of the other two examples I mentioned appeared to share that particular problem.

The color is Bruma, a very dark heathered gray that can read almost black depending on the light. The ribbon is one of the things that sold me on it: a wide vintage woven ribbon with a lot more visual interest than the usual grosgrain treatment.

The hat is essentially unlined except for the small crown-tip patch, which appears original, though I can’t discern any information in the smear that remains of its print. The sweat is marked “Borsalino – Grand Prix Paris 1900 – Antica Casa Fondata Nel 1857.”

Based on the factory sticker, I am currently assuming this hat is from the 1950s.

It is definitely not one of the more elegant or cooperative Borsalinos I own, but it is interesting. The combination of the Bruma heathered felt, unusual ribbon, minimal lining, and almost complete lack of structure makes it unlike anything else I have.

What do you guys think?

“Bruma” Borsalino (overwelt brim)
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"Bruma" translates to "Mist" in English. The hat is a blend of wool and fur; that specific type of felt with colored tufts is achieved through that particular manufacturing process. I have a couple of "new" ones, typically featuring Dolomite-inspired colors. Sometime, due it form and felt, is more waearable than other Borsalino

 

[jeffgarf]

Not my hat, but I'm curious. Do we think this is similar to the 1990's era Bollman made Borsalino hats made in the USA or the South American made ones from earlier? Does anyone have any information on who the maker might be?

A rarity? A curiosity? Your thoughts?

Edit: something similar had been discussed before

Post in thread 'G.B.Borsalino Fu Lazzaro & C. <1936' https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/g-b-borsalino-fu-lazzaro-c-1936.53129/post-2704632
But it appears no conclusion was reached then. This is also different in that it is a Fu Lazzaro, not a di Lazzaro.

 

[hambone71]

I’ll document my first and only, but not last, Borsalino here. I don’t know a lot about it, but it’ll be fun learning more about this iconic Italian brand! This lightweight felt is in wonderful condition. The sweat has been repaired at some point but is very secure. Hopefully, some can chime in with some knowledge on this one. Thanks in advance!

 

[jeffgarf]

I’ll document my first and only, but not last, Borsalino here. I don’t know a lot about it, but it’ll be fun learning more about this iconic Italian brand! This lightweight felt is in wonderful condition. The sweat has been repaired at some point but is very secure. Hopefully, some can chime in with some knowledge on this one. Thanks in advance!
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Love it! Based upon the dating information complied by @steur, it appears the hat could be placed in a date range from 1936 to 1952.

 

[hambone71]

Joe, @Blare asked a few days ago if it might be a Gorsagu. Could this be was is printed on this sticker? It’s faded, but resembles that word. Perhaps a model name???

 

[hambone71]

Love it! Based upon the dating information complied by @steur, it appears the hat could be placed in a date range from 1936 to 1952.

Thanks, Jeff! I’m proud to have it!

 

[jeffgarf]

Joe, @Blare asked a few days ago if it might be a Gorsagu. Could this be was is printed on this sticker? It’s faded, but resembles that word. Perhaps a model name??? View attachment 814364

It is and it does seem to be one. You can see other examples in the thread here with a quick search.

The other word, on the other side of the label, which I cannot make out at all, would be the color name Borsalino used.

 

[hambone71]

It is and it does seem to be one. You can see other examples in the thread here with a quick search.

Thanks again, Jeff! I’ll be devoting some time today going through this thread and researching. That is, if I can find some peace today. Peace seems hard to come by lately!

 

[steur]

I’ll document my first and only, but not last, Borsalino here. I don’t know a lot about it, but it’ll be fun learning more about this iconic Italian brand! This lightweight felt is in wonderful condition. The sweat has been repaired at some point but is very secure. Hopefully, some can chime in with some knowledge on this one. Thanks in advance!
View attachment 814351 View attachment 814352 View attachment 814353 View attachment 814354 View attachment 814355 View attachment 814356 View attachment 814357 View attachment 814358 View attachment 814359 View attachment 814360

Thanks for posting these, Phil. Interesting label the number on the top is 966P, which would suggest it is a Ta/Ludora model, which it is not. So far this number only appears on those models, but this is Borsalino, not an exact science. The color name bottom left is most likely Lino (linnen) and the model name as far as I can see is indeed Gorasgu. That model, with its generous proportions and attractive form did come with different brim edge variants: felted is very common, but there are examples that were bound, overwelted or raw edged. Very nice.

 

[hambone71]

Thanks for posting these, Phil. Interesting label the number on the top is 966P, which would suggest it is a Ta/Ludora model, which it is not. So far this number only appears on those models, but this is Borsalino, not an exact science. The color name bottom left is most likely Lino (linnen) and the model name as far as I can see is indeed Gorasgu. That model, with its generous proportions and attractive did come with different brim edge variants: felted is very common, but there are examples that were bound, overwelted or raw edged. Very nice.

Thank you for shedding some light, Stefan! I’m studying up on Borsa today.

 

[Blare]

Joe, @Blare asked a few days ago if it might be a Gorsagu. Could this be was is printed on this sticker? It’s faded, but resembles that word. Perhaps a model name??? View attachment 814364

Cool. And I think I may have miss-typed Gorasgu

 

[Gareth]

New hat, purchased from Ukraine, originally sold in Italy. With a 5cm double-stitched over welt brim and 9cm at the crown crease, it is a 66-75 era in a color I don't believe had been listed before, a Magnesio with an asfalto hatband. I would have thought perhaps a misto felt, but it is certainly a longer hair velour, in Qualitá Extra Superiore.

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@steur not sure if it's categorized as a metal or gray color according to your existing system? Of course, the asfalto is listed as an existing color.

Outstanding hat and the qualia extra superiore, as you will know, is really something. I imagine it is soft and supple too.