The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[quikrick]

Yeah, from this...

...to this!

Gumby says HI, but if you look closely, the block heads are flipping you off (trouble makers).

 

[Blare]

Yeah, from this...
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...to this!
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Gumby says HI, but if you look closely, the block heads are flipping you off (trouble makers).

Tremendous!!

 

[jeffgarf]

So, I am sure this is not "vintage", but I recently picked up this Borsalino from a very willing seller, shown as a "Conti". I know every original seller can rename the hats they sell from Borsalino, as they wish, but I do not see any mention of a "Conti" anywhere on the web. The sweatband shows Imperiale, which leads me to believe that it is beaver fur, and there is no white tag under the lining, leading me to believe it is of very recent vintage. Does anyone see anything that would clue them in on what this hat would have been called by Borsalino or what it would have sold for? I think I posted everything I could find of relevance. TIA

 

[steur]

So, I am sure this is not "vintage", but I recently picked up this Borsalino from a very willing seller, shown as a "Conti". I know every original seller can rename the hats they sell from Borsalino, as they wish, but I do not see any mention of a "Conti" anywhere on the web. The sweatband shows Imperiale, which leads me to believe that it is beaver fur, and there is no white tag under the lining, leading me to believe it is of very recent vintage. Does anyone see anything that would clue them in on what this hat would have been called by Borsalino or what it would have sold for? I think I posted everything I could find of relevance. TIA

Looks like a modern one, judging by the liner. I believe some American retailers asked for names to be put on the sweatband, so it would be easier to distinguish between models. Delmonico Hatter and Henry the Hatter both do this. Don't think I've seen "conti" before though. If it was beaver it would be more prominent on the hat. Regardless you're looking at a $400 hat easy. So a win for sure.

 

[Olumin]

Ill post this one here aswell. Vintage Borsalino that just came in a few days ago. Great condition and cleaned up very easily. Just a few creases in the crown that needed some steam. I tried to match the colours of the photos to how I see them in person.

If you look closely there’s a small grease stain in the front, but Ill leave it be. Its not noticeable and chances are sanding wont remove it.

From the label I know its pre 60s, my guess is late 50s. Model is TA/LUDORA, what the other label means I dont know. Experts feel free to chime in! Interestingly none of the typical "Gran Lusso" type markings on the sweatband.

I think its a great looking, authentic hat from that era. Just the plastic cracked a bit. Compared to my early/mid 60s Borsalino, the felt here is much nicer and softer. Better proportions too. I kept the original diamond "four finger" crease. I paid €50 and for that its a great score and will certainly get worn.

 

[steur]

Ill post this one here aswell. Vintage Borsalino that just came in a few days ago. Great condition and cleaned up very easily. Just a few creases in the crown that needed some steam. I tried to match the colours of the photos to how I see them in person.
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If you look closely there’s a small grease stain in the front, but Ill leave it be. Its not noticeable and chances are sanding wont remove it.

From the label I know its pre 60s, my guess is late 50s. Model is TA/LUDORA, what the other label means I dont know. Experts feel free to chime in! Interestingly none of the typical "Gran Lusso" type markings on the sweatband.

I think its a great looking, authentic hat from that era. Just the plastic cracked a bit. Compared to my early/mid 60s Borsalino, the felt here is much nicer and softer. Better proportions too. I kept the original diamond "four finger" crease. I paid €50 and for that its a great score and will certainly get worn.

Cool find and a great looking hat. The other label is probably put in by a retailer at some point. The fact that they used a staple to do it is grounds for a severe flogging.

 

[jeffgarf]

Looks like a modern one, judging by the liner. I believe some American retailers asked for names to be put on the sweatband, so it would be easier to distinguish between models. Delmonico Hatter and Henry the Hatter both do this. Don't think I've seen "conti" before though. If it was beaver it would be more prominent on the hat. Regardless you're looking at a $400 hat easy. So a win for sure.

So, I heard from Steve at Bencraft, a former member here, that he says the hat was a Bollman-made Borsalino from the '90's. Based on the fact that the hat does not actually say "Made in Italy" on any of it's markings, I think he is correct. I still do not have any clarification on the "Imperiale" marking, however. Though there send to be a lot of negative sentiment about these, vis a vis them being "Borsalino" branded, I must say, it is a very nice felt and wears very well. Is certainly say worth more that I paid, regardless of it's actual place of manufacture.