The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[Daniele Tanto]

Thank you for this input. It is the type of information I had been looking for. I am aware that some information has been lost from the forums here over the years and, based upon my search for the Focisca 30, this hat may have been on of them, unless it was unnamed at the time it was posted.
The color on the hat is had to pick up without a quality camera and a photo rig, but it is a darker shade of green that is commonly called loden especially when seen it hats. I do not expect to come across a never-before seen hat of any major manufacturer, but certainly to add to the knowledge of my own collection and to keep a repository of information here for anyone in a similar position in the future is a worth goal.

You can take photos with your phone without any problems; the key is to use natural light outdoors.
Reflected light in the shade is the best.
The Borsalino Brotherhood is a goldmine of information, data, and photographs, and for Italian hats, the dedicated threads, are another source for understanding the evolution of the world's largest national hat industry.

 

[jeffgarf]

You can take photos with your phone without any problems; the key is to use natural light outdoors.
Reflected light in the shade is the best.
The Borsalino Brotherhood is a goldmine of information, data, and photographs, and for Italian hats, the dedicated threads, are another source for understanding the evolution of the world's largest national hat industry.

Seeing as my son is a professional photographer, you'd think I could do better than this. He's 8000 miles away and can't help me much.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Seeing as my son is a professional photographer, you'd think I could do better than this. He's 8000 miles away and can't help me much.

Jeff, I was, me too, for almost forty years an advertising photographer
This photo is fine because you could see weel the real colour in sun and shadow.
The Borsalino is really fine
Good luck for your son from and old analogical photographer

 

[jeffgarf]

Jeff, I was, me too, for almost forty years an advertising photographer
This photo is fine because you could see weel the real colour in sun and shadow.
The Borsalino is really fine
Good luck for your son from and old analogical photographer

Thank you, sir.

 

[Blackflame]

Just acquired this beauty off of Poshmark:

 

[jeffgarf]

Just acquired this beauty off of Poshmark:

Ah, the "Como," one of the best current ones out there (hopefully yours is pre-2017, all the better). Steam her up and she'll be good to go for years.

 

[Blackflame]

I sure hope so! I have heard that the quality of some of thier newer hats hasn't been that great.

Honestly, I only have 3 or 4 Borsalinos in my entire collection. So my knowledge on them is fairly limited.

I have some knowledge of thier history as a company (thier founding, how one of the founders relatives split to form his own hat company, etc.). I also know a little bit on dating them (with the size tag, logos, and liners). However, I am not an expert on Borsalino by any means and I still have a lot to learn.


That being said, I would love to know more about this hat (age, where it was made, etc.).

I have heard the Comos being talked about in the hat community a lot. So I am also interested in learning more about that particular model in general.

What makes the Como so special compared to other models of Borsalino? Is it just the quality and durability? Or is there something else unique about them that makes them different to other hats?


Like I said, I am not very knowledgable when it comes to Borsalino, so any information that I could get on them, or this hat would be very much appreciated.

 

[jeffgarf]

I sure hope so! I have heard that the quality of some of thier newer hats hasn't been that great.

Honestly, I only have 3 or 4 Borsalinos in my entire collection. So my knowledge on them is fairly limited.

I have some knowledge of thier history as a company (thier founding, how one of the founders relatives split to form his own hat company, etc.). I also know a little bit on dating them (with the size tag, logos, and liners). However, I am not an expert on Borsalino by any means and I still have a lot to learn.


That being said, I would love to know more about this hat (age, where it was made, etc.).

I have heard the Comos being talked about in the hat community a lot. So I am also interested in learning more about that particular model in general.

What makes the Como so special compared to other models of Borsalino? Is it just the quality and durability? Or is there something else unique about them that makes them different to other hats?


Like I said, I am not very knowledgable when it comes to Borsalino, so any information that I could get on them, or this hat would be very much appreciated.

From the owner of Bencraft Hats in Brooklyn - All Borsalino hats made since 1994 are dated on the white sticker under the lining.

Your Como would certainly qualify and this was true through recent times. In the lining, under the sweatband opposite the ribbon, should be a white tag. On the right side of the tag will be something that looks like a serial number. The first 2 digits of that alphanumeric combo is the date, for example 22 would be 2022. The Como was just the quintessential fedora that Borsalino made and sold in the US for many years. Most Borsalino hats were made in Italy (with certain well-known exceptions). For a US-sold hat, the sweatband will say "Made in Italy" next to the Borsalino logo. There is much more info in this thread that may be of interest to you and I suggest using the advanced search here to find other info. Enjoy the hat and good luck.

 

[Blackflame]

Thank you, I appreciate the information!

I checked under the sweatband like you said, and found the white tag. It says 11110504. So it looks like from what you were saying, this hat was made in 2011 and was sold in the U.S.

Meaning that this hat is one of the good quality hats that was made before Borsalino went bankrupt in 2017.

So this hat should last me for quite a while once I clean it up and steam it, which is good to know.


Thanks again for the information! It really did help me a lot!

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Meaning that this hat is one of the good quality hats that was made before Borsalino went bankrupt in 2017.

I'm convinced that the story of Borsalino's production quality, which deteriorated after 2017, is a false myth.
Every era of Borsalino production since the 1960s, with the changing ownership and the decline of the hat, has produced products—i.e. hats—that haven't lived up to the standards of production up until the 1960s. Even during the most difficult periods in the company's management, some production was and still is above average. I've just looked at the catalogs for Italian production and those for production for sale in the US, and there are pieces that are very expensive, but absolutely valuable.
This is the history of the Borsalino owner from Teresio Usuelli to the 2000s. Take note that every owner after the Borsalino family made the efforts to keep high the selling hats all over the world, except one, Marco Marenco, which drained money to cover losses from other businesses that had nothing to do with Borsalino.
You will find more on the Borsalino Brotherhood

Upon the death of Teresio Borsalino, who led the company from 1900 to 1939, he was succeeded by Teresio Usuelli, grandson of Rosa Borsalino, sister of Giovanni. Usuelli led the company until 1979, when he was succeeded by Vittorio Vaccarino, grandson of Paola Borsalino, sister of Senator Teresio. In the early 1990s, Borsalino was purchased by the Gallo and Monticone families of Asti, and production was transferred to a new factory in Spinetta Marengo. In 1997, the historic hat factory Sabino d'Oria e figli of Lecce was purchased and Borsalino Sud was established. In 1998, Borsalino America Inc. was established, and in 2007, Borsalino Japan[13].

Despite the changes in ownership, the situation gradually worsened; Even the attempt to use the brand in other sectors, such as perfumes[14], eyewear[15], clothing[16], helmets[17], watches[18], and jewelry, failed to avoid a request for preventive settlement with the company involved in the €3 billion financial collapse of entrepreneur Marco Marenco.[19]

The procedure was then transformed into a "concordato in continuity" in 2016, and the company has since been managed by Haeres Equita, a fund owned by Italian and foreign investors[20][21][22] with Italian-Swiss entrepreneur Philippe Camperio as its executive president.

In 2017, on the occasion of the company's 160th anniversary, the Ministry of Economic Development recognized Borsalino among the Excellences of the production system, dedicating a €0.95 stamp to it.[23][24]

On December 18, 2017, the Alessandria Bankruptcy Court rejected a second request for a preventive composition with creditors and declared Borsalino Giuseppe e Fratello Spa bankrupt.[25][26]

Haeres Equita, holder of a business lease agreement, guarantees the continuity of activities regarding the production, promotion, and distribution of Borsalino collections, maintaining the manufacturing plant and employees in Alessandria.[27] On July 12, 2018, at an auction conducted by the bankruptcy trustees, Haeres Equita won Borsalino for €6.4 million, along with the Spinetta factory, 130 employment contracts, and the rights to the nine retail boutiques.

 

[steur]

The rest of the hat Loden green. . .

View attachment 721869 View attachment 721870
View attachment 721867 View attachment 721868 View attachment 721871 View attachment 721872

Very cool find, Jeff. Not much to add to what @Daniele Tanto has already said. The M. Vite colour has been seen before, but I had no model name of Focisca 39 in the archives. And I do think it is 39 and not 30. The model names with numbers added range from 36 to 44 1/2.
The western style hat was likely an effort by Borsalino to have their own version of the popular Stratoliner and Open Road style hats. Ludoela is a common model for those.

 

[TheEnglishSwede]

I think that it is now time for me to apply for membership to the brotherhood.

I found the hat to the right advertised fairly locally on the internet, the measurement was a tad too small for me but I thought for the price I'd take the risk and have a go at stretching. It was priced at 250 swedish crowns (Approximately 22 EUR, 25 USD or four happy meals and a few extra french fries.)

After the automated purchase, the seller massaged me about the hat to the left and wanted to know if i wanted 'an identical hat' for 100 swedish crowns (approximately 9 EUR, 10 USD or just under two happy meals), well I couldn't say no.

Within a few days they arrived, I found that there were some cork inserts behind the sweat band, and they fit nicely. Then began my investigations on this thread.

Here are both hats together

And a close up to hopefully show the differences in colours, the one to the left is very slightly darker. Also beautiful over welted edges on both, however the hat to the left is of a higher quality or craftmanship.

As I'm new to hats, I think that I'll leave my little collection as is for now. I do have a grey voyager trillby from Lock and Co, as with these Borsalinos I was lucky to find that, but it is a tad to small and needs re-blocking to make it nice on me. These two should maybe also have a little work on the crowns, but I'm happy with them for now.

I tested one of these the other night when I met my wife in the local village, and she didn't realise that I had acquired something new, so just for now my collection is safe and not being questioned.

 

[TheEnglishSwede]

So hat 1 the hat to the right

Brim is 6,5 cm or 2-17/32 inches
crown is at 9,5 cm or 3-3/4 inches
open is 14 cm or 5-1/2 inches

Text reads
Impermeabile, roughly translated from french as Insurmontable

Text reads:
Plassard
Lyon
Importé D'Italis

My initial investigations show that Plassard closed in 1996.

Labels reads:
1Z054 38414
Condor Caunosca
Sized at 5 1/2
Qualita Esportazione
I'm dating it between 1954 and 1960.

Weighs in a 94 grammes.

Overall I'm pleased with it, there is a slight stain on the front of the crown, I might try removing it, but I have only just now noticed it in the sun when I was taking photos, so long term it might only be an issue for me.

 

[TheEnglishSwede]

And now for hat 2, the hat to the left in my previous post.

Brim is 6 cm or 2-3/8 inches
Crown is 9 cm or 3-9/16 inches
Open it is approximately 14 cm or 5-1/2 inches

Text reads:
Plassard
Lyon
Importé D'Italis

Label reads:
2Z228 42422B
Aterla Cecosca
Sized at 5 1/2
Qualita Esportazione
I'm dating it between 1954 and 1960.

Weighs in at 86 grammes.

The number 6 or 9 is visible on the inside of the sweatband her and at the front

There are also a few chalk marks, presumably from the factory, I only found these whilst taking the photos,
Read maybe 39 and 54 ? also the threads holding the hatband are rather long visible.

For what I paid for this hat I'm very happy, there are a few places where moths have had a little snack, however unless if you looking at the right angle, they aren't noticeable.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Condor Caunosca
Sized at 5 1/2
Qualita Esportazione
Impermeabile, roughly translated from french as Insurmontable

Impermeabile, roughly translated from french as Insurmontable

Aterla Cecosca
Sized at 5 1/2
Qualita Esportazione

Condor is the color
Caunosca is the type of model used as specified by Borsalino, but not used in marketing.

Sized at 5 1/2 is the size expressed in French ancient way to size. It is equivalent to 58 centimeters in Europe.

"Qualita Esportazione" was a term used to indicate that it was of quality suitable for export. A simple marketing ploy.

"Impermeabile", roughly translated from French as Insurmontable
It is an Italian word that in French is "impermeable". The Romance languages are similar.

Aterla = AVERLA is the color. Cecosca is the model.
Sized at 5 1/2 = 58 centimeters, the size
Qualita Esportazione. See above.

The crowns can be adjusted and cleaned with steam and a hat brush.

 

[Steve1857]

And now for hat 2, the hat to the left in my previous post.

View attachment 723548

Brim is 6 cm or 2-3/8 inches
Crown is 9 cm or 3-9/16 inches
Open it is approximately 14 cm or 5-1/2 inches


View attachment 723546

View attachment 723549

View attachment 723550

View attachment 723552

View attachment 723553
Text reads:
Plassard
Lyon
Importé D'Italis


View attachment 723555
Label reads:
2Z228 42422B
Aterla Cecosca
Sized at 5 1/2
Qualita Esportazione
I'm dating it between 1954 and 1960.

Weighs in at 86 grammes.

The number 6 or 9 is visible on the inside of the sweatband her and at the front

View attachment 723551
There are also a few chalk marks, presumably from the factory, I only found these whilst taking the photos,
Read maybe 39 and 54 ? also the threads holding the hatband are rather long visible.

For what I paid for this hat I'm very happy, there are a few places where moths have had a little snack, however unless if you looking at the right angle, they aren't noticeable.

Welcome to the Brotherhood, EnglishSwede. Two really nice Borsalino finds.

I can't really add much to what Daniele has already said, and I'm sure Stefan @steur will chip in with his expert knowledge on the dating of Borsalino hats.

I can, though, just add that impermeabile means impermeable in English, which means it's rainproof. I wouldn't wear it in a storm though

Congrats on the finds.

 

[Blackflame]

Just came across a once in a life time find at my local antique store that was like a dream come true.

A Borsalino, "Diamante II" Beaver Felt, Black, in my size 7 & 1/4.

Got it for a pretty good steal too, at $65. Which isn't too bad considering the rarity of these hats.

I almost cried when my mom made me leave it behind last night. However, I threw such a big temper tantrum about it that she finally agreed to go back and get it for me as a birthday present.

Unfortunately, my birthday is a couple of months away, so it will be sitting in the stetson box downstairs for just a little longer before I can actually get the chance to wear it.

Thankfully, she agreed to let me take some pictures of it to post here on the lounge before I packed it away:

 

[Daniele Tanto]

A Borsalino, "Diamante II" Beaver Felt, Black, in my size 7 & 1/4.

Got it for a pretty good steal too, at $65. Which isn't too bad considering the rarity of these hats.

I'm sorry Blackflame to inform your "Diamante" is not a beaver felt.
In Borsalino classification Beaver (Biver for Borsalino) it is always marked either on the sweatband or on the paper labels.
"Diamante" it is a line of models that belonging to the Augusta family, a marketing name such as "Trionfo" or "Qualità Extra Superiore"

 

[steur]

And now for hat 2, the hat to the left in my previous post.

View attachment 723548

Brim is 6 cm or 2-3/8 inches
Crown is 9 cm or 3-9/16 inches
Open it is approximately 14 cm or 5-1/2 inches


View attachment 723546

View attachment 723549

View attachment 723550

View attachment 723552

View attachment 723553
Text reads:
Plassard
Lyon
Importé D'Italis


View attachment 723555
Label reads:
2Z228 42422B
Aterla Cecosca
Sized at 5 1/2
Qualita Esportazione
I'm dating it between 1954 and 1960.

Weighs in at 86 grammes.

The number 6 or 9 is visible on the inside of the sweatband her and at the front

View attachment 723551
There are also a few chalk marks, presumably from the factory, I only found these whilst taking the photos,
Read maybe 39 and 54 ? also the threads holding the hatband are rather long visible.

For what I paid for this hat I'm very happy, there are a few places where moths have had a little snack, however unless if you looking at the right angle, they aren't noticeable.

Two really nice finds and for the price you can't go wrong. Congrats. Not much to add to what the others have said already. "Aterla" as a colour is new and I'll add it to the database. I do agree with @Daniele Tanto though that it likely was supposed to be "Averla" which we've seen many times before. The dating of 1954-1960 is spot on.

 

[Blackflame]

I'm sorry Blackflame to inform your "Diamante" is not a beaver felt.
In Borsalino classification Beaver (Biver for Borsalino) it is always marked either on the sweatband or on the paper labels.
"Diamante" it is a line of models that belonging to the Augusta family, a marketing name such as "Trionfo" or "Qualità Extra Superiore"

Ah, I see....

Thank you for the information.

I guess I was so excited about getting the hat, that I must have misread the "EULA BAYER" on the size tag as "EULA BEAVER". I had no idea that Borsalino had thier own term for beaver, so that is good to know.

Speaking of which, does anyone here on the brotherhood know what "EULA BAYER" means? I am still fairly new to Borsalino, so anything I can learn about them is greatly appreciated.


Thanks!

-Blackflame