The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

Bill Hughes · Mar 23, 2017

alanfgag said:
Possibly late 1950s - 1960s. Second Lupo felt I've had the pleasure to see today.

What does the "Lupo" designate?

How about the "Nisso"?

Reading through the thread I am a bit confused about the naming convention of these hats. Is "Alessandria" the model or is it the city were it was made? Same for "Trionfo"?

alanfgag · Mar 23, 2017

Bill Hughes said:
What does the "Lupo" designate?

How about the "Nisso"?

Reading through the thread I am a bit confused about the naming convention of these hats. Is "Alessandria" the model or is it the city were it was made? Same for "Trionfo"?

The leftmost word in the manufacturing tag denotes the color of the felt - in this case "Lupo" > wolf. Borsalino used some wonderful descriptors for felt color - animals, metals... creative associations. The middle word denotes the ribbon color, if contrasting from the felt color (if not, a dash appears in this spot). Nizza or Nizzo - not sure of the reference. I believe that Nizza is the Italian name for the French city Nice?

The right most position on the tag was used for a model descriptor - often different than the model name imprinted on the hat's sweatband and perhaps the name used in marketing too. These words often defy translation. The word imprinted on the label for the style we refer to as "Alessandria" was sometimes L'udoela, sometimes Ta Ludora. Alessandra is the location of the Borsalino company and factory (it was relocated in the 1980s) and it was imprinted as a style indicator on a certain thin ribbon style similar to the Stetson Open Road. It is used by many here to identify that style, which remains in the line today. Trionfo (Triumph) is another descriptor which applies to a range of hats rather than a single style. "Colombo" is another in this broader category of styles. These are all marketing words which are tempting to use as if they were scientific categories. Care and a grain of salt is good to apply.

RJR · Mar 23, 2017

Bill Hughes said:
What does the "Lupo" designate?

How about the "Nisso"?

Reading through the thread I am a bit confused about the naming convention of these hats. Is "Alessandria" the model or is it the city were it was made? Same for "Trionfo"?

"Trionfo" translates roughly to"triumph".

Redfokker · Mar 24, 2017

alanfgag said:
The leftmost word in the manufacturing tag denotes the color of the felt - in this case "Lupo" > wolf. Borsalino used some wonderful descriptors for felt color - animals, metals... creative associations. The middle word denotes the ribbon color, if contrasting from the felt color (if not, a dash appears in this spot). Nizza or Nizzo - not sure of the reference. I believe that Nizza is the Italian name for the French city Nice?

The right most position on the tag was used for a model descriptor - often different than the model name imprinted on the hat's sweatband and perhaps the name used in marketing too. These words often defy translation. The word imprinted on the label for the style we refer to as "Alessandria" was sometimes L'udoela, sometimes Ta Ludora. Alessandra is the location of the Borsalino company and factory (it was relocated in the 1980s) and it was imprinted as a style indicator on a certain thin ribbon style similar to the Stetson Open Road. It is used by many here to identify that style, which remains in the line today. Trionfo (Triumph) is another descriptor which applies to a range of hats rather than a single style. "Colombo" is another in this broader category of styles. These are all marketing words which are tempting to use as if they were scientific categories. Care and a grain of salt is good to apply.

+1 thanks for this Alan.

Bill Hughes · Mar 24, 2017

Thanks I believe I understand now.

steur · Mar 25, 2017

My first entry in the esteemed brotherhood. I hope this one will get me admitted, so I don't want to take any chances. This one was listed as an Italian Hat by an elderly lady who got it from her then boyfriend as a gift (she probably didn't realise it must have been true love to receive a beautiful hat like this one). Paid 15 euros for it. Here's the thing though: I hardly wear it at all because it's so nice I don't want to risk staining it. Any of you have a hat like that?

belfastboy · Mar 25, 2017

steur said:
My first entry in the esteemed brotherhood. I hope this one will get me admitted, so I don't want to take any chances. This one was listed as an Italian Hat by an elderly lady who got it from her then boyfriend as a gift (she probably didn't realise it must have been true love to receive a beautiful hat like this one). Paid 15 euros for it. Here's the thing though: I hardly wear it at all because it's so nice I don't want to risk staining it. Any of you have a hat like that?

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This is a beautiful hat. Please wear it and enjoy it. Hats are made to be worn and enjoyed. Buy a hat brush and treat it well and it will last your a long time. Besides if it does get stained a good felt hat such as this can be cleaned and restored to its former glory. Wear and enjoy! I have 8 Borsalinos of varying vintages. I love them all. Some have been brought back to wonderful condition from what initially looked like imminent death.

Frunobulax · Mar 25, 2017

Agreed. I wear all of my hats. Some for more dressy and some for more casual, but they all get wear.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

steur · Mar 25, 2017

Thanks! I really should wear it more. Well as spring is here I think I'll dig it out of its box and take it out into the sun.

steur · Mar 25, 2017

This one I posted earlier in the homburg nation thread (full size images there). An early misto felt, tall crowned, wide brimmed homburg by borsalino. My guess is 1930's based on the handwritten label, but I cannot be sure. Beautiful smooth felt and in great shape for its age. This one does get regular wear.

belfastboy · Mar 25, 2017

steur said:
This one I posted earlier in the homburg nation thread (full size images there). An early misto felt, tall crowned, wide brimmed homburg by borsalino. My guess is 1930's based on the handwritten label, but I cannot be sure. Beautiful smooth felt and in great shape for its age. This one does get regular wear.

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This is an amazing hat.

steur · Mar 25, 2017

Thanks!

moontheloon · Mar 26, 2017

a couple really nice Borsalinos steur

Redfokker · Mar 26, 2017

Both of these Borsalinos are exemplary Steur. The Homburg has such a wonderful finish. Very impressive, and welcome to the Fray.

steur · Mar 26, 2017

Thanks guys for the kind comments and the welcome. I will be posting a lot more borsalinos. I did not save the best for last though; these are right there at the top end of my list, but I have some interesting ones left to show. Stay tuned.

steur · Mar 26, 2017

So here is a very nice longhair Borsalino in a blue colour (cobalto). Posted in the longhair thread as well. This is a modern borsalino, lightweight, soft like butter and it takes any form you desire. What more can you ask for? Size 57, 6 cm brim with underwelt edge. This is not an understated hat.

steur · Mar 26, 2017

Posted in the longhair thread as well. This one is a longhair Borsalino in a brown colour (melasso). This one had such nice felt you'd take it on your lap to pet it (or am I the only one doing that?). I had to let it go because it was way too large for me. Size 61, 5,5 cm brim with overwelt edge.

Gunloader55 · Apr 9, 2017

Like the vintage flat caps as much as the fedora.

Daniele Tanto · Apr 9, 2017

steur said:
This one I posted earlier in the homburg nation thread (full size images there). An early misto felt, tall crowned, wide brimmed homburg by borsalino. My guess is 1930's based on the handwritten label, but I cannot be sure. Beautiful smooth felt and in great shape for its age. This one does get regular wear.

I don't why but I missed this Lobbia Borsalino
E' fantastica and may be have already said it was made before the WWII
Il cappello della Domenica!

steur · Apr 9, 2017

Daniele, thank you. I was well pleased to win this one and even more when it fitted me perfectly. Sometimes the stars align...

The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

Bill Hughes

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RJR

Redfokker

Bill Hughes

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steur

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steur

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steur

steur

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Gunloader55

One of the Regulars

Daniele Tanto

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steur

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