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- 18,936
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Vanzina Farmer. 6” open crown and a 4” wide brim measured before the curl.
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Italian brands hats
- Thread starter Chepstow
- Start date
Brasiliano in grey brown (can't tell you the colour name). Sold as a size 54, but turns out to fit me exactly, so in reality a size 56. Raw edge brim at 5cm and the crown at 10cm at the center dent. Weighs 98 grams.
So why a hidden gem? I found a Brasiliano hat before and it turned to be a Borsalino hat, branded that way likely to both corner the market and evade tariffs. This one has lost its label (the last sliver of it can be seen in the last pic), but it has all the hallmarks of a Borsalino. I'll take that for €3, thank you very much.
The brand seems to have been moved around a bit: I have found another one that was likely made by Cervo.
So why a hidden gem? I found a Brasiliano hat before and it turned to be a Borsalino hat, branded that way likely to both corner the market and evade tariffs. This one has lost its label (the last sliver of it can be seen in the last pic), but it has all the hallmarks of a Borsalino. I'll take that for €3, thank you very much.
The brand seems to have been moved around a bit: I have found another one that was likely made by Cervo.
Brasiliano hats are truly an enigma worth going down the rabbit hole to explore.
I believe I aquired this one via Stefan who aquired it via Daniele.
Is it a Borsalino or Cervo, pre- or post war or just a wonderful Tenisci?
PanosChris
Practically Family
- Messages
- 973
Fantastic! The style, looks and even felt finish reminds me of my Barbisio classic, again from Daniele! As with mine, it could be one of those 50s remakes of older styles.
Fairly certain it was made by Cervo, because the label is identical. Hard to tell though when it was made; the style is so different from the common fedora or homburg hats of the post-war period.
Fairly certain it was made by Cervo, because the label is identical. Hard to tell though when it was made; the style is so different from the common fedora or homburg hats of the post-war period.
View attachment 376963 [/QUOTE
The label is not identical. It is written. Daniele posted in his original post that this was pre war
PanosChris
Practically Family
- Messages
- 973
The plastic liner cover keeps confusing though...whatever it is, it's a unique hat!
Mean Eyed Matt
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,104
- Location
- Germany
WOW, that one's so cool, Steve!
Really a beautiful example of a style remake
- no matter under what name it was sold at some point.
Daniele Tanto
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,115
- Location
- Verona - Italia
The hat is in all respects a Tenisci. The felt was produced by the "Cappellificio Cervo" for the "Brasiliano" brand.
Alfonso Tenisci gave form and substance to this ensemble, probably on the orders of a client who wanted to have a "different" hat. Below you will find the quote of his apprenticeship in Milan and surroundings by Sergio Anzani hat maker and owner of the Melegari hat shop in Milan A thought and thanks go to all the master hatters from whom I learned this ancient profession. In particular to Franco De Toffoli, hatter of Novate Milanese, who has unfortunately no longer been with us for some time, to the master hatter Alfonso Tenisci from whom I did a real apprenticeship in his workshop in via Vitruvio in Milan, to dear Gianni Sala, historic hatter from Monza, for the help and necessary equipment passed on to me. Thanks also to my friend Sergio Fiori who "has the hat in his blood", to the young hatter Luca Mauri, to the great master Malegori of Monza an authentic "mad hatter" and to the masters Pino, Giorgio and Marco Vimercati, the last bastions of a "world" in danger of extinction.
Thanks for the clarification, Daniele. Wonderful quote.
A bit of sleuthing got me here to post this. I have a few hats in my collection (well, more than a few) that are of unknown branding or shop-branding. For example I have listed below these:
Capello Vaso for J. Pul of Amsterdam
And this one: Baronet Nutria
I had always thought the Capello Vaso to have been made by Borsalino. Shape, style and felt seemed to point in that direction. Noticing they do in fact have the same label made me search further and I ended up with this maker:
Vanzina.
The layout of the label is exactly the same and the hats have a similar feel to them once set side by side. The idea that Borsalino was the maker wasn't too far fetched though, as they bought the Vanzina factory post WWII and they used Vanzina for their own production on occasion as well.
Capello Vaso for J. Pul of Amsterdam
And this one: Baronet Nutria
I had always thought the Capello Vaso to have been made by Borsalino. Shape, style and felt seemed to point in that direction. Noticing they do in fact have the same label made me search further and I ended up with this maker:
Vanzina.
The layout of the label is exactly the same and the hats have a similar feel to them once set side by side. The idea that Borsalino was the maker wasn't too far fetched though, as they bought the Vanzina factory post WWII and they used Vanzina for their own production on occasion as well.
Nice sleuthing, Stefan. Borsalino by proxy I'd say.
Thanks, Steve. They did go for quality hats to sell under the Kingson brand for sure.
Daniele Tanto
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,115
- Location
- Verona - Italia
When it appeared on the market, I checked my conscience, asking myself: how many black velour hats did you have in your hands without them being your size?
I was, however, attracted to a black velour hat made by a Milanese hatter I had never heard of.
Usually these are hats that were produced in Central Europe. This is a rarity because it has a very dense and well woven felt (probably sourced from Central Europe market) and a first-rate craftsmanship.
No other indication other than a mark that I saw in a couple of hats found in Mantua "Qualità Extra" printed in gold on a sweatband with bas-relief inserts.
The internal measurements of this "Gran Lusso - lavorazione speciale a mano - Facchini - Milano" are 19x16.4 which corresponds to a size of approximately 56 cm.
As you see the lining is sewed with the sweatband, this is the first time I see this finish on an Italian hat from the Twenty or Thirty
The measurements of this beauty are: raw brim at 5.5cm, the ribbon is 5cm high. and the crown at its lowest point is 10.5 cm.
For those who want to take it home, just write to me in private
No other indication other than a mark that I saw in a couple of hats found in Mantua "Qualità Extra" printed in gold on a sweatband with bas-relief inserts.
The internal measurements of this "Gran Lusso - lavorazione speciale a mano - Facchini - Milano" are 19x16.4 which corresponds to a size of approximately 56 cm.
As you see the lining is sewed with the sweatband, this is the first time I see this finish on an Italian hat from the Twenty or Thirty
The measurements of this beauty are: raw brim at 5.5cm, the ribbon is 5cm high. and the crown at its lowest point is 10.5 cm.
For those who want to take it home, just write to me in private
PanosChris
Practically Family
- Messages
- 973
Daniele another great find and that one is not "impossible" ... 
Last edited:
- Messages
- 17,240
- Location
- Maryland
Daniele, The Velour looks fantastic! I really appreciate that you found and purchased it. Very interesting!When it appeared on the market, I checked my conscience, asking myself: how many black velour hats did you have in your hands without them being your size?
I was, however, attracted to a black velour hat made by a Milanese hatter I had never heard of.
Usually these are hats that were produced in Central Europe. This is a rarity because it has a very dense and well woven felt (probably sourced from Central Europe market) and a first-rate craftsmanship.
No other indication other than a mark that I saw in a couple of hats found in Mantua "Qualità Extra" printed in gold on a sweatband with bas-relief inserts.
The internal measurements of this "Gran Lusso - lavorazione speciale a mano - Facchini - Milano" are 19x16.4 which corresponds to a size of approximately 56 cm.
As you see the lining is sewed with the sweatband, this is the first time I see this finish on an Italian hat from the Twenty or Thirty
The measurements of this beauty are: raw brim at 5.5cm, the ribbon is 5cm high. and the crown at its lowest point is 10.5 cm.
For those who want to take it home, just write to me in private
Daniele Tanto
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,115
- Location
- Verona - Italia
Grazie Steve.
I believe the felt is a production made outside Italy in those years, even if I struggle to date it, as the hatter has left no trace and has components that are similar to some hats found in Mantua.
It has an above average quality and however, as you point out, it is a rarity
Great beautiful hats you have had in recent weeks, even the "Chinese expedition" back home
- Messages
- 17,240
- Location
- Maryland
Daniele, Thank you! Yes very difficult to date. Another mystery!Grazie Steve.
I believe the felt is a production made outside Italy in those years, even if I struggle to date it, as the hatter has left no trace and has components that are similar to some hats found in Mantua.
It has an above average quality and however, as you point out, it is a rarity
Great beautiful hats you have had in recent weeks, even the "Chinese expedition" back home
