Borsalino Question

[ScottF]

This Borsalino belonged to my friend's great-grandfather. It was very dirty and well-worn from work in the vineyards (California), so I've cleaned it up for him to present to his father. Didn't re-block it, as it had a very worn-in crease that he prefers to keep.

The interesting thing to me is the size tag (black and green embossed thin paper) and the blocking label. Can anyone comment? I'd like to give him as much info on this hat as possible when I return it to him later today.

Thanks!

 

[ScottF]

Man, tough crowd...

Folks - these are just hats. Give an opinion - no one's going to give you a public virtual flaying if they don't agree.


CV - as usual, thanks for the info in the PM - the feedback was very much appreciated.

 

[Mulceber]

Well I don't think I can really give an opinion on the tags, as I'm not very knowledgeable about such things, but I have to say you cleaned it up very nicely and I'm sure your friend's father will be thrilled with it. -M

 

[Lefty]

Folks - these are just hats. Give an opinion - no one's going to give you a public virtual flaying if they don't agree.


(black and green embossed thin paper)

It's an Irish one from the time of the famine.

 

[ScottF]

It's an Irish one from the time of the famine.

Someone took a bite out of the front and decided shoe leather tasted better than rabbit fur.

 

[rmrdaddy]

Scott,
My .02 on the size tag, the print isn't green, it's oxidized.

You see it from time to time on vintage cigar band, and other ephemera I'd bet as well. The gold metallic ink is actually composed of bronze powder from what I've read. We've all seen old bronze statues and sculptures that have a patina of verdigris. Or, even that metal aglet in the rear of an old reeded sweatband.
I supect that the varnishes in the ink used decay over time, allowing the chemical transformation occur on the remaining exposed bronze powder. I'm no metallurgist though!

 

[Aureliano]

Scott,
My .02 on the size tag, the print isn't green, it's oxidized.

You see it from time to time on vintage cigar band, and other ephemera I'd bet as well. The gold metallic ink is actually composed of bronze powder from what I've read. We've all seen old bronze statues and sculptures that have a patina of verdigris. Or, even that metal aglet in the rear of an old reeded sweatband.
I supect that the varnishes in the ink used decay over time, allowing the chemical transformation occur on the remaining exposed bronze powder. I'm no metallurgist though!

Agree. The tag on my Knox foxhound shows the same verdigris. My hat belonged to a friend of a friend in Napa, CA. The sweatband has the name of the store and Napa embossed as well. Interesting... vineyards territory too.[huh]

 

[ScottF]

Scott,
My .02 on the size tag, the print isn't green, it's oxidized.

You see it from time to time on vintage cigar band, and other ephemera I'd bet as well. The gold metallic ink is actually composed of bronze powder from what I've read. We've all seen old bronze statues and sculptures that have a patina of verdigris. Or, even that metal aglet in the rear of an old reeded sweatband.
I supect that the varnishes in the ink used decay over time, allowing the chemical transformation occur on the remaining exposed bronze powder. I'm no metallurgist though!

CarouselVic thought the same thing. I looked at it very close, under a 10X, and it sure looks bright green, but it is a little rough, so I'm guessing that you two are correct. Thanks!