Defunkd

[hokeypix]

OK, this one I feel confident is from 1987, but several things about it I'm unsure about.

Grateful Dead 1987 SPACE YOUR FACE
Templeton
© 1987 Grateful Dead Merchandising
tie-dye
tag: Stedman Super Hi-Cru 100% Cottom USA Large

Two mysteries about this tee:

1) most of the ones I found online had printing on the back as well; this one is blank tie-dye on the back. I think that means it's authentic 1987 and not a 25th anniversary version?

2) this is a tie-dye question in general. Is there a niche market for unintended faces, objects, etc. that appear in tie-dye (not unlike a Virgin Mary on a piece of toast? ). As you can see, there is a face of a woman on the back of the shirt above a guitar. (I assume tie-dye cannot be controlled to that extent - or can it?).

I'm seeing these in a range of condition sell for $120 - 250. - unless there's something about this one that makes it more or less special? (EX condition, no holes btw).

Value appreciated! I have an interested buyer, thanks.

[jimmyj]

Beauty print! I would try pricing higher with offers. There's some 90s dyes thats fetch in the $400 range...so worth a shot. I have a feeling those are being driven by celebs wearing them...and right now baggy is the style...so given its 80s size...may not apply but still great for GD collectors. I think the face is intended though...and guitar....but baffled as to how they would pull it off? but thanks for sharing!

[hokeypix]

Beauty print! I would try pricing higher with offers. There's some 90s dyes thats fetch in the $400 range...so worth a shot. I have a feeling those are being driven by celebs wearing them...and right now baggy is the style...so given its 80s size...may not apply but still great for GD collectors. I think the face is intended though...and guitar....but baffled as to how they would pull it off? but thanks for sharing!

Wow, no kidding!? I haven't listed on ebay for ages, but I sometimes post things on Instagram for my vintage shop's account that people buy from, so I'd try that first I guess. Since it wouldn't be an auction, I'd post a fixed price. $550.? Is there a way to make it a mini-auction? How would that work? Or what fixed price might work? There's one on etsy right now for $457.50 (not the best vibrancy of colors) and another for $275. that has some holes. Both have printing on the back - "25 YEARS DEAD - MCMLXV - MCMXC." Trying to remember my Roman Numerals....1965 - 1990 I believe. Both that and mine have the same artwork on the front, which says 1987. Mine doesn't have the 1990 25th anniversary text however. So those are at the oldest from 1990, and mine from 1987? (Is there a Dead site to find out more about this particular tee design?). How does the Stedman Super Hi-Cru tag fit in as far as dating it? This is very cool - thanks JJ! p.s. any recall of which celeb has been spotted wearing it?

[hokeypix]

Measurements (lying flat, across, unstretched):

chest (pit to pit) 19 - 19.5"
shoulders 18 - 18.5"
length 27+"

[hokeypix]

Beauty print! I would try pricing higher with offers. There's some 90s dyes thats fetch in the $400 range...so worth a shot. I have a feeling those are being driven by celebs wearing them...and right now baggy is the style...so given its 80s size...may not apply but still great for GD collectors. I think the face is intended though...and guitar....but baffled as to how they would pull it off? but thanks for sharing!

Wow, no kidding!? I haven't listed on ebay for ages, but I sometimes post things on Instagram for my vintage shop's account that people buy from, so I'd try that first I guess. Since it wouldn't be an auction, I'd post a fixed price. $550.? Is there a way to make it a mini-auction? How would that work? Or what fixed price might work? There's one on etsy right now for $457.50 (not the best vibrancy of colors) and another for $275. that has some holes. Both have printing on the back - "25 YEARS DEAD - MCMLXV - MCMXC." Trying to remember my Roman Numerals....1965 - 1990 I believe. Both that and mine have the same artwork on the front, which says 1987. Mine doesn't have the 1990 25th anniversary text however. So those are at the oldest from 1990, and mine from 1987? (Is there a Dead site to find out more about this particular tee design?). How does the Stedman Super Hi-Cru tag fit in as far as dating it? This is very cool - thanks JJ! p.s. any recall of which celeb has been spotted wearing it?

Hi Jimmy,

I'd love to hear your thoughts re: above when you get a chance. I had no idea this shirt (or that is, this particular version of this shirt) was potentially so valuable! Very cool. Just trying to figure out the best price to start at, if it's worth trying an auction format on IG (if that's possible) and what features about it make it special and should be pointed out to any prospective buyers. Thanks again!

[jimmyj]

I was thinking post on ebay high and field offers. It may not sell for 500 but worth a shot. You wont get the same $ on insta but you wont pay fees either.

[hokeypix]

Beauty print! I would try pricing higher with offers. There's some 90s dyes thats fetch in the $400 range...so worth a shot. I have a feeling those are being driven by celebs wearing them...and right now baggy is the style...so given its 80s size...may not apply but still great for GD collectors. I think the face is intended though...and guitar....but baffled as to how they would pull it off? but thanks for sharing!

Thanks. Are 90's tie-dyes in general selling for $400., or Dead tie-dyes? And this one is 1987 (I assume, from the date on it, and the Cru tag). Have celebs been spotted wearing this specific tee, or Dead (or tie-dye) tees in general?