This is a genuine 1990s one-of-a-kind test print t-shirt, a rare artifact of NYC-centric design and screen-printing history. The garment serves as a "strike-off" or canvas for multiple unrelated graphics, likely used by a printer to test ink density, alignment, and screen quality. It features a collage of disparate New York cultural markers, from 70s sitcom nostalgia to local Brooklyn infrastructure.
The shirt features a chaotic but visually striking layout of the following prints:
Welcome Back, Kotter: A full-color transfer on the side and back featuring the "Sweathogs" from the classic 1970s Brooklyn-based sitcom.
BMT Brooklyn Lines: A monochromatic photo-print of a subway interior with the slogan "Most come for the ride; some call it home."
Barone Plumbing: A localized commercial logo featuring a New York (212) area code and a pipe wrench motif.
Soul Brothers Athletic Dept: A graphic featuring a raised fist and the text "Down for Life," characteristic of late 80s/early 90s streetwear aesthetics.
Based on the Jerzees Division of Russell Corporation tag and the "Made in USA" construction, this blank dates to the late 1980s or very early 1990s. Test prints like this were never intended for retail sale, making this a unique piece for collectors of "process" garments or niche NYC ephemera.
The shirt is in excellent vintage condition with no significant flaws, holes, or staining. The variety of printing methods used (transfers and screen prints) show minimal aging, preserving the sharpness of the test strikes.
Tag Size: Large
Pit to Pit: 21.75 inches
Length: 28 inches
This is a genuine 1990s one-of-a-kind test print t-shirt, a rare artifact of NYC-centric design and screen-printing history. The garment serves as a "strike-off" or canvas for multiple unrelated graphics, likely used by a printer to test ink density, alignment, and screen quality. It features a collage of disparate New York cultural markers, from 70s sitcom nostalgia to local Brooklyn infrastructure.
The shirt features a chaotic but visually striking layout of the following prints:
Welcome Back, Kotter: A full-color transfer on the side and back featuring the "Sweathogs" from the classic 1970s Brooklyn-based sitcom.
BMT Brooklyn Lines: A monochromatic photo-print of a subway interior with the slogan "Most come for the ride; some call it home."
Barone Plumbing: A localized commercial logo featuring a New York (212) area code and a pipe wrench motif.
Soul Brothers Athletic Dept: A graphic featuring a raised fist and the text "Down for Life," characteristic of late 80s/early 90s streetwear aesthetics.
Based on the Jerzees Division of Russell Corporation tag and the "Made in USA" construction, this blank dates to the late 1980s or very early 1990s. Test prints like this were never intended for retail sale, making this a unique piece for collectors of "process" garments or niche NYC ephemera.
The shirt is in excellent vintage condition with no significant flaws, holes, or staining. The variety of printing methods used (transfers and screen prints) show minimal aging, preserving the sharpness of the test strikes.
Tag Size: Large
Pit to Pit: 21.75 inches
Length: 28 inches
