1993 Nirvana “In Utero” Angel — Giant tag, Under License to Brockum — legit check
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2026 1:02 am
Picked this up in Guam recently for $85 at a local streetwear shop that buys and sells secondhand. The price is low enough that I'd like a second opinion before I get too attached to it.
What I can see:
- Print copyright reads "© 1993 NIRVANA / Under License to Brockum", lower right of the front graphic, in dark red.
- Neck tag: black woven Giant tag, red figure as the "i", marked XL. Reverse reads 100% COTTON / HEAVYWEIGHT / MADE IN U.S.A. on the front side, care instructions only on the back.
- Tag is caught in the collar attach seam. No spare needle holes in the tag or around it that would suggest a swap.
- Two-sided: angel on the front, "IN UTERO" across the back in black with a gold offset.
- Bottom hem is single stitch.
- Under magnification the front graphic shows a coarse regular halftone dot pattern.
- No side seam that I can find, though the shirt is creased and I'd like a better look.
- Pit to pit 23.5" (59-60 cm).
- Print is soft, sunk into the weave, no cracking or loss. Body has a faint cream tone.
Two things I'd like help with:
1. The wings on the front are a fairly dark navy. Most examples I turn up online look grey or much lighter. Fading, or is that colourway something to be wary of?
2. Is there anything in the print itself that separates a 1993 original from a later print on a period blank? That's the scenario I can't rule out on my own.
Happy to add close-ups of anything. Not looking to sell, just want to know what I have. Thanks in advance.
What I can see:
- Print copyright reads "© 1993 NIRVANA / Under License to Brockum", lower right of the front graphic, in dark red.
- Neck tag: black woven Giant tag, red figure as the "i", marked XL. Reverse reads 100% COTTON / HEAVYWEIGHT / MADE IN U.S.A. on the front side, care instructions only on the back.
- Tag is caught in the collar attach seam. No spare needle holes in the tag or around it that would suggest a swap.
- Two-sided: angel on the front, "IN UTERO" across the back in black with a gold offset.
- Bottom hem is single stitch.
- Under magnification the front graphic shows a coarse regular halftone dot pattern.
- No side seam that I can find, though the shirt is creased and I'd like a better look.
- Pit to pit 23.5" (59-60 cm).
- Print is soft, sunk into the weave, no cracking or loss. Body has a faint cream tone.
Two things I'd like help with:
1. The wings on the front are a fairly dark navy. Most examples I turn up online look grey or much lighter. Fading, or is that colourway something to be wary of?
2. Is there anything in the print itself that separates a 1993 original from a later print on a period blank? That's the scenario I can't rule out on my own.
Happy to add close-ups of anything. Not looking to sell, just want to know what I have. Thanks in advance.