Vintage T-Shirt Forum & Community Authentication Appraisals

Hello sir, regarding Euro tags, I’m a bit confused. In the pictures, there are two Marilyn Manson tees—one with a Winterland tag and the other with a Euro tag. Both feature matching print designs and official licensing stamps. Is the Euro-tagged piece legitimate? Additionally, many Euro-tagged tees lack licensing stamps—are those considered bootleg? I’d appreciate your clarification.

It looks okay from what I can see with a quick glance. Yes, the Euro ones are Legit. These two have different backs though, haven't looked in to that, not sure if one is euro specific or not.

The t-shirt artwork gets sent overseas and the screen printers use domestic t-shirts. Often that means the licensee's branding doesn't make it into the tag situation, but the licensing is still printed because it's part of the artwork.

I would have to look at the lack of copyright on a case-by-case basis. It doesn't necessarily mean it's fake if it's lacking it. There are other stronger signals of it being fake than that—the print will be a dead giveaway, and there are a few other factors.

There are fake euro tags though, which complicates things, but from what I have seen they are put on single stitch tees.

follow the topic above, two Nirvana tees in the images with identical Giant tags—both are legit, yet one has a copyright stamp while the other lacks it. What explains this difference?

In the article from defunkd.com (https://www.defunkd.com/vintage-t-shirt-terminology/), unauthorized original tees are labeled "bootlegs," while authorized ones are termed "authentic." Many tour tees omit copyright stamps,for example in the pics，the Metallica tee with a fruit tag (seller claims it’s a bootleg) and another two tees with Euro tag also missing a copyright stamp. How to determine if they’re authentic or bootlegs (unauthorized)?

metallica tee with a fruit tag

It's confusing I know. I didn't look deeply into the two nirvana tees but they both look okay - so those two Nirvana tees are both legit, not bootlegs. One is just missing the copyright that's all. I don't know why, for whatever reason, sometimes it gets dropped out of a print. Remember, they are printed in multiple locations, in multiple countries.

A vintage bootleg will likely never have a copyright line, or if it does, will be generic like "Copyright Concert Shirt."

A vintage bootleg is often a unique design the counterfeiters created themselves. Sometimes it's loosely based on the same imagery, but often it's their own design.

Thanks JimmyJ. Your website was so important in my knowledge of vintage shirts.