Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Petroliana Value Questions Old Shell T-Shirt

Hello everyone. Today I was browsing Ebay when I came across a cheaply priced mint condition Shell T-Shirt from the 50's that apparently came out of an estate auction in NY.

I got really excited and immediately snatched it up before really investigating it at all.

After purchasing it, I started trying to research it. So far, I have been unable to find out much of anything about the shirt or the company. Also, the Shell logo doesn't look like other shell logos from the era. Is this some kind of 1950's bootleg shirt?

Thanks in advance for any info.

I am no expert about T shirts but I was alive in the 50's. I do not recall any advertising T shirts of any kind in that era. White t's were the norm as it was cool. Advertising t's maybe in the 60's with slogans about Vietnam, Peace signs and a lot of tie died. I worked at a Shell station in the 60's and we wore jeans with Shell imprinted full work shirts. Again, no expert but, I have my doubts? Paul www.severngaspumps.com

Sorry, forgot to post images

After seeing these pics, the shirt appears to be a little league uniform shirt. It was sponsored by the local Shell dealer. The tag states 75% polyester. Although this material was invented in the 30's, it found it's most used period in the 70's. With the care tag washing instructions, I'm thinking the 70's is a better circa? Paul www.severngaspumps.com

I would date that tag in the 70's at the earliest, it could even be early 80's......

The Pecten looks foreign.

Re: The Pecten looks foreign.

The Pecten was probably hand made by the screen print shop that made the shirts.

Definitely not 1950's,and more like modern day 1970's-80's-90's-2000's.
Agree on being a Team shirt/jersey from those years too.
Proof you should always ask questions before you buy,not after..

Ditto what Gasmansgp said. It could be a baseball/softball or bowling team shirt. Likely a team sponsored by the local Shell station.

Is there a uniform number on the back by chance?

To jump into the fray, the term athletic wear was a 70s plus term. I also asked my expert about the washing instructions and she said it wasn't seen on 60s shirts.