Grateful Dead Merch Appraisal

1997 Liquid Blue Grateful Dead 'Cosmic Charlie' Tie-Dye T-shirt

This is a vintage short-sleeved tie-dye t-shirt featuring the Grateful Dead's 'Cosmic Charlie' design, manufactured by Liquid Blue in 1997. The shirt is constructed from cotton and displays a vibrant, multi-colored tie-dye pattern, primarily featuring swirls of light blue, green, purple, and white. The central graphic on the front depicts a blue Grateful Dead dancing bear wearing a red shirt and an astronaut helmet, seated in what appears to be a crescent moon or spaceship labeled 'MARS PIES,' complete with a guitar. The background of the graphic is a starry cosmic scene. Below the bear, the design transitions to an ornate, fiery or psychedelic pattern with various small, colorful figures and abstract shapes, possibly including eyes or alien faces. The title 'COSMIC CHARLIE' is prominently displayed in large, bold red letters with yellow outlining above the main illustration. The collar appears to be a standard crew neck. Given its age, the shirt's condition seems generally good, though minor wear consistent with a vintage textile item (e.g., slight fading, softening of fabric, small pinholes or subtle discoloration) could be present but is not clearly discernible from the provided image. The tie-dye pattern provides a unique, handcrafted aesthetic, typical of Grateful Dead merchandise. The large, full-front graphic and the well-known band imagery, combined with the Liquid Blue branding and specific year, indicate it's a collectible piece for fans of the Grateful Dead and vintage band apparel. The quality of the screen print appears intact, with colors remaining relatively vivid.