Illinois State Apparel Appraisal

Illinois State Redbirds T-Shirt

This is a black short-sleeved t-shirt featuring the logo for the Illinois State Redbirds, the athletic teams of Illinois State University. The shirt appears to be made of cotton or a cotton blend, characteristic of standard casual wear. The main graphic prominently displays the word "ILLINOIS" in red, stylized, italicized block letters with a white outline and a faint black shadow effect. Below and slightly to the right, in smaller red block letters, is "STATE", also with a white outline. To the right of the text is a detailed illustration of a red cardinal head, the Redbirds' mascot, with a yellow beak and a white outline that continues around the entire graphic. The cardinal's eye is visible as a black dot within a white area. The overall design suggests a collegiate or sports fan apparel item. The fabric shows signs of wear consistent with age and use, including some fading of the black dye, resulting in a slightly muted or charcoal appearance. There are visible wrinkles across the fabric, indicating it has been stored or worn. The graphic itself appears to be in relatively good condition with no obvious cracking or peeling of the print, which suggests good quality screening. The collar is a standard crew neck, and the sleeves are set-in. The shirt's construction appears typical for mass-produced apparel, likely machine-sewn. There are no discernible manufacturer's tags or marks visible in the image. Given the style of the logo and general wear, this t-shirt likely dates from the late 20th to early 21st century, possibly from the 1990s or 2000s, aligning with a vintage or retro style period for collegiate apparel. The quality of the graphic printing seems to be a notable feature, as it has withstood wear without significant degradation.