Vintage 1986 Swans “Time Is Money (Bastard)” Promotional T-Shirt

Label: Swans

Era: Original 1986 Issue

Composition: Cotton Jersey in a soft heather-grey.

Condition: Excellent, beautifully broken-in vintage condition. The heather-grey fabric has developed an exceptionally soft handle and fluid drape through decades of natural wear. It remains structurally sound, with no visible holes or seam separation. Please refer closely to the photographs for a complete assessment.

Size: Estimated Men’s Medium, with a classic slim 1980s silhouette. Please consult the exact measurements below to ensure a precise fit.

Measurements:

Shoulder to Shoulder: 47cm

Armpit to Armpit: 47cm

Total Length: 58cm

Made in the USA

Dating from 1986, this original promotional T-shirt for Swans’ Time Is Money (Bastard) captures one of the most uncompromising periods in the band’s history. Emerging from the mid-1980s New York underground, the release fused punishing repetition and industrial force with a stark examination of labour, power and economic control.

The front is dominated by Swans’ monumental dollar-sign emblem, printed in deep maroon over a heavy charcoal outline. Beneath it, the confrontational title “TIME IS MONEY (BASTARD)” appears in severe block lettering, while a restrained “SWANS” logo near the neckline completes the almost propagandistic composition. The economy of the design only intensifies its impact.

Period-style single-stitch construction appears along the sleeves and lower hem. Four decades of wear have softened the heather-grey knit into a relaxed, fluid jersey, while the naturally faded graphic ink gives the print a depth and surface character that contemporary reproductions cannot replicate.