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Overmatter: Where there's merch, there's brass

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Overmatter

Overmatter wonders whether any prescient printing industry folk have manufacturer merch worth thousands of pounds squirrelled away at the back of the wardrobe?

News that Sotheby’s is selling a pair of vintage Apple Inc branded trainers for a cool $50,000 (about £39,300) had Overmatter scrambling for the dusty corners of the garage – there’s an Apple Newton Messagepad in there somewhere! 

The story about the trainers – shipping not included – also gave Fujifilm’s Mark Stephenson pause for thought. 

“If only I hadn’t worn my limited edition Apple sweatshirt for painting and decorating. It was a gift to resellers in the UK from Apple marketing manager Craig Sears-Black back in the early 1990s,” said Mark, despairingly, sharing a pic of the paint-spattered garment.

Another merch blast from the past also involves sneakers – the purple, Converse-style high-tops given away by Wam!Net back in the day when ISDN was a thing. There’s a pair for sale on eBay for the comparatively bargainacious buy-it-now price of just $124.99. 

“A great obscure souvenir from a slice of tech history,” says seller Twilokitty. 

Now, where did I put that lovely grey Heidelberg blouson jacket? 

Overmatter