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A Little History about the original "Republic of Newfoundland" T- Shirt: The year was 1983. With drawing pens, paper and the help of some press-on lettering, an idea was born. The first "Republic of Newfoundland" T-shirt design was produced. The reason behind this creation was to create a representation of the wonderfully strong and independent nature and spirit of Newfoundlanders. After silk screening about 50 shirts, I began selling them, out of my storefront, the Harbour City General Store, located down the stairs from Duckworth St., at the War Memorial in St. John's, Newfoundland that summer.

Controversy:
Word got out on the street about this T- Shirt... with the old pink, white and green flag and a declaration printed on the front, in a circle, announcing: the "Republic of Newfoundland". The St. John's Daily News, heard about our design, got interested and did a story on it.

Of course, they had to sensationalize it all, with the headlines "Pro-separatist T-Shirts soon!"

Click on the graphic to the left for a PDF view.

Harbour City General Store 1983

1983 Daily Times Report

Canadian Press:
Suddenly, an Associated Press reporter named Dan Leger calls and wants to come by the store for an interview. We sit down and the first thing he wants to know is whether or not this is a "Separatist Movement". If so, how many people were involved.

After the laughter settled down, he says, "So, you don't have an army?" I told him, "No,... but we have the Navy.", and handed him a shot of rum.

I began explaining to him, that the idea had come into my head after observing Newfoundlanders. The spirit of independence, self reliance and pride that I saw was reminiscent of my Texas roots and as a landed immigrant to Canada, living in St. John's, I guess I had a unique perspective as a CFA (Come from Away) of the Newfoundland nature.

1983 Dan Leger Report

The Newfie jokes that I heard from the Mainland didn't fit the picture that I was seeing on the Rock, not by a long shot. I started thinking about the fact that Texas was a Republic (1836-1845) at one time, before joining the United States and although Newfoundland was never a Republic, I saw that Newfoundlanders had that same independent spirit. I ask my friend Dave Benson if there was an old flag of Newfoundland before Confederation and he yes, the 1843 tri-color flag (unofficial flag of course). We found a graphic of the old pink, white and green and I layed-out and produced the design. I had the design silk screened by a print shop and the "Republic of Newfoundland" T-Shirt was born.

Republic Grows:
In the intervening years, this title or phrase "Republic of Newfoundland" as we all know, has blossomed into an island wide and Canadian phenomenon. Many people have no idea where the term came from or who invented the phrase.

The old Harbour City General Storefront is now Trouble Bound Tattoos in St. John's........but guess what ?

Harbour City General Store is Back: We are again producing the original 1983 Republic of Newfoundland design and have taken the Harbour City General Store online, with a complete line of T-shirts,Hoodies and other items.

Some of you will remember the old designs from the store, but for those of you who don't know us, you might be surprised at our sweet but iconoclastic ways. We aim to please.

1983 design

Got a guarantee for you: Each of our light coloured shirts carries a "tag of authenticity" printed on the back of each shirt. It is Harbour City's way of saying: "You've purchased the the genuine article" The dark shirts are printed with the © harbourcitygeneralstore.com 2007 on the front of each shirt. This tag and copyright symbol is your guarantee: You've purchased and own an authentic Harbour City General Store "Republic of Newfoundland" design, from the guy who created the phrase.

2007 design

2007 Harder design

Bottom line is: The title "Republic of Newfoundland " was created in 1983 and produced by Harbour City General Store in St. John's, Newfoundland. This is the authentic "Republic of Newfoundland" design, from the artist, who thought it up.

We feel that you, the consumer, would like owning nothing less than the genuine article. We humbly offer it for your consideration.

Thanks and all the best

Click on the banner below to go to the store and have a look.

PS: While you're at it, check out some of our other designs!