Wizards of the Coast switched from printing the Pokémon Base Set cards as Shadowless to Unlimited editions in late 1999, shortly after the initial release of the Base Set. The Shadowless print run was the second printing of the Base Set, following the very first “1st Edition” print run, and it is characterized by the absence of a shadow on the right side of the Pokémon card’s image box. The Unlimited edition, which followed the Shadowless, reintroduced the shadow and was printed in much larger quantities.
To provide a detailed timeline and context:
1. **First Edition Base Set**: Released in August 1999, these cards are marked with a “1st Edition” stamp on the left side of the card image. This print run was limited and highly sought after.
2. **Shadowless Base Set**: After the first edition sold out, Wizards of the Coast printed the Shadowless Base Set. These cards do not have the “1st Edition” stamp and lack the drop shadow around the image box, which gives the card a slightly different look. This print run was a transitional phase and is rarer than the Unlimited edition but more common than the 1st Edition.
3. **Unlimited Base Set**: This printing began shortly after the Shadowless run, around late 1999 to early 2000. The Unlimited edition reintroduced the shadow around the image box and removed the “1st Edition” stamp, making it visually distinct from the Shadowless cards. This print run was much larger and became the standard for mass production.
The exact date when Wizards switched from Shadowless to Unlimited printing is not pinpointed to a specific day but is generally accepted to have occurred in late 1999. This transition was part of Wizards’ effort to meet the growing demand for Pokémon cards as the game surged in popularity worldwide.
The differences between these print runs are important for collectors because they affect the rarity and value of the cards. Shadowless cards are considered more valuable than Unlimited cards but less so than 1st Edition cards.
Regarding medical information, there are no authoritative medical sources or health-related details relevant to the printing history of Pokémon cards by Wizards of the Coast. Therefore, no medical citations are applicable in this context.
In summary, Wizards of the Coast moved from Shadowless to Unlimited Base Set printing in late 1999, marking a shift from a limited transitional print run to a mass-produced edition that helped fuel the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s global expansion.
