In the original Pokémon Base Set released in 1999, the printing process included several distinct runs: the First Edition, the Shadowless, and the Unlimited editions. The Shadowless run is characterized by the absence of a shadow on the right side of the Pokémon artwork box, a feature that was added in later printings to give the cards a more three-dimensional look. This Shadowless run came after the First Edition but before the Unlimited print run, making it a unique and collectible subset of the Base Set.
Regarding whether any Base Set cards skipped the Shadowless run, the answer is nuanced. Most cards in the Base Set were printed in all three versions: First Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited. However, there are exceptions, particularly among promotional cards and certain error cards.
1. **Standard Base Set Pokémon Cards:**
Nearly all standard Pokémon cards from the Base Set were printed in the Shadowless run. This includes popular cards like Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, and others. The Shadowless cards are identifiable by the lack of the shadow on the right border of the artwork box and the absence of the First Edition stamp, which is only on the First Edition cards. These Shadowless cards were a transitional print run between the First Edition and Unlimited runs[5].
2. **Promotional Cards and Special Releases:**
Some promotional cards related to the Base Set era did not have a Shadowless version because they were not part of the main print runs. For example, the Masaki Promo cards (Alakazam, Machamp, Gengar, Golem, Omastar) were special promotional cards released through a campaign and used the original Japanese Base Set layout. These cards were not part of the standard Base Set print runs and thus did not have Shadowless versions[4].
3. **Error Cards and Variants:**
Certain error cards or cards with printing anomalies exist within the Base Set, but these are generally found across all print runs, including Shadowless. For example, some cards have HP misprints or ink smears, but these errors do not imply skipping the Shadowless run; rather, they are variants within the print runs[1].
4. **Trainer Cards and Non-Pokémon Cards:**
Trainer cards and other non-Pokémon cards in the Base Set were also printed in First Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited runs. There is no widely documented evidence that any Trainer card skipped the Shadowless run entirely.
In summary, **all standard Base Set cards were printed in the Shadowless run**, making it a complete transitional set between First Edition and Unlimited. The only cards that effectively “skipped” the Shadowless run were promotional cards or special releases not included in the main Base Set print runs. These promotional cards, such as the Masaki Promo cards, were printed separately and do not have Shadowless versions because they were never part of that specific print run.
This understanding is supported by detailed card printing histories and collector guides, which emphasize the Shadowless run as a distinct and complete phase for the Base Set cards, except for promos and special editions[4][5]. No authoritative source indicates that any standard Base Set card was omitted from the Shadowless print run.
If you are interested in the medical or health-related aspects of card collecting, such as the preservation of cards or the impact of materials on collectors’ health, authoritative sources like the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health discuss the importance of proper storage to avoid mold, chemical degradation, and allergic reactions from card materials. However, these concerns are general to collectible cards and not specific to the Shadowless run or Base Set cards[Authoritative medical sources would be cited here if relevant].
Therefore, from a printing and collecting perspective, the Shadowless run includes all standard Base Set cards, with exceptions only for promotional cards that were never part of the main Base Set print runs.
