Before the Unlimited run of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), the initial English print run of the Base Set included what are known as “Shadowless” cards. These Shadowless cards are distinguished by the absence of a shadow border around the Pokémon’s image, a feature that appeared in later print runs. The Shadowless set represents the very first English-language print run of the Base Set, making it highly sought after by collectors.
Regarding the exact number of Shadowless sets printed before the Unlimited run, official Wizards of the Coast (WotC) production numbers have never been publicly disclosed in detail. However, it is generally accepted within the collector community and supported by various expert analyses that the Shadowless print run was relatively limited compared to the subsequent Unlimited print run. Estimates suggest that the Shadowless cards were printed in quantities roughly between 100,000 to 200,000 copies per card, though these figures vary depending on the specific card and source. This is significantly fewer than the Unlimited run, which was produced in much larger quantities to meet growing demand.
The Shadowless cards were part of the earliest English Base Set print run, which was followed by the Unlimited run. The Unlimited run introduced the shadow border around the Pokémon image and included other minor print differences such as font and card back variations. The Shadowless cards are often considered the “first edition” in terms of print style, though they are distinct from the official “1st Edition” stamp cards, which are even rarer.
One notable example highlighting the rarity and early nature of these cards is the Prerelease Raichu, which was an error card from the early production phase and is considered even rarer than Shadowless cards. Only a handful of these were ever made, and they were never officially released to the public. This underscores how limited and special the earliest print runs were.
In summary, the Shadowless set was the very first English print run of the Base Set Pokémon cards, printed in limited quantities before the much larger Unlimited run. While exact print numbers are not officially confirmed, the Shadowless cards are known to be significantly scarcer than the Unlimited cards, contributing to their high value and collectible status.
This information is supported by authoritative sources such as Wargamer’s detailed coverage of rare Pokémon cards and collector community consensus, which emphasize the Shadowless cards’ place as the first English print run preceding the Unlimited run[1][2].
