The Shadowless print run of the Pokémon Base Set ended in late 1999, shortly before the release of the 1st Edition Base Set and the Unlimited Base Set. The Shadowless cards are a specific early print run of the original Pokémon Base Set, characterized by the absence of a shadow on the right side of the Pokémon image box, which was introduced in later printings to add depth. This print run was relatively short-lived, making Shadowless cards rarer and more valuable compared to the Unlimited print run that followed.
The Shadowless Base Set was printed and distributed primarily in 1999, after the initial 1st Edition run but before the Unlimited run. The 1st Edition Base Set was released in October 1999 in the United States, and the Shadowless print run came immediately after the 1st Edition but before the Unlimited Base Set, which started printing in late 1999 and into 2000. This means the Shadowless print run effectively ended by the end of 1999 or very early 2000 as the Unlimited Base Set took over production.
Shadowless cards are notable for their distinct visual features: they lack the drop shadow on the right side of the Pokémon image box, have a slightly different font and color tone, and the HP font is thinner compared to Unlimited cards. These subtle differences mark the Shadowless print run as a transitional phase between the 1st Edition and Unlimited print runs.
The exact end date of the Shadowless print run is not precisely documented by official sources, but collectors and hobby experts agree it was a brief window in 1999. The Shadowless cards were printed in smaller quantities than Unlimited cards, contributing to their rarity and higher market value today. For example, popular Shadowless cards like Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur are highly sought after and command premium prices in the collectibles market.
In terms of production and distribution, the Shadowless print run was part of the early Pokémon TCG launch phase in the United States, following the initial Japanese releases. The cards were printed by Wizards of the Coast, the company responsible for the Pokémon TCG in the West at that time.
To summarize the timeline:
– 1st Edition Base Set released: October 1999
– Shadowless Base Set print run: Late 1999 (after 1st Edition, before Unlimited)
– Unlimited Base Set print run began: Late 1999 to early 2000
This timeline aligns with the collectible card market and grading data, which show Shadowless cards as a distinct and limited print run between the 1st Edition and Unlimited versions.
No medical information is directly relevant to the Shadowless print run topic, so no authoritative medical sources are applicable here.
Sources for this information include Pokémon card collecting databases, hobbyist expert analyses, and market pricing trends documented by collectors and grading companies. For example, PriceCharting and PSA grading data confirm the rarity and timeline of Shadowless cards relative to other Base Set print runs. The Pokémon TCG community and historical records from Wizards of the Coast also support this timeline.
