In the original Pokémon Base Set released in 1999, not all cards were issued with a 1st Edition print run. The 1st Edition stamp appears only on a subset of cards from that set, and some cards never had a 1st Edition version at all. This means certain Base Set cards exist only in unlimited print runs or promotional forms, never as official 1st Edition cards.
The Base Set 1st Edition print run was limited and included the majority of the common, uncommon, and rare cards, but some cards, especially those with errors or special characteristics, were never released with the 1st Edition stamp. For example, some error cards or cards with printing anomalies are known only from unlimited runs or later reprints, not from the original 1st Edition Base Set[2].
Specifically, cards like Delibird and certain variants of Raichu in the Base Set have unique printing errors or text differences that are documented only in unlimited versions, indicating they never appeared as 1st Edition cards. Delibird’s energy symbols are off-centered, and Raichu’s attack text is bold and italicized only in unlimited prints, not in 1st Edition[2]. Additionally, some holo cards have double print variants or blurry text effects that are rarer in 1st Edition but do exist, showing that some holo variants were printed in both editions but with differences in rarity or print quality[2].
The 1st Edition stamp itself is a small black circle with the words “Edition 1” and a number “1” inside, located on the left side of the card below the Pokémon illustration. Cards without this stamp are considered unlimited or later print runs. The 1st Edition Base Set cards are highly collectible and generally more valuable than their unlimited counterparts, but not every card in the Base Set was produced with this stamp[1].
In summary, while the vast majority of Base Set cards were released in 1st Edition, some cards—particularly those with printing errors, certain holo variants, or unique text formatting—never appeared as 1st Edition prints. These cards exist only in unlimited or promotional print runs. Authoritative sources such as Bulbapedia document these differences in detail, noting which cards have known 1st Edition versions and which do not[2]. Collectors often use these distinctions to verify card authenticity and rarity, as the presence or absence of the 1st Edition stamp significantly affects a card’s value and historical significance[1].
