Star Trek 25th Anniversary Trading Cards
Release Date: Series I July 1991
Series II Oct. 1991
12 Cards Per Pack
36 Packs Per Box
20 boxes per case
Set Composition
| Base Set-310 | Holograms-4 | 1:? |
Base Set
The 25th Anniversary set was a large 310 card set that actually came out in two releases. The cards alternate between The Original Series on black-bordered cards and The Next Generation on brown-bordered cards. Series One had 160 cards, came in a silver colored box and had wrappers with either blue lettering for TOS and Pink for TNG. Series Two had 150 cards, a black colored box and wrappers with blue text for TOS and black and pink for TNG. Series One was released at the 25th Anniversary convention in LA and then to the general public on July 8, 1991. Series II released October 21, 1991.
At first glance, there seems little rhyme or reason to how the set was laid out, but various colored borders around the images on the front give an indication of what category a certain card is in.
- Red border- character info
- Yellow border-episode info
- Blue Border-Enterprises and equipment info
- Purple border-actors/behind the scene info
- Orange border-general details about the series like TV credits.
- Green border-art/animation information
Wholesale price for cases at time of release was $280 for a 20 box case. Sadly, the product was “dumped”, meaning a large quantity of unsold boxes was unloaded into the secondary market at low prices, which devalued the box price and overall monetary value of the set.
This card set was originally a popular one for autograph seekers as it features nice images of the main crew members. Its simple design and nice images don’t detract from the autograph. Many collectors mark this as their collection’s starting point. Compared to today’s standard, this set was simple and easy to collect. A time when putting that last common card into the binder was as awesome as it is today to find that last TOS 1-3 autograph!
And lastly, for your viewing pleasure! A Star Trek card tv ad!
Inserts
- This set also was the first Trek set to come with insert/chase cards. Each Series had two holograms, Kirk and Picard and both series’ Enterprises. At the time of release, it wasn’t common to add odds to packs, so it isn’t officially know how many packs it took to get a hologram card. One website claims they are found one in every three boxes.
Promos
- For Series I, a promo pack was released with 5 single cards. These cards have a rougher cut and finish than the final product. These cards are also seen singly, out of the pack. They were sent to dealers and one collector reports these cards being given away during a Sit Long and Prosper event in Sept. 1991(viewing of all 5 ST movies).
- Diamond Comics released an uncut sheet of cards 37, 128, 130 and 133 with a diamond watermark on the back. These cards are also seen as singles, as though they had been cut up from the sheet. The sheet was inserted into Previews Magazine, July, 1991.
- For Series II, a 3-card poly pack was produced with the same rough cut and finish look.
- Singles out of the poly pack are also available occasionally.
Misc. Items
- Impel also released a 25th Anniversary tin set. This sealed tin came with both Series One and Series Two card sets, all four holograms and a ‘bonus’ set of two cards, B1 and B2, not found in the original release. It also includes a certificate announcing it as a limited to 15,000 numbered product.
- Three 8-1/2″x11″ paper checklists that are often seen folded as they were sent From SkyBox in a standard envelope. There are multiple variations and a tracked in the Gallery and on the checklist.
- A t-shirt was also available from Impel, with card images on the front. Collectors got to select from a few different card images.
- Unknown quantities of mismatched cards exist where front and back don’t go together. For example, card #64 “Angel One” front with card #18 “The Battle” back. Also, some blank-backed cards have been reported. Though perhaps not common, it does seem to have happened often.
- Card #1 with blank back. Unknown how many exist like this or where it came from.
- Binder. Some collectors have questioned if there was a different binder for Series I and II, but Ken Baroff confirms that only one type of binder was produced.