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Star Wars Trading Cards
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Published: May 1, 2007
A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away George Lucas created the immensely popular Star Wars series, which immediately resulted in legions of loyal fans. Like many cult classics, the popularity of the Star Wars films resulted in the creation of a number of different collectibles. Among the most popular collectibles are Star Wars cards.
These cards are a way for fans to collect and trade pieces of Star Wars history.
The first series of Star Wars cards, known as the vintage era, was released in 1977. The cards were simple in appearance, featuring a Star Wars character and a blue border. The first series of Star Wars trading card consisted of 66 trading cards that featured main characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader.
Throughout the 70's and 80's the Star Wars cards stayed generally the same with only the border color changing yearly. The borders changed to green, yellow, red, and orange. In addition, the character representations were often created with standard pencils and coloring utensils. This made them look more comical, as opposed to today's star wars cards that are often touched up in Photoshop. These star wars cards featured popular characters like R2-D2 and the Tusken raiders from the "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."
During the early 90's, the classic era of Star Wars trading cards were released. This series featured approximately 144 Star Wars trading cards. The appearance of these Star Wars cards was more extravagant than previous sets. Instead of the standard color border, these Star Wars cards featured a tin foil border and even some embossed cards.
No new characters were added to this series, but some of the best comic book artists such as Justin Chung were hired to create realistic representations of popular characters like Darth Vader and Jabba the Hut. Some of the most popular cards in this collection were chase cards, which were highly durable cards that were added to the deck to increase sales. They normally featured scenes instead of just a single character. Some of the most popular chase cards included the Luke and Darth Vader laser fight and the Death Star explosion.
At the turn of the century, another installment of the Star Wars movie were made, and another series of Star Wars cards known as the modern era were released. These Star Wars cards featured more cards and more varieties. For instance, instead of just a color border or embossed cards, these Star Wars cards featured autographed cards, stickers, sketched cards, and chrome cards. Some of the most popular characters in this series were the storm troopers, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. This series also included scenes from "Attack of the Clones" and "The Phantom Menace."
Today, Star Wars trading cards are still a hot commodity. So hot, that a 30th anniversary edition series is set to be released in June of 2007. This edition plans to combine cards in each deck that apply to collectors and less fanatical fans. The special edition is designed to include autographed Star Wars cards, special edition cards, stickers, and chase cards. Hologrammed cards and scene cards will also be included.
There are tons of websites strictly dedicated to Star Wars cards and collecting them. Sites like Starwarscards.net feature a checklist of all the Star Wars cards ever made, so collectors can check off obtained cards. Star Wars cards can be purchased at a number of comic book stores online and offline. Sites like eBay offer the more rare Star Wars cards, while stores like Target offer more recent cards. They range in price from $5-$500, depending on the rarity.
Star Wars cards are a great way for old and new fans alike to connect to the greatness that is Star Wars. Whether one is just starting to collect Star Wars cards or one has been collecting for years, Star Wars trading cards are a great, comforting hobby.
Sources:
"Star Wars Trading Cards." Wikipedia. 19 April 2007. 25 April 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Trading_Car ds
Arneson, Erik. "Star Wars Trading Card Game Expansion." About: Board/ Card Games. 14 Feb. 2005. About, Inc. 25 April 2007. http://boardgames.about.com/b/a/146004.htm?terms=s tar+wars%20trading%20cards
Star Wars Trading Cards Checklist. C.M. Kendrick. 2007. 25 April 2007. http://starwarscards.net/lists.htm
Topps History and Heritage. Rebelscum.com. 1996-2007. Phillip Wise. 25 April 2007. http://www.rebelscum.com/toppsheritage.asp.
The first series of Star Wars cards, known as the vintage era, was released in 1977. The cards were simple in appearance, featuring a Star Wars character and a blue border. The first series of Star Wars trading card consisted of 66 trading cards that featured main characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader.
Throughout the 70's and 80's the Star Wars cards stayed generally the same with only the border color changing yearly. The borders changed to green, yellow, red, and orange. In addition, the character representations were often created with standard pencils and coloring utensils. This made them look more comical, as opposed to today's star wars cards that are often touched up in Photoshop. These star wars cards featured popular characters like R2-D2 and the Tusken raiders from the "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."
During the early 90's, the classic era of Star Wars trading cards were released. This series featured approximately 144 Star Wars trading cards. The appearance of these Star Wars cards was more extravagant than previous sets. Instead of the standard color border, these Star Wars cards featured a tin foil border and even some embossed cards.
No new characters were added to this series, but some of the best comic book artists such as Justin Chung were hired to create realistic representations of popular characters like Darth Vader and Jabba the Hut. Some of the most popular cards in this collection were chase cards, which were highly durable cards that were added to the deck to increase sales. They normally featured scenes instead of just a single character. Some of the most popular chase cards included the Luke and Darth Vader laser fight and the Death Star explosion.
At the turn of the century, another installment of the Star Wars movie were made, and another series of Star Wars cards known as the modern era were released. These Star Wars cards featured more cards and more varieties. For instance, instead of just a color border or embossed cards, these Star Wars cards featured autographed cards, stickers, sketched cards, and chrome cards. Some of the most popular characters in this series were the storm troopers, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. This series also included scenes from "Attack of the Clones" and "The Phantom Menace."
Today, Star Wars trading cards are still a hot commodity. So hot, that a 30th anniversary edition series is set to be released in June of 2007. This edition plans to combine cards in each deck that apply to collectors and less fanatical fans. The special edition is designed to include autographed Star Wars cards, special edition cards, stickers, and chase cards. Hologrammed cards and scene cards will also be included.
There are tons of websites strictly dedicated to Star Wars cards and collecting them. Sites like Starwarscards.net feature a checklist of all the Star Wars cards ever made, so collectors can check off obtained cards. Star Wars cards can be purchased at a number of comic book stores online and offline. Sites like eBay offer the more rare Star Wars cards, while stores like Target offer more recent cards. They range in price from $5-$500, depending on the rarity.
Star Wars cards are a great way for old and new fans alike to connect to the greatness that is Star Wars. Whether one is just starting to collect Star Wars cards or one has been collecting for years, Star Wars trading cards are a great, comforting hobby.
Sources:
"Star Wars Trading Cards." Wikipedia. 19 April 2007. 25 April 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Trading_Car ds
Arneson, Erik. "Star Wars Trading Card Game Expansion." About: Board/ Card Games. 14 Feb. 2005. About, Inc. 25 April 2007. http://boardgames.about.com/b/a/146004.htm?terms=s tar+wars%20trading%20cards
Star Wars Trading Cards Checklist. C.M. Kendrick. 2007. 25 April 2007. http://starwarscards.net/lists.htm
Topps History and Heritage. Rebelscum.com. 1996-2007. Phillip Wise. 25 April 2007. http://www.rebelscum.com/toppsheritage.asp.
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