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Shadowless

Shadowless cards are the second English print of Base Set, made after the 1st Edition run. They lack the drop shadow around the picture window and carry no 1st Edition stamp.

Pokémon
The three prints of English Base Set Three generic Base Set cards, told apart by the stamp under the picture and the shadow around the picture window. 1st Edition: The stamp, and no shadow; Shadowless: No stamp, and no drop shadow around the picture window; Unlimited: A drop shadow around the picture window. The tile for Shadowless is outlined. 1st Edition The stamp, and no shadow Shadowless No stamp, and no drop shadow around the picture window Unlimited A drop shadow around the picture window

In more detail

English Base Set came out in three prints: 1st Edition, Shadowless and Unlimited. Shadowless sits in the middle. It keeps the layout and the thin type of the 1st Edition cards but drops the stamp.

To tell it from Unlimited, look at a Pokémon card's picture window: Unlimited has a drop shadow around it and bolder HP and attack text. Trainer and Energy cards have no window, so read the copyright line instead. A Shadowless card reads © 1995, 96, 98, 99 Nintendo, and an Unlimited one leaves out the 99.

Only English Base Set has a Shadowless print. Other languages printed 1st Edition with the Unlimited layout, so no foreign equivalent exists. Shadowless holofoil cards in high grade often cost far more than Unlimited ones, so check the shadow and the stamp before you pay.

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