Have decided to set myself a goal of completing a PSA 8-10 set of Japanese Expedition as a side quest of my main collection goals. Overtime I anticipate this morphing into a complete PSA 10 set with any PSA 8/9s being cracked once a PSA 10 copy is acquired then also completing a NM-M binder set.
I won’t fill the thread with the set list but will keep a running total of how many of the 128 cards I have. I will not include the unlimited cards in this set, as I view them as a different thing altogether and a tougher challenge on a longer timeframe.
First card acquired - PSA 10 Alakazam Holo.
This has always been one of my favourite mons and I think this artwork is one of the best. Kusajima’s representation of Alakazam in the lotus position outside a dark cave entrance, holding shining spoons perfectly depicts what I think of when I think psychic types. It feels as if he is reading my mind even though his gaze is off to the side.
1/128
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Second card acquired - Magby Holo PSA 9.
Strangely enough, this is the card that made me decide to collect the set. Every time I was searching a card app for my main collection goal cards (3 being Expedition cards) I would stop on this card and admire it. Illustrated by Arita, it somewhat feels like it’s been done by CGI. Magby standing on the moon (?) staring bewilderingly off into the distance as if he’s just seen a breast for the first time, strange leather choker on and all. The cosmos holo in the background really adds to the card as it seems you’re really gazing out onto another planet. Probably the cutest card in the set.
2/128
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That’s one hell of a description. I look forward to reading more as you work to complete this goal.
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Great new thread and also great angles to showcase the holos. Looking forward to your updates and also your descriptions. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers!
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Love the new thread and cant wait to see this progress mate!
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Third card acquired - Butterfree Holo PSA 9
This guy is one of my favorite Gen 1 pokemon. I would almost always catch a Metapod in the first forest of Pokemon red. Once Butterfree burst out of his green little shell, every trainer that came next struggled to keep his Pokemon awake. The holo is actually really prevalent in hand which surprised me a little as on scans this card reminds me of the early stages after a strong ‘tea’ when roofs become triangles. I’m sure the non holo better holds that feeling.
3/128
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Fourth card acquired - Meganium Holo PSA 9
Easily my most forgettable starter. Venusaur may not have got many runs on the gameboy but he still did get the odd play through. Meganium did not. Kusajima could only do so much and as with many artist that came after, Meganium art has a common theme which doesn’t typically fit within Pokémon’s PG appearance. The greens really pop, the swirl commands some attention, but neither is enough to distract from the fact this guy looks like a knob.
4/128
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My favorite set and a worthy challenge. I used to have an almost complete holo set in PSA 9 and sold it back in 2018. Regret it now since many of those cards sold for like $35 but considering doing a binder again very soon!
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They’re still very cheap so a good time to rekindle the goal. I’m probably going to go for the non holos in 10s first as they seem far more scarce. I’ve never graded cards and figure it’s going to cost me more to grade a card and get a 9 then it will to buy most as 10s. The real challenge is finding the cards in China as most sellers (there’s not many) have them listed at 2x market price and won’t budge so will need to wait on auctions and get lucky.
I did check the PSA set registry and the closest anyone is to a complete set is 25% so it’s probably going to be an uphill battle but look forward to the journey.
Fifth card acquired - Abra PSA 10
This little guy has to be top 3 Gen 1 Stage 1 Pokemon for me. He’s got some of the best “common” art in the hobby, usually depicted chillin’ somewhere, often under a tree or in a field looking as if he’s pondering the mysteries of the world. Kusajima went a different direction with this artwork. Abra almost feels like a teenager on this card and much like a teenager there’s plenty of movement with very little direction. The usual feel of calm when looking at a Abra card is replaced with something fittingly more akin to confusion. Very happy this was the first common added for my set.
5/128
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Sixth card acquired - Venusaur Holo PSA 9
They did my boy dirty on this one, my lord. Venusaur looking like he’s been vine whipping himself for the past week. The background on the card is actually really nice and is a cool setting for our flower frog friend, but it’s hard to escape Venusaur’s appearance. The leaf hanging over his head like a fringe only adds to the simple Jack vibes. The only conclusion is the English Expedition Bulbasaur art was so good, they had to bring the evolution line back down to earth to with this.
6/128
12 Likes
I might have mentioned to you before about how expedition is my favorite under the radar set that I think will remain that way forever because the zard and Venusaur arts are so bad lol
It has some of the best and worst art around. I actually don’t mind the Charizard though. He wasn’t as hard done by as old Venusaur was.
You can’t sell me on it when one of the best zard arts in the hobby is the non holo in the same set lol
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Expedition Charizard and Venusaur gotta be looking at Blastoise sideways! Absolute top tier for the cannon turtle.
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Can’t wait till you post the togetic
You’re thinking of the ‘Town on no Map’ Togetic, so unfortunately he wont be making a cameo. Pretty sure the post would get locked and I’d be banned if that one got a write up. He might actually be what Magby was looking at with such amazement. E series Pokémon were some of the kinkiest!
I would eventually like to complete all E-Series holos but unlikely for some time.
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You could do the promos. I’ve got them as a goal. I have 4 other sets to complete first but there isn’t many so you can achieve that easily
I’m trying to keep my distance from promos for the most part as my wife will lose her mind if she realises how much cardboard costs. I do have my eye on the unlimited promos from e series for a later date.
I’m doing to unnumbered promos right now. Well the ones that are actually financially achievable
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