might be a nice idea that the boxes and packs are not marked as 1st edition, you’d have to open the pack to find out it was first edition
or perhaps 1st edition boxes don’t exist and and a number of 1st edition boosters are randomly inserted into unlimited boxes, ranging from 1 to a possible 36 packs
With that you are just creating more chase cards with sets that already have far too many.
yep that’s a whole other issue though lol
Yes, bring it back, but only as inserts in the normal product. Like one 1st ed card every 3 packs or something.
Then make them the only chase cards. Base had no chase cards and that set did pretty well;)
And for those who don’t think it would help the collectible side just look at the lessons from the past.
Lastly, why did it stop after wotc? It was a cost saving measure because it eliminated one step. That played a part in its decline soon after. So, maybe with the rise of Pokémon now there’s little reason to change it but it’s best not to be short sighted or become complacent. Future collectors may enjoy the same collectible incentives we’ve all enjoyed from the wotc era.
People would definitely hoard…
Fuck it, bring back 1st ed!
“The ship has already sailed, the golden era of WOTC 1st Edition stamps is gone so let it rest. Pokemon should create a new spectrum for future generations to fall in love with again as we did in the 90s and early 00s. They shouldn’t attempt to rehash old love as the most it can amount to is a whisper of its former glory.” - Abraham Lincoln (ch32, pg.130 Declaration of Independence., Cage, Nicholas. Edition)
They should bring it back but maybe give it a different look. This way we leave the classic one alone and we introduce a new one to the new era of collectors.
Exactly. A lot of these posts neglect to address the benefit to a new era of collectors. Let’s give them the enjoyment opportunity we had.
I honestly believe that the return of the stamp would only hurt the market as a whole. The collectors, which is most of us, would be the only people who benefit. We would have more rare products and cards, but for the Sun and Moon era who is really enjoying the cards? You can slap the stamp on a turd but it doesn’t change the fact that it is still a turd.
The stores would be hurt since it would be so much more difficult to sell the ultimate product since the EV would be so low.
Just my 2 cents though.
It makes it more fun for collectors and is of no consequence to players besides getting cheaper Unl packs. Plus, who cares if we filter out the greedy stores and distributors and only the truly legit ones are left standing?
Or I could be wrong lol.
The current status quo is massive production of cards = cheap boxes = oversaturated, worthless product. The excitement is just not there for new product when it comes to serious collectors.
The predominant argument here against the reintroduction of the 1st edition release is that distributors and individuals will sit on boxes and/or charge more for them. So boxes will have desirability and therefore value? This is a problem?
This argument is also an argument against generally reducing print runs too. “If there is a smaller number of boxes produced, distributors will hoard them and sell them at a profit”. This is also an argument in favour of NOT printing anything with desirability in a set, because distributors can also leverage sets which are more in-demand. This is an argument in favour of massive releases of sets with bland product because this is the only situation where people and distributors would not want to sit on boxes.
Even if we assume distributors will mark up boxes to $140 and be reluctant to actually distribute product, that’s a symptom of something positive in my opinion. That means there’s actually demand for a product. That means pulling the 1st ed Hyper rare charizard actually means something. That means older collectors will actually be excited for a new set release. That means the product you’re opening now may actually maintain value over time. Personally, I’d rather spend $140 on something limited and actually desirable than $75 on something that’s been printed to the moon and back.
This is indicative of one of my biggest issues with it.
The 1st edition print run would extremely likely be abused. It would likely outnumber the “unlimited” print run for many, many sets. Unlimited variants won’t even exist for some sets at some point in the future. It is extremely likely given today’s mass quantities and print runs and having multiple production facilities that 1st edition product would never even be available to certain markets or certain buyers. (as it wasn’t back in the WOTC days)
Maybe I could get behind it if they were actually transparent about print numbers but we know that won’t happen. I’d also really hope they did something more to differentiate it than a simple black stamp. Change some other layout aspect of the card too so that we can be sure a card is not counterfeit. E.g. you do not see any remotely convincing base unlimited cards faked into 1st edition base cards because removing the shadow and changing the coloring isn’t a thing.
Yes, my argument is based on the premise that 1st ed would actually have some exclusivity to them. That’s up to Nintendo. If they are going to mimic what the Japanese releases used to do (larger 1st print than unl), I think there’s still something positive to be said about such a release model but I wouldn’t want to be spending $140 per 1st ed box.
@gottaketchumall
What we really need is an Efour person to infiltrate the Pokémon leadership so that they can get 1st edition stamps back and make sure it’s limited. Now if only that was easy to do…
Mjisaacs
Look who is winning 
If Pokemon brings back the 1st edition stamp, i’m going to get a 1st edition stamp tattoo on my chest, right over my heart. Maybe i’ll just get one either way!
I’m torn on this. I’ve been buying Nintendo products since the 80’s. Every product Nintendo makes is a collectible. To some extent, Nintendo products have always required either a pre-order, or waiting in line at midnight for the store to open. After the NES/SNES Classic debacle, it seems like everyone else has figured out that Nintendo products can be scalped. Also see: Amiibo hoarders.
The first edition stamp would definitely help the secondary market. It’s also more of the “artificial scarcity” that benefits the Nintendo scalpers and hoarders.
I would like it if they only have card shops with leagues access to first edition. Now that they let gamestop have pre release boxes, it would be a nice way to pay back the real card stores.
Now there’s a young man who’s using his head;)
I don’t think it is a good idea at all. First Edition will be only available for those that can buy/preorder big. Making it super exclusive and out of reach for many collectors.