History
Gastly is a Ghost and Poison-type Pokémon, originating from the first generation of Pokémon. Recognizable by its gaseous form and mischievous grin, it is one of the iconic creatures from the franchise's early days. The Gastly 50/102 card from the Base Set perfectly depicts this Pokémon in its natural environment, floating with a mysterious aura.
The Base Set is the very first expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, launched in the West in 1999. This series marked the arrival of Pokémania in the world of card games, introducing the first 102 cards that would define the foundations of the TCG. The 1st Edition of this expansion is particularly sought after, symbolizing the very first print run of these historical cards.
The artwork for this card, created by Keiji Kinebuchi, captures Gastly's essence with remarkable simplicity and effectiveness. It presents the Pokémon in a clean composition, highlighting its gaseous body and piercing eyes. This distinctive style is a hallmark of early TCG illustrations, contributing to the nostalgic and artistic appeal of this common, yet iconic, card.
Fun facts
- Gastly is the only pure Ghost-type Pokémon in the first generation before evolving into Haunter (Ghost/Poison type).
- Keiji Kinebuchi, the artist for this card, also illustrated other iconic Pokémon from the Base Set, including the well-known Pikachu 58/102.
- Although Gastly 50/102 is a common card, its '1st Edition' Base Set version grants it a prized collector status due to its historical rarity.
Collector's tip
For Pokémon card collectors, the Gastly 50/102 from the Base Set in 1st Edition represents a historical piece. It is crucial to check the overall condition of the card (surface, corners, edges) as even common cards from this edition can reach significant value if well-preserved. The presence of the '1st Edition' symbol below the illustration is the key indicator of its rarity. Non-holographic cards like this one are often less prone to surface marks than holographic ones, but corners and edges remain vulnerable to wear. Comparing this version with unlimited editions is essential to understand its intrinsic value and rarity in the market.
