I managed to get in touch with an old card shop in Taiwan, and they had some packs, that have been in storage for the past ten years (ish). I ensured that they were indeed in sealed booster boxes, they said they were, 36 packs to a box. I said I’d take them. Tricky part - they only accept Taiwanese Dollars, and only ship to Taiwan. I asked a parent of a Taiwanese student at my school to pay the invoice, and had them delivered to another contact of mine in Taiwan. He then sent them out to me via courier (cash on delivery)
I was in Malaysia when they arrived, so the security guards didn’t accept delivery. When I came back a week later, I called the company. The package was about to be sent back to Taiwan (!?) unless I came down to their center by the next day. Hopped on my motorbike, and drove through the pouring rain to the center. Closed for lunch. Sheltered in a nearby KFC til it opened again at 14:30.
Got the package, took it home full of joy - expecting to open the package and see sealed booster boxes! Never been seen before!
Opened the package…loose booster packs, some in sealed bags, but all in bundles of 36. From this, I can only deduce that they never did come in booster boxes - only packs, sent out to shops loose. Otherwise, why would they send me bundles of 36?
Anyway, just wanted to rant about that. At least I’m the sole possessor of said boosters!
Thanks! There is another collector…and guess where he got his collection…
I could be an ass and keep this to myself, or I could try and get these to sell on into the community. But then…the more people that have them…the less they’re worth…anyway I digress.
Still really, really hope you find another set of the Chinese promos. I still think those have the coolest story to them.
Finding neat stuff all the time my man. I’m glad! Turned one of the most under-documented areas of cards into one of the most thoroughly documented!
Having complete information on Korean cards, especially Base and the early EX series, would be fantastic!
What you have done with Chinese is great, though. I had attempted to delve deeper into the history of Chinese prints, but I had far less opportunities and resources that you had. We all owe you thanks for expanding our knowledge in this little known area of Pokemon!
That’s right - it’s the same reason they distributed POP series cards at the Taiwan PokePark. They were aiming at reviving the craze - and putting ‘obscure’ new pokemon on the front would only discourage this. They tried their best…but alas, no cigar. The series flopped yet again - leaving these cards a valuable rarity for us collectors, but unfortunately, it also spelled the death of Chinese cards once and for all. I’d love a Chinese golden Charizard from Wild Blaze. Sigh.
