1967 Star Trek trading cards are more than interesting. We’re going to discuss the mysteries around this set, see the checklist, learn about values, and more.
Star Trek has been entertaining us since “The Man Trap”, which first aired on September 8, 1967. Since then, there have been 6 series (if you include the animated series), 12 movies (with another on the way), multiple video games, books, comics, trading cards (including the 1967 Star Trek trading cards set we are about to dig into), and more.
It’s no surprise that one of the greatest media franchises would also include a huge variety of Star Trek trading cards as well. Of course, that all started in 1967 when Leaf released the first Star Trek trading card set. However, it was short-lived. But why?
1967 Star Trek Trading Cards Mystery and Complications
There is a great deal of mystery that surrounds the 1967 Star Trek trading cards. For starters, why was it so short-lived? Where were they released? Was Leaf authorized to release this set? And where the heck did the storylines on the cards come from? Because they certainly don’t match up with what actually happened in the episodes.
Here is the official answer to the mystery. The 1967 Star Trek trading cards were initially planned for release in Illinois and Ohio for testing purposes. Although they sold well, they were pulled off the shelves because Leaf didn’t have a finalized contract in place and when the contract was denied, they had to immediately pull all inventory and destroy it. The end result? One of the rarest and most sought-after trading card sets in history.
Other issues have floated around this set as well. Rumor has it that the writers were not happy about the storylines not matching up with the actual episodes. Additionally, some of the actors were not happy that their personal images were used without their permission.
1967 Star Trek Trading Cards Set Info
The 1967 Star Trek trading cards set consists of 72 cards that came in the standard 2-1/2” by 3-1/2” size. They were sold in five-cent gum packs. Each box consisted of 24 packs.
The front of each card had a white border and featured a black and white image taken from The Original Series (TOS) episodes. Each card was titled in white letters on a black box at the bottom of the image.
The back of the card features the title as well as a description of the episode the picture is from. However, in most cases, the story or description laid out on the card has absolutely nothing to do with the actual storyline of the series. The title and description are surrounded on the top bottom and left side by a red border. The right side features an image of Spock and Kirk. In the top left-hand corner, you’ll find the Federation symbol, also in red, with the card number listed on it. At the bottom, you will find the copyright information.
Reprints, Scams, and Confusion
There have also been several reprints of this set throughout the years. One of the biggest issues surrounds Dan Kremer Imports. Kremer states that authorized prints for European distribution were found in a warehouse. So why weren’t these ever released? According to Kremer, it was due to complications with the contract. However, others feel that they are nothing more than reprints, and not the original. However, Paramount authorized the release of these sets with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) stating:
“Upon examination, The European set exhibits the following differences from their American counterpart. The European sets were never gloss coated. The cutting was poorer than the American edition. The camera work is slightly poorer.”
So what do you think? Were they originals or just reprints? Most believe them to be a scam of reprints.
Rittenhouse released a legitimate 40th Anniversary 1967 Star Trek trading cards reprint set that added an additional 36 cards to the set in 2006 and 2008.
1967 Star Trek Trading Cards List
Here is a listing of each card in the 1967 Leaf Star Trek Set. Each includes the number and name of the card.
- No Time for Escape
- Attempted Mutiny
- A Group Appears
- Come In, Captain Kirk
- Murasaki Mischief
- Beam Down to Dawn
- Beside Himself
- Back Through Time
- Horta Emerging
- Spock’s Box
- Spock in Command (Seated)
- Spock in Command (Standing)
- Befuddled Bones
- Prepare to Fire Phasers
- Command Decision
- Kirk Battles a Gorn
- Phaser Daser
- Space Race
- Fight Fire with Fire
- Captain’s Bluff
- Underground Pursuit
- The Bird
- Teeny Bopper
- Time Warp
- You’re Kidding
- Beam Out
- Burn Out
- Interference Out
- Not So Funny
- Prisoner of the Mind
- Stalking a Killer
- The Earth Killer
- Fight for the Lithium
- Destruction Decision
- “Return My Ship”
- Frozen at the Controls
- Christmas Present
- Amnesia Victim
- Decoy
- Beyond Tomorrow
- Trapped
- Kirk Outside Spock Inside
- Spock Takes a Job
- Kirk Held Hostage
- Big Joker
- A Scream of Pain
- Captain’s Statue
- Call me Senator
- Into a New World
- Tranquilized
- Time for Shore Leave
- Ice Age
- Ambushed
- Pain of Victory
- Cornered
- Jungle Hunt
- Collision Course
- Corbomite Maneuver
- You Give Me A Headache
- Shore Leave Surprise
- Killer Aboard
- Mindless Man
- Pirates at Bay
- Off Course
- Attack by Nothing
- Funny Little Enemies
- Poison Attack!
- Warp Out of Rescue
- Out of Control
- Return to the Living
- Space Prisoner
- Raspberries
Let’s Talk Value!
The first and last cards (Card 1: No Time for Escape and Card 72: Raspberries) are the most valuable cards in the set because they are harder to find in decent conditions. Keep in mind that many 9s and 10s do not exist, so if one is discovered, could pull more than you could imagine.
These cards start at about $10 in poorer condition and have sold for thousands of dollars in professionally graded Mint condition.
For more information, view PSA’s 1967 Star Trek Price Guide.
Collector Recommendations for
1967 Star Trek Trading Cards
As always, try to get a card in the best condition you can afford. These are most likely to grow in value in the future.
No Time for Escape, the first card, is by far the most valuable in the set. Card 72, Raspberries, is also very valuable as well, being the last card in the set. If you don’t plan on getting a full set, focus on these two cards.
That said, owning the full set of 1967 Star Trek trading cards would be the ultimate envy of any collector.
What Next?
If you enjoyed learning about the 1967 Star Trek trading cards, you might also want to check these Trek sets out:
There are a few places where you may be able to find Star Trek cards for sale on the internet. eBay is probably one of the best sources, but even there, you’ll find that supply is limited.
Also, I personally have almost all of the 1967 Star Trek trading cards. If you really need a specific card, let me know. I’m not promising anything, but I may be open to letting one or two go.