1999 Pokemon Base Set Shadowless 1st Edition Holo Charizard #4 PSA 10 GEM MINT

The decisions we make as children usually do not carry much weight. However, try telling that to any kid selecting their first starter Pokémon. Faced with the choice between water, grass, and fire, picking a starter was essentially a lifelong commitment, the forging of a bond that would carry them through tall grass, past gym leaders, and to seemingly alien locations where powerful legendary Pokémon dwelled. This choice became more difficult with each generation as new trios of partners were introduced, yet back in 1996, one starter Pokémon proved to be a near-unanimous favorite: Charmander. The adorable fire lizard won millions of fans from the moment Professor Oak presented players its Poké Ball. Yet, beyond its look and typing, Charmander’s appeal came from the promise of its legendary final evolution. Charizard was the kind of Pokémon that even older kids got excited about, a source of wonder and jealousy akin to a friend’s brand-new bike or the unhealthy snacks parents refused to pack in their school lunch. Everybody wanted one on their team, yet whether due to a lack of skill or simply the wrong choice of starter, the dragon-like Pokémon remained out of reach for many. But in 1999, Charizard—the cover character for Pokémon Red for Game Boy—traded its Poké Ball for a booster pack. Set against a fiery foil background, this Base Set issue gave every kid, big or small, a chance to own a Charizard—all anyone needed was a few bucks and a little luck. Considered by many as one of the upper echelons of strength and power, the 1st Edition Base Set Charizard card has continued to ignite the flame within collectors old and new for nearly a quarter of a century. Featuring the highest attack damage of any original Pokémon card, the ferocity of the artwork paired with the overwhelming might of Charizard’s Fire Spin to make it the most desired card from the set. Anyone who owned one became the envy of the playground. Today, collectors know it as the ’52 Topps Mantle or ’86 Fleer Jordan of the Pokémon world. Of the three original English prints of this card, the Shadowless 1st Edition remains not only the most coveted Charizard, but arguably the most iconic TCG cared ever produced. Featuring the artwork of legendary illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita, this first English printing features a shadowless portrait border and a deeper color palette than its Unlimited counterpart, creating an unmatched aesthetic that brings the powerful Pokémon to life. Because of its desirability and effectiveness within the Pokémon TCG, this card was often scuffed, scratched, bent, chipped, and basically destroyed as excited fingers gripped and grabbed at it, making high-grade examples exceedingly rare. This PSA 10 example has secured its place as one of the finest Shadowless 1st Edition Charizards alive, so as Pokémon collectors gear up for their next adventure, this stunning Charizard will not be left behind on Professor Oak’s table.