Pokémon Merlin cards

Pokémon Merlin cards
Merlin logo
Release date(s)	1999 - 2005
Type	Trading cards
Manufacturer	Merlin Collections

Pokémon Merlin Cards are a series of Pokémon cards that were produced by Merlin Collections. Merlin Collections was a British publishing firm who released a variety of sticker collections during the late 1980s and 1990s, they also designed trading cards, card games and pogs. Although most notably releasing football stickers in particularly for the Premier League and Serie A, they also designed collections around television shows like Pokémon.

These cards can be removed from their backside and sticked in special collectors albums. When removing the sticker from the backside, it stops being a 'card' however.

Merlin & Topps

In 1993 the company became known as Merlin Publishing International PLC before being bought out by Topps in 1995. They were absorbed into the company, being renamed Topps Europe Limited, although the name Merlin would continue as a brand under the Topps name initially until 2008. All Pokémon Merlin Cards were published under this name since the production lasted till 2005.

Card quality

Merlin cards are known to be prone to damage and alteration. The delicate cardboard stock used for the stickers on the Merlin cards make them fragile.

Collecting summary

Merlin produced 7 different card sets between 1999 and 2005:

Set	Release year	No. of cards	Example 1	Example 2	Backside
Pokémon Merlin Series 1	1999	276 cards
Pokémon Merlin Series 2	2000	216 cards
Pokémon Merlin Series 3	2001	126 cards
Pokémon Merlin Series 4	2001	198 cards
Pokémon Merlin Series 5 - Johto League	2002	198 cards
Pokémon Merlin Series 6 - Advanced	2004	240 cards
Pokémon Merlin Series 7 - Ultimate sticker	2005	193 cards (2 artworks on 1 card)

Other card sets

Besides the 7 series sets there are 3 additional released sets; one smaller cards & a mini binder; one line of 'tattoo' cards which which can be made wet and put on skin to leave the Pokémon; lastly a 10 year anniversary with see through cards!

Set	Release year	No. of cards	Example 1	Example 2	Backside
Pokémon Merlin tattoos	2000	20 cards
Pokémon Merlin Advanced Pocket Collection	2003	222 mini cards
Pokémon Magic Message cards (10 year anniversary set)	2006	60 cards

This article is part of Project Merchandise, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all Pokémon toys, dolls, books, and collectible merchandise.