Lord of the Rings trading cards

[poita]

Hi All,

Does anybody here collect Lord of the Rings cards or know much about them? My other collections don't seem to progressing very far at present, and I thought I would try something different.

However, when I went to the House of Checklists Jeff Allender's House of Checklists! All Lists there were about 100 different sets listed.

Does anyone know what the differences are between them all are, and have any suggestions about where to start? I would prefer to just work on some nice basic sets for the three movies, rather than anything too obscure.

Thanks, Peter.

 

[tangent]

There were two Topps sets per movie, which would be considered the 'standard' sets. Each set had 90 cards plus foils and autos. Each update set (ie the second for the movie) had 90 cards plus foils and memorabilia (costume) cards and some autos. If you look at eBay for LOTR autos, the clean looking white background autos are the ones from these sets.

In addition, there is the Trilogy set - a chrome set. This was less popular and if autos are your thing, the autos tend to be a fair bit cheaper.

Finally, if you are into sketch cards - the relevant sets are Evolution, Masterpieces I and Masterpieces II. There are some amazing sketches but also a lot of duds and boxes can be quite expensive. These sets also had foils and the Evolution series has my favourite chase set - Stained Glass (plastic semi-transparent cards with a stained glass look).

So, my recommendation would be the original 6 movie sets (some boxes still around) for autos/memorabilia, Trilogy for a single set that covers everything, and the last three if you want sketch cards.

Many of the other sets are promotional sets of various kinds. I think I have a couple of different 20 card Cadbury's sets for example. There were also 'Action Flipz', small lenticular cards.

 

[Allstar cards inc]

There were also "trading card game" sets released for each movie....and probably more that I don't know about.

 

[siegeandspike]

There were two Topps sets per movie, which would be considered the 'standard' sets. Each set had 90 cards plus foils and autos. Each update set (ie the second for the movie) had 90 cards plus foils and memorabilia (costume) cards and some autos. If you look at eBay for LOTR autos, the clean looking white background autos are the ones from these sets.

In addition, there is the Trilogy set - a chrome set. This was less popular and if autos are your thing, the autos tend to be a fair bit cheaper.

Finally, if you are into sketch cards - the relevant sets are Evolution, Masterpieces I and Masterpieces II. There are some amazing sketches but also a lot of duds and boxes can be quite expensive. These sets also had foils and the Evolution series has my favourite chase set - Stained Glass (plastic semi-transparent cards with a stained glass look).

So, my recommendation would be the original 6 movie sets (some boxes still around) for autos/memorabilia, Trilogy for a single set that covers everything, and the last three if you want sketch cards.

Many of the other sets are promotional sets of various kinds. I think I have a couple of different 20 card Cadbury's sets for example. There were also 'Action Flipz', small lenticular cards.

Your awesome Jen
This really sums it all up!!

 

[poita]

Thanks all for your responses, and especially to Jen for her detailed guide.

I might start with the movie sets and go on from there. Either way, I can't see myself going after too many autos based on the prices I have seen on eBay.

Thanks, Peter.

 

[siegeandspike]

Pretty sure I have some LOTR inserts at home somewhere, shoot me a PM with your address and I will send them over to you.