THE DARK SHADOWS TRADING CARD SET
1993
IMAGINE, INC.
In 1993, the Pittsburgh, PA.-based company Imagine, Inc. introduced a 62 card set of trading cards featuring the original Dark Shadows television series. The cards were in full color, and depicted poses and scenes generally not found on the original Philly Gum sets. Each card had an ornate facsimile gold picture frame surrounding each photo, with a thin white border on the very outside of the frame to the edge of each card. The front of each card was fully laminated with a glossy finish, and the back surface was untreated card stock. The back of each card had a blue, black, and white design which ran the long width of the 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" card, while the photo front ran the standard narrow width. The back design featured an artist's rendering of Barnabas Collins(actually a drawing after the #1 1968 pink card), fangs bared, his face framed by his cane. This image rested in the lower right corner. To the left center of this, a white panel dominate the middle of the card and contain a description of the photo on the front. This was preceded by the year or time period in which the scene occurred. Above this area was an artist's conception of Collinwood at night, with a deep blue sky and trees lining the outer edges. This drawing stretched across the entire top of the card. At the top left corner, nearly obscured in the deep blue, was the number of the card. Along the bottom strip of the card back, below the white section, were the words "DARK SHADOWS" in the classic white lettered logo from the TV show. This, against a black background. On the bottom edge of the white area, the following was printed: "Published by Imagine, Inc. Pittsburgh, PA. (R) & (C) 1993 Dan Curtis Prods., Inc. All rights reserved." As of July 1994, 10,000 sets had been produced.
There are several unique features to these cards, aside from the laminated, full color portraiture format. Several of the portraits of Barnabas, taken in 1967, involve the use of black-and-white promotional photos. These were then tinted, either by hand or by electronic means (colorized, if you will). Examples can be found in cards #1, #10, #11, #12,#31, & #46. Several other cards involving other characters are also colored via some tint method(DS fan Stuart Manning tells me this was originally done by MPI video, for the DS video packaging). Among these are card #17, which features Count Petofi (1897), #30, which shows Josette and Angelique (1795), and #32, depicting Gregory Trask and Judith Collins (1897). Others include card #'s 33, 36, 38, 47, 49, 52, 57, & 61. #'s 32 & 52 (Jamison in the cemetery) come the closest to being copies of shots from one of the Philly Gum sets, in this case the 1897 sequence in the green set, where Quentin is a Zombie and his spirit is in Jamison. The tinting was probably done because of the huge selection of monochrome production shots to choose from.
The remaining cards in the set are color shots from all time periods and story lines. Two of these, cards #58 and #60, are errors in the printing run. The descriptions on the backs are switched. The back of card #58 says, "1968. Nicholas Blair (Humbert Allen Astredo) and Eve (Marie Wallace).", while card #60 says, "1841 parallel time. Carrie Stokes (Kathy Cody)." In truth, the photos on the front of these cards were reversed. This is not a rarity, as this error appears throughout the print run, as far as I can tell.
While some cards in the old Philly Gum sets feature shots taken in rehearsal, the 1993 set featured these type of shots more matter of factly, actually describing them as such (#'s 43 and 54), or at least depicting more obvious examples of backstage or rehearsal photos (see also #'s 7 and 26). This set is also the only set to exclusively feature either Collinwood (pink card #66 shows a section, but the subject is Victoria Winters), or the Old House. Cards #13 and #16 show the Great Mansion at night and during the day, respectively. Card #'s 3, 6, 22, & 28 depict Barnabas outside of the Old House in a 1967 promo shoot for the show's 1795 story. Card #'s 2, 35, 51, & 53 are probably from the same Tarry town location shoot, and feature interiors. The large percentage of photographs in the Imagine series are familiar to most fans of the show, whether appearing in fan publications, MPI video boxes (where tinting is also employed), or in show-era magazines.
The basic set of 62 cards was augmented by an additional 12 cards. The first three of these were promo cards, which are issued with most sets nowadays, just before general release of the sets themselves. The #1 promo features Barnabas, fangs bared, in a shot from 1967. This is the same shot as card #46. The #2 promo is unique in two ways: It is one of the sets' two sepia-tone photos, this one taken in '67. It shows Barnabas in front of the foyer portrait. This shot does not appear in the regular set. Promo #3 shows the Barnabas/Maggie-as-Josette scene also found on card #47. The backs of these promos are similar to the regular cards, except they are totally black-and-white, the card number is in a moon shaped white circle above the left end of the Collinwood sketch, And the description box contains the following announcement: "PROMOTIONAL CARD. To order a complete, full-color set, send $18.45 for regular 60 card set or $33.45 for deluxe Autographed set (Call 412 -921-8777 to Charge) to: Imagine, Inc., PO Box 9674 PGH, PA 15226". Below this announcement was the standard print and copyright claimer. Note: The above ad says the set is only 60 cards. It is, in fact, 62 cards.
The 6 autograph cards (the sixth card, depicting Jerry Lacy as 1897 Rev. Trask was printed, but Lacy was unavailable for a signing) featured 5 different stars of the show, excluding Jonathan Frid. These cards were not numbered and appear to have been printed a shade or two darker (the mark of a separate print run?) than the main set. The collector could obtain these cards by ordering the special Autograph set, which contained three of the five cards. They were also randomly inserted in packs, about one in a whole case!
The Kathryn Leigh Scott card shows her, as Rachel Drummond, in 1897 garb on the great staircase with a triple candelabra. The Lara Parker card shows Angelique in 1795 dress. The Roger Davis card is a rehearsal shot from the 1897 sequence, showing him without his Dirk Wilkins false mustache. The scene also includes Barnabas. The Dan Curtis card, the second sepia one in the total set, shows him in a standard shot that Curtis sent out to the press in the publicity material for the 1982 miniseries Winds of War(information courtesy of Dark Shadows Forums poster doombuggy69). The David Selby card depicts Quentin as a Zombie, 1897. All of these cards, except Dan Curtis', are tinted. The backs are b&w like the promos, but they are not numbered. In the upper white area, the Name of each star appears in gothic lettering with a dark line below. The actual signature appears below this, in the center of the open white area. The unsigned Jerry Lacy card, initially unreleased, shows him in rehearsal as Gregory Trask from 1897.
Two other cards were printed for promotional purposes. These are the John Graziano cards, which featured a full-color portrait of Barnabas Collins by artist Graziano. These cards came in two sizes: standard 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", and 5" x 7". The postcard also featured the DS logo to the lower right, in gold letters. In the lower white border of the card is copyright information. The back is blank. The standard size card is the same, except that there was no logo, no copyright on the front, and the back resembles an autograph card with nothing in the white area. This card was reportedly a printer's mistake, so the company used it as a companion piece to the postcard. Niether card is numbered. Both could be ordered from Imagine for $3.50. The portrait was also available in 18" x 24" poster format, in two styles. For $49.95, the poster was signed and numbered on linen paper. For $29.95, it came on glossy stock, with no signature or number.
The final, eleventh card to the set is not really a part of it at all. It is a limited offer redemption card which allows the bearer to receive up to ten cards to complete their DS set. This cost $3 postage and handling and expired 3/1/94. The offer was made by the Fantasy Trade Card Co., PO Box 276, Marion, NY 14505. These cards were randomly inserted in packs, about two per box of 36 packs. Black lettering on white card stock
The cards were produced in packs of five, which were wrapped in vinyl plastic. The wrappers were white, with the Graziano Barnabas portrait on the front. The words "DARK SHADOWS TRADING CARDS" were splashed in pink across the bottom section of the painting. In the white field below was the 1993 copyright for Dan Curtis Productions. The back of the packs contained ordering information on the sets. The regular set went for $14.95, and the deluxe set went for $29.95. With $3.50 P&H, the sets are the same price as on the wrapper.
The wax box, which contained 36 of the packs, was black with the Graziano portrait dominating the box top. In the lower right painting area, the words "DARK SHADOWS TRADING CARDS" appear in yellow letters. The DS logo is much larger than the words "TRADING CARDS". On the long sides of the 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" box, those words are again seen in gold, accompanied by the Imagine, Inc. address. The bottom short side (oriented to the top picture) features the DS logo with "TRADING CARDS" below. The top short side says: "Foil Packs Distributed By: FANTASY TRADE CARD CO. Rochester, NY".
The sets could be ordered complete, and these came in their own factory box. Again, the Graziano picture dominates the front of the 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" box. In the upper left corner is a black strip that announces in bright yellow letters, "COLLECTOR'S SET". The lower left contains the DS logo and "TRADING CARDS", in gold and yellow, respectively. The narrow left side of the box has information on Imagine, Inc., and the box top has a checklist that has boxes to check in front of two set descriptions: "REGULAR SET" and "AUTOGRAPHED SET". The lettering is yellow. The back side of the box has the sentence "Enter the world of Dark Shadows in full color." The first four words are in cursive, and they are an orange-red color. The DS logo is gold, and the last three words are yellow. Excepting the front panel of the box, the background field is light brown.
THE CARDS : A DESCRIPTION
The following is a listing of each of the total 73 cards in the Imagine, Inc. set. The card number is followed by a brief account of the photo on it and, whenever possible, the time period and/or episode number corresponding to the scene.
*********************************************************************************
#1.) This view of Barnabas, tinted, is from a 1967 production/promotion shoot.
#2.) Probably taken in Spratt House in Tarrytown, NY, this promo color shot was one of a series done sometime in the winter of '67-'68(during the 1795 story). Barnabas, interior.
#3.) Same as above, but exterior of the house with Barnabas.
#4.) Nicholas Blair, stake in hand, glowers over Angelique's coffin. 1968. Ep. #622 (T. 11/12, A. 11/5).
#5.) Barnabas on his deathbed, 1967. Episodes #404-406 (Taped 1/9-1/11, Aired 1/15-1/17).
#6.) Same as #3.
#7.) Lara Parker as Catherine Harridge, PT 1841. Costume shot, 1971.
#8.) Thayer David as T. Eliot Stokes from the famous 1968 cast shoot on the Great Staircase.
#9.) Angelique bites Barnabas, 1968. Episode #606 (Taped 10/14, Aired 10/21).
#10.) Promo shot of Barnabas, at the foot of the Great Staircase. Tinted. Ep. # 331 (T.9/21/67, A. 10/2/67).
#11.) Barnabas bares his fangs, Tinted promo. Episode # 331 (Taped 9/21/67, Aired 10/2/67).
#12.) Barnabas at Eagle Hill, Tinted promo, 1967.
#13.) Collinwood, night. Color slide, probably 1967, after change to color video.
#14.) Angelique meets Diabolos, 1968. Episode #628 (Taped 11/13, Aired 11/20).
#15.) Barnabas in the Old House drawing room, 1968. Episode #606 (Taped 10/14, Aired 10/21)
#16.) Collinwood, day. Color slide, 1967.
#17.) Count Petofi (Thayer David),1897. Tinted set shot, 1969.
#18.) Color shot of Barnabas. Photo shoot 1967. Appears on Ross novel, Barnabas Collins.
#19.) Color shot of vampire Angelique, 1968.
#20.) Flora (Joan Bennett) and Gabriel Collins (Chris Pennock) PT 1841. Set shot 1971.
#21.) Catherine Harridge(Lara Parker), PT 1841. Costume shot, 1971.
#22.) Same as #3.
#23.) Angelique,1897. Episode #860 (Taped 9/29/69, Aired 10/10/69).
#24.) One of the famous 1968 cast photo series. Color.
#25.) Nancy Barrett as Carolyn Stoddard, from the '68 cast shoot. Color.
#26.) Bramwell (Jonathan Frid) and Daphne (Kate Jackson), PT 1841. Rehearsal shot, 1971.
#27.) Melanie Collins (Nancy Barrett) PT 1841. Color, 1971.
#28.) Same as #3.
#29.) Quentin Collins (David Selby), 1897. Same as Philly postcard #7, 1969. Ep. #825 (T. 8/14, A. 8/22)
#30.) Josette DuPres (KLS) and Angelique, 1795. Tinted, 1967. Episode #370 (Taped 11/20, Aired 11/24)
#31.) Barnabas, promo shoot, 1967. Tinted.
#32.) Trask (Jerry Lacy) and Judith Collins(Joan Bennett), 1897. Tinted, 1969. Ep. #725(T. 3/28, A. 4/4).
#33.) Carl Collins (John Karlen) and Pansy Faye(Kay Frye), 1897. Tinted, 1969. Ep. #778 (T.6/11, A.6/18).
#34.) Aristede (Michael Stroka), 1897. Candid shot, 1969.
#35.) Same as #2.
#36.) Barnabas and Ben Stokes (Thayer David), 1795. Tinted, 1968. Episode #430 (Taped 2/12, Aired 2/16)
#37.) Melanie and Flora, PT 1841. Rehearsal, 1971.
#38.) Josette, risen from the grave, 1795. Tinted, 1968. Episode #430(Taped 2/12 , Aired 2/16).
#39.) Barnabas ’68 promo shot. Episode #465 (Taped 4/1, Aired 4/5).
#40.) Barnabas, '67 promo shot.
#41.) Barnabas and Julia (Grayson Hall), rehearsal, 1968. Episode #535 (Taped 6/28, Aired 7/2).
#42.) Robert Rodan as Adam, '68 cast shoot.
#43.) Grayson Hall, Jonathan Frid, Humbert Allen Astredo-rehearsal 1968. Ep. #522 (T. 6/16, A. 6/24).
#44.) Daphne Harridge (Kate Jackson), PT 1841. Costume shot, 1971.
#45.) Josette(Mary Cooper), PT 1841. Costume shot, 1971.
#46.) Barnabas, '67 promo, tinted.
#47.) Barnabas and Maggie, early 1967 promo. Tinted. Episode #250 (Taped 5/29, Aired 6/9).
#48.) Angelique, Barnabas, and Joe Haskell, rehearsal 1968. Episode #608(Taped 10/15, Aired 10/23).
#49.) Promo of Barnabas and David (David Henesy), 1967. Tinted. Ep. #331 (T. 9/21/67, A. 10/2/67).
#50.) Willie Loomis (John Karlen), from a '68 cast shoot photo.
#51.) Same as #2.
#52.) Jamison Collins (David Henesy), 1897. Tinted. 1969 rehearsal. Episode #725(Taped 3/28, Aired 4/4).
#53.) Same as #2.
#54.) Tim Shaw (D. Briscoe) and Rachel Drummond (KLS), 1897. Rehearsal, 1969. E. #776(T. 6/9, A.6/16).
#55.) Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) and Vicki (Alexandra Moltke), 1968. Ep. #610 (Taped 10/18, Aired 10/25).
#56.) Barnabas with Roxanne Drew (Donna Wandrey), PT 1970. 1970. Episode #1055 (T. 7/3, A. 7/10).
#57.) Roger Davis as Jeff Clark, Dream Curse 1968. Episode #482(Taped 4/24, Aired 4/30).
#58.) Carrie Stokes (Kathy Cody), PT 1841. Set shot, 1971.
#59.) Werewolf (Alex Stevens). Rehearsal shot, 1968. Episode #651 (Taped 12/16, Aired 12/23).
#60.) Nicholas and Eve (Marie Wallace), 1968. Rehearsal shot, Episode #610 (Taped 10/18, Aired 10/25).
#61.) Magda Racosi(Grayson Hall), 1897. Rehearsal, 1969. Episode #719 (Taped 3/20, Aired 3/27).
#62.) Natalie DuPres(Grayson Hall), 1795. Rehearsal, 1968. Episode #408 (Taped 1/11, Aired 1/17).
***********************
Promo #1.) Barnabas, 1967. Tinted, same as card #46.
Promo #2.) Barnabas, 1967. Sepia.
Promo #3.) Barnabas and Josette, 1967. Tinted. Same as card #47.
***********************
Autograph Cards(no numbers)
Kathryn Lee Scott. Rachel Drummond, 1897. Episode #733 (Taped 4/9/69, Aired 4/16/69).
Lara Parker. Angelique, 1795.
Roger Davis. Dirk Wilkins, 1897. Episode #721 (Taped 3/21/69, Aired 3/31/69).
Dan Curtis, 1970-71.
David Selby. Quentin Collins, 1897. Episode #725 (Taped 3/28/69, Aired 4/4/69).
Jerry Lacy. Gregory Trask, 1897. Episode 776 (Taped 6/9/69, Aired 6/16/69).
***********************
There were also two special promos with John Graziano's Barnabas artwork on them. These were in two sizes: regular card size and postcard size. Also in poster size. Finally, there was a redemption card from Fantasy Trade Card Co., the distributors of the set.