1967 Leaf Star Trek: A Collector's Guide

The first Star Trek cards: scarce, quirky, and more reprinted than almost any vintage set.

Star Trek premiered on NBC in September 1966. A year later, Leaf issued the show's first trading cards: 72 cards of black-and-white photos with captions that often have little to do with the picture. The set was withdrawn from distribution shortly after release, which makes genuine cards scarce today. That scarcity, combined with decades of reprints, makes 1967 Leaf Star Trek one of the most rewarding and most treacherous sets in vintage non-sports.

The Set at a Glance

• Issuer: Leaf, under a license from Desilu Productions.

• Cards: 72, numbered 1 to 72.

• Fronts: Black-and-white photos from the original series, with captions.

• Card #1: "No Time for Escape."

• Distribution: Withdrawn shortly after its first release, so far fewer genuine cards survive than for most 1960s sets.

The Captions

The set is famous among Trek fans for its captions, which often don't match the scene. Characters are mislabeled, situations are invented, and the jokes land somewhere between corny and baffling. Spock is described in terms the show itself used only briefly. Rather than hurting the set, the quirks have become part of its charm. Many collectors read the captions as much as they study the photos.

The Spock Variation

Cards 11 and 12 are both titled "Spock in Command," showing Spock in two different poses: seated at the helm and standing. It's a quirk of the checklist rather than an error variation, and set builders need both.

The Reprint Problem

This is the most important section for anyone buying 1967 Leaf Star Trek. Because originals are scarce and demand is high, reprints are everywhere. Know the main types:

• Unmarked reprints. The most common and the most dangerous. They're typically slightly smaller than originals, with blurrier images and a non-glossy finish.

• 1981 marked reprints. An unauthorized reprint set that at least carries a "reprint" marking.

• European cards. Cards printed for European release were never distributed at the time because of contract complications. Uncut sheets were later found and sold as numbered sets with a certificate of authenticity. They lack the gloss coating and tend to be cut less precisely, so they're collected separately from the original U.S. issue.

When buying raw, compare size, gloss and image sharpness with a known original. For any card with significant value, buy graded. Authentication is the main reason to grade this set.

Key Cards

• #1 No Time for Escape. The set's opening card and its condition-sensitive key. The thin stock made it easy to damage.

• Cards featuring Kirk, Spock and McCoy, the stars collectors want most.

• #11 and #12 Spock in Command, the two-pose pairing.

• #72, the last card in the set and vulnerable to end-of-stack wear.

Condition Issues to Inspect

• Thin card stock, which creases and dents easily.

• Corner and edge wear, especially on the dark photo fronts.

• Surface scratches and print defects on the glossy fronts.

• Centering, often off on 1960s cards.

• Signs of reprinting: size, gloss and image sharpness that don't match an original.

Building the Set

Learn the originals first. Before buying, handle or study a few authenticated cards so you can recognize the real gloss, size and image quality.

Buy keys graded. Grading protects you from reprints on the cards where it matters most.

Be patient. Because the set is scarce, complete original sets don't come up often. Many collectors build slowly from graded and authenticated singles.

Keep European cards separate. If you collect them, track them as their own set rather than mixing them with the U.S. Leaf issue.

Where It Fits in Star Trek Collecting

Leaf's set came first. Topps followed in 1976 with the first color Star Trek set, which is much easier to find. Many collectors build both: the Leaf set for rarity and history, the Topps set for color and completeness.

Storage and Display

Use standard vintage sleeves and toploaders, and handle the thin stock gently. Keep cards flat and out of direct light. A slab or archival frame is a good choice for display, especially for the key cards.

Pricing Leaf Star Trek Cards

Because of the reprint problem, the prices you see for 1967 Leaf Star Trek cards vary more than for almost any other vintage set. A raw listing priced far below graded comps is often a reprint. When you research a card, separate graded sales from raw ones, and treat raw sales with caution unless the photos clearly show an original. Graded sales are the most reliable guide for this set.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in the 1967 Leaf Star Trek set?

Seventy-two, numbered 1 to 72.

Why are 1967 Leaf Star Trek cards so scarce?

The set was withdrawn from distribution shortly after its first release, so relatively few original cards reached collectors.

How can I tell a 1967 Leaf Star Trek reprint?

Unmarked reprints are usually slightly smaller, with blurrier images and a non-glossy finish. Some 1981 reprints are marked. When in doubt, buy graded.

Why don't the captions match the photos?

Nobody knows exactly how it happened, but many captions were mismatched or invented. Today, collectors see the odd captions as part of the set's charm.

Should I buy 1967 Leaf Star Trek cards raw?

Only if you can examine the card closely or trust the seller completely. Because unmarked reprints are common, graded cards are the safest way to buy anything of real value from this set.

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