MONSTER CARDS

This isn't necessarily a bad thing, however, be aware that some sellers are not informed about
the cards they are selling and others are being downright dishonest.

Planet of the Apes card were printed in 1969 and 1975. The 1969 set is by far the more
valuable of the two. The 1969 set can command up to $200.00 for a top grade set, and the 1975 set
routinely sells in the neighborhood of $25.00. Both card sets feature ape characters which only
a Planet of the Apes expert can distinguish.

Many sellers who are otherwise not familiar with Planet of the Apes cards are apparently noticing
on the back of ALL CARDS FROM BOTH SETS a copyright notice dated 1967. Therefore,
many sellers are (wrongly) assuming that their cards (no matter the actual year), must be from
the earlier set.

The 1967 copyright located on the cards refers to the copyright of the film. Not the copyright
of the cards.

The easiest way to distinguish between a 1969 card and a 1975 card is to turn the card over and
look at the back.
 

If you see this type of back, it is a 1969 card:

All 1969 cards have green colored backs with repeating ape graphics as pictured above.
 

If you see this type of back, it is a 1975 card:

All 1975 cards have "puzzle piece backs" with text.
 

Make sure you know what you are getting to avoid disappointment. Ask the seller if
ALL CARDS IN THE AUCTION have one or the other type of back.

As for the wrapper, this is easy to distinguish. All 1969 wrappers feature an illustration of two
ape heads. All 1975 wrappers feature an ape carrying a rifle and feature a banner that says
"All New TV Series!" Naturally, the "TV Series" wrappers can not possibly be from 1969 as the
TV show did not air before 1975.

Some sellers are relying on your lack of ability to distinguish between the two sets. I have
recently (with no mention of this website) sent 4 e-mails to Ebay sellers advising them of their
mistakes. NONE changed their listing. One really can't blame them. They probably have no idea
what the actual truth is, and who wants to lose out on a good sale? Others, like the guy who
was selling the wrapper that clearly states "All New TV Series" as a 1969 wrapper wrote me that
a friend of his told him that it was from 1969 and he wanted to stick by it.

Of course he did.

In the end, it's up to the buyer of Planet of the Apes cards to determine what they are buying.
Many sellers, for whatever reason(s), cannot be relied on to distinguish between the 1969 set
and the 1975 set.
 

Text by Bob Esposito