The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring -
Topps (USA)

December saw Topps release trading cards based on the first in a series of film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings novels. The Fellowship of the Rings collection features a 90 card basic set, which is divided into three sub-series, these being character profiles, the movie story and behind-the-scenes. The quality of the regular cards is exceptional. Each one displays a scene from the film and all, with the exception of the title and checklist cards, feature the Lord of the Rings logo stamped in gold foil. Card backs feature a smaller movie photograph alongside descriptive text.

Topps has produced two versions of its Lord of the Rings series. Whilst both feature the same basic card set, the insert cards included with each are slightly different. The hobby version has ten holofoil cards, which are inserted at a rate of 1:6 packs. These cards feature a movie scene printed using holographic foil. The retail version of the series, produced for the US mass market, does not include these cards but rather prismatic foil cards and stickers. The odds for both of these are again 1:6 packs.

In addition to the regular inserts, a selection of Lord of the Rings actor autograph cards have also been produced. Actors who have signed autographs for inclusion in the retail edition of the series are Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Christopher Lee (Saruman), Hugo Weaving (Elrond) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry). Retail autographs are inserted at a rate of 1:72 packs. The hobby edition features cards signed by Sean Astin (Sam), Cate Blanchett (Galadriel), Billy Boyd (Pippin), Sir Ian Holm (Bilbo), John Rhys-Davies (Gimli), Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Liv Tyler (Arwen) and Elijah Wood (Frodo). These are inserted at a rate of 1:24 packs.

The good news for UK collectors is that the hobby cards are being sold on the high street through branches of Electronics Boutique and Game. A pack of eight cards sells for £1.49. Series display boxes are made up of 36 packs. Topps Europe has produced a separate series of Lord of the Rings album stickers under its Merlin brand and these are available through newsagents.

>> This article was added to Card Zine in winter 2002.