Dark Shadows Trading Cards: A Collector's Guide

A vampire soap opera, two 66-card series and some of the most fragile cards of the 1960s.

Dark Shadows began as an ordinary gothic daytime drama in 1966. Then Barnabas Collins, a vampire from the 1790s played by Jonathan Frid, arrived in 1967, and the show became a sensation with teenagers rushing home from school to watch. Philadelphia Gum, the company behind the 1965 James Bond cards, quickly issued two Dark Shadows sets: a pink-bordered series in 1968 and a green-bordered series in 1969. They're cult favorites today, and condition makes them harder to find in high grade than their numbers suggest.

The Two Series at a Glance

Series 1 (Pink, 1968)

• Cards: 66.

• Official name: The box and wrapper call the set "Barnabas Wallet Photos," but collectors usually call it Dark Shadows (Pink).

• Fronts: Black-and-white stills from the TV series. Most cards feature Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins, with others showing cast members such as Alexandra Moltke, Joan Bennett, Grayson Hall and Nancy Barrett.

• Autographs: Some cards carry printed facsimile "autographs." They're part of the design, not real signatures.

Series 2 (Green, 1969)

• Cards: 66.

• Fronts: Black-and-white stills, many showing scenes from the show's 1897 time-travel storyline.

• Content: Barnabas still dominates, alongside the vampires and other supernatural characters of the show's later seasons.

Other 1969 Dark Shadows Items

Philadelphia Gum also issued a 12-card set of 5-by-7-inch Quentin postcards and a series of 16 giant pinups. They're collected separately from the card sets but make great companion pieces.

Why Condition Is So Hard

The biggest challenge with both series is the paper. It wears very easily, and top-grade cards are hard to find. Inspect for:

• Edge and corner wear, which shows immediately on the soft stock.

• Creases and surface wear.

• Centering, often off.

• Gum and wax stains.

• Writing, especially on cards with printed autographs.

Sharp, clean cards from either series stand out dramatically from typical copies.

Building the Sets

Pick a series to start. Series 1 is the classic Barnabas set. Series 2 covers the 1897 storyline that many fans consider the show's peak. Both are 66 cards and very achievable.

Prioritize condition. Because the paper is so fragile, a matched set in strong condition is worth far more as a collection than a mixed one.

Sort by border. Pink and green cards are easy to tell apart, but mixed lots are common, so check every card.

Grade selectively. High-grade Barnabas cards are the natural grading candidates.

Who Collects Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows has one of the most loyal fan bases in television history, and the show has been revived and remade several times. Fans collect everything connected to it, from cards and postcards to comics and memorabilia. That loyalty gives the card sets steady demand, especially for clean Barnabas cards.

Storage and Display

Use clean sleeves and handle these cards gently. Avoid tight holders that can dent the soft stock. Store them flat and away from humidity. A frame of Barnabas cards with UV-protective glass makes a great piece for any horror or classic TV collector.

Pricing Dark Shadows Cards

Commons are affordable in average condition. The price gap comes from condition, because the fragile paper makes high-grade cards rare. Barnabas cards sell fastest. When you research prices, confirm the series by border color, and compare graded sales with graded sales. Complete sets in strong condition command clear premiums over typical sets.

Wrappers and Boxes

The original pink-series box and wrapper, labeled "Barnabas Wallet Photos," are prized display pieces. Green-series wrappers are also collected. As with all sealed vintage material, buy only from trusted sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Dark Shadows cards are there?

Philadelphia Gum issued two 66-card series: pink-bordered cards in 1968 and green-bordered cards in 1969.

Why is the 1968 Dark Shadows set called "Barnabas Wallet Photos"?

That's the name printed on the original box and wrapper. Collectors usually call it the pink series.

Are the autographs on Dark Shadows cards real?

No. Some cards carry printed facsimile autographs as part of the design.

Who is on the Dark Shadows cards?

Mostly Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins, along with cast members such as Alexandra Moltke, Joan Bennett, Grayson Hall and Nancy Barrett.

Are Dark Shadows cards hard to find?

Not in average condition. The fragile paper makes high-grade cards the scarce ones.

What else did Philadelphia Gum make for Dark Shadows?

A 12-card set of 5-by-7-inch Quentin postcards and a series of 16 giant pinups, both issued in 1969.

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