A card has two sides. Its history usually has more.
Before the Booster follows the 1996 Pocket Monsters Carddass Part 1 and Part 2 release through the original fronts, photographed reverses, English interpretations, vending material, and source evidence.
The complete reference is now here at Satoshi Finds. You can read all 237 pages in your browser, search the text, or keep the original PDF with its bookmarks and fillable master checklist.
Start with the object
The Carddass catalog lets you find a Pokémon by name or number, switch between red and green fronts, and filter for prism subjects and Itoh backs. Each subject opens its illustrated page in the book.
The book documents 309 front designs and 158 distinct reverse designs. Its seven special cards have their own pages, alongside the 151 Pokémon subjects.
Read both sides
The original reverse photograph and the English interpretation serve different purposes. The photograph preserves the object; the English panel helps you read its historical wording. Some printed claims differ from later game knowledge. That difference belongs in the record.
The latest book corrects a roster discrepancy using the original checklist backs: Paras is in Part 1; Vileplume is in Part 2. The numbering chapter explains the evidence.
Keep the sources close
The evidence notes and source credits explain where the material came from and where uncertainty remains. Image resolution depends on the surviving source.
If you have a better photograph, a period advertisement, or a correction with a source, get in touch. The record can keep improving.