SERIES 2
SECRET SACHET EDITION

Corinthian followed up the resounding success of Series 1 by swiftly releasing International Prostars Series 2, another strong series which saw 16 figures released as single blisters and 19 released inside the secret sachet.

 

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Series 2 contained 10 first time sculpts, so let's start our journey at Manchester United, we get the very first ever release of Dutch defender Jaap Stam, who is in home kit, joined by another first time sculpt in Jesper Blomqvist, who is in United away kit.

 

 

The 2 figures for Arsenal are also both first time sculpts, which are French due Emmanuel Petit and Nicolas Anelka, with the Petit sculpt truly being exceptional, one of my personal favourites. For Chelsea we have Tore Andre Flo in home kit, the sculpt being the same as seen in the Norge Tropps range of Headliners.

 

 

Liverpool's new American goal keeper Brad Friedel get's his first ever Corinthian release but he is overshadowed by the first time release of the highly anticipated and requested figure of Michael Owen. Corinthian were inundated with requests to release an Owen figure and this sculpt did not disappoint. Corinthian produced the Michael Owen in 4 different body poses for release in the secret sachet. To ensure collectors were able to get their hands on the highly anticipated Owen figures, Corinthian placed a 'Michael Owen Inside This Pack' sticker on the sachets which contained an Owen. 

 

 

My personal highlight of Series 2 is Edgar Davids, here in Netherlands home kit such a highly detailed sculpt of a player who was at the very height of his powers during this period. His Juventus team mate Angelo Peruzzi joins Davids in Series 2, here in Italy home kit, the sculpt being the same as used in the Headliners range.

 

 

AC Milan have a deadly strike force of George Weah and Oliver Bierhoff, with Weah previously appearing in the Serie a  SuperStars range, but this was the debut appearance for the German power forward Bierhoff, however he was supposed to also feature in the SuperStars range for Udinese, but his figure was cancelled, despite appearing in the collectors information leaflet, being replaced by the infamous Giovanni Stroppa.

 

 

Youri Djorkaeff is in France home kit, the sculpt used being the same as in the Headliners range, Series 2 would be the only time Djorkaeff would be released as a ProStars figure. Alessandro Del Piero is in Juventus home kit, the sculpt used being the same as the one in the SuperStars range of Headliners.

 

 

In Italy national kit we have the first release of Christian Vieri, joined by Cafu in Brazil home kit. Vieri was a first time release however Cafu did get released for Palmeiras in the Brazil club range of Headliners, however that is a very rare figure, so this was essentially his first release to UK collectors, appearing in 98/99 home kit.

 

 

Completing the set is Thomas Hassler in Borussia Dortmund home kit, this would be the only Corinthian release of Hassler and would prove to be the final release of Borussia Dortmund figures in the ProStars range.

 

 

The International ProStars Series 2 Secret Sachet were available from high street stores and newsagents, priced at £1.99. Included in the secret sachet was the figures collector card, one side has the figure image and the other has the player ratings, which you could fill in to create your own version of a top trumps style card game. 

 

 

Also included in each secret sachet was a collectors information file, which detailed the range available and also came with a token, 8 tokens were needed to claim a free Platinum Pack. Along with the regular blister packs, Corinthian produced something special called the Platinum Pack, these were produced in much lower numbers and not available for direct sale, they were given away free for money spent with Corinthian Direct, however you could also buy them from official Corinthian Collector Centres. The figures are identical to those in the standard blister but are placed on a specially designed blister card.

 

 

Corinthian did not make public how many of each secret sachet figure were made, only to state that based on club order sales Owen was the biggest seller and the ones made in the lowest amount were Friedel, Cafu and Hassler.