Foreword
This guide is from personal experience and talking to original collectors of buffs from the early 2000's. There are many variations of buffs! For example, the first four seasons consist of twelve tribes so one might think there are twelve different buffs. However, there are actually 33 variations of buffs for the first four seasons which doesn't include "top buffs." Reprints (collector editions), misprints (season 20 pink buff) and reissues are not part of this guide. This guide only covers what a true original looked like on card for each season. There are of course exceptions, because variants of originals for certain seasons arise as you will see in the guide. "On card with tags" is also what this guide will be covering. It should be noted that a lot of original buffs were sold without a card, in fact most of the first twelve seasons or so were mainly sold off card. Some refer to these as "scroll" or "tube" form. Even a lot of modern day buffs are sold in scroll form. Again, this guide covers the more rare original buffs that actually came on some form of card.
Generic rules;
1. Original Buff cards had their corresponding season logo from Seasons 2 to 19;
2. Original Buff cards from Seasons 20 to 34 had the generic Survivor logo;
3. Original Buff cards for Seasons 35 to 39 use the new square white "custom edition" card;
4. The first 24 Seasons are associated with the old Buff logo. Seasons 25-39 are represented with the newer Buff logo;
Season specific rules;
Season 1 - Borneo
The first season (Borneo) never came on specific Survivor cards. They came on generic "head cards" that vary and come in several forms. Here are a few pictures of some original Borneo Buffs on card! The first season was also sponsored by Reebok, so the logo should be present.
Here are some pictures of the original buffs off card to better see the blue Reebok logo.
The tag for season 1 was the older Buff logo. It is a grey colour and not the more common gold colour as seen on the majority of other seasons. The grey colour of the tag matches the colour of the actual head card. This season did not come with a sticker tag of survivor.
Season 2 - The Australian Outback
The second season (Australia) came with a season specific logo card. Reebok was a sponsor and the logo was once again present on the actual buffs and cards!
Here is a picture of the original buffs off card to better see the different white/blue/red Reebok logo for this season. There are several different pictures of each tribe on card to show the consistency of the tags. Notice the new Reebok logo which is different than season 1.
The front of the card for season 2 has the older buff logo on the bottom left.
The tag for season 2 is once again the older Buff logo, but gold. This season did not come with a sticker tag of survivor.
Season 2 should have the year "2001" for when it was made.
It is important to know that original season 2 Buffs also came on generic head cards. These were part of the original run of buffs and are considered to be more rare than the season specific made logo card. Examples of these can be seen below. Notice how the Buff tag is grey like the season 1 original head cards.
Season 3 - Africa
The third season (Africa) came with a season specific logo card. Reebok was a sponsor and the logo was once again present on the actual buffs and cards! (Note: I am missing the Boran buff from my collection).
Here is a picture of the original buffs off card to better see the blue Reebok logo for this season. Notice the Reebok logo is the same as season 1! There are also several different pictures of each tribe buff on card to show the inconsistency of the tags for this season. The Africa buffs came with either a grey tag or a gold tag and sticker tag. See below for details.
Here are pictures showing the original buffs came with the grey tag (the same tag as the season 1 and season 2 head cards);
Here are pictures showing the original buffs came with the gold tag and a survivor sticker tag (seen for the first time);
The front of the card for season 3 has the older buff logo on the bottom left.
Reminder that the tag(s) for season 3 are of the older Buff logo and either gold or grey. This season did come with a sticker tag of survivor when the gold tag was present.
Season 3 should have the year "2001" for when it was made.
Last but certainly not least for Season 3 buffs is something called a "Prototype Variant." This guide is certainly only for original buffs from each season and not the reprints or other reissued variants made years later. This prototype variant was actually for crew use only and in my opinion an alternate original. It came on the generic head cards mentioned in the previous two seasons. It also came with a grey buff tag. The one difference between the prototype and the original season 3 buffs is obvious. The prototypes came with the same Reebok logo shown in the season 2 buffs. The original season 3 buffs have the more standard Reebok logo.
Season 4 - Marquesas
The fourth season (Marquesas) came with a season specific logo card. Reebok was a sponsor and the logo was once again present on the actual buffs and cards for the last time.
Here are some pictures of the original buffs off card to better see the Reebok logo for this season. Notice the Reebok logo is the same as season 1! Notice how the Reebok logo is also purple for the Maraamu tribe and not white like the other two. There are several different pictures of each tribe buff on card to show the consistency of the tags for this season. See below for details.
Here are pictures showing the original buffs came with the gold tag and survivor sticker tag;
It should be noted that some buffs came without the survivor sticker tag from the manufacturer for this season. See pictures below for examples.
The front of the card for season 4 has the older buff logo on the bottom left.
Reminder that the tag(s) for season 4 are of the older Buff logo and they are gold. This season did come with a sticker tag of survivor and also without.
Season 4 should have the year "2002" for when it was made.
Season 4 is the first season to have a "bar code sticker" on the back of the cards. These are important to check if you have an original buff and its respective card because they contain reference numbers for each tribe. Some buff sellers have been known to put uncarded buffs on cards!! An easy tell is by checking these bar code reference numbers because sometimes they do not match the buff tribe! For example you might have a Soliantu buff with a Rotu reference number! This would be a buff that has been tampered with. See below for appropriate Season 4 reference numbers;
Soliantu REF: 25498
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Maraamu REF: 25499
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Rotu REF: 25500
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If you recall, Season 3 Africa buffs had a prototype variant which is considered to this guide an "alternate original." This is because it was made at the same time as the mass public original versions were. Season 4 had something similar to this which was also on generic head cards. This time however it was available for cast and crew and not just the crew like the prototype from season 3. This makes the Season 4 head cards a little more easier to find for collectors. So what makes these Season 4 buffs below different from the standard season logo buff cards?
The main difference is the "survivor" text within the survivor logo. As you can see the text is actually black and not white. Watching season 4 back you will also notice the cast wearing these "black text buffs." Most collectors do not have this version as it was obviously made in far less quantities than the white text buffs.
It should be noted that some people refer to these black text buffs as the "extra tiki" buffs. If you look carefully there are 4 extra purple tiki's in the logo border compared to the white text logo.
Lastly, these black text buffs may also be called the "blue Reebok" versions. All three tribes had a blue Reebok logo on these black text variants. The more common white text versions for general public had either a white or purple Reebok logo depending on the tribe.
Season 5 - Thailand
The fifth season (Thailand) came with a season specific logo card. This season is simple! No Reebok or other variants in terms of originals!
Next, season 5 buffs are shown off card to demonstrate what an original looks like off card. From the manufacturer, Thailand buffs came with a gold tag only or both a gold tag and survivor sticker tag. See the pictures below for examples;
The front of the card for season 5 has the older buff logo on the bottom left.
Reminder that the tag(s) for season 5 are of the older buff logo and they are gold. This season did come with a sticker tag of survivor and also without.
Season 5 should have the year "2002" for when it was made.
Season 5 also has a "bar code sticker" on the back of the cards. These are important to check if you have an original buff and its respective card because they contain reference numbers for each tribe. Some buff sellers have been known to put uncarded buffs on cards!! An easy tell is by checking these bar code reference numbers because sometimes they do not match the buff tribe! For example you might have a Sook Jai buff with a Chuay Jai reference number! This would be a buff that has been tampered with. See below for appropriate Season 5 reference numbers;
Chuay Gahn REF: 25559
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Chuay Jai REF: 25560
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Sook Jai REF: 25561
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Season 5 Thailand buffs are similar to season 2 Australia in that they also came on generic head cards with grey tags. The buffs themselves are the exact same on both head card and season card like season 2. There are no original variants like seasons 3 (prototype) and 4 (black text).
Season 6 - Amazon
The sixth season (Amazon) came with a season specific logo card. This season is simple! No Reebok or other variants in terms of originals!
Next, season 6 buffs are shown off card to demonstrate what an original looks like off card. From the manufacturer, Amazon buffs came with a gold tag and survivor sticker tag. See the pictures below for examples;
The front of the card for season 6 has the older buff logo on the bottom left.
Reminder that the tags for season 6 are of the older buff logo and they are gold. This season did come with a sticker tag of survivor.
Season 6 should have the year "2003" for when it was made.
Season 6 also has a "bar code sticker" on the back of the cards. These are important to check if you have an original buff and its respective card because they contain reference numbers for each tribe. Some buff sellers have been known to put uncarded buffs on cards!! An easy tell is by checking these bar code reference numbers because sometimes they do not match the buff tribe! For example you might have a Jacare buff with a Tambaqui reference number! This would be a buff that has been tampered with. See below for appropriate Season 6 reference numbers;
Tambaqui REF: 25651
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Jacare REF: 25652
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Jaburu REF: 25653
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Season 6 Amazon buffs are similar to season 2 Australia in that they also came on generic head cards with grey tags. The buffs themselves are the exact same on both head card and season card like season 2. There are no original variants like seasons 3 (prototype) and 4 (black text).