Topps produced the first Star Wars Galaxy trading-card set in 1993.
Star Wars Galaxy was designed as an art-focused trading-card series rather than a straightforward film-card set. It presented original illustrations and paintings by artists working in a variety of styles, allowing the cards to explore characters, creatures, locations, and vehicles from across the Star Wars universe.
The first series appeared in 1993, during a period when Star Wars merchandise was expanding again before the release of the prequel films. Its success led to additional Galaxy series and helped establish licensed trading cards as a showcase for commissioned fantasy and science-fiction artwork.
Topps had already made the original 1977 Star Wars movie cards and later produced many other Star Wars card products. The Galaxy name is therefore distinct from the original film-card series: it refers primarily to an illustration-driven collectible line rather than cards built around production stills.