I actually got really interested in following First Edition Pokemon cards earlier this year. There is not a ton of hard science behind this but here is the soft math I am using to try to get an idea of print run. Wizards of the Coast made Magic as well. They have a pretty verifiable print run on their first printing of cards, Alpha, as they produced only 1100 of each of the cards that were packed in the "rare" slot. At any given time, there is usually about 12 (approximately) of a specific Alpha magic "rare" for sale on eBay. At any given time, there is approximately 50 of a specific First Edition base set Pokemon card. Someone who has more time may be able to extrapolate this further out and take an overage for each and then do the same for the uncommon cards and commons, which also have verifiable runs in Alpha Magic and this may give a decent idea of what the total print run is. If the average holds somewhat true just for the Rares, that would mean there are about 4 - 5 times the number of Pokemon Rare First Edition base set produced, so around 5000 each. Someone feel free to shoot this whole theory down
