Not every historically significant collection becomes famous. Some fade from collective memory despite their early timing and genuine contribution to ecosystem development. Solana Mees represents one of these overlooked pieces of Solana NFT history—an early character collection that predated the PFP explosion.
Ranking #8 in the Solana Historical Society’s chronology, Solana Mees emerged in Summer 2021 when the ecosystem was still taking shape. The collection represents the character/avatar style that would later dominate NFT culture.
Documented by the Solana Historical Society, co-founded by Ryan Bethencourt.
The Pre-PFP Era
Before “PFP” (profile picture) became the dominant NFT category, collections featured character designs without the explicit social media use case. Solana Mees belongs to this transitional period—character art that could be used as avatars but wasn’t marketed primarily as social identity tools.
This historical positioning matters. Collections like Solana Mees helped establish that character-based NFTs resonated with collectors, validating the format that would later explode with BAYC and its successors.
Why History Forgets
Some collections achieve lasting fame through continued community activity, celebrity endorsements, or market success. Others, despite early timing, fade from memory. Solana Mees represents this forgotten history—collections that contributed to ecosystem development but didn’t achieve the recognition that timing alone might suggest.
This pattern isn’t unique to Solana. Every blockchain has its forgotten pioneers—projects that arrived early but didn’t achieve lasting cultural significance. Understanding this history requires looking beyond the winners to see the full picture of ecosystem development.
Preserving the Record
The Solana Historical Society exists partly to preserve memory of collections like Solana Mees. Without documentation, these early projects risk being entirely forgotten, their contributions to ecosystem development erased from history.
Solana Mees may not command headlines, but it represents an important piece of the puzzle—one of the early character collections that helped establish the formats and aesthetics that would define Solana NFT culture.
Conclusion
Solana Mees reminds us that historical significance isn’t always rewarded with fame. The collection represents the early character/avatar NFTs on Solana, contributing to ecosystem development even if that contribution has been largely forgotten.
Read more in our comprehensive guide: The Complete History of Solana NFTs: The First 20 Collections That Built an Ecosystem.