A comprehensive collection of rare Pokémon cards recently went under the hammer at an auction, fetching over £55,000, which surpassed initial estimates by more than double. Originally owned by an enthusiast from Nottinghamshire, the collection spanned from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.
Auctioneer Richard Winterton initially valued the collection at approximately £25,000 before the auction commenced. Interest in the sale came from various parts of the globe, including Japan, China, and the United States. The extensive collection comprised 2,407 cards, including 10 complete sets and five master sets, encompassing every variant of each card.
One notable lot included 16 promotional oversized Pokémon Box Toppers. The auction took place at The Lichfield Auction Centre in Staffordshire, ultimately yielding a total of £55,270. Mr. Winterton hailed the sale as “fantastic,” attributing its success to the exceptional quality of the collection.
He remarked on the fierce competition among collectors, noting that some cards were highly sought after, prompting collectors to acquire entire sets just to obtain a single card. This indicates the continued fervor within the international Pokémon collecting community.
The sale featured significant transactions, including the Skyridge set, which sold for £18,000 to a UK-based online bidder amidst strong competition, and the Legendary Collection, purchased for £8,600 by an in-person bidder. Additionally, Aquapolis fetched £8,000 from another UK-based online bidder.
The complete sets encompassed expansions such as Neo Destiny, Neo Revelation, Neo Discovery, Neo Genesis, Gym Challenge, Gym Heroes, Team Rocket, Base Set 2, Fossil, and Jungle. While Pokémon enjoy popularity through various media, including films, TV series, and online gaming, the Trading Card Games (TCG) segment maintains a substantial and dedicated following.
