Pokémon trading cards up for auction in Lichfield

Pokémon fans from across the world will be setting their sights on a Staffordshire auctioneer – as it celebrates the 25th anniversary of the trading cards.

The auction includes 70 sealed Pokémon Team Rockets booster packs with four different packet artwork designs, each unopened pack containing 11 cards. They are expected to sell for between £15,000 and £18,000.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers, based in Lichfield, is launching the special timed sale featuring some of the finest collectable Pokémon trading cards.

The 25th anniversary of Pokémon falls on February 27 – and the international timed auction went live at 9am on Wednesday and will run until 10am on Monday, March 8.

A 1st edition Pokémon Fossil Articuno Holo, PSA Gem Mint 10, estimated to sell for £1,800-£2,000.

The sale consists of 42 lots including an extensive collection of around 1,000 Pokémon cards from various sets – the majority PSA graded Gem Mint 10 first editions.

It is also includes 70 unopened and sealed Team Rocket booster long packs each containing 11 cards, and an unopened Base Set Booster Box from Wizards of the Coast 1999/2000.

This Pokémon Base Set Booster Box from Wizards Of The Coast has never been opened and is still enclosed in cellophane branded with the WOTC rectangular logo.

The PSA Gem Mint 10 graded cards include first edition Team Rocket Dark Charizard Holo, estimated to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 – as well as a first edition Team Rocket Dark Dragonite Holo, estimated to sell for between £2,000 and £3,000. These cards are all being marketed on behalf of a collector from the Cannock area.

A 1st edition Pokémon Team Rocket Dark Charizard Holo, PSA Gem Mint 10, estimated to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000

last year, a rare complete first edition Pokémon base set sold online with Richard Winterton Auctioneers for £25,000. This latest sale is expected to be the company's biggest Pokémon auction yet.

Auctioneer Richard Winterton said: "Pokémon is quite simply a global sensation and the ultimate ‘new’ collectable.

A 1st edition Team Rocket Dark Dragonite Holo, PSA Gem Mint 10, estimated to make £2,000-£3,000.

"As the sale ties in with the 25th anniversary we expect huge interest across the globe, especially collectors in Japan, China and the USA.

“This is the hottest Pokémon ticket in town and we are super excited to be in on the action.”

A 1st edition Fossil Dragonite Holo, PSA Gem Mint 10, estimated to sell for £3,000-£5,000.

He added: "We have organised a timed sale rather than our more usual live auctions so as to enable bidders from all over the world to get in on the action.

“We have also carefully timed the closing of the sale to ensure it falls on the same date and at as convivial a time as possible for bidders."

To view the collection, visit https://bid.richardwinterton.co.uk/auctions/7740/srric10235. For enquiries, telephone 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk.