Pokémon "Pikachu
Illustrator" Trainer Promo Hologram Trading Card sold Nov. 18
DALLAS — A
mint
condition example of the elusive Pokémon "Pikachu Illustrator"
trading card sold for a world record $54,970 during a public auction of
comics and comic art held by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions in Beverly Hills,
California, November 18, 2016.
“The Pikachu Illustrator Card was given in January of 1998 to winners of the
CoroCoro Comic Illustration Contest,” said Barry Sandoval, Director of
Operations for Comics at Heritage Auctions. “Only 20-39 copies of this card
were released, 10 of which are graded in top condition and it is unknown how
many still remain with the public.”
According to Sandoval, the Pikachu Illustrator first sold in
the early 2000s for around $23,000. The
Pikachu
Illustrator Card is considered the most valuable and iconic Pokémon Card
among collectors. The illustration was designed by Atsuko Nishida, one of the
chief Pokémon graphic illustrators. The card depicts the fan-favorite Pikachu,
holding what seems to be drawing utensils.
The card was offered at auction in the wake of popularity
surrounding the Pokémon Go app, which attracts more than 20 million active
users. Heritage Auctions first reported the trend linking the app in a
press
release from late July, commenting on the rapid rise in Pokémon Card
values.
For more information on the rise in Pokémon card value and
popularity check out Heritage Auctions’ initial
Press
Release or go to
ha.com/Pokémon.
Heritage
Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the
world’s third largest, with annual sales of more than $800 million, and over one million online bidder
members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive
access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable
photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.
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