World's biggest Pokémon collection set for auction – and it could make £300,000

The biggest Pokémon collection in the world – amassed by a super-fan over 25 years – is set for auction in one GIGANTIC lot consisting of more than 20,000 items.

But you will need deep pockets to buy what is officially recorded as the biggest Pokémon collection by Guinness World Records.

The mind-blowing collection will be offered as a single lot by Hansons Auctioneers on October 18 with a guide price of £250,000-£300,000. However, according to the auction house it is worth every penny as an investment because Pokémon is the most popular media franchise of all time. Since its emergence in the late 1990s it has brought in revenue of $100 billion - and gained millions of fans and collectors worldwide.  

The phenomenal Pokémon treasure-trove has been amassed by a woman from Hertfordshire. She claimed her place in the book of Guinness World Records in 2009 when her collection of items reached 12,113. 

But there was more to come – much more. By 2016 the collection had risen to 17,127 – a fact recorded by Guinness World Records. It has since grown to more than 20,000 items, which includes some duplicates.

The seller's Pokémon passion led to a couple of trips to Japan, the country where the hugely successful franchise was created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Inevitably, some more items were sourced to boost the collection but, in the main, it developed over time due to the seller's devotion.

She said: "From childhood, every penny of pocket money and savings went on Pokémon and when it came to Christmas and birthdays, Pokémon presents dominated."

However, after 25 years of collecting she has now decided to sell for financial reasons, though she will be keeping a few items for sentimental reasons.

She first discovered Pokémon in childhood when she read about a preview of its Japan release in 1996 in a Nintendo magazine.

She said: "I fell in love with it immediately. Unfortunately, I was bullied at school. For me Pokémon provided a great escape. I liked to come home and immerse myself in it. Playing video games and reading the manga (Japanese comic) really helped."

Her Pokémon passion led to her acquiring anything she could lay her hands on relating to the brand - trading cards, manga, films, posters, toys, action figures, books and even toilet paper.

Her obsession led to her Guinness World Record triumph.  She read about the size of the previous holder's collection and spent three weeks counting her items – it was double the amount.

She said: "It's been brilliant to be recognised by Guinness World Records but, more than that, my hobby has helped me make new friends. I am a quiet soul, a bit of an introvert. Pokémon has helped me gain confidence.

"It also inspired me to visit Japan – to buy Pokémon of course - which was great. I really enjoyed seeing the country. Everyone was so nice. It's a fascinating culture."

The collection set for auction includes items from the UK, the United States, France and Japan, among other countries. However, the Guinness World Record certificate, which has been displayed at Hertford Museum as part of an exhibition on popular culture, will be kept as an important keepsake.

David Wilson-Turner, Head of the Toy Department at Hansons Auctioneers, said: "This is a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the single largest collection of Pokémon memorabilia that has ever come to the market. It is currently being stored in a secure lock-up.

"There are more than 20,000 individual items which amounts to a world-record amount for one single Pokémon collection. It covers everything from folders filled with trading cards, sealed box sets, rare cards books, stationery and food to hard-to-find items, figures, plush toys, Pokémon stands, apparel, clothing and much more. 

"Most of the video games are included, some having both the English and Japanese versions. There are also various Pokémon consoles and video games, some with original packaging, from Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS."

Highlights include three German 1st Edition sealed base set packs; three English Unlimited sealed base set packs; four Team Rocket Unlimited sealed booster packs; three Jungle Unlimited sealed booster packs,; one Spanish 1st Edition Jungle sealed booster pack; a Shadowless Base Set Blastoise card; Jumbo Lottery Ho-Oh, one of only 100 ever made; shiny Pokémon figures including Hasbro Charizard, Tomy Moncolle Garchomp and several Bandai kids' figures; Pichu Bros. 'Tufty' Pichu Pokedoll; Squirtle 'PlushPlush', the earliest form from the popular Pokedoll line released in Japan; a Giant Shinx plush; Japanese Mew purse plush, signed by Shigeki Morimoto (creator) and Shiny Entei Pokedoll and even a Pokemon display stand.

David said: "Pokémon has been soaring in value in the collectors' market for six years. Wealthy young people in their 20s and 30s who got into Pokémon when they were children are buying and prices have spiked. This is a fantastic investment opportunity for a wealthy Pokémon collector or any wise investor."

Pokémon, a series of video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company under the Pokémon media franchise, was created by Satoshi Tajiri with assistance from Ken Sugimor. The first games, Pocket Monsters Red and Green, were released in 1996 in Japan for Game Boy. The games were later released as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue in North America and Australia in 1998 and Europe in 1999. The brand has inspired an anime series, movies and merchandise.

The world's biggest Pokémon collection will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers' Toy Auction on October 18. The sale will take at the firm's Derbyshire headquarters. To find out more, email [email protected].