If your parents ever told you that collecting trading cards was a complete waste of money back in the day, here is a story that will make them instantly regret not holding onto those binder albums!
According to BBC, a retired decorator from Woking, United Kingdom (UK), has officially become an overnight millionaire after selling his forgotten stash of Pokémon cards at an auction for a whopping £1.56 million (approx. RM8.5 million).
Forgotten in the attic for 15 years
It was reported that the unnamed man revealed that he first started paying attention to Pokémon cards in the late 1990s when his young son began collecting and trading them at school.
Intrigued by their artwork, he decided to buy complete sets as a potential long-term investment, keeping them strictly out of his son’s hands to preserve their condition!
“I know people always talk about finding treasure in the attic, but in my case that is literally true.
“He had his own cards, but he never got to touch these, I’m glad to say,” he was quoted as saying by BBC.
After his son eventually outgrew the franchise, the entire collection, comprising 42 complete sets preserved in pristine condition inside bespoke Pokémon binders, was packed away into the attic and forgotten for 15 long years.
It wasn’t until he read a local newspaper report about a single Pokémon card selling for over £6,000 (RM33,000) that he realised he might be sitting on a goldmine.
M’sian Seller’s £300 Pokémon Card Set Resells for £75,000
In a surprising twist, the owner revealed to the BBC that back in the day, he had actually purchased several complete sealed card sets from a seller based right here in Malaysia via eBay!
One complete set that he bought from Malaysia for just £300 (approx. RM1,630) back then ended up fetching an astonishing £75,000 (approx. RM408,000) during the auction!
The top-selling lot of the auction was the Legendary Collection Complete Master Set, featuring a near-mint Charizard card. Initially estimated at £15,000 to £20,000, fierce bidding drove the final price up to a mind-blowing £100,000 (approx. RM544,000).
European record auction sparks nostalgia craze
Auction house Ewbank’s declared the sale the most valuable trading card auction in UK history, and potentially a European record as further reported by the BBC.
“When we saw what he had, all in mint condition, we couldn’t believe it. Jaws hit the floor.” said James Spooner, head of trading cards at Ewbank’s.
Ewbank’s head auctioneer, Andrew Ewbank, said the Pokémon card market is experiencing an unprecedented boom as adults in their 30s and 40s seek to reconnect with childhood memories.
He explained that nostalgia is a major driving force behind the trend and encouraged people with old collectibles to check their storerooms for items that could be valuable.
So, to all our Malaysian readers: it’s time to head up to your attic, dig through your old childhood storeroom boxes, or raid your family’s old binder collection! You never know, that binder of shiny cards you saved from the late 90s might just be your golden ticket to becoming Malaysia’s next millionaire!
Do you still keep your old Pokémon card collection somewhere at home? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: M’sian Gamers May See Stricter Guidelines on Gachas, Loot Boxes & More Under Proposed Gaming Subcode
