CHICAGO, IL.- This August, Landry Pop Auctions (LPA) invites collectors and fans worldwide to PokéFest, an extraordinary two-day auction event August 18th and 19th celebrating the most coveted and iconic Pokémon cards ever released. Held in Lambertville and available for preview by appointment, the event comprises two distinct sales: Evolution: 25+ Years of Pokémon Grails and For Elite Trainers: Iconic Pokémon Cards & Booster Boxes.
Day One | Evolution: 25+ Years of Pokémon Grails
On August 18th, Evolution: 25+ Years of Pokémon Grails brings to auction a once-private trove of Pokémon rarities, many surfacing at auction for the first time. Featuring cards produced internally, awarded to staff, or distributed through exclusive competitions, the sale offers a historic look into the inner workings and creative legacy of The Pokémon Company. Sourced primarily from a former employee’s collection, these grails represent the highest echelon of Pokémon collecting: museum-worthy objects never offered on the open market until now.
Highlights include an extremely rare, mint-condition 2017 Pokémon Black Star Promos TCPi01 Ishihara GX 60th Birthday Party Giveaway Trading Card CGC 10 (est. $30,000–50,000) and a 2010 Pokémon Pokémon World Championships No. 1 Trainer Holo Trading Card CGC 8 (est. $30,000–50,000), as well as a dazzling piece of company history: the Unique Pokémon Center New York Charizard Presentation Crystal (est. $1,000–2,000). This latter lot was gifted by The Pokémon Company to a key employee following the installation of the life-size Charizard statue at the original Pokémon Center New York in Rockefeller Center in the early 2000s. Also on offer is a complete set of Pokémon Art Academy cards from the international illustration competition—including the 2015 Pokémon German Art Academy Contest Mew Competition Winner Illustrator Phanpy Trading Card CGC 10 (est. $10,000–15,000)—and the 2018 Epiphone Pokémon Guitar Model PR-5E/N (est. $3,000–5,000) as well as several Pokémon works from contemporary artist Daniel Arsham.
Day Two | For Elite Trainers: Iconic Pokémon Cards & Booster Boxes
On August 19th, the spotlight shifts to For Elite Trainers: Iconic Pokémon Cards & Booster Boxes, a collector’s dream filled with pack-fresh powerhouses, sealed product, and the most sought-after graded cards. From the Base Set to the EX era, and from vintage hits to modern masterpieces, this sale captures the thrill of the pull and the beauty of the hobby’s finest print runs.
The sale is led by two cornerstones of Pokémon history: the 1999 Pokémon Base Set 1st Edition Booster Box Factory Sealed (est. $300,000–350,000) as well as the 1999 Pokémon Base Set 1st Edition 4/102 Charizard Holo Trading Card PSA 10 Gem Mint (est. $180,000-220,000). Additional momentous lots include the 1996 Pokémon Japanese Pocket Monsters Base Set Booster Box Factory Sealed (est. $18,000–24,000) and a full 30 2002 Pokémon Japanese McDonalds' e Minimum Pack Complete Set. Each of these lots exemplifies the enduring appeal and investment potential of Pokémon’s most iconic releases.
PokéFest includes two live auction events, both taking place in Lambertville, New Jersey. Evolution: 25+ Years of Pokémon Grails takes place on Monday, August 18th, beginning at 12 pm Eastern. For Elite Trainers: Iconic Pokémon Cards & Booster Boxes takes place on Tuesday, August 19th at 12 pm Eastern. Both auctions accommodate advanced bids, telephone bidding, and live online bidding.
