29th October 2026 – (Woking) A retired decorator from Woking has become a millionaire after his attic‑stored Pokémon collection sold for £1.56 million at Ewbank’s. The seller, who asked not to be named, said he only realised the potential value after reading about a single card achieving more than £6,000. The Surrey auction house described the result as the most valuable trading cards auction ever held in the UK and suggested it could be a European record.
The collection, amassed in the late 1990s and early 2000s and kept untouched in bespoke binders for about 15 years, drew global interest. Among the highlights was the Legendary Collection Complete Master Set, including a near‑mint Charizard, pitched at £15,000 to £20,000 but sold for £100,000. Another complete set purchased years ago for £300 achieved £75,000 under the hammer, underscoring the surge in demand driven by nostalgia and maturing collectors with disposable income.
Ewbank’s head of trading cards James Spooner said “jaws hit the floor” when the 42 mint sets were presented, while managing partner Andrew Ewbank, who conducted the sale, called it the firm’s most successful auction in more than three decades. Bidders from around the world competed vigorously, with momentum building well above pre‑sale expectations as the breadth and condition of the consignment became clear.
The vendor, who originally bought duplicates to keep separate from his son’s swappable cards, said the windfall vindicated a hunch that the sets might prove a long‑term investment. The record total surpassed a benchmark set on 9th October in London, reinforcing the strength of the market for top‑tier Pokémon material and prompting calls from the auctioneer for anyone with stored collections to have them professionally assessed.
