"These cards are the antiques of tomorrow": when the auctions take up the Pokémon phenomenon

Léonard Pomez is boiling with his colleagues: he who did not know much about Pokémon or Magic collecting cards (except having had some when he was a child), organizes the sale of severalDozens of lots including a Dracaufeu card from the first edition (1999) noted 9/10 Holographic and in excellent condition.

After a big day of twelve hours of intensive briefing with the seller, all the details are ready before the auction on June 15, many lots of cards, but also of video games, magazines and old toys.A sale that should benefit from a real euphoria - even hysteria - around Pokémon cards.

Desires to have fun after months of deprivation

Auction sales have been a hit since the start of Covid-19 pandemic, explains Léonard Pomez: "There is a double confinement effect with buyers who were able to save during the period and who really want to have fun once thecrisis."The latter were trapped at home, there was no exit, neither restaurant, nor cinema: some have acquired more purchasing power for annex, to acquire pleasant objects."The sales rooms have continued to work because we are considered essential, if only for successions.All sales had to be made online.»»

A 100 % digital turn that has boosted transactions: sales have never worked as well as for a year and a half, says the professional.Conjugate the favorite purchases and 100 % digital auctions and you immediately lose the intimidating side that a sales room can have.The Interenchères site was able, after almost twenty years of existence, celebrate the registration of its millionth buyer: "It has become the reference site on which we lead our auctions. C’est un peu comme le Vinted des commissaires-priseurs !»»

But there remains a battle horse: democratize and rejuvenate auction sales in France."There is a real network throughout the territory with 400 auctioneers, not to mention the Internet force.»» Malgré le métier de Léonard Pomez, sur une dizaine de ses amis, seuls un ou deux ont déjà passé la porte d’une salle des ventes.He now hopes that the sale of collecting cards will push a younger audience to participate in the sale.

Une bulle spéculative « Pokémon»»

If the idea of separating from a part of his collection pliers a little the seller's heart, for Maxime, 33 -year -old Champenois, it was a necessity.After seeing the tournament tournaments, it was the collection side that won it. « Il préférait finalement échanger ses cartes et montrer ses plus belles possessions que remporter des matches !»», explique Léonard Pomez.But some cards become almost difficult to keep."He no longer dares to keep them at home: they are in a safe at the bank.»» Un revendeur qui a conscience de l’état d’excitation dans laquelle se situe le marché des cartes Pokémon en ce moment.

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Himself a buyer on the Interanchères platform, he felt that sales are moving at the moment. « Il s’est dit que c’était peut-être le bon moment, avant que nous retrouvions tous notre vie d’avant le Covid-19, de profiter de cette bulle pour vendre cette partie de sa collection»», analyse Léonard Pomez.Because maybe in three months, all this effervescence will fall like a soufflé."It is comparable to the stock market or real estate.»»

A sale without reserve price

During an auction, there is an estimate of the property and the seller can request that a reserve price be imposed: a price below which the lot is not sold.For this sale, no reserve price: Maxime wants to trust the market, explains the sales manager: "He does not want to set a minimum price, he considers that he bought his cards more than twenty years agoA tiny price, he will win whatever happens.»»

Cards that will please other collectors and who will continue to live in other hands.The first Pokémon lots are GRADES PSA 9/10 and 10/10 in perfect condition, first edition and holographics.The Dracaufeu card is estimated at a very low price: between 2500 and 3,000 €. L’intérêt est aussi d’attirer du monde : « J’ai envie de vous dire qu’il faut être à cette vente aux enchères car il y a sans doute de beaux coups à faire !»»

Lire aussi : Pourquoi les cartes « Pokémon»» Dracaufeu sont-elles les plus chères du marché ?

We have no doubt that these rare cards should tear out at prices much higher than their assessments.

Heritage transmission

If today, such a sale can make some people laugh, Léonard Pomez considers that these cards are the antiques of tomorrow."It is a market of thirty -something or young forties who have a little means and invest.They prefer to buy cards that a table, a luxury bag or an old furniture.»»

Tells him that in the world of game and toy, the modes last thirty years.In 1900, we played with porcelain dolls, in 1930 with small mechanical toys, in 1960 with dinky toys, these small collector cars.

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In the 1990s, it was Pokémon and video games that dominate. Pour Léonard Pomez, « tout l’enjeu aujourd’hui est de faire participer des acheteurs qui ont plus l’habitude de se rendre sur des sites comme eBay ou CardMarket»».