DALLAS, TX.- Twenty-seven years ago, the grand prize for an illustration contest publicized in CoroCoro Comic was one of 23 copies of a Pokémon trading card featuring the character Pikachu holding a fountain pen. Two subsequent contests awarded eight copies each, making a total of 39 copies in distribution. Today, they are the most treasured cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game community.

At Heritage’s August 8 The Pokémon Masters Trading Cards, Original Art, and Video Games Signature® Auction, consignors including the influential Pokémon collector Dubsy are giving collectors the opportunity to catch 176 collectible items, including one of 15 certified Mint 9 graded Pikachu Illustrator cards. Featuring artwork by Atsuko Nishida, the card bears two unique signifiers: the pen symbol in the bottom right corner and the word “Illustrator” at the top.

Heritage Auctions Trading Card Games Consignment Director Jesus Garcia describes the card as “the Holy Grail of the Pokémon trading card market,” but it is far from the only treasured collectible in this event, which includes other incredibly rare offerings from Dubsy as well as trouvailles from the video game-focused Dubai Collection — two of the most recognizable collections in the world — and other consigners.

The Dubai Collection has been accumulated by a handful of friends in the Middle East and Europe who met through the hobby and have collected as a group for years.

“We were some of the earliest people in the Middle East region to go after high-end cards and spend significant money on them,” says one member, who asks to keep their identities undisclosed. “I’m talking spending thousands on collectibles as early as around 2013 — that’s my earliest memory, at least.”

Some items in the Masters Trading Card Auction date back to the very beginnings of the group, he says.

“It’s time to let them go, but the hunt never stops,” he continues. “We are not quitting, and the chase will forever be on.”

In fact, the group will be investing proceeds from this sale to grow their holdings. “And at the same time, I’m sure many collectors will be happy to own some of the unique pieces we’re offering in this auction — and it’s time for them to have a new home!”

Another highlight from The Dubai Collection eligible for a welcoming new home is a Wata 9.8 A++ Sealed Pokémon Red Version. This landmark title was one of the first Pokémon games in the English language market and introduced players to the Kanto region and the original roster of 151 Pokémon. It’s difficult to describe the 1998 title’s success and its impact on pop culture without running the risk of understatement. The popularity of Red and its companion Blue revitalized Nintendo Game Boy sales and led directly to the creation of the animated series, the trading card game and one of the most successful multimedia franchises in history.

Collectors also have the chance to own original Takashi Teshirogi manga artwork from Ash & Pikachu Vol. 2, created for the eleventh chapter of the series “Do Your Best Bulbasaur!!” and featuring Pikachu, Ash, Bulbasaur, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Oddish and more rendered in ink and screentone on Bristol paper measuring about 14¼ by 10⅛ inches.

The Pokémon Lizardon Mega Battle Special Qualifying League Player Parka & Regional Qualifier Hat were given to participants at the April 26, 1998, Lizardon Mega Battle, known outside Japan as the Charizard Mega Battle. Only the second official Pokémon Trading Card Game tournament, this battle is often considered the first official national championships due to the small scale of the first tournament.

A pair of Pikachu Trainer prize cards from the 1998 Blastoise Mega Battle are two of an estimated 14 copies awarded at the tournament. The No. 2 and No. 3 cards are each made even more significant by a signature from card illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita himself — along with a sketch of Pikachu — in gold ink, dated 20-1-24.