Rare Pokemon at British Toy Auctions


29 August 2023
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The Cameron Dilley Collection to go under the hammer

This story is all about a rather special young boy who conquered his disabilities and travelled to the United States to participate in the Pokemon World Championships.

The Pokémon phenomenon began in Japan in 1996 as the Pocket Monsters Red and Green games for the Nintendo Game Boy and its popularity led to the launch of a trading card game, animated TV series and films. Players of the trading card game could compete in local championships then onto nationals and the very best could make it to the annual world championships. 

The collection of cards, competition medals and trophies that British Toy Auctions in Cheshire will be offering for sale in early September is unusual as such prized possessions are rarely sold on by their proud owners. The vendor, Cameron Dilley, took up the game around 2006 at the tender age of 8 and went on to compete in that year’s U.K. national championship competition at Woburn Park. Just two years later at the same competition this time held in London he won his age group and part of the prize was a trip to Florida to play in the world championship. 

Cameron lives with a serious condition called Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which meant that making a trip to America was undoubtedly much more of a challenge than taking part in the competition itself. With the help of his mum, Allison and what she described as military operation level planning, they made it to Florida despite the fact that Cameron had been unable to move for several weeks just before he was due to fly. 

The competitors that year received a set of Tropical Wind playing cards which are now very much sought after and Cameron was also presented with a trophy by the head of Pokémon USA, Dave Schwimmer. These achievements would be enough for most people but Cameron went on to win his age group in the UK national championships again the following year which led to another challenging journey to San Diego to participate in the annual world championship for the second time. 

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Despite the sentimental value of these hard won items and the memories of some great adventures, not to mention achievements, Cameron has made the difficult but pragmatic decision that it could help him to pass them on to other enthusiasts and put the proceeds towards the cost of moving house to somewhere that better suits his developing needs. The collection which includes rare individual cards, packs, afore mentioned medals and trophies and many other regional and city medals and trophies are expected to raise between £6000 and £8000 when they are offered for auction at the beginning of September. 

For more info, contact Barry Allen at British Toy Auction 

Telephone 01928 579032 
[email protected]