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To celebrate the launch of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique partnership is underway. Pokémon's creators and the Natural History Museum will launch a temporary store featuring special items. Enthusiasts can look forward to products like stationery, plushes, and artwork all drawing from the museum's aesthetic. For collectors, though, is a limited-edition Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. The store is scheduled from on-site at the museum to online from January 26 to April 19.

The Book That Inspires the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a highly anticipated tome packed with beautiful artwork that show Pokémon in their wild environments. The concept is what a Pokémon Professor might publish once trainers submit their data, or a naturalist's journal could have sketched had the Galapagos were populated by flying-types instead of finches. Part of the charm stems from the book's serious approach, treating Pokémon as a legitimate subject for inquiry. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in ecology and behavioral science.

What Makes This Special Card Different

It is common to issue special edition promos celebrating major tournaments and crossover partnerships. A lot of these promotional cards typically highlight the famous electric rodent who serves as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this latest museum card is its distinctly bigger dimensions. Although precise specs have not been publicly disclosed, its distribution will certainly be strictly limited, with customers able to get only a single card per purchase.

Curbing Speculator Activity

Per a company announcement, some of the merchandise will also be sold beyond the institution itself. But, a wider release is slated for select retailers in the UK. Importantly, fans cannot acquire this promo through the online Pokémon Center. Although reseller interest is a given, it appears they will have trouble hoarding mass quantities on this occasion. For those unable to attend, consider an alternative like Pokémon Fossil exhibit coming to the Windy City later this year.

"All profits from purchases made in the museum store and its web shop, which covers these items, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the efforts of hundreds of researchers dedicated to conducting studies to discover answers to the planetary emergency," it notes.