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Marking the arrival of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique partnership has been formed. The Pokémon Company and London's Natural History Museum will launch a temporary store featuring special merchandise. Enthusiasts can look forward to products like stationery, plushes, and artwork all inspired by the institution's theme. The big draw, however, will be a limited-edition Pikachu card, offered as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. The store is scheduled both on-site at the museum and its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

The Book Behind the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated tome filled with stunning artwork depicting Pokémon in their wild environments. The concept is what a Pokémon Professor could produce once adventurers submit their data, or a naturalist's journal could have sketched had the Galapagos teemed with flying-types instead of finches. A key appeal stems from the book's scholarly approach, treating Pokémon as a legitimate subject for inquiry. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita both hold PhDs in ecology and behavioral science.

What Makes This Special Card Stand Out

It is common to issue special edition cards for big events or crossover partnerships. A lot of these collector items often feature the famous mouse Pokémon who serves as the franchise mascot. What distinguishes this new museum card however, is the unusually large size. Although exact measurements were not immediately shared, its distribution will certainly be highly restricted, with customers able to get just one card per purchase.

Limiting Reseller Interest

According to an official announcement, a portion of the pop-up items may also be available beyond the institution itself. However, a wider release will only be select retailers in the United Kingdom. Critically, fans will not be able to purchase this promo via the official web shop. While speculator demand is a given, it appears they're going to have trouble stockpiling large numbers this time around. If you're feeling left out, there is the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to the Windy City later this year.

"Every penny of sales from the museum store and its online store, including Pokémon products, go toward the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. This includes the research of hundreds of researchers who are scientific inquiry to discover answers to the global ecological crisis," the statement says.