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To celebrate the arrival of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting partnership has been formed. The Pokémon Company and the Natural History Museum will launch a temporary store featuring special items. Enthusiasts will find offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork that are drawing from the institution's aesthetic. For collectors, though, is a limited-edition Pikachu card, offered as a free bonus for the pop-up. This shop will operate from on-site at the museum to its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

The Book That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated volume filled with beautiful artwork that show Pokémon in their natural habitats. The concept is what an in-world scientist might publish after trainers provide field notes, alternatively a naturalist's journal might have created if the famous islands were populated by flying-types instead of finches. A key appeal lies in the book's serious treatment, treating Pokémon as worthy of subject for inquiry. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in ecology and behavioral science.

What Makes This Special Card Stand Out

It is common for The Pokémon Company special edition cards celebrating major tournaments or crossover partnerships. A lot of these collector items typically highlight the iconic mouse Pokémon that acts as the series face. The factor setting this new museum card however, is the unusually large size. While exact measurements were not publicly disclosed, availability is guaranteed to be strictly limited, with customers limited to only a single card with each transaction.

Curbing Speculator Activity

According to a company announcement, a portion of the merchandise will also be sold beyond the institution itself. But, broader availability will only be specific stores within the United Kingdom. Importantly, fans cannot purchase the card through the official web shop. Although speculator demand is a given, it appears they will have a difficult time hoarding mass quantities this time around. For those feeling left out, consider an alternative like fossil-themed display coming to the Windy City in the coming months.

"Every penny from purchases from the museum store and from its web shop, including Pokémon products, go toward the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. That encompasses the efforts of hundreds of researchers who are conducting studies and finding answers to the planetary emergency," it notes.