A retired decorator from Woking has become a millionaire following the sale of a collection of Pokémon cards that he stored in his attic for over 15 years. The cards, which he purchased in the 1990s for relatively modest sums, were sold at auction for a total of £1.56 million, significantly surpassing initial estimates.

The collection was auctioned by Ewbank’s, a Guildford-based auction house, where it dramatically outperformed its projected value of £270,000. Among the highlights was the Legendary Collection Complete Master Set, which sold for £100,000, five times higher than its highest estimate of £20,000.

The seller, who has chosen to remain anonymous, noted that one particular set acquired for £300 in the 1990s ended up fetching £75,000 at the sale. The cards were kept in mint condition, contributing to their high valuation.

James Spooner, an expert associated with Ewbank’s, remarked on the rarity and quality of the collection, expressing surprise alongside Andrew Ewbank, the auction house’s director. Ewbank humorously remarked that he needed “to go for a lie down” after the final lot was sold, underscoring the unexpected success of the auction.

The sale marks a significant milestone in the market for collectible Pokémon cards, reflecting growing interest and increasing values in the hobby.