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Marking the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration is underway. The Pokémon Company and the Natural History Museum are opening a temporary store featuring special merchandise. Enthusiasts will find offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork that are inspired by the museum's theme. For collectors, though, will be a limited-edition Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. This shop will operate both on-site at the museum to online between late January and mid-April.

The Book That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a much-awaited volume packed with stunning artwork depicting Pokémon in their wild environments. It's essentially like what a Pokémon Professor might publish once trainers submit their data, or what Charles Darwin could have sketched if the Galapagos teemed with Pidgeys rather than birds. A key appeal lies in the book's scholarly approach, treating Pokémon as worthy of subject for inquiry. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita each possess doctorate degrees in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Promo Card Stand Out

The company regularly for The Pokémon Company special edition promos for big events or brand collaborations. Many of these collector items often feature the famous mouse Pokémon that acts as the series face. The factor setting this new promotion apart is its unusually large dimensions. While exact measurements were not publicly disclosed, its distribution is guaranteed to be strictly limited, with fans able to get only a single card with each transaction.

Curbing Reseller Interest

According to a company announcement, a portion of the merchandise may also be available outside the museum walls. However, broader availability is slated for select retailers within the UK. Critically, fans will not be able to acquire the card through the official web shop. While reseller interest is inevitable, it appears they're going to have a difficult time stockpiling large numbers this time around. If you're feeling left out, consider an alternative like fossil-themed display headed to the Windy City later this year.

"All profits from purchases made in the Museum shop and its online store, including these items, go toward the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. This includes the research of hundreds of researchers dedicated to scientific inquiry and finding solutions to the global ecological crisis," the statement notes.