Exhibition for the First Edition Collector's Cards
auction on 18 October 2023, which totalised over €263,000.
16.10.2023 - Event d'unboxing session
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Set to be auctioned in October 2023

Collectors Cards

“A lifelong collector, my passion for the fantastic world of trading cards has gradually turned into a profession. Whether playing cards or sports cards, these collectibles – childhood treasures – have become highly sought-after items, to the point where some of them are considered genuine works of art! Driven by this passion, I’m always on the lookout for the rarest and most unusual specimens, all of which have a fascinating story to tell, so that, if it’s sometimes difficult to find them, parting with them requires an even greater effort.”»

— François Thierry

The department

The first auction house in Europe to open a department dedicated to the sale of Collector’s Cards, Aguttes achieved a total of 263,000 euros for its first “First Edition” sale, which was well received by collectors. The rare nature of the cards presented in this sale justified their auction. Among the most sought-after cards, the Pokemon lots conquered the European market, while the Magic The Gathering © cards found international buyers thanks to the company’s international reputation and a powerful, targeted communications campaign.

Encouraged by this success and attentive to the new interests of these collectors, the department is looking for new TCG (Trading Card Game), sports cards and sports memorabilia for its next auction. The market for these precious items has exploded in France and Europe in recent years. Rare trading cards captivate enthusiasts of all ages, as evidenced by the multiplication of dedicated trade shows and their growing visibility on social networks.

The company is honored to work on this specialty in close collaboration with François Thierry, a renowned expert in the world of collector’s cards. With almost 20 years’ experience as a collector, François Thierry founded and managed one of the leading grading companies, MTG Grade, and has worked with some of the most prestigious names in the TCG world. Whether you’re a fervent enthusiast, a shrewd investor or a seasoned connoisseur, our expert can help you estimate, sell or acquire your collectible cards.

François Thierry’s personal passion and professional experience enable us to build auctions highlighting the most mythical cards (Pokémon, Magic The Gathering © , Rookie, Alpha boxes or Arabian Nights) around major events and market highlights such as Paris Card Show, Gala TCG.

TCG – Trading Card Games

Rare Pokemon cards (the first edition of Drake from 1999), Magic the Gathering cards (the entire Power Nine P9, including the “Black Lotus”) and sealed boxes of first-edition Alpha and Arabian Nights games are particularly sought-after items for collectors of vintage TCG cards. Unique cards, such as Fornite prototypes or misprints (cards with printing defects), are also of interest to our buyers.

Pokemon

The history of Pokémon cards begins in the mid-1990s, when Japanese designer Satoshi Tajiri and illustrator Ken Sugimori created the franchise by designing a world where players could capture and collect fantastic creatures called Pokémon. The rather original idea was inspired by Tajiri’s childhood passion for observing insects.

In 1996, The Pokemon Company partnered with American gaming company Wizards of the Coast (also publishers of Magic The Gathering©) to create the first series of Pokemon cards. Launched as a preview in Japan, they quickly gained in popularity, laying the foundations for what was to become a worldwide phenomenon, whether in playgrounds, game rooms or collectors’ libraries. Pokemon cards have had a profound cultural impact since their creation, and their success has never waned. Over 30,000 different Pokémon cards exist today, some so sought-after that passionate collectors and investors are ready to scour the world in search of the missing card to complete their collection.

Magic The Gathering©

Magic The Gathering was born in 1993, with its first edition named “Alpha”. The principle is simple: each player takes on the role of a magician, armed with a deck of cards representing spells. The cards are sold only in stores specializing in role-playing and board games, and starters (packs of sixty cards) and boosters (with fifteen) are in great demand. Wizards of the coast printed almost 2.5 million cards, yet the game quickly sold out.

The exponential success of the game has prompted Wizards of the Coast to reissue cards galore, in collaboration with Belgian printers Carta Mundi, the benchmark for playing cards. The Beta edition (7.8 million cards) sold out in the blink of an eye. Unlimited’s 40 million cards last only slightly longer. The cards have already invaded the USA, Europe and Japan, less than a year after its release. Since then, Magic the Gathering has been a game without limits: with three to four expansions of 120 to 300 cards released every year for the past twenty years, the game now boasts some 50,000 different cards…

Collectible sports cards

Basketball, soccer, field hockey, baseball… After the United States, the market for collectible sports cards is booming in France. Sports enthusiasts, seasoned collectors and investors alike covet these cards in first editions (Rookies cards), as well as those in limited and numbered series (notably 1/1) or autographed. Sports cards featuring the most famous players (Fleer 1986 card with Michael Jordan n°57, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Stephen Curry, Pelé, Maradona, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé…) or linked to sporting events (Panini cards for World Cups 70, 74 and 78) are also highly prized.

Sports memorabilia

Traditionally sold separately, sports memorabilia can now be sold with cards. Our department plans to include in its sales objects, instruments and sports accessories (balls, rackets, jerseys, helmets, medals) relating to major sporting events (Olympic Games, World Cups, Tournaments) or autographed by famous players (posters, photographs, tickets and signed documents).

Unique card authentification and purchasing security

With the creation of this department, Aguttes offers buyers and sellers a premium intermediation service for the most sought-after collector cards on the market (exclusive, graded and sealed product cards).

Our department’s expertise enables us to back up the quality and authenticity of our cards, offering selective sales to our buyers and fostering a climate of trust. Our expert works in collaboration with a market-renowned grading company to authenticate and certify your cards, enabling us to offer them under the best possible conditions. Last but not least, it’s essential to qualify potential buyers by targeting a wide but also targeted audience. We work to gather as many potential buyers as possible by communicating in specific regions or widely on an international scale, and by pitting different buyer profiles against each other, from the youngest to the most seasoned, not forgetting investors. This sales recipe creates a real event, encouraging enthusiastic participation from buyers and driving up the bidding.

As a recognised accredited third party, Aguttes offers card buyers additional security compared to other dematerialized platforms on the market. Our expert’s descriptions of the cards engage the company’s responsibility for the transactions carried out. Collectors and investors have the opportunity to come and see the cards for sale at private meetings or public exhibitions. Finally, like all works of art entrusted to us, collector’s cards benefit from our professionalism and guarantees in terms of conservation, handling and transfer of responsibility.

Good to know: our specialist is at your disposal to appraise your TCG and spotive trading cards and provide you with professional expertise and advice on selling or investing. Find out more about our sales calendar and offices.

The company has a unique communications strike force, providing sellers with modern, targeted tools for effective international distribution. We pay particular attention to the production of the sales catalog, both in terms of design and content, whether in paper or fully digital format. We mobilize our portfolio buyers in all specialties and identified potential buyers for our campaigns. We communicate with them through a variety of channels: on- and off-line advertising, social networks, emailings, media, influencers, auction platforms, using appropriate, high-quality media: image, text and video…