The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam wanted to have a laugh by putting up for sale a Pokémon card related to the famous Dutch artist. However, he underestimated the fervor of the card game’s creditors and suspended sales of the promotional card.
The card, which depicts Pikachu wearing a gray fedora, was meant to celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary and was presented in collaboration with the Pokémon Company. But when the item went on sale, merchants invaded the museum, fighting over the products, such as some online video show.
Unsurprisingly, those cards temporarily appeared on eBay, with inflated costs ranging from $70 to $485.
“The Van Gogh Museum and Pokémon Company International take the safety and security of visitors and staff very seriously,” the museum said on its website. “Recently, a small organization of Americans created an unwelcome scenario that led us to make the complicated resolution of removing the Pikachu Gray Felt Hat promo card from the museum. This way, visitors will be able to enjoy this special collection of Pokémon paintings and the rest of the museum in a safe and fun way.
The card will be available in Pokémon Center stores at a later date and will be sold in other Dutch stores later this year, but not at the museum.
A Pikachu plush is also out of stock. Other materials, from a postcard to prints, will be for sale at the museum.
The Van Gogh-inspired Pokemon paintings will remain on display until January 7, 2024.