The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam was just trying to have a little fun when it put on sale a Pokémon card with ties to the famous Dutch artist. It underestimated the fervor of collectors of the card game, though, and as a result has suspended sales of the promotional card.
The card, featuring Pikachu With Grey Felt Hat, was meant to celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary and was launched in conjunction with the Pokémon Company. But when the item went on sale, scalpers swarmed the museum, fighting over merchandise, as shown in some online videos.
Predictably, those cards have quickly surfaced on eBay, at exaggerated prices ranging from $70 to $485.
“The Van Gogh Museum and the Pokémon Company International take the safety and security of visitors and staff very seriously,” the museum said in a statement on its website. “Recently, a small group of individuals has created an undesirable situation that has led us to take the difficult decision to remove the Pikachu With Grey Felt Hat promo card from the museum. In this way, visitors will be able to experience this special collection of Pokémon paintings and the rest of the museum in a safe and enjoyable manner.”
The card will be made available at Pokémon Center stores at a later date and will be sold at other Netherlands retailers later this year, but not at the museum.
A Pikachu stuffed toy has also sold out. Other materials, ranging from a postcard to prints, will remain on sale at the museum.
The Van Gogh–inspired Pokémon paintings will remain on display until Jan. 7, 2024.