Former Nintendo Employee on ‘Holy Grails’, Meeting Heroes, and Preserving a $ 10K Kirby Card – Feature
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Recently, a reader contacted us with details of a treasure they had found: an incredibly rare Kirby e-Reader card created exclusively for an in-person competition at E3 2002. Not only was it a limited card created for an exclusive event of the industry almost two decades ago, but what’s more a first prize winning example (of which only 10 were produced) that miraculously escaped destruction at the hands of Nintendo program representatives responsible for ensuring prizes cannot be redeemed twice.
That card came from a never-opened package that eventually passed into the hands of a lucky former Nintendo of America employee. Rob A recently put the e-Reader card up for auction, and the winning bid was $ 10,600.
After the sale we were lucky enough to speak with Rob about this incredible find, to discover more of the story behind the card, how he ensured its preservation before selling it, and also to take a look at some of the other treasures that This former NOA Employee has raised over the years …
Nintendo Life: First of all, can you give us a little information on how you came to own this card in the first place? Did you attend E3 2002?
Rob A: It is pure chance that the letters ended up with me. We collect / store a lot of things over the years at Nintendo. During a remodel in one of the buildings, we were asked to clean and dispose of many old cabinets dating back to the 80s, including impeccable replacement manuals, training materials, and old agent supplies dating back to the days of game counselors. . Along with those things, I had to reduce the herd of ancient systems and the loot collected. As a fan, I was somewhat mortified at the idea of destroying some of it.
Anyway, I asked if I could have a few things … of which, it was a couple of boxes of old brochures and loose cards. The best guess I have is that the loot went back to the group it was in from E3 and just sat idle, destined to be discarded or discovered by someone. I am grateful that it was discovered because I hate the unsolved mystery.
You’ve obviously had this card for a while, but presumably you only opened the package recently. How?
After I left, a lot of things were left in boxes in my garage until I started cleaning and organizing about a week before I found the cards. Aside from an unopened package, everything else was loose. Sitting comfortably on a stack of Mario Party and Animal Crossing e-readers and various cards.
What was your first thought when you scanned the card and it was revealed that you were a first place winner? Did you know the meaning immediately?
He knew the meaning of the pack, but he hadn’t hit the loose until the weekend. Immediately, I went upstairs to play a prank on my wife… as if I had the winner. He had three, so when I told him about the cards, I planned to pretend on card two that he had the winner …
My arms froze. The image appeared and the tinkle rang out. I felt like I won like in 2002. I said “OMG honey, this really is a first place card.” In that moment, I knew I was the only one who had heard that jingle in almost 20 years.
Once you’ve established what you had, how did you ensure that the card wasn’t accidentally damaged while deciding what to do with it?
To answer the question on many people’s minds … data is archived correctly. Because my first thought was … if I sell this, I will probably never see the light of day again.
I contacted a couple of conservationists to ask them how to handle it. So i did the video to be able to stop sliding it. Then I blocked it. To answer the question on many people’s minds … data is archived correctly. Because my first thought was … if I sell this, I will probably never see the light of day again, and that would be sad.
The second question is “Why sell?” Simple … I love the e-Reader, but I am not a collector of those. I have a small sample, but I prefer games.
He eventually sold the card on eBay instead of through an auction house. What is behind that decision?
I contacted Heritage and another popular auction block and gave them the information. Heritage answered me with a ‘no’ as there was literally no story and I needed at least a 10k valuation for a presentation. If I had more things, they would consider it. Considering the cost of having it ready and its cost to sell, I already had auctions and decided to leave luck to chance.
I have been criticized a bit for not getting more, but the values are determined by what people are willing to pay. If someone kills him later, he literally didn’t know he had it … perspective is important and I know someone who values it, has it.
We are sure that mailing such a small, high-value item should cause some headaches! What delivery service did you use in the end (or was it just collection)?
I covered the winner’s shipping costs. 1 day shipping, heavily insured. Signature required and both packaging, wrapping and delivery scan filmed. There is no chance that UPS will try to do something fun.
Before selling, he took steps to make sure the card was preserved. Can you tell us who you contacted and the process that went into it?
Preservation [in collaboration with community-driven non-profit Hit Save] It consisted of a high quality scan of both sides and the measurement of color values to make sure everything was maintained. We also kept some other cards I had and some packages while the scanner was with me. I could have easily handled it myself as I have a background in printed materials, but there is real data at stake on those cards. I also consulted with a few others to make sure they were comfortable with it.
What will become of the other ‘minor’ cards that came in the E3 2002 package? Do you have other high-value Nintendo items in your collection?
I will sell one more package and then commemorate the event in my collection. [see the WaveBird, Pokémon GBA and e-Reader card layout further up the page].
I have some Holy Grails that I have collected through garage sales and inside auctions. Things that are important to my wife and me. A sealed and pristine NES Stack-Up, a working Superbrite sign, a Punch-Out shadow box with green boxing gloves signed by Reggie and Don … Gold Famicom Punch Out Cart … Virtual Boy complete with lineup of US games
The important parts of the Nintendo systems that I collect are the cases that are made for the systems. I also packed the entire Famicom system and peripherals into one box … and a nice rainbow of games. I play a lot with my Famicom and had a beautifully restored and modified by Retrofixes. The colors and the lack of jailbar are amazing on a CRT.
So yeah, things like that.
The card sold for over $ 10,000, do you have plans for that cash?
As for money … I have two teenagers and a two-year-old boy. I’ll need 40 more cards to get over that. My wife sure deserves something great. She supports my collection of video game games and Nintendo products like no other.
Do you regret selling the card? Do you have any Nintendo-related articles that you couldn’t bear to part with?
Like I said before, I literally had no idea that I had this a few weeks ago. I know the people around me let their minds run wild … but I feel really lucky to be able to hold the card, feel the excitement, learn more about the card and the history around it … archive it … and finally see the excitement of the auction. If it only sold for $ 500, it was meant to be.
I have seen and experienced many wonderful things while working in the industry that I will never forget and this is part of that. It is an amazing industry and many take the opportunity for granted. Many childhoods and paths to adulthood are made in it and I have to be in it.
Many thanks to Rob for taking the time to speak with us and share his impressive collection and memories of Nintendo.
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