1999 Japanese Promo Togepi Holo Southern Islands Tsunekazu Ishihara Autograph, PSA/DNA Auto 10

The Southern Islands cards were released in Japan in July 1999 across two nine-card folders, Rainbow Island and Tropical Island. Together, all 18 cards form one continuous illustration, with Togepi appearing in the Rainbow Island half. Distributed as a special campaign release rather than through ordinary booster packs, Southern Islands has always occupied an unusual place in early Pokémon collecting, with individual cards—particularly high-grade and signed examples—becoming increasingly difficult to source.

What makes this example particularly exciting is the signature of Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and CEO of The Pokémon Company and one of the most consequential figures in the history of the franchise. A producer on the original Pokémon games and instrumental in the development of Pokémon into a global phenomenon, Ishihara is also an infrequent signer, making authenticated examples bearing his autograph especially rare and desirable.

Here, the signature itself is as important as its presence. PSA/DNA has authenticated Ishihara’s autograph and awarded it a perfect 10, recognizing the quality of the signature. Bold, exceptionally clean and beautifully placed across the card, it adds another layer of rarity to an already distinctive early Pokémon release.