“This is not a joke,” begins the description of a remarkable eBay listing that surfaced early on New Year’s Day. The seller, known as thelotusvale, unveiled what appears to be one of the most extraordinary compilations of Magic: The Gathering cards ever placed on the auction platform. “What I’m offering is a set of first edition APs,” the description proudly declares. “Some know them as Beta APs. Building this set took about 20 years. Fortunately, I got started before they became nearly impossible to find.”
According to a report from Wargamer, this collection boasts 302 “Alpha” cards, which are early art proofs from the initial Magic: The Gathering run, lacking any back imagery. Wizards of the Coast gifted a select few illustrators these cards to sign and sell, marking them as purely collectible items rather than playable cards. Each of the 302 cards carries a signature, and most have the more desirable glossy finish on the back. For the 22 with a matte finish, the seller notes they should be viewed as temporary stand-ins pending the discovery of the elusive glossy versions, if any such versions still exist.
All cards, except for 11, showcase recreated artwork by the original artist. For the exceptions, there’s an unsigned duplicate featuring art by other artists. “I specifically selected these artists because they were original contributors to MTG and personally acquainted with the card’s original designer,” the seller elaborates. “I requested they conceal a ‘Q’ within their art, and to my delight, all obliged. In fact, one requires a black light to spot!”
A succinct FAQ section at the listing’s end mentions that the seller is steadfast about keeping the collection intact, with a possible exception for the highly sought-after and debated Black Lotus card. Should a multimillion-dollar offer come through, they are willing to travel anywhere in the United States for its handover or consider a trade for other collector’s editions.
Compiling this set was a costly yet rewarding journey for the seller. “I had the chance to meet collectors worldwide and collaborate with unbelievably talented artists. The connections I forged with these incredible groups will always mean a lot to me.”
For those with a cool $2.2 million to spend, this unique collection could be yours. If not, it’s a waiting game to see which lucky hand this historic set will fall into next.
