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Magic the Gathering

Bodnar’s devotes day to Magic the Gathering cards Feb. 18

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Magic the Gathering
One of the three rare Black Lotus cards in the auction. Lot no. 1, graded in near-mint+ condition, has a $20,000-$40,000 estimate. Bodnar’s image

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Bodnar’s Auction will conduct a sale composed entirely of Magic the Gathering cards, including three rare Black Lotus cards from the original Alpha set, on Thursday, Feb. 18. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

Back in June 2020 Bodnar’s Auction received a call about an estate collection of Magic the Gathering game cards. A collection, which spans from 1993 to 2006, had been left to a man from a friend who had recently died. At that time Joe Bodnar, owner of Bodnar’s auction had no idea how many cards were in the collection, what condition they were in or whether they were new or old cards. After some research, it was clear that the collection had value, but how much? After a few phone calls to several experts and a visit from one of the experts to do an overview of the collection, it was clear the consignor was sitting on a small fortune.

Research on the Black Lotus card showed a value from $1,000 to $100,000, depending on the grade. The auctioneers quickly learned that a grade makes all the difference to value when it comes to cards like this. Bodnar’s Auction quickly contacted Beckett grading and sent over 300 cards out to be graded, mostly Alpha and Beta cards. The one problem they had was how to ship it to Texas and ensure its safe arrival. An armored car picked up the collection from New Jersey and took it to Dallas.

“This was the most effective way to send it. In the 28 years I have conducted auctions this was a first where we had an armed guard pick up the collection. It was exciting,” said Joe Bodnar.

Four months later, the results from Beckett Media. Most of the cards graded at 7-9 out of 10, which was favorable. The highlight of the Alpha collection are three rare Black Lotus cards. Only 1,100 of these cards were printed, which makes this a rare and sought-after card. The first Black Lotus came in a 7.5 grade and has an estimate at $20,000-$40,000, as well as another Black Lotus card with a grade of 6 estimated at $20,000-$40,000 and a 3.5 estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Other rare cards in the Alpha set include Timetwister graded at 8.5 and estimated at $5,000.-$10,000, Mox Emerald graded at 7.5 and estimated at $5,000-$10,000, a Mox Ruby graded at 8.0 and estimated at $5,000-$10,000 and a Mox Jet graded at 8.0 and estimated at $5,000-$10,000.

Magic the Gathering
The Timetwister card from the 1993 Alpha set, graded 8.5 near mint+, has a $5,000-$10,000 estimate. Bordnar’s image

There are many more cards from the first set ever made. This collection features almost a complete collection of the first three years made for Magic the Gathering as well as many rare complete sets spanning the first 10 years of production. This sale is called the History of Magic the Gathering and it lives up to its name.

Other highlights in this collection include a Timewalk, Ancestral Recall and Mox Ruby from the Beta Set, another Black Lotus from the Unlimited Deck, a Timetwister, several Mox Jets, several Mox Sapphires, several Mox Pearls, Mox Ruby, Mox Emerald, Ancestral Recall and Time Walk from the Unlimited Deck. Also included are great cards from the Arabian Nights Set, Antiquities Set, Legends, Revised and nearly every deck made until 2006. Most of the sets Bodnar’s have are complete, including the foil sets.

Magic the Gathering
A Mox Emerald RA card in near-mint+ condition from the 1993 Alpha Set of Magic the Gathering. Estimate: $5,000-$10,000. Bodnar’s image

The sale has over 400+ lots with many complete sets. The entire collection is estimated at $200,000-$400,000. Bidding is currently ongoing at LiveAuctioneers. The auction will be broadcasted live on LiveAuctioneers with a live broadcast feed of the auctioneer describing and selling all lots in the sale. The auction will be held Thursday, Feb. 18, beginning at 11 a.m. In-house preview by appointment only in South Brunswick, N.J., is Tuesday Feb. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For details contact Bodnar’s at 866-349-7378.

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Magic the Gathering