Black Lotus [Beta Pop 58]

Grading

Overall       9.5 GEM MINT

Centering  10

Corners      9

Edges           9.5

Surface       10

This card has 9 corners, which I believe is a very harsh grade given how clean the corners look to the naked eye.  Upon inspection with a loupe, the front bottom right corner perhaps has an ever so slight lift from the factory beta corner die cut.  Although the card features 9.5 edges, it has a very tiny edge flaw on the front top of the card.  Even so, I can see this card reaching quad status if someone were to take the effort to regrade the card. 

Rarity & Collectability

This black lotus is 1 of approximately 3,000 rare cards printed in the beta edition of Magic the Gathering.  It is hard to imagine a more iconic "Power 9" card than the black lotus, and even when the game first came out in the 93, it was immediately identifiable and recognized as the halo card of the game.  

This card in beta (the second printed edition of Magic) is not particularly difficult to find in BGS Gem Mint condition with 57 total graded in overall BGS 9.5 and 4 graded in BGS 10. Even so, it remains one of the most valuable cards in the game even in the beta edition given how in demand the card is as the chase card.  Earlier this year, an alpha edition PSA 10 signed on the case by Christopher Rush was bid and sold for $511,100.  Post Malone even commented that he tried to bid for the card, but narrowly lost.

I find it particularly interesting that this card, while more widely available, exceeds the value of some (not all) Gem Mint alpha power 9 cards.  Suffice to say, this card is extremely sought after by collectors around the world.  Most vintage players would be looking to play with more an Unlimited edition with white borders, or in much more played condition than this particular card.  Assuming the game is still healthy, it's hard to imagine many other cards that are so universally recognized and desired from the Magic community.

Impressions & Artwork

It is hard to not fall in love with the late Christopher Rush's artwork here.  The green background gives a mystique that matches the lore of the ephemeral lotus flower.  Daniel Chang mentioned that Christopher Rush used a Safeway bag to create the painting's background in this video.  I always found it a bit strange that despite the card being a colorless artifact capable of generating 3 mana of any color, that it was drawn and titled as black.  Would it have made more sense as the white lotus?  Doesn't have quite the same ring though...

Regarding the painting of the flower itself, I find it to have a symmetry that is pleasing to the aesthetic eye, illuminated by a gentle light source from the top left.  What a special card.

Usage & Gameplay

This card allows such ridiculous plays that defy the standard pace of any game.  Turn 1 Juzam Djinn or mind twist your opponent for 3 discards.    It is the mainstay in any competitive old school/vintage/alpha 40 deck!    

Even win the game in one turn with channel-fireball, before it was promptly banned.

Nostalgia

The Black Lotus will always remind me of playing against my good friend Carlton's overpowered deck in his upstairs room.  He would reshuffle his deck several times until he found the channel fireball turn 1 combo with his beat up Unlimited white bordered copy.  I'm pretty sure he was cheating when shuffling but would justify his cards with a chuckle and wave of his hands.  I let him, because that's what good friends do.

Carlton's copy looked just like this:

Carlton is an incredibly loyal friend that has a very special charisma about him.  People around him were unequivocally drawn to his orbit of mayhem.  He has a laughter that will light up a room, but also makes you double question the mischief.  Those that have had the pleasure to know him will recognize him by his big-hearted chuckle...right before he got you arrested for lighting fireworks over the freeway or getting you pinned for the latest cocaine drug bust.

During our teenage years, his collection of cards were in my position for several years before I returned them to him.  Shortly thereafter, his box of cards fell prey to the dirtball E.J. who stole all of Carlton's cards and fleeced them never to be found again.  Carlton recounted his random confrontation with E.J. many years later coming off of Chicago train after work as salary men.  Words were exchanged, but closure was not.

This was Carlton's box of cards, the only surviving relic from years yonder showing the ramblings of a deranged teen.  A trespasser's curse is cast on the owner when the box is opened.