-BadMagic- Knows Artist Proofs Proofs-FAQ.txt Artist Proofs (AKA White-backs) are authentic Magic: The Gathering cards, which are available only though the artists. These cards have a limited print run of 50-150 world wide, depending on the expansion and a few factors described here. Proofs are true magic cards on the front with a solid white back. WOTC delivered these to the artists as a sample of how their original work looked after resized & printing in the set. Artists have chosen to: Sell, trade, give, keep or destroy their proofs - as they are the only source for them. Artist-autographs serve as a certificate of authenticity that they are genuine & sourced through the artist. Without autograph, there is no certainty that the Proof is authentic. The print run of artist proofs relies on several variables: 1) A certain number were printed by WOTC per set, starting with Beta. Duplicate sets/expansions by language were not produced or delivered to the artists. Therefore after Beta proofs were printed, Unlimited proofs were not printed (because it carried the same card set and same language). Revised was printed, as cards were added and removed from the set. The first add-on expansion proofs were Antiquities, no Arabian Nights proofs were printed and delivered to the artists. Starting with 4E, WOTC started sending foreign language equivalents instead of English. This was reversed around 7E and now English equivalents are distributed. 2) Other print runs include: These listings summarize conversations with over 35 artists. Some artists did not receive their full amount per expansion or none at all. Therefore each artist's actual quantity of each card varies slightly. Beta 50 Print-Run [noted by square corners, much like the Collector's Edition cards.] Revised 50 Print-Run 4E English were not printed 4E-BB Japanese 50 Print-Run 4E -> other lang 50 Print-Run 5E -> 50 Print-Run Antiquities 100 Print-Run Legends 100-150 Print-Run The Dark 50-100 Print-Run Fallen Empires 100 Print-Run Ice Age 100-150 Print-Run Chronicles 100 Print-Run Alliances -> 50 Print-Run 3) WOTC was charged with shipping these proofs to artists as a sample of their work, but some were 'shorted' through the distribution process. I have heard that some artists received fewer than the printed amount, the balance somehow disappearing between the press and the artist. Case in point, Ken Meyer Jr. received only 35 Revised Kird Ape proofs where Doug Shuler received a full 50 sets of his Revised proofs. Again, without an artist's autograph, the proof may not be authentically sourced through the artist! 4) Some artists have destroyed a portion of their Artist Proofs to make them more scarce and valuable. As they are limited to a 50-150 global print-run already, this is a rare occurrence by only a handful of artists. 5) Artist proofs are shipped to artists in lightweight cardboard boxes. At times, proofs have been damaged in shipment, affecting a large number of a specific card title. 6) Many artists use their partial-filled boxes for storage & catch-all (pens/blades/inks) on the convention circuit - without proper care to card conditions. Therefore, artist proof condition can degrade over time. When purchasing directly from the artist (show/convention), ask to review several proofs of each title (if possible) to select the best condition available. I've received several cards in EX condition (2 grades below mint) directly from the artist... further enhancing the value of those in Mint/Near Mint! True 'Mint' Proofs are very hard to find! With the rare Alpha/Beta print run in the thousands & foils/inserts/promos in the tens of thousands, Artist Proofs are truly rare! Several collectors I know rate their worth equivalent to Summer Magic, but with a 100% print run for full-set collectability.