Magic: The Gathering’s Latest Set Introduces a Self-Referential Graded Card
Magic: The Gathering has been known to release some truly outlandish cards, but nothing quite compares to the latest offerings from the Secret Lair series. This time, they’ve teamed up with the Brooklyn art collective MSCHF to create The Zeta Set, marking the first instance of booster packs being produced by the reprint department. Each card in this set draws inspiration from the original hand-made playtest cards that predate MTG’s official launch, with one standout exception: an Eternity Vessel card presented as a graded slab, and it’s only rated a 6.
Every card in this collection is a reimagined version of older cards, featuring entirely new artwork, which is the hallmark of the Secret Lair series. The designs are visually striking, blending elements of blueprints, Biro sketches, photocopies, and fanzines, resulting in a look that’s unlike anything seen in Magic or any other collectible card game. A glimpse at some of the cards, as showcased by an outlet, reveals their unique aesthetic.
Among the highlights is the reimagined Eternity Vessel, depicted as a simple black-and-white photo encased in a graded slab. Reddit users quickly noted the cleverness of this design, as it presents an Eternity Vessel within its own Eternity Vessel.
Graded cards are typically sent to organizations for evaluation, where they are assessed for flaws and then sealed in a protective slab with a grading number. A perfect card earns a grade of 10 and commands the highest value, while a grade of 6 indicates the card has seen better days and is generally worth less than an ungraded version. MSCHF’s choice to assign this particular grade to the card, with themselves as the grading entity, adds an extra layer of intrigue.
The set has not yet been released, and considering the current state of MTG and the scarcity of many recent sets, securing a copy may prove challenging. There is an option to sign up for notifications when they become available, which could be worth exploring.
