Card games have come a long way over the past 30 years with the introduction of complex, complicated games that immerse players in adventure. Atop that deck of imaginative card games is Magic: The Gathering.

Not only is Magic one of the most popular games in the world, with an estimated 20 million players in 70 countries, it’s also highly collectible. As the game is celebrating its 25th anniversary, it’s the perfect time for Magic: The Gathering Cards – The Unofficial Ultimate Collector’s Guide.

From an early ’90s start-up game to serious worldwide tournaments, Magic’s popularity has extended from playability into the secondary collecting market. As the guide notes, an Alpha Black Lotus in Mint condition reached the astonishing price of $87,672 on eBay in July 2018. Several cards are valued at the $5,000 mark and many others can realize $100 to $1,000 through sales and private deals.

The collector’s guide opens with an introduction on its content and some interesting facts about the game series. This is followed by a few pages on why Magic cards are valuable with a breakdown of major and minor factors, then condition and its effect on value with definitions for different grades.

Over 160 card sets are covered, starting with Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited through Dominaria. It also covers Beginner Sets, Duel Decks, Black- and White-Bordered Box Sets, Masters Series, promo cards, and non-tournament legal cards, among others. Sets that were released as the book was being finished are noted, with a basic, but comprehensive, list of cards that are rising in value. In total, there are values for nearly 20,000 cards.

Magic: The Gathering Cards – The Unofficial Ultimate Collector’s Guide was written by Ben Bleiweiss. A well known figure in the Magic community, Bleiweiss is an eight-time Pro Tour player and general manager of StarCityGames.com.

He is also an expert in Magic finance, which is evident in this book. Bleiweiss keeps the focus squarely on card details and values, devoting nearly 500 pages to pricing. Each section features a succinct synopsis of set details, such as release date, set size, expansion information, and language, as well as info on reserve lists, border design, and reprints.

Featuring over 450 color photos across 512 pages, this book is a valuable tool for Magic card collectors. It’s comprehensive, direct, and well organized with attractive color designs and layout.

The softcover from Krause Publications retails for $27.99.

-Amanda Sheriff