Conversion of Assets VI

During the recent inventorying of a collection of ‘Magic: The Gathering’ cards a number of rare and valuable items were discovered. After much discussion, the decision was made that two of these items should be put on the auction block with the intent of raising funds for diversify the collection. The first card selected was Enlightened Tutor, a powerful Tutor from the Mirage expansion set released in 1997 that included Vampiric Tutor, Mystical Tutor, and Worldy Tutor. The second card selected was Force of Will from Alliances, an expansion released in 1996 as the second set in the ‘Ice Age’ block. Commentators have argued that Force of Will may be the best counter-spell ever printed with its ability to be cast even with all the player’s mana tapped. The Enlightened Tutor was able to net a total of $35.51 CAD, and the Force of Will $101.91 CAD, for a combined sale of $137.42!

Those funds were immediately used to procure a 1/25 ounce 99.99% pure gold coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint. This coin, though a mere 13.92mm in diameter, is intricately-engraved and displays the famous fishing schooner, the Bluenose, Canada’s quintessential symbol of speed and grace on the open sea. This is the same vessel depicted on Canada’s 10-cent circulation coin since 1935. The gold ‘Bluenose’ comes accompanied by a serialized certificate, and is encapsulated and presented in a maroon flock-lined clamshell case. The Royal Canadian Mint is a Canadian Crown Corporation that produces all of Canada's circulation coins. They are renowned for their high purity bullion coins as the Mint operates refineries to melt, assay and refine gold, silver and other precious metals. The total cost of this purchase was $135.50 CAD, with the remaining $1.92 from the sale of the cards spent on a celebratory coffee!

‘Magic: The Gathering’ Cards

During a recent inventory a forgotten box was brought to light, and inside an old collection of ‘Magic: The Gathering’ cards was discovered. ‘Magic: The Gathering’ is a collectible card game created by Richard Garfield, and first released in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. In each game of ‘Magic’ the players represent a battle between wizards who cast spells, use artifacts, and summon creatures as depicted on individual cards in order to defeat their opponents. The success of the initial edition prompted a reissue later in 1993, along with expansions to the game. Arabian Nights was the first expansion set released in December 1993, and new expansions and revisions of the base game have since been released on a semi-regular basis. By the end of 1994, the game had printed over a billion cards.

  

There is an active secondary market in individual cards among players and game shops. The secondary market started with comic book stores, and hobby shops displaying and selling cards, with the cards' values determined somewhat arbitrarily by the employees of the store. Today, uncommon cards and weak rare cards typically sell from 10¢ up to $1, with more expensive cards typically priced between $1 and $25. A few of the older cards, however, due to smaller printing runs and limited distribution, are highly valued and rare. Some, such as the Lion’s Eye Diamond from the Mirage expansion, which happened to be amongst the cards uncovered and is featured in the photograph above, can retail in excess of $100. Today, the secondary market is so large and complex, it has become an area of study for consumer research. 

Planet of the Apes 50th Anniversary

2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Pierre Boulle’s science-fiction classic La Planète des singes, also known in English as Planet of the Apes. The novel was published in France in 1963 by René Julliard, with the first English language version, translated by Xan Fielding, published in the United States by Vanguard Press in June 1963. The first paperback edition was published in the US in March 1964 by Signet / New American Library. The novel has inspired a media franchise comprising several films, two television series (one animated), comic books, toys, etc. The small collection gathered here is comprised of the following items:

 

Planet of the Apes 35th anniversary DVD - Released 2004 by 20th Century Fox. 2 DVDs. 1968/color/112 min. Anamorphic, Color, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Widescreen.

 

 

Dr. Zaius Mego figure - By 1973 a total of five Ape films had been released, and while it might have seemed like the end of the Ape dynasty, it was actually the beginning of the short-lived phenomenon referred to as Ape-Mania. In 1973, 20th Century Fox advertising challenged America to “Go Ape!” They began showing the first two Ape films on TV and all five Ape films in back to back marathons in movie theatres. As luck would have it, Mego President Marty Abrams attended a screening with his son, not even knowing what Planet of the Apes was, but saw fathers and sons enjoying the films together. The next day he was reportedly on the phone with 20th Century Fox executives securing the rights to produce figures based on the Planet of the Apes property. This figure, an early issue Dr. Zaius with the simpler black hero boot, was released in the summer of 1974.

 

 

Addar Cornelius Hobby Kit - The original Planet of the Apes model series was produced by Addar between 1973 and 1975. The kit was sold as a snap-together kit (no glue needed), so no paint or glue was included with the kits. Addar was out of business by 1976, but Cornelius, Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zira and General Ursus were reissued by Polar Lights under the Aurora logo in the 1990s.

 

Adventures on the Planet of the Apes #1 - Comic Book published by Marvel Comics group in 1975. Cover art is by Jim Starlin ; interior art by Ploog and Tuska. This adaptation of the movie by Doug Moench reprints material from Marvel’s Planet of the Apes magazine, but for the first time in color.

 

 

Rubber Gorilla Soldier - Copyright 1973 APJAC Productions and 20th Century Fox; Manufacturer unknown.

 

Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle - First US paperback edition published in March 1964 by Signet / New American Library.

 

Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle - Signet, 18th printing 451-Q5646, circa 1973.

 

Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle - Ballantine Books edition, 1st thus, May 2001.

 

Beneath the Planet of the Apes by Michael Avallone - Bantam Books S5674, first printing, July 1970.

 

Escape from the Planet of the Apes by Jerry Pournelle - Award Books, first printing, 1973.

 

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes by John Jakes - Award Books, first printing, 1973.

 

Battle for the Planet of the Apes by David Gerrold - Award Books, first printing, 1973.

 

Assorted Topps trading cards - From a set for the short-lived Planet of the Apes TV show released in 1975.

 

Pierre Boulle’s Planet of the Apes, a science-fiction classic, was the beginning of a long lasting  series of interpretations of his fantastic vision. Generations have grown up on his ideas, written books with subjects as diverse as 'Planet of the Apes and Philosophy' and 'Planet of the Apes as American Myth: Race and Politics in the Films and Television', and made their own films capturing Boulle’s vision. There have been toys, and games, movies, and books, and a myriad of other products. Truly, the last fifty years have been the Age of the Apes! In the words of the Lawgiver from Battle for the Planet of the Apes: "The promise is yours to keep. Yours to pass on to your children for them to keep."