Last summer, Joe Bodnar of Bodnars Auctions, based in Edison, N.J., received a phone call about an estate collection of Magic: The Gathering cards. The large collection had been left to a man from a friend who had recently passed away. At that time, Joe Bodnar didnt realize how big the collection was, what condition they were in, or whether they were new or older cards. After some research, it was clear that this collection had value, but how much value? After a few phone calls to several experts in the field and a visit by an expert for an evaluation of the collection, it was clear the consignor was sitting on a small fortune. It didnt take long for Bodnar to realize the monetary value depended on the grade. Research on the Black Lotus card showed values between $1,000 and $100,000, again depending on the grade. Bodnar contacted Beckett grading and sent 300 of the cards to be graded, mostly Alpha and Beta cards. The one problem they had was how to ship the cards to Texas and ensure their safe arrival. An armored car picked up the collection from New Jersey and drove it to Texas. This was the most effective way to send it. In the 28 years I have conducted auctions, this was a first, where we had an armed guard pick up the collection. It was exciting, said Bodnar. Four months later, an email arrived that the cards were ready. They ranged mostly 7 and 9 grades. This was fantastic news for Bodnar. The collection spans from 1993-2006. The highlights of the Alpha collection are three rare Black Lotus cards. Only 1,100 of these cards were printed, which makes this a sought-after card. The first Black Lotus came in a 7.5 grade and will have an estimate of $20,000-$40,000. Another Black Lotus card with a grade of 6 will also be estimated at $20,000-$40,000, and a 3.5 will be estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Other rare cards in the Alpha set include Timetwister graded at 8.5, estimated $5,000-$10,000; Mox Emerald graded at 7.5, estmated at $5,000-$10,000; a Mox Ruby graded at 8.0, estimated at $5,000-$10,000, and a Mox Jet graded at 8.0, estimated $5,000-$10,000. There are many more cards from this first set. This collection features almost a complete collection of the first three years made for Magic: The Gathering as well as many rare complete sets spanning the first 10 years of production. This sale will be titled The History of Magic: The Gathering and should live up to its name. Other highlights include a Timewalk, Ancestral Recall, and Mox Ruby from the Beta Set, another Black Lotus from the Unlimited Deck, a Timetwister, several Mox Jets, several Mox Sapphires, several Mox Pearls, Mox Ruby Mox Emerald, Ancestral Recall, and Time Walk from the Unlimited Deck. Also included are cards from the Arabian Nights Set, Antiquities Set, Legends, Revised and majority of every deck made until 2006. Most of the sets are complete, with most of the foil sets near complete as well. The auction will have more than 400 lots. The entire collection is estimated at $200,000-$400,000. Bidding is currently ongoing at Liveauctioneers, Invaluable, Auction Zip and on Bodnars website. The auction will be broadcasted on Liveauctioneers with a live feed of the auctioneer describing and selling all lots in the sale on Thursday, Feb. 18, beginning at 11 a.m. (EST). An in-house preview is by appointment only in South Brunswick, N.J. For further information, call 866-349-7378 or visit www.bodnarsauction.com.