Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise from the Summer Magic set, also colloquially known as the Edgar set, represents a unique curiosity in the history of Magic: The Gathering. Released in 1994, this set was an experimental reprint intended to correct errors and color saturation issues found in the earlier Revised Edition. It was distributed primarily through a specific wholesaler in the American South, resulting in a significantly lower print run compared to standard sets of the era, which has since made it a sought-after rarity among completionists.

The artwork for this iconic card was originally rendered by Christopher Rush. Rush, a foundational artist for the game, opted for a vibrant, tropical aesthetic that diverged from the grittier fantasy tropes of the time, emphasizing the creature's role as a mana-producing utility staple. The Summer Magic version is distinguished by its distinctively bright, high-contrast printing process, which often exhibits more saturated colors than the standard Revised Edition cards, reflecting the set's original design intent to serve as a high-quality, corrected alternative for players.