Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise from the Summer Magic set, internally referred to as Edgar, was produced in 1994 as a limited-run replacement for the earlier Revised Edition. Following a series of printing errors in the Revised set, Wizards of the Coast issued this short print run to correct card inconsistencies and color issues. It is characterized by its distinct, vibrant color saturation compared to other printings of the era.

The artwork was created by Mark Poole, a foundational illustrator for the early days of Magic: The Gathering. Poole's design for the creature captures a whimsical, ethereal aesthetic consistent with his style for the game's initial expansions. Upon its limited release, the set was initially overlooked but eventually became a highly sought-after curiosity for collectors due to its small distribution and unique status within the game's early history.