Circle of Protection: Red

Circle of Protection: Red was originally printed as part of the 1994 Summer Magic set, known internally as Edgar. This limited release was intended to correct printing errors found in the earlier Revised Edition, such as washed-out colors and misprints, though the Summer Magic run itself became notorious for its own unique misprints and color inconsistencies. As a card within the long-running Circle of Protection cycle, it reflects the game's early strategic emphasis on color-specific defense, allowing players to pay mana to prevent damage from red sources.

The card features artwork by Christopher Rush, one of the most prolific and iconic illustrators of Magic: The Gathering’s formative years. Rush’s design leanings focused on high-fantasy motifs that defined the visual language of the game during the mid-nineties. While the mechanics of the Circle of Protection series were fundamental to early competitive play, the Summer Magic version is particularly sought after by collectors today due to the extreme scarcity of the set following its near-total recall by Wizards of the Coast.