Glasses of Urza

Glasses of Urza was first introduced in the Antiquities expansion in 1994, designed during the formative years of Magic: The Gathering to represent the technological prowess of the artificer Urza. The card allows a player to look at an opponent's hand, a mechanic that emphasizes the theme of magical surveillance and tactical advantage. It was later reprinted in the Classic Sixth Edition in 1999 as part of the core set, featuring updated rules text that aligned with the standardized templating of the time.

The original illustration was created by artist Anson Maddocks, who provided several iconic pieces for the early sets of the game. His design for the Glasses of Urza features a complex, brass-toned apparatus consistent with the 'Urza's Saga' aesthetic, which blended fantasy elements with a steampunk-inspired mechanical sensibility. While the card is often viewed as a utility piece rather than a centerpiece of competitive play, it remains a recognizable artifact from the game's early history.