Alternate 4th Edition - How to identify & links

[rg]

original post Jan 12[sup]th[/sup], 2004, 12:36am by Erl00:

This is certainly a dumb question, but how to recognize Summer 4th from Regualr 4th WITHOUT a black light.

If there's no way, why do you guys own a black light? I don't figure any use beside Summer / Regular 4th identification ...

Regards,
eric.

[rg]

original post Jan 12[sup]th[/sup], 2004, 4:49am by fvzappa:

I find it extremely difficult to explain to someone not face to face how to tell the difference. They are thicker, brighter, & have a slightly slick feel to them.

When looking through binders, I spot the sharper looking ones & pull them out to quickly look & feel them. I can tell within a few seconds. When I go through a stack of 4th, I get a good glare from the flourescent light, & spot them that way. I've "trained" a few friends. They spot them for me.

Only once was I wrong. And my friend whom I purchased his clump of 4th, NEVER saw them under a blacklight until the night I bought them. He was wrong about two of them, and he had a few hundred.

I swear, these cards were made at Cincinnati Playing Card Company. Had to be, I get more than anyone I know.

I wish I could explain the difference, but I really don't know... Don't you have a set of lands that are alt. 4th, Eric? I'd imagine you do.

[rg]

original post Jan 12[sup]th[/sup], 2004, 58am by MOT:

There are several tell-tales signs that you can learn to spot.  I agree it is hard to explain.  The best way to tell is to have a good maginfying glass handy, like a jeweler's loupe.  Reach cards use the offset priting method of CMYK dots and the summer 4th are true inkjet printing.  Look at a normal Magic card and you can see a regular pattern of dots, it kind of has a hex shape pattern to it when you just glance at it.  The Summer 4th are inkjet with a completely random pattern of very fine dots.  I can send a couple of high res scans to show the difference.

The other way is just by the look and feel of the cards.  They do seem to be of a slightly heavier card stock.  The varnish finish is a dead give away.  Normal MTG cards have a very even smooth finish to them for the most part.  The Summer 4th cards I owned at one time had a very shiny finish with more of a visible texture look to it, kind of like wood grain.  Very noticeable when compared to a normal card.  I got to where I just fanned a stack of cards to compare the finish on the back to spot Summer 4th.

[rg]

original post Jan 12[sup]th[/sup], 2004, 8:37am by dragsamou:

Hi Members.
I know I have some,in my 500 Extras,but finding the Black Light in Paris is a Real Trip  :o
Last time,I bought one,it was not the good one,since then,I never have the chance to go through my 4th Edition.

[rg]

original post Jan 12[sup]th[/sup], 2004, 10:23am by GraueEminenz:

Same here in Germany ... Great luck that my father
collects stamps so that he could borrow me the lamp
for a few days. But that's the way to get a blacklight:
STAMPCOLLECTORS !!! I bought mine at a collectors shop ...
Greetings
JAN

[rg]

original post Jan 12[sup]th[/sup], 2004, 06:22pm by rg:

Can someone please explain why i should be difficult to get a blacklight?
Has it to be a "special" blacklight?
As you know i'm from germany and you can buy blacklights at every electro shop from €3,50 up.  ???

[rg]

original post Jan 12[sup]th[/sup], 2004, 07:37pm by motorcitymagic:

You will want to buy a blacklight that looks like:

[table]
[tr]
[td]THIS[/td]
[td]                                                              [/td]
[td]NOT THIS[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]                                                              [/td]
[td][/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

[rg]

original post Oct 10[sup]th[/sup], 2004, 060am by fvzappa:

Hey guys, I'm looking for these cards:

http://www.mtgnews.com/story/988/1/1/A/

These are the alternate/ summer 4th edition cards that don't reflect as normal under a blacklight.

I own several, & am looking for more. I have plenty of cards, as well as cash, so if you want to get rid of any of these let me know. I also have plenty of extra of these cards, if you need any, perhaps we can help each other.

Also, forgive me, I'm new here: Is there anything about these cards on this site? How about anywhere else? I'm looking for some good information on them, hopefully something more reliable than the "I heard that..." I usually get when I ask difficult questions.

Anyhow, any help or suggestions are apreciated.

[rg]

original post Oct 11[sup]th[/sup], 2004, 04:44am by motorcitymagic:

I can help with the link to the old forum... but I still want to hear Drag's story :D

Old forum topic -
http://www.flaminio.com/ub/UltraBoard.c ... 6&SID=5379

I have about a hundred of these, of various rarities. How much are these going for lately?

[motorcitymagic]

Ralph... please keep this thread. It contains additional information which is not documented on the site.

[TerraFrost]

i agree with mcm...

also, what happened to this thread!?  save for these past two posts (mine included), rg's name seems to have replaced the names of the original posters, and the original posters are now sorta being quoted in rg's posts?

[Ralph Herold]

TerraFrost: I have asked motorcitymagic to list the details he wants to preserve. They will be added to the website coverage. He has not yet replied, so you are welcome to create a list of your own and send it to me.

As far as rg is involved, this thread is "artificial". When rg cleared up this section of the forum for me, he copied valuable inforamtion of different threads together into one thread. Snce this forum software does not support thread merging, he has to do it post by post.

[Cyberellium]

Easiest way for me to tell if a card is alternate 4th is looking at the back for those small circles that on some cards you can't NOT see.

On any alternate 4th card you will not see the circles.

[Ralph Herold]

motorcitymagic has agreed in the meanwhile to list the parts of the thread he wishes to be preserved. I will incorporate them into the website, provide a few days for a general approval, and then delete this thread.