mystical_tutor wrote:I actually think Richard would be hurt if anyone thought of that as a "promo" card.
It was never meant to promote anything, was never "released", was never available to the public, and most of all was not a Wizards of the Coast product (ie. managed, designed, produced, distributed or owned by them).
Special? Yes.
Promo? No.
Just saying.....
Gary
I understand what you're saying, and I was probably too broad/general in my definition of promo when asking the question. I agree that this card would not be considered a promotional item, as it was not intended to "promote" the game of MtG.
I should have been more descriptive when asking my question, what I meant was are there any non-standard cards (ie. not obtainable in boosters/starters/boxsets) produced in 1997 that people would have a desire to collect.
By your definition of "promotional", how would you classify the following:
Proposal
Splendid Genesis
Fraternal Exaltation
1996 World Champion
Shichifukujin Dragon
Robot Chicken
For Proposal, Splendid Genesis and Fraternal Exaltation, your defining requirement of being a WotC product would eliminate them from any sort of promo category. Additionally, they were not intended to promote anything MtG related, but to commemorate a personal/family milestone. As for not being available to the public, the definition of this would have to be clarified. While Splendid Genesis and Fraternal Exaltation were not initially intended to be available to the public, the fact that many collectors own these cards (and were not given them by the Garfield's) means they are certainly now available to the public. In my opinion, Proposal was, is, and never should be available to the public, but that is obviously out of my control.
The 1996 World Champion card, while being unique, would certainly be considered a promo card since it was a tournament prize (produced by WotC). The fact that a collector was able to purchase it from Tom Chanpheng means it was inevitably available to the public (for the right price).
The Shichifukujin Dragon is a tricky one. It meets two of your three defining categories for a promo (promotes something MtG related, is a WotC product), however it was never "released" to the public (unless a heist of epic proporitions were to occur), precluding it from your "promotional" category. I myself, would still consider this a promotional item, since it is a WotC product intended to promote/commemorate something MtG.
The Robot Chicken, while being a WotC product, was intended as a gift or thank you, much like the Splendid Genesis and Fraternal Exaltation were intended. Ultimately, this will also be available to the public. If someone can "buy" the unique '96 World Champion card, then someone will surely be able to purchase one of the 6 Robot Chicken cards out there. However, this card would then only hit 2 of your 3 requirements, precluding it from "promo" status aswell. I would also not consider this a promo.
In my long winded opinion, I guess my definition of a MtG promotional item would be as such:
1) A Wizards of the Coast produced item
2) Intended to promote/commemorate the game of Magic on some sort of level