That sounds doable. If wizards has volunteers for major events, I'm pretty sure many would like to help the attending artists protect their belongings and keep the lines orderly.
From my experience at worlds and other big tournaments Artists like Rob Alexander are their to make things more fun, stealing from them is terrible and above the garden variety theft. That is why it is being posted here. Rob has been doing commissions for WOTC since Alpha to now, has painted some of the defining cards of the game [duals fetches, shocklands] for that I have tremendous respect for him, and the consensus seems to be he's really nice too.
It seems that it may be worth a slightly higher entrance fee to hire some security for these events. The artist should be assured some level of safety while interfacing with customers. As an individual I should not have to carry my decks in a briefcase handcuffed to my wrist just to attend a competitive event. I should feel safe enough that if I have my bag within a foot or two of me, it will not be touched. Obviously leaving things lying around is a bad idea, but if I have to treat everything I brought like they are the recipe to Coca Cola, then how am I supposed to concentrate at all on playing the game.
If mythics are going to drive up prices the way they have and we want people to keep playing then the issue of theft is going to need addressing more than just making the judges watch out for it.
As a person who has done volunteer work for WotC, they have on occasion had staff members on hand to assist/help artists. I know both US Nationals 08 (Chicago) and PAX 08 had them, but one was WotC staff, and the other was an extra volunteer who wasn't as experienced as we had hoped.
I imagine that it's feasible, however often they bring along a spouse or helper for this exact reason (Not to mention, couples vacation is always nice.)
Rob, hope you get your stuff back. I met you at Nationals, and you were gracious and very nice to talk with. You definitely don't deserve this. Good luck in finding your property.
Maybe the thieves weren't after art proofs at all.
Maybe they thought the satchel was full of cards ?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Decks I'm working on:
:symb::symu: Gravy Boat
:symu::symg: PickleStorm 2.0
:symr::symu::symb: You Have To Follow The Ruels
Scryb-Death
Man-Pudding FTW!
:symu::symr::symg: Hot, Wet Meat
Pull My Finkle
Tight Clams Aggro
Randy Buehler's Day Off
:symu::symb: Naughty Uncle
:symw::symb: We'll get rid of it at the prom (Tempo)
:symr::symr: Bloody Beaver
:symu::symr::symw::symb::symg: 5-Color Cockfight
Maybe the thieves weren't after art proofs at all.
Maybe they thought the satchel was full of cards ?
And that makes it ok... how? No matter what, theft is wrong. As for the fight between the mod and other guy, cmon, really? I don't want to get involved with your fight, but do you think the thief would come into this thread? The thieves in Chicago I read were professional thieves, this may be no different. Just saying. Never met Rob, but I like his work, and I hope these people are found.
See whoever is going at GP-Minneapolis.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Paper Ratings: Constructed : 1708 Eternal : 1600 Limited : 1726 Total : 1772 Two Headed Giant - Constructed : 1584 Two Headed Giant - Limited : 1612
Sorry, but what are artist proofs? Are they those big sketches of the art used prior to being finalised as an MtG card art? If no, how do you differentiate them for a normal signed/unsigned card?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Quote from Starkiller2, in response to Worldwake booster packs missing the rare/mythic card »
We got the Priceless Treasures (in Zendikar), now they give us the Deadly Perils!
Sorry, but what are artist proofs? Are they those big sketches of the art used prior to being finalised as an MtG card art? If no, how do you differentiate them for a normal signed/unsigned card?
Sorry, but what are artist proofs? Are they those big sketches of the art used prior to being finalised as an MtG card art? If no, how do you differentiate them for a normal signed/unsigned card?
They're normal-sized cards with an unprinted white back instead of the usual brown background. Artists who work for Magic get about 50 or so of them from Wizards whenever a set is released with cards that they illustrated in that set, in English and often the other languages Magic is printed in. Artists will either give them away as gifts or sell them at conventions, almost always autographed, and occasionally with a little skecth on the white back.
The ones that were stolen, depending on what language they were in, could command at least 20 dollars each coming from Alexander. Double if they're Ravnica dual lands. If they're not signed though, you'd have trouble selling them to an educated buyer.
:symb::symu: Gravy Boat
:symu::symg: PickleStorm 2.0
:symr::symu::symb: You Have To Follow The Ruels
Scryb-Death
Man-Pudding FTW!
:symu::symr::symg: Hot, Wet Meat
Pull My Finkle
Tight Clams Aggro
Randy Buehler's Day Off
:symu::symb: Naughty Uncle
:symw::symb: We'll get rid of it at the prom (Tempo)
:symr::symr: Bloody Beaver
:symu::symr::symw::symb::symg: 5-Color Cockfight
I am not surprised about the recent increase of theft with magic cards. With the global recession, and loose cards, they are a tempting target for any thief. Think about it, you go to a crowded busy place, and people carry around backpacks full of thousands of dollars....
This is disgusting. I know we have a bad economy and all of the other crap going on, but stealing isn't the way to go. I feel bad for Mr. Alexander and I wouldn't wish anything like that on anyone. Also, don't make it sound like he wasn't trying to keep an eye on his stuff. It's not easy when you have all of the art and proofs lying out for people to view and at the same time conversing with players while signing cards. It's called being human and that's what we are. I just wish that all the theft ends. If not, players may start not wanting to go to events to play and will drive artists away because they don't want their things stolen. I will try to find any leads on any artist proofs that are linked to Rob Alexander. That includes signed just incase someone forged one.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA See Rob, you should keep an eye on your stuff it's your own fault your stuff got stolen no one elses. A few years ago I had my collection lifted so by process of elimination I ended up going to the kids house and talking to his mother who immediately returned my cards. Moral of the story: It was my fault I didn't keep my cards under my control.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA See Rob, you should keep an eye on your stuff it's your own fault your stuff got stolen no one elses. A few years ago I had my collection lifted so by process of elimination I ended up going to the kids house and talking to his mother who immediately returned my cards. Moral of the story: It was my fault I didn't keep my cards under my control.
Really? He was doing the magic community a favor by being there to display his artwork and sign cards and stuff for people. He shouldn't have to be watching his stuff consistently. I guess this proves you do now, but it's not his fault that some scumbag wanted to lift his cards for a quick buck.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA See Rob, you should keep an eye on your stuff it's your own fault your stuff got stolen no one elses. A few years ago I had my collection lifted so by process of elimination I ended up going to the kids house and talking to his mother who immediately returned my cards. Moral of the story: It was my fault I didn't keep my cards under my control.
Really? He was doing the magic community a favor by being there to display his artwork and sign cards and stuff for people. He shouldn't have to be watching his stuff consistently. I guess this proves you do now, but it's not his fault that some scumbag wanted to lift his cards for a quick buck.
Exactly, thanks Legend. Would someone please kick Author Unknown in the nuts... Ive met Rob many times (he lives here in Oregon), and he is a great guy. All he was doing was trying to do his job by signing and selling cards, part of which is displaying said cards. It was in no way his fault that some fckhead stole his property. Its not like what happen to you. Its would be like you taking a candy bar at the quicky mart and saying its there fault for not catching you. Im baffled that people are so stupid to steal at large tournaments (or at all for that matter). The only possible plus side is that the guy will most likely get caught trying to sell them.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
- Let's just say, I've been around since the Ice Age
Exactly, thanks Legend. Would someone please kick Author Unknown in the nuts... Ive met Rob many times (he lives here in Oregon), and he is a great guy. All he was doing was trying to do his job by signing and selling cards, part of which is displaying said cards. It was in no way his fault that some fckhead stole his property. Its not like what happen to you. Its would be like you taking a candy bar at the quicky mart and saying its there fault for not catching you. Im baffled that people are so stupid to steal at large tournaments (or at all for that matter). The only possible plus side is that the guy will most likely get caught trying to sell them.
The problem with situations like this is that the thief is not likely to sell the cards. They're much more likely to trade them, spreading out the proofs and making it much harder to trace back. You shouldn't buy or trade for unsigned artist proofs anyway, but the market for secondhand proof trading is smaller than other Magic niches. Most players get them from the artists and tend to hold onto them. The ones that make it to Ebay are the exception, of course.
If the thief went to the trouble of actually signing the cards, then that just means the buyer should beware from now on. It's kind of sucky because Rob Alexander has done a million or so Magic illustrations, and his cards are among the most sought after for autographs.
Not true. Have you collected Proofs before? There are legit non signed proofs out there.
There are, and they are a minority. A person would have to specifically request it from the artist, as most of them get signed. When I said people shouldn't buy unsigned proofs, I neglected to clarify that they shouldn't buy them secondhand, because of cases exactly like this one.
There are, and they are a minority. A person would have to specifically request it from the artist, as most of them get signed. When I said people shouldn't buy unsigned proofs, I neglected to clarify that they shouldn't buy them secondhand, because of cases exactly like this one.
A LOT of Christopher Rush's proofs are unsigned, and they are legit. Several proofs I've gotten from legit sources are not signed as well. Some proofs which I've gotten were from people who knew the artists in person, and the artists gave the proofs as a gift, unsigned. See below, any informed proof collector will probably know about such thefts. I do know that some of Dan Frazier's Mox Diamond proofs were stolen some time back.
You shouldn't buy or trade for unsigned artist proofs anyway
You make such a statement, just because you think unsigned proofs are highly likely to be stolen? Hmmm...
The problem with situations like this is that the thief is not likely to sell the cards. They're much more likely to trade them, spreading out the proofs and making it much harder to trace back. You shouldn't buy or trade for unsigned artist proofs anyway, but the market for secondhand proof trading is smaller than other Magic niches.
Niche market as you say. Do you think that the proof collector that is trading for those proofs would'nt know about this matter? I collect proofs, and most of the other collectors are way more informed than I am.
The ones that make it to Ebay are the exception, of course.
There are people who ebay to make way and to raise cash for more cards incoming.
Most players get them from the artists and tend to hold onto them.
The amount of proofs I have can probably fill a couple of count boxes. I sell proofs occasionally also, even unsigned ones.
A LOT of Christopher Rush's proofs are unsigned, and they are legit. Several proofs I've gotten from legit sources are not signed as well. Some proofs which I've gotten were from people who knew the artists in person, and the artists gave the proofs as a gift, unsigned. See below, any informed proof collector will probably know about such thefts. I do know that some of Dan Frazier's Mox Diamond proofs were stolen some time back.
You make such a statement, just because you think unsigned proofs are highly likely to be stolen? Hmmm...
Niche market as you say. Do you think that the proof collector that is trading for those proofs would'nt know about this matter? I collect proofs, and most of the other collectors are way more informed than I am.
There are people who ebay to make way and to raise cash for more cards incoming.
The amount of proofs I have can probably fill a couple of count boxes. I sell proofs occasionally also, even unsigned ones.
You're missing my point. I acknowledge that there are unsigned proofs, but I'm also making an educated guess that there are likely to be fewer of them floating around than signed ones. Based on this, and the fact that an artist just had a bunch of his stolen, I am saying I would exercise caution in purchasing unsigned artist proofs from anyone but the artist. Whether or not a person chooses to do so is exactly that; their choice. I never said it was highly likely they were stolen, but a situation of this nature illustrates that it would merely be more likely.
On top of that, the thief is certainly not going to seek out an educated trader. They would be much more likely to trade with someone dazzled at the scarcity of artist proofs than someone who makes a priority of collecting them. I'm sure that there are people very knowledgeable about this sort of thing, but those would be the sort that the thief would make an effort to avoid when trading.
I'm not trying to argue with you. You're exactly right about unsigned proofs obtained through legal means, and I don't doubt you have enough to fill boxes and know more about them than me. I'm just saying that there should be a certain level of wariness among the less informed or beginning collector. Do you disagree?
i have seen these floating around on ebay but that was a while back and its my bad for not catching them. prob is if some guys has a lot of them and is selling them we have no way to prove he wasent the dude that took em
From my experience at worlds and other big tournaments Artists like Rob Alexander are their to make things more fun, stealing from them is terrible and above the garden variety theft. That is why it is being posted here. Rob has been doing commissions for WOTC since Alpha to now, has painted some of the defining cards of the game [duals fetches, shocklands] for that I have tremendous respect for him, and the consensus seems to be he's really nice too.
I imagine that it's feasible, however often they bring along a spouse or helper for this exact reason (Not to mention, couples vacation is always nice.)
You should read them.
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen"
Rob, hope you get your stuff back. I met you at Nationals, and you were gracious and very nice to talk with. You definitely don't deserve this. Good luck in finding your property.
Maybe they thought the satchel was full of cards ?
:symb::symu: Gravy Boat
:symu::symg: PickleStorm 2.0
:symr::symu::symb: You Have To Follow The Ruels
Scryb-Death
Man-Pudding FTW!
:symu::symr::symg: Hot, Wet Meat
Pull My Finkle
Tight Clams Aggro
Randy Buehler's Day Off
:symu::symb: Naughty Uncle
:symw::symb: We'll get rid of it at the prom (Tempo)
:symr::symr: Bloody Beaver
:symu::symr::symw::symb::symg: 5-Color Cockfight
And that makes it ok... how? No matter what, theft is wrong. As for the fight between the mod and other guy, cmon, really? I don't want to get involved with your fight, but do you think the thief would come into this thread? The thieves in Chicago I read were professional thieves, this may be no different. Just saying. Never met Rob, but I like his work, and I hope these people are found.
See whoever is going at GP-Minneapolis.
Constructed : 1708
Eternal : 1600
Limited : 1726
Total : 1772
Two Headed Giant - Constructed : 1584
Two Headed Giant - Limited : 1612
MTGO Ratings:
Constructed: 1612
Limited: 1665
Composite: 1639
#160/836 in the 1st CCC Momir Vig Tournament!
Their back is blank.
I like 4/4s for 7.
They're normal-sized cards with an unprinted white back instead of the usual brown background. Artists who work for Magic get about 50 or so of them from Wizards whenever a set is released with cards that they illustrated in that set, in English and often the other languages Magic is printed in. Artists will either give them away as gifts or sell them at conventions, almost always autographed, and occasionally with a little skecth on the white back.
The ones that were stolen, depending on what language they were in, could command at least 20 dollars each coming from Alexander. Double if they're Ravnica dual lands. If they're not signed though, you'd have trouble selling them to an educated buyer.
:symb::symu: Gravy Boat
:symu::symg: PickleStorm 2.0
:symr::symu::symb: You Have To Follow The Ruels
Scryb-Death
Man-Pudding FTW!
:symu::symr::symg: Hot, Wet Meat
Pull My Finkle
Tight Clams Aggro
Randy Buehler's Day Off
:symu::symb: Naughty Uncle
:symw::symb: We'll get rid of it at the prom (Tempo)
:symr::symr: Bloody Beaver
:symu::symr::symw::symb::symg: 5-Color Cockfight
燃える時計秘密めく花の香り
www.pokemoncrossroads.com
Really? He was doing the magic community a favor by being there to display his artwork and sign cards and stuff for people. He shouldn't have to be watching his stuff consistently. I guess this proves you do now, but it's not his fault that some scumbag wanted to lift his cards for a quick buck.
Exactly, thanks Legend. Would someone please kick Author Unknown in the nuts... Ive met Rob many times (he lives here in Oregon), and he is a great guy. All he was doing was trying to do his job by signing and selling cards, part of which is displaying said cards. It was in no way his fault that some fckhead stole his property. Its not like what happen to you. Its would be like you taking a candy bar at the quicky mart and saying its there fault for not catching you. Im baffled that people are so stupid to steal at large tournaments (or at all for that matter). The only possible plus side is that the guy will most likely get caught trying to sell them.
* sr20's Trade List *
The problem with situations like this is that the thief is not likely to sell the cards. They're much more likely to trade them, spreading out the proofs and making it much harder to trace back. You shouldn't buy or trade for unsigned artist proofs anyway, but the market for secondhand proof trading is smaller than other Magic niches. Most players get them from the artists and tend to hold onto them. The ones that make it to Ebay are the exception, of course.
If the thief went to the trouble of actually signing the cards, then that just means the buyer should beware from now on. It's kind of sucky because Rob Alexander has done a million or so Magic illustrations, and his cards are among the most sought after for autographs.
Not true. Have you collected Proofs before? There are legit non signed proofs out there.
There are, and they are a minority. A person would have to specifically request it from the artist, as most of them get signed. When I said people shouldn't buy unsigned proofs, I neglected to clarify that they shouldn't buy them secondhand, because of cases exactly like this one.
A LOT of Christopher Rush's proofs are unsigned, and they are legit. Several proofs I've gotten from legit sources are not signed as well. Some proofs which I've gotten were from people who knew the artists in person, and the artists gave the proofs as a gift, unsigned. See below, any informed proof collector will probably know about such thefts. I do know that some of Dan Frazier's Mox Diamond proofs were stolen some time back.
You make such a statement, just because you think unsigned proofs are highly likely to be stolen? Hmmm...
Niche market as you say. Do you think that the proof collector that is trading for those proofs would'nt know about this matter? I collect proofs, and most of the other collectors are way more informed than I am.
There are people who ebay to make way and to raise cash for more cards incoming.
The amount of proofs I have can probably fill a couple of count boxes. I sell proofs occasionally also, even unsigned ones.
You're missing my point. I acknowledge that there are unsigned proofs, but I'm also making an educated guess that there are likely to be fewer of them floating around than signed ones. Based on this, and the fact that an artist just had a bunch of his stolen, I am saying I would exercise caution in purchasing unsigned artist proofs from anyone but the artist. Whether or not a person chooses to do so is exactly that; their choice. I never said it was highly likely they were stolen, but a situation of this nature illustrates that it would merely be more likely.
On top of that, the thief is certainly not going to seek out an educated trader. They would be much more likely to trade with someone dazzled at the scarcity of artist proofs than someone who makes a priority of collecting them. I'm sure that there are people very knowledgeable about this sort of thing, but those would be the sort that the thief would make an effort to avoid when trading.
I'm not trying to argue with you. You're exactly right about unsigned proofs obtained through legal means, and I don't doubt you have enough to fill boxes and know more about them than me. I'm just saying that there should be a certain level of wariness among the less informed or beginning collector. Do you disagree?
also check me out on fb
Quotes in blog.
Commander BLOG: The Crazy 99
Gonti ; Sissay
castration by papercut? a bad way to go indeed.
sorry to hear about that rob.
hope you get some relevant information soon.
Standard:
:symb::symu: Monoblack Devotion (W/ Notion Thief)
Previous Standards:
:symg::symr::symb::symw: Darthsaber
:symg::symw::symr: Naya Midrange
:symg::symw::symr: Naya Pod
:symg::symw::symr: GWr Caw Blade
:symg::symr::symb: Jund
:symu::symw: Merfolk
My Cube
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?p=7854834#post7854834