LUC MERTENS COMMEMORATIVE CARD

Luc Mertens was the Business Unit Manager for games at Carta Mundi, the company that printed Magic cards starting with Alpha. Luc retired on September 1, 2013 after 33 years at Carta Mundi and had been involved with Magic: The Gathering from its beginnings in 1993. He had worked at Carta Mundi in Turnhout, Belgium and in Dallas, Texas. In honor of his retirement and in appreciation of his 20 years of service to the Wizards of the Coast, the Wizards' Art Department created this commemorative card.

The Luc Mertens Magic cards were printed on a 64 card sheet (8 cards x 8 cards) using a digital printing press. Two sheets were made, one with blank backs and one with Magic backs. The Magic-backed sheet was cut into single cards at Carta Mundi. Luc recalls he was given about 15 of these Magic-backed cards when he retired in 2013. He's not aware of any others existing, so the other Magic-backed cards from that sheet are presumed destroyed.

Luc was also given the uncut sheet with a blank back. In time, Luc sold this sheet and it was subsequently cut into single cards. This item is one single card from that sheet.

Following are facts about Luc that are relevant to understanding this card:

• Luc was born August 23rd 1958.
• LUC started working at Carta Mundi in 1980.
• One of Luc's first big projects was UNO when that company was located in Joliet Illinois.
• Luc worked at Carta Mundi for 33 years, retiring in 2013.
• In his younger years, Luc was a competitive Foosball player. This game is also known as "Kicker".
• Luc's hobby is collecting and documenting airline playing cards. He's assembled a really nice book on the subject.
• Luc also used to collect stamps, but he's sold them off and doesn't do that anymore.
• Luc's wife is named Chris. They have multiple sons and multiple grand daughters.
• Nene is a (now grown) child from the Philippines, whom Luc and Chris sponsored (sent money to) for many years and stay in communication with.
• Luc and Chris live in Belgium, not far from Champagne, France where champagne is produced. They regularly drive there to purchase champagne at a low cost, often as gifts for friends and family.
• Luc seen the band Golden Earring in concert many times.