The Duelist Sideboard Magazine #1 July 1996 MTG Wizards CGC 6.5 FN+ For Sale

The Duelist Sideboard Magazine Issue #1 (July 1996) – CGC 6.5 (Fine+)Magic: The Gathering - Wizards of the Coast

Own a foundational piece of competitive Magic: The Gathering history. Up for sale is a professionally graded and encapsulated copy of The Duelist Sideboard Issue #1, published directly by Wizards of the Coast in July 1996.

As MTG’s Organized Play and the newly formed Pro Tour exploded in popularity in early 1996, WOTC launched The Sideboard as a dedicated spinoff magazine focusing purely on the highest levels of competitive play. This 32-page, full-color premier issue is a time capsule of MTG\'s competitive golden era. Finding early \'90s MTG tournament newsletters intact is incredibly difficult; having the inaugural issue professionally authenticated and protected in an archival slab makes this a top-tier display piece for any serious vintage Magic collector.

Issue #1 Collector Highlights:

• The Dawn of the Pro Tour: Captures the earliest days of MTG Organized Play, detailing the formats, decklists, and strategies that built the modern tournament scene.

• 1996 World Championships: The cover story features an exclusive, in-depth preview of the upcoming 1996 Magic World Championships.

• Classic Strategy: Deep dives into tournament metagames, rules changes, and the banned/restricted lists of the mid-90s.

CGC Grading & Condition Details:

• Grade: CGC 6.5 (Fine+)

• Condition: The archival case is structurally sound, crystal clear, and scratch-free, providing perfect long-term UV protection. Per CGC\'s 6.5 criteria, the magazine inside is structurally complete with mild, expected handling wear consistent with its 1996 publication (such as light spine stress or minor corner softening), but completely avoids major flaws like tears or cutouts.

• Please review all high-resolution photos to verify the slab condition and CGC certification number.

Shipping & Handling:As a fellow collector, I know how important it is that graded slabs arrive safely.

• Your slab will be heavily protected in bubble wrap and shipped in a sturdy corrugated box—never a padded mailer.

• Ships fast with tracking and insurance included.

Please feel free to message me with any questions before purchasing!