Rune script deciphering is the process of interpreting and understanding ancient runic inscriptions. Runes are a type of script that was used by ancient Germanic peoples, such as the Vikings. They were carved or etched onto various materials, such as wood, stone, or metal. Deciphering rune script involves several steps. The first step is to familiarize oneself with the runic alphabet, known as the futhark. There were several variations of the runic alphabet, but the most common is the Elder Futhark, which consists of 24 characters.
There were several variations of the runic alphabet, but the most common is the Elder Futhark, which consists of 24 characters. Each rune represents a specific sound or phoneme. Next, the decipherer must carefully examine the runic inscription and identify the individual runes.
Heritage Offers The Jeff Ferreira Collection, Autographed Magic: The Gathering Cards Certified by CGC Trading Cards
The auction includes over 100 cards from the Jeff Ferreira Collection, which features early Magic cards, Artist Proofs and painted cards.
Over 100 Magic: The Gathering cards from the Jeff Ferreira Collection that are certified by CGC Trading Cards® are being offered in an upcoming Heritage Auctions sale. Online bidding is already underway for Auction #7323, which is set to take place on March 24-25, 2023.
The Jeff Ferreira Collection is a special group of Magic: The Gathering cards, most of which have been signed, painted or customized by various artists that have worked on the Magic: The Gathering TCG. The primary focus of the collection are CGC-certified cards that have been sketched and / or signed by Christopher Rush, with the signature verified by Ferreira. Rush is best known as the illustrator of Black Lotus, and the auction includes a Black Lotus, Magic: The Gathering (1993) Limited Edition (Beta) Artist Proof graded CGC 8.5 with sub-grades of 8.5 for Centering, 9 for Surface, and 8.5 for Corners and Edges (lot 36014).
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Ferreira’s collection also includes several cards from the Magic: The Gathering World Championships Pro Tour Decks. These cards were intentionally left blank so the owner could draw or paint their own designs on the front of the card. These cards are immensely popular with collectors who seek out Magic: The Gathering artists, to commission work on them.
One such example in the auction includes this Blank (2004) World Championship Deck Card graded CGC 8 with sub-grades of 9.5 for Centering, 8 for Surface and Corners, and 9 for Edges (lot 36046). The blank front features a painted depiction of R2-D2 from Star Wars wearing a Santa hat looking at a Black Lotus. The card is titled “Black Lotus,” while the flavor text jokingly reads, “The Lotus awakens.” The CGC Trading Cards label includes a notation that the Christopher Rush signature is verified by Ferreira.
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Another stunning hand painted example of the infamous Black Lotus occurs on one of the most popular basic land types in Magic: The Gathering; a Plains from the 1998 Unglued set which normally shows the art of Christopher Rush but was painted to showcase the iconic Black Lotus. This card is graded CGC 7.5. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the unaltered card and the masterpiece created by Rush.
| An unaltered Plains (left) and the masterpiece by Christopher Rush (right) Click images to enlarge. |
Other CGC-certified highlights pedigreed to the Jeff Ferreira collection in the auction include:
- a Blood of the Martyr (1994) The Dark, altered by Christopher Rush graded CGC 8 (lot 36040)
- a Plains (1998) French Ice Age Artist Proof, with a Black Lotus Drawn on Back graded CGC 8 (lot 36059)
- a Blank Card (1996) World Championship Decks, with a hand painted Black Lotus and heart graded CGC 7 (lot 36065)
- a Quartet of Phyrexian Negator (1999) Urza's Destiny Artist Proofs, with hand painted backs making a mosaic graded CGC 8 and CGC 8.5 (lot 36070)
- a Eureka, (1994) Legends graded CGC 9.5 (lot 37049)
- a Hell's Caretaker (1994) Legends graded CGC Pristine 10 (lot 37054)
- a Mirror Universe, (1994) Legends graded CGC 9.5 with sub-grades of 9.5 for Centering, 10 for Surface, 9.5 for Corners and 9.5 for Edges (lot 37058)
- a Ishan's Shade (1995) Homelands Artist Proof signed by Christopher Rush graded CGC 8.5 (lot 37120)
Peak price: $4,999.99
This can be challenging, as runes sometimes have variations in form and can be difficult to distinguish from each other. It is also important to consider the context of the inscription, as runes often had different meanings depending on their position in a word or sentence. Once the runes have been identified, the decipherer can begin to translate the inscription. This involves determining the meaning of each rune and how they combine to form words or phrases. Some runes have straightforward meanings, such as "fehu" which represents wealth or "ansuz" which represents a god or deity. Others have more abstract or complex meanings. In addition to understanding the individual runes, the decipherer must also consider the linguistic and cultural context of the inscription. This may involve knowledge of ancient languages, such as Old Norse or Old English, as well as an understanding of the historical period in which the inscription was created. Deciphering rune script can be a challenging and time-consuming task. It requires a combination of linguistic, historical, and archaeological knowledge. However, the insights gained from deciphering runic inscriptions can provide valuable information about ancient cultures and languages, shedding light on the beliefs, customs, and history of the people who used the runic script..
Reviews for "Adventures in Deciphering: Unlocking the Power of Rune Scripts"
1. Jessica - 1 star: I was really disappointed with "Rune script deciphering". The content was confusing and the explanations were unclear. It felt like the course was rushing through the material and didn't offer enough practice exercises to fully understand the concepts. I had high hopes for this course, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations.
2. John - 2 stars: I found "Rune script deciphering" to be quite boring and unengaging. The instructor's voice was monotone and the visuals were uninspiring. It was difficult to stay focused and retain the information being presented. Additionally, I didn't feel like I gained any practical skills or knowledge from taking this course. Overall, it was not worth the time or money.
3. Sarah - 2 stars: I struggled with "Rune script deciphering" because the course lacked proper structure and organization. The lessons jumped from one topic to another without clear transitions, making it difficult to follow along. The instructor also did not provide enough examples or real-life applications of rune script deciphering, leaving me feeling like I was just memorizing random information without any context. I would not recommend this course to anyone looking to actually learn about rune script deciphering.
4. Michael - 1 star: I regret taking "Rune script deciphering". The course was filled with inaccuracies and misinformation. The instructor seemed to be guessing a lot of the time and did not provide credible sources or references to support their claims. It was frustrating to spend time trying to decipher rune scripts only to later find out that what was taught in the course was incorrect. This course is a waste of time and I would advise others to look for alternative resources for learning about rune script deciphering.