The Brill Report

TOPPS TAKES REDEMPTIONS ON-LINE

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 204

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(The Error of the error or the error in the air, see story below)

(UPDATE: BULLETIN: TOPPS SUES UPPER DECK OVER DEAD PLAYERS RIGHTS)

(UPDATE: BULLETIN: UPPER DECK RESPONDS TO TOPPS SUIT)

(UPDATE BULLETIN: DISTRIBUTORS ORDERED TO STOP SHIPPING UD LEGENDARY CUTS)

(UPDATE BULLETIN: TOPPS GETS TRO, UPPER DECK RESPONDS, DEALERS ?)

** TOPPS UNVEILS NEW ON-LINE REDEMPTIONS

** TOPPS DEBUTS EISNER PROGRAM: TOPPS TOWN

** GRIFFEY JR. HOT AGAIN

** NBA OFFERS FINALS GAME WORN JERSEYS

** NFL GOES FREE KIDS AT THE NATIONAL

** UPPER DECK TO DEBUT NEW TELEVISION SERIES

** GERONIMO JOINS UDA?

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FYI: We are going on vacation so this will be the last TBR until mid-July.We hope to bring back some interesting collecting stories from around the world.)

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Details on these and other stories in today's edition of TBR: The Brill Report...

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(BREAKING NEWS: TOPPS SUES UPPER DECK FOR RIGHTS VIOLATIONS RE; DEAD PLAYERS)

(June 11, 2008) A federal court in Indiana has issued a Temporary Restraining Order halting the sale of 2008 SP Legendary Cuts by Upper Deck, it's distributors and agents immediately. Judge Richard Young issued the order June 10 and it lasts though JUne 20 or until it can be shown otherwise in a hearing. Topps and CMG, the company which owns the rights to a number of deceased players which Topps has licensed and which Upper Deck had previously licensed, is enjoined in the suit with Topps.

"Plaintiffs have shown that defendants (Upper Deck) conduct may cause irrparable harm and they are without adequate legal remedy for the conduct because of the irretrievable loss of good will, reputation, and standing with it's clients, customers and/or licenses if defendant is permitted to release defendant's cards into the marketplace," the request for the TRO states.

The cards were to be released Thursday, June 12, 2008, although some have already released into the marketplace. Companies traditionally stagger releases of products so those on the east coast get them the same day as the west coast. Distributors get them usually in advance and begin shipping to customers ahead of time so those customers can have them for release day. Some have already shown up on the Internet.

The court also ordered Upper Deck must notify by mail (email not included in the order) everyone who is to sell the product the court has issued the order. It must also stop advertising in every means this product. Upper Deck did send an email to customers today (Wednesday) stating the following...

"Upper Deck has become aware of the TRO ... regarding the advertising and sale of Upper Decks 2008 SP Legendary Cuts product. Upper Deck takes this matter very seriously and will comply with the TRO issued by the court unless and until it is lifted. Upper Deck requests that all other parties affected by the TRO do the same. Upper Deck is currently evaluating it's options, both legal and otherwise."

Interestingly enough, the order requires UD to be informed of the TRO and the order itself talks about not allowing the use or advertising by agents of Upper Deck, but nowhere does it specifically say the items cannot be sold by third parties, ie, dealers who bought and paid for and have possession of the product.

This leaves dealers up in the air as to the matter of the legality of selling the product. It might seem unlikely the court would go after such deales who have a box or a case and who sell it. It might all come back to UD rather than the dealers, but we are seeking more clarity on this matter.

Below are articles featuring what's been going on.

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In what has become a hobby nightmare and will be for some weeks to come, some distributors had already begun shipping UD SP Legendary Cuts to their customers who are at least a two day ship from their facility. There are so many hobby stores who don't have the ability to walk into their wholesalers and who depend on product being on hand on release day (Thursday for UD SP LC) the distirbutors ship it to arrive on that release day.

A cease and desist order was issued via email by attorneys for CMG (See below) today to UD distributors to stop selling it. No word yet on what is happening on the Upper Deck side but it looks as if the bulk of the product has been shipped ready for release tomorrow. At this point UD had not communicated a response to distributors. A check of distributors shows some have stopped selling it, while others have not.

Some west coast accounts report having it already and the cost has gone up. Factory cost is $80 and normally what you would see on eBay is $85 or so but it's running about $100. Once word gets out fully expect the price to dramatically increase.

Now we pick up the balance of the story...

Topps Company has filed suit in federal court in Indianapolis against Upper Deck claiming the latter's use of certain players in its upcoming Legendary Cuts product, violates a contract between Topps and rights holder CMG Worldwide, Inc. Upper Deck previously held the contract for the rights of these key players with CMG but let the contract expire.

Topps negotiated the new deal with CMG and had strong plans to kick off the use of players such as Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson and a few other players in it's Triple Threads product due sometime this summer. CMG joined in the suit filed in Indianapolis where it is based.

"Topps would not have entered into these agreements without having the rights to the legends intellectual property on an exclusive basis," the suit charges, further stating Upper Deck, "continues to knowingly, intentionally, willfully and maliciously infringe upon the exclusive rights purchased by Topps."

Other players in the HOF mix for Topps and CMG are Rogers Hornsby, Mel Ott, Jimmy Foxx, Thurman Munson, George Sisler and Johnny Mize. Upper Deck says it is still waiting to see the court filings and doesn't think the suit is accurate.

"Upper Deck has not been served by either CMG or Topps with a summons or complaint, nor has it had an opportunity to fully review the allegations contained therein," said a statement from Upper Deck. "Nonetheless, based upon the information available to it, Upper Deck believes that the lawsuit is factually and legally inaccurate. Upper Deck will vigorously defend itself, and pursue all remedies available to the law in this matter."

Things between Topps and Upper Deck hit their key boiling over point last year when Upper Deck tried to buy Topps out from under Michael Eisner. The two did battle in a Delaware court with rampant charges flailing back and forth between the two. The two sides were easily at their nastiest during the suit.

Topps eventually won out by selling the company to Eisner for $385 million despite a higher bid by Upper Deck. Topps said UD could not back it's offer and just wanted a look at exclusive contracts. It would have had those rights under due diligence laws where one corporation attempts to buy another.

It remains to be seen where this suit takes the two. It might also delay the release of Triple Threads from Topps especially among older collectors.

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(TOPPS JOINS 21ST CENTURY REDEMPTION CYCLE, TAKES IT ON-LINE)

It took Topps a long time to get on board with the on-line redemption program but it's finally happened. Upper Deck got it's on-line program for redemptions together over a year ago. In this day and age most dealers, and collectors, will tell you there is no reason for a mail order redemption program. Topps made the move.

"Our number one priority is to completely eliminate redemptions from our products and although we have made progress in this direction, sometimes redemptions are unavoidable," said Marketing Director Mark Sapir. "We believe this new on-line redemption system will allow for a quicker, easier and improved redemption process for our collectors."

Starting with Series 2 Topps 2008 Baseball all redemptions may be redeemed on-line by by going to www.topps.com/redemptions. The good thing about the new site is it will send the collector an email when updates occur. Both UD and Donruss do the same.

"We believe this is a step in the right direction and we will continue to focus on improving our customer experience across all facets of our business," added Topps GM Warren Friss.

Customer service has always been the weak link for card companies. Too many variables and too many very picky customers which is the nature of collecting. However, for years the manufacturers have basically given lip service and in many cases ignored the customer when it came to the after sales experience.

All three companies recognized in the past five years this attitude had to change. No longer were customers spending $50 a box and needing a damaged card replaced. When customers started paying hundreds of dollars for a pack of cards, they realized they had to invest much more in customer service departments.

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(TOPPS REACHES OUT WITH TOPPS TOWN)

Put Michael Eisner's name on this one. Topps new innovative web city of interaction is called Topps Town and is located at www.toppstown.com. The new site is a totally interactive site with on-line gaming, card interaction, create a kids own avatar and acquire items in the Pro Shop.

"Topps Town was created to meet the demands of today's youth," said Eisner, Topps owner. "As the media landscape continues to evolve Topps is committed to delivering quality on-line content that will innovate and reinvigorate the trading card industry and help establish this iconic company as a leader in the digital space."

The company says Topps Town will be a hot destination for kids and is a very interactive site.

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(UPPER DECK MESSES WITH HILLARY AND OBAMA & VARITEK?)

The storied spin masters at Upper Deck took one on the chin from US News & World Report. The company sent all of us a news release stating the new caricature card in UD Baseball Series 2 shows Hillary Clinton (as a catcher) hoisting Barack Obama (the pitcher) high into the air just as "Boston Red Sox pitcher Jason Varitek hoisted pitcher Jonathan Papelbon after winning the 2007 World Series."

(Upper Deck Card released in series two.)

The only problem, points out USN&WR is it wasn't Papelbon with Varitek. And it wasn't Varitek catching the pitcher, but it was the catcher leaping into the arms of Alan Embree.

In the 2004 title game he jumped into the arms of Keith Foulke. The magazine jokingly took the company to task but the good news is the prestigious magazine did the story and that is good for the hobby.

What they didn't catch is the short-printed reverse of the card, which draws raves on line. See photo at top of the column. This was the card "pulled from production?"

The "pulled from production" cards are getting to be the same joke as the 1990 error cards. Most collectors and dealers in that day remember the nine Donruss error cards issued by the company, all variations of the same card. There was a yellow star, a white star, and whatever these errors were. None were errors but based on the surge in the search for the nearly $2000 (at that time) Frank Thomas RC Topps no-name on front card in 1990, every company produced "error cards."

Are these Alex Gordon, Barack Obama and other "Pulled from production" cards the same? The Brill Report lays the question out there for the manufacturers to ponder and answer.

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(GRIFFEY JUNIOR SURPASSES 3900 ON EBAY)

Ken Griffey Jr.'s home run no. 600 is coming much later in his career than most anticipated when he was rolling to 56 homers in a season in Seattle not too many seasons ago. Then the trade to the Reds and the injuries and all of a sudden a 1989 Upper Deck Griffey RC went from $175 raw to about $40. It has not been an easy sell in recent years until now since he's been working around the 600 mark and of course eventually the Hall of Fame.

He will not surpass Aaron or Bonds but he'll get close. Close was not where fans and collectors figured he'd be back in 1993. They figured when it was over he'd be closing in on 800 homers in his career. Now, we have new life and this means over 3900 Griffey items on eBay including 146 of his Upper Deck Rookie Cards.

At one point a gem mint 10 could bring thousands. Today it's more like like $300 or as high as $400. Quite a drop.

The fascination with the card is simple. The photo was selected by then Upper Deck employee, 18 year old Tom Geideman who now is half owner of Sage Trading Cards. It was card no. 1 in the very first Upper Deck Baseball series and therefore the first publicly offered card by the fledgling company which would change the nature and course of trading card history.

It had a hologram which must be perfectly centered on the diamond on the back and without chipping to be a PSA 10. The card features the Kid, a fresh 18 year old face for a new era. He was the first second generation of the modern era to become a bona-fide superstar and everyone knew he was going to be there.

Short printed? Hardly. Using figures supplied by a former UD executive several years ago, TBR at that time figured there are probably in the neighborhood of 1.2 million legitimately released Griffey RC's released to the public. We say legitimately because there were others printed at the time which never made it into packs or factory sets.

Our source at the time said he saw about a dozen, 800 count boxes of the cards on the floor of the office of a top executive of the company. These obviously were not from packs or from the tens of thousands of factory sets which made their way into the market, or from the singles program the company had at the time.

It should be pointed out UD was not the only company with a singles program. Classic also had one. This is where dealers could buy large lots of single cards but usually had to take the same size lot of all the other cards in the base series. These came in lieu of breaking cases and were advertised in national publications for singles sales.

So the downfall in the price in the no. 1 card in the 1989 set can be attributed to more than just Griffey's injuries. However, while supply will always outpace demand, there is a growing demand for anything Griffey and this particular card.

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(NBA PLAYOFFS OFFER GAME WORN JERSEYS GAME 1 & 3)

The NBA is going memorabilia crazy this week as at the tip off of NBA Finals Games 1 & 3 the league is offering each player's game worn jersey up for auction. Tip off signals the start of the auction as well at www.nba.com.

(Old style Celtics Game Used jersey.)

"This is a unique way for us to bring our fans closer to The Finals," said Lisa Goldberg, NBA Senior Director of Trading Cards and Memorabilia. "Giving fans the chance to bid on jerseys while the games are in progress is a whole new way to get exclusive memorabilia from the NBA's premier event of the season."

The Lakers-Celtics Finals is a coup for the NBA as the two storied franchises have played each other so many times, but not for years, it has brought back the casual fan who remember Bird and Magic and Wilt and Russell.

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(NFL PLAYERS SPONSOR KIDS TOTALLY FREE AT THE NATIONAL)

Kudo's to the NFL Players Association and it's licensing arm, Players INC. The groups will sponsor kids free days at The National and this means all kids 12 and under throughout the five day show in Chicago. The National runs July 30-August 3.

One of the reasons many collectors say they don't go to the show is because of the combined cost of parking and getting and you always want to bring a youngster. With this move much of the cost is eliminated.

"NFL Players is excited to be a part of this great event that introduces kids to the hobby of collecting," said Karen Bush Assistant VP of trading cards and collectibles for the players group. "The new initiative combined with the opportunity to meet NFL athletes is sure to make this year's event for card collecting enthusiasts of all ages."

NFL INC will also provide two players each day who will sign exclusively for kids and the autographs will be free. The program is tied to www.nflrush.com, which is the player's kids interactive site. It was launched last year.

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(REDS' BRUCE FIRST OF THE RED HOT ROOKIES)

Topps unveiled who is the first of the Red Hot Rookie Redemption autographs cards and while the former 1989 hot rookie plays for the Reds, the 2008 player is also a Red Leg. Cincinnati outfielder and hot prospect Jay Bruce is the first player in the series of redemption cards.

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(UPPER DECK TO DEBUT MAINSTREAM TELEVISION SERIES)

(UPDATE: 4KIDS INTERNATIONAL GETS RIGHTS TO BROADCAST NEW SERIES)

Upper Deck is going to go great guns on regular television and while Topps has it's Internet Topps TV, this will be the first time a card company takes a series to the little screen. UD will produce and develop the series as well as handling world wide marketing for "Huntik; Secrets and Seekers." In an update 4Kids Entertainment has acquired the licensing rights for television with Upper Deck. 

(Dante Vale, one of the new heroes in the TV series produced by Upper Deck)

The program features a group of young Seekers who travel the world battling the bad guys who might be considered terrorists. The company is developing the project Rainbow SPA which is based in Italy with the product house Iginio Straffi. They produced the hit Winx Club. The TV series will likely debut in January, 2009.

"Upper Deck Entertainment has consistently been successful in marketing, creating and distributing kid products and programs," said one official. "With Huntik we are looking forward to bringing all of this experience to something we helped create."

The series will combine both 3-D and 2-D animation hoping to attract tweeners to the show. Look for card products as well at some point. UD will handle marketing in Europe, Asia and the America's.

This will be a real television series and gives UD a leg up on Topps which offers the Internet based Topps TV. Topps TV is an idea spun from You Tube and My Space. It is interesting to note while former Disney CEO Michael Eisner bought Topps it is rival Upper Deck which breaks into the commercial television market first.

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(UPPER DECK SHIPS DUAL CUTS)

There are 23 versions total of the dual cuts sent out this past week by Upper Deck. These were the mystery cuts which when the collector redeemed them they were eventually going to be given a choice of which cuts they want. This was Dependant on first come first serve. The redemptions came from Ultimate, UD Black and Exquisite Rookie Signatures Baseball.

"These are some of the most unique cards Upper Deck has ever produced," said Joe Fallon, UD Director of Product Development. "The winners have all taken time to make thoughtful decisions on which cards to select."

The next question is will the sell or keep these 1-of-1 cards. They include a card signed by both PT Barnum and Tom Thumb, Robert E. Lee and Gen. Grant, King George V and Queen Elizabeth 1.

Of the 23 cards available all but 12 have been redeemed which means the others are likely in unopened packs.

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(LAKERS CELTS SALES STRONG)

Lots of hobby stores, but mostly stores which carry sports items, are cleaning up on Lakers Celtics and all things NBA Finals. Reports are sales are strong and the NBA capitalized on the long running feud by releasing T-Shirts with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson on them.

The long running historical series is a natural and comes at the end of what was supposed to be a huge NBA trading card year, turned lackluster. The loss of Greg Oden, the lack of early interest and just plain flat sales had hobby dealers wondering where the magic went. With Kobe and the Lakers taking on the Celts in the finals, things have turned around. Albeit for the short term.

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(UPPER DECK GIVING HAIR CUTS. GERONIMO?)

Believe it or not Upper Deck is offering a card carrying the signature and a strand of hair from native American warrior, Geronimo. The company will insert the card into packs of Legendary Cuts which releases very soon.

(Geronimo makes history again by joining Upper Deck)

Geronimo, considered one of the toughest for the US Army to corral and one of the last of the warrior chiefs, died at age 79 at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma after being captured many years earlier. He died on the reservation fort in 1909.

"I was surprised at the reverence we felt, even keeping our voices down during the assembly process," said Martin Welling, UD's head of Creative Services. "I don't know if it was out of respect to the legendary individuals of if it was tied to the extremely nature of the assembly."

Topps was the first company to place a strand of hair into a pack. The firm inserted hair acquired from the family of the country's first president, George Washington. Washington helped establish the country, while Geronimo spent 25 years fighting the U-S Army trying to keep his tiny nation together.

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(MOBSTER FRANK VINCENT OR IT IS BILLY BATS WITH THE BOBBLE HEAD?)

Tune into actor Frank Vincent's website (aka Billy Batts "Goodfellas" and Phil Leotardo "The Soprano's") and you'll find his latest sale features the Billy Batts Bobble Head. "Now go get your shine box."

The Shine Box comment was the one which got the gangster Batts killed in the film starring Robert DeNiro and his co-horts. Batts actually is linked to many great lines from Goodfella's but the shine box line is easily the most remembered.

Vincent also sells mugs, t-shirts and other items on his site with the line on it, as well as those without.

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(MLB SNACK PACK INNOVATIVE)

Major League Baseball may not have licensed it but a company Norwegian Jakes released what it calls a Baseball Snak-Pack. The small plastic container includes a pack of Topps baseball cards, baseball shaped Double Bubble Gum, Kars Peanuts, Brachs candy, caramel corn all in a nice little lunch box. Not a bad idea.

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READER'S EBAY CHOICE, YOU DECIDE

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 203

**HOT**BUTTON**PHOTO**

(400 potential jurors to get letters regarding OJ Simpson trial.)

* LOTS OF SITES OFFERING QUESTIONABLE AUTOS

* A TEST FOR EBAY HOBBYSTS

* TOPPS EXTENDS ORDERING FOR 2008 FOOTBALL

* CLUBHOUSE AUTOS STILL BAFFLE BUYERS

These stories and more in today's TBR: The Brill Report...

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(VARIETY OF SITES OFFERING QUESTIONABLE AUTOGRAPHS)

It's interesting what you can find out when following a link to memorabilia pitchers on-line. We stumbled across a not well used auction site alternative called USFreeAds.com. One of the memorabilia dealers on the site is offering a large number of signed jerseys authenticated by AutoThentic Inc. The interesting thing is these signed jerseys are being offered for around $200 each. More importantly only the key NFL players are being offered.

The key names are Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Eli Manning and Adrian Peterson. Wow, getting these for $200 signed is pretty remarkable. To the left is a Peterson autograph and to the right is the COA which comes with these this particular seller is offering on this site.

It seems suspicious only the big name and in-demand players are being offered and at super low prices to boot.

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(READER SURVEY ON EBAY ACTION)

What we are about to describe is a real life event and it comes just as eBay initiates it's "No Negative Feedback for Buyers" Program. This incident comes during the same week as eBay's new program on feedback. As of this week sellers may no longer leave Negative Feedback for buyers on eBay but this does not hold true for sellers. They can leave Negative Feedback any time.

(Joe Flacco card sold in eBay deal.)

Recently dealer "A" sold a Joe Flacco signed card from Sage to a collector on eBay. The price was $16.51 and $5 Shipping & Handling. The card was shipped in a semi-rigid older and left in perfect condition. Upon receiving the card the buyer notified the seller the card was unacceptable.

"I don't want to contact eBay unless I have no choice but the card is no good to me it was bent and ruined, want to know when you can replace it?"

The seller emailed back, the card left in great shape but send it back and "What I'll probably do is refund your money."

Upon receipt of the card the seller noticed there was nothing wrong with the card. It was in mint condition, no bends, dents, damaged corners or surface. Between the time the card was sent back and it was received the buyer again contacted the seller with this statement.

"I sent the card back in a soft cover, it looks like that is what happen i sent back the original holder. I look forward to getting soon and doing more with you. I have ordered 96 items in the past month and this is the first time so I don't like to leave negative feedback when we get this straight. I will leave positive feedback."

Price does not seem to be an issue as the card is selling regularly for $15-$18 on eBay and dozens have sold at that price.

The buyer has 500 positive feedbacks the seller nearly 4000. The card returned was the same as the one sent out and it is not damaged. We would like you to voice your opinion on the matter. Please email your response to; brillpro@prodigy.net and mark it "survey."

Should the seller:

1. Refund the money and keep the card

2. Return the card with a note saying it was not damaged, a deal is a deal

3. Email the buyer the card was fine and he can either accept it or not

4. Send the card to Sage for inspection as a third party

5. Give your own suggestion here:

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(SIMPSON JURY POOL COULD REACH 400)

It might be labeled the "Trial of the Century III" after the murder trial and the Lindberg kidnapping trial. With so much media attention already focused on the OJ Simpson robbery and alleged kidnapping trial in Las Vegas, attorneys for both sides are going to find it rough to get a jury which hasn't head of the case.

"I have no idea how long it's going to take to pick a jury in this case," the judge said this week in open court.

The court is going to send out 400 or so jury ballots each with 115 questions. The idea is to find a fair and impartial jury. Presumably one which hasn't heard all the details the media put out so far, and, who hasn't read any of the several books which have come out and will come out before trial. This would be an amazing feat.

Simpson faces numerous charges including kidnapping in what he said was a bungled sting operation to get his own memorabilia returned. Men with guns we are told by one dealer burst into the Las Vegas hotel room "military style" and held the victims at gunpoint. Simpson then came in trying to collect what he called his belongings. The kidnapping charges come from the notion he ordered the memorabilia dealers held against their will until the matter could be straightened out.

"The questionnaire is not about arguing the case," Simpson's attorney Gabriel Grasso said later. "It's basically about asking certain questions to weed out jurors who have preconceived ideas."

If convicted of robbery Simpson would go to jail by law, if convicted of kidnapping he could go to prison for life.

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(UPPER DECK TEAM HITS STREETS OF NEW YORK)

The streets of New York were filled with Upper Deck employees last week who were giving out packs of trading cards about Yankee Stadium. The giveaway led to 60,000 packs being give away at Saturday's game between the Yanks and the Mariners.

"It was a well orchestrated effort from top to bottom," said Upper Deck Media Director, Terry Melia. "The street team handed out 20,000 Yankee Stadium Legacy packs that included a special info card announcing Upper Deck's year long Yankee Stadium Legacy program and the ways in which collectors can win special dream prizes."

(Modern Day Babe hired by UD. Photo courtesy of Marty Appel PR)

The cards are part of a 6600 card set UD is releasing this year honoring the House that Ruth Built. In honor of this UD hired it's own Babe Ruth to peruse the crowd at Rockefeller Center for the taping of the Today Show and the Babe called the shot, making good and getting on camera.

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(TOPPS GOES PRESIDENTIAL WITH NEW 1/1)

In Topps Baseball Series 2 the company has inserted some really great new 1/1 style cards featuring the signatures of Presidents and the men they beat getting to the White House. Among the dual cut autographed cards are those featuring Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, John Kennedy and Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson and Barry Goldwater.

(The Nixon-Kennedy debates rivaled the Lincoln-Douglas debates for attention as to their importance in history.)

Not all of the cards will feature the presidents but some will be phenomenal notable match ups. Check out the card with signatures from both Henry Clay and John Calhoun! There are 55 cards in all with no duplicates although there will be more than one signature from many individuals. Dan Quayle will appear on more than one as will Ronald Reagan. Perhaps the most sought after might be Abe Lincoln and George McClellan, the Civil War General under Lincoln who ran for his seat.

Some of the more controversial ones will be Spiro Agnew and Thomas Eagleton. Now that is crazy. Another exciting one features Harry Truman and Thomas Dewey while another offers up William McKinley and the silver tongued orator, William Jennings Bryan.

These cut signatures will certainly drive the product, which is usually the lackluster of the two Series of Topps base brand baseball.

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(TOPPS EXTENDS ORDER TIME FOR FOOTBALL)

Leading to the assumption few people were ordering it, Topps announced it was extending the order deadline to director dealers until June 11 for Topps Football. The first deadline was May 14, but emails popped into dealer boxes gave the nearly one month extension. Nearly unheard of it lends credence to the rumor Topps and Upper Deck are seeing fewer dealers ordering direct from the manufacturers.

With money tight and credit even tighter, along with very slow foot traffic dealers are waiting longer and longer to order. Many have cut way back on direct orders, while some dealers have cut off direct buys all together. With distributors fighting the same battle and offering product deals, and the Internet cutting into all margins, dealers are finding it more prudent to wait on base and mid range products. Even some high end products befall the same fate.

It means the product will still be available, and since it is a base brand Topps will produce the cases in the number they need to. More will be shoved on distributors and moved to retail accounts. The hobby will still get its share but some hobby stores will have limited supplies although re-ordering won't be as big a problem.

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(CLUBHOUSE SIGNATURES STILL BAFFLE MASSES)

This past week KC Kings Sportscards listed more than a dozen team signed baseballs on eBay. Those which JSA (Jimmy Spence Authentication) were determined to have some "Clubhouse signatures" were details as such. Interestingly enough more than just a few emails were received asking what "clubhouse" meant? Realizing not all collectors on eBay are totally knowledgeable each email was answered in detail and politely.

(Samaple LOA mentioning clubhouse signatures.)

It is pretty amazing at this advanced stage of the hobby and the publicity over counterfeit items, there should be so many questions about clubhouse signers. For the record, a "clubhouse" signatures means someone other than the player in question signed his name for him. This was common practice and it usually fell to the Clubhouse manager to do it.

Typically according to the clubbies we have spoken with, the starting pitcher, the manager and often the key big star were likely to be clubhouse signed. Mickey Mantle was notorious for not signing the team baseballs put out by the Clubbie each day. Thurman Munson, Roger Maris and Ted Williams were quite the same. For whatever reasons they didn't want to be bothered signing and ordered the clubbie to sign their name.

Often it was management who encouraged it, getting team signed balls for sponsors, whether the entire team signed them or whether there were a few non-signature, signatures on them.

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(ACE AUTHENTICS KICKS IT UP A NOTCH WITH MATCH POINT)

Victor Shaffer's Ace Authentics Tennis brand is releasing a very limited and very interesting new product this week which features the first ever signed cards by Billie Jean King. It will also feature the first memorabilia cards from the former tennis great.

"We are very proud of all the design and diversity and value that we have been able to put into Match Point," said CEO Shaffer. "Collectors and distributors have been asking us for more autographs, better players and more diverse designs to enhance the pack opening experience."

Other first time signers in Match Point include 12 time Grand Slam Champion Roy Emerson, Fred Stolle and Johan Kriek. Some top new rookies will also make their debut in the set. Look for four autographs and one memorabilia card per box.

One of the key autographs in the set is a cut signature of all-time tennis great Althea Gibson. Ms. Gibson later became an actress and had a major role in the 1959 John Wayne Civil War epic, "The Horse Soldiers."

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(NAXCOM HOOKS UP WITH UPPER DECK RETAIL STORE)

With the Upper Deck Retail Store in Orange County barely getting it's feet wet dealers wondering what was going on with the store will soon see something different. NAXCOM is sponsoring a public signing for Angels pitcher Joe Saunders. Saunders, off to a hot start, will sign at the UD retail store July 5, from 11am-1pm. Tickets for any item will be $25.

July 19 NAXCOM will sponsor another signing a the UD store, this one with the Lakers' Jordan Farmar.

With the show market slowing down, NAXCOM is looking for more ways to expand it's income base and private and public signings are a growing part of the mix. The company will sponsor a charity signing for Fred Belitnikoff in Oakland June 2 in Lincoln, CA at a country club (tied to a celebrity golf tournament) and one day earlier another signing at a bowling alley in Rocklin, CA. Both are in northern California.

Private signings are scheduled with Jeremy Hermida, Dan Uggla and Jeff Francoeur.

                                        =======================

(TOPPS OFFERS COLLECTORS OWN CARD)

Hopefully this promotion by Topps will not turn out to be the bust as the same promotion tried by Upper Deck in 1993. Topps is going to offer on collector, the first to break the Allen & Ginter code, a chance to be on an actual A&G card in the next set.

(Your own A&G card is at stake in this promotion.)

In every 24 pack box of A&G there will be a special code card. There are 20 overall. The first person to put the 20 cards together and follow and complete the task the cards lay out, wins the grand prize. The super prize is to have your own card in the 2009 A&G series. Yes, your own trading card.

In 1993 Upper Deck randomly inserted a Golden Ticket so to speak and the collector who found the card in UD Collector's Choice would appear on a card the following year. No one found the card so UD held a second chance drawing won by a dealer. She has appeared occasionally in adds an those wanting to point out the miscue. The dealer was an elderly woman who appeared with Ken Griffey Junior on the card. Her name is not mentioned anywhere and nowhere does it say anything about her.

                                         =======================

(NATIONAL TREASURES NAMED PRODUCT OF THE YEAR SECOND STRAIGHT TIME)

For the second year in a row, Beckett named Donruss National Treasures Set of the Year. The high end pack product featured rookies and stars as well as some very cool memorabilia.

                                          ======================

(GOLFER MICKELSON BEING FOOLED BY OWN AGENCY)

Kudo's to Sports Collectors Digests' Chris Nerat who reports this statement;

"According to Phil Mickelson's official web site 'Autopen signatures are considered authentic as long as they are not offered for sale.'"

Mickelson is managed by Gaylord Sports Management which gets the award for the dumbest statement in the hobby. How anyone could ever think and autopen is a real signature in any way shape or form is beyond hobby belief.

The interesting thing about the statement it goes on to say requests are back up so you may have to wait a year for your autopenned item. Mickelson will sign flags, pictures and other items but won't sign hats, putter covers or golf balls.

                                         =======================

(HASBRO PROMOTES WITHIN)

Hasbro has a new CEO and COO as Chief exec steps down. At 65 Alfred Verreccia moved onto chairman of the board while the company named 45 year old Brian Goldner as the new CEO. In his first move he named David Hargreaves, 10 years his senior, to the post of COO. Both have been with the company for many years. Before joining Hasbro, Hargreaves worked at Ford in Europe and ran part of John DeLorean's company before the Delorean car company went out of business.

                                        =======================

(THURMAN MUNSON AUCTION THIS SUMMER)

During the major league baseball all star game items once owned by the great Yankee catcher, Thurman Munson, will go to auction. Aside from all the sports memorabilia going up for sale is the late catcher's custom made Mercedes-Benz convertible.

(Thurman Munson in his prime.)

Munson was killed in the crash of his light plane in 1979 and the family has decided nearly 30 years later it is time to sell off what the Yankee favorite once achieved. A personal World Series trophy will be up for bid as will his World Series Ring, MVP trophy and more than 130 other items.

Hunt Auctions will conduct the ceremonies at the MLB Fan Fest at the All-Star Game during the July 14-15 break.

        ========================

(NO REDEMPTIONS IN DONRUSS ELITE FOOTBALL)

You could hear the shouts coming from the Dallas region as the last of the autographs came in for Donruss Elite Football 2008. The officials at Donruss announced via email the good news.

"We are pleased to announce there will be NO REDEMPTIONS in 2008 Donruss Elite Football."

And the dealer/collector crowd roared and then a sign of relief. Why can't every company accomplish this feat.

                                   ========================

                                       

MLB PLAYERS SUE STEINER -- "COUNTERFEITING"

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 203

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(The Cup or Trilogy? Redemption or Exemption?)

** MLB PLAYERS SUE STEINER SPORTS

** BRAND VS. BRAND REDEMPTION

** UPPER DECK REPORTEDLY LAYS OFF 50

** PSA RECORD TURNAROUND?

** NEW EBAY RULES GO INTO EFFECT AND TEST

** BOB BOVE LEAVES PRESS PASS

** TEXAS HALL OF FAME NAMES AUTHENTICATOR

Details on these and other stories in today's TBR: The Brill Report...

                                          ========================

(MLB PLAYERS SUE STEINER SPORTS OVER LICENSING)

In an unprecedented move, the Major League Baseball Players Association filed in suit against one of the nation's biggest memorabilia dealers charging trademark infringement and counterfeiting of the trademarks. MLBPA sued Steiner Sports in a lawsuit filed late Friday in New York.

(CEO Brandon Steiner with Yankee and MLBPA member, Derek Jeter.)

The lawsuit charges Steiner sold items "purportedly bearing the signatures of more than a dozen members of the Boston Red Sox" without a license. And the company is soliciting it's going to sell "dirt from the infield of Yankee Stadium" framed and mounted on a plaque bearing the name of a player.

The suit says Steiner did have a license to sell MLBPA images but did not renew the license when it ran out in December 31, 2005. Players wants a lot in return and usually when Players takes this kind of action they don't renew licenses again -- at least not without going through a considerable painstaking process.

MLBPA, one of the toughest unions in the world, is seeking a court order barring Steiner from using it's trademarks, confiscation of all items bearing the trademarks and $1 million in damages in addition to any punitive damages.

An email request for comment from Steiner was not returned by publication time. Steiner calls itself the leading memorabilia dealer in the country and indeed it likely is.

                                         ========================

(THE REDEMPTION GAME, BRAND VS. BRAND?)

Dave Moores of Toms River, New Jersey, has spent $20,000 trying to complete the Upper Deck Trilogy Hockey Master Set. You read it correctly, and so did his wife he jokes; $20,000. The trick is he's not even finished being 34 cards away from completing the set. Two things irk the local business owner; first he can't get a complete card by card checklist from UD and second he had to buy a card he had not chance of getting via opening Trilogy packs.

Moores went on line to find a Mario Lemieux signed patch card numbered to 5. He found no. 1/5 and bought it. The owner said he got it as a redemption card from UD for a card from Sweet Spot.

"He got it directly from Upper Deck as a redemption replacement and he didn't even buy Trilogy," Moores told The Brill Report. "I cracked thousands of dollars worth of Trilogy hoping to get that card for my set and now I learn it wasn't even in the product."

(Moores broke lots of cases of Trilogy and not set.)

Moores called UD and the company confirmed the story. This particular card fell into the numbers mix.

"We routinely open product at the beginning, middle and end of runs to ensure there are no issues with damage, collation, insert ratios etc.," UD official Chris Carlin told TBR. "Cards are then transfered to our quality assurance and redemptions for customer service situations."

When we questioned Carlin as to why key cards from one "live" brand should be used as redemption fillers for a different brand, he said it's a numbers game. He added redemptions and customer service issues are not easily resolved.

"I would think collectors and shop owners would be happy to know we open product throughout the run to make sure there are no issues," Carlin added. "There have been times in the past we found problems and were able to take card of it before the product got into the market."

Carlin, UD's Hobby Marketing Manager, added it's UD's mission to get the cards into the hands of collectors.

"We use these cards to to provide customers with the premium service they would expect from a company that provides premium products," he said. "We would love to replace cards with cards from the same brand but given the nature of our products and cards this is not always possible."

The UD official said the company does not have a huge inventory of these cards as replacements and in July he hopes to roll out a program which will work to eliminate redemption cards -- which everyone would love.

Moores would just like to complete his Master set, without spending too much more than his already invested $20K. He's still not happy about the situation but said much would be forgive, "if Upper Deck would at least give me a check list of all the cards in the product." He's found cards on the Internet which were not listed on the available UD checklist.

                                                          ========================

(UPPER DECK REPORTEDLY LAYS OFF 50 EMPLOYEES)

Several sites report getting confirmation from those involved Upper Deck Entertainment laid off 50 people last week. UDE has several properties including World of WarCraft but with Yu-Gi-O taking a back seat these days, the highly competitive world of gaming is getting tougher.

UD runs Yugi tournaments in its new retail store in Orange County, California and its not sure if the layoffs involved key players in the game. A spokesman for Upper Deck did not deny the layoffs but would only say since the company is privately held it doesn't comment on matters dealing with personnel, or layoffs.

                                         =======================

(PSA RECORD TURN AROUND?)

We haven't gotten the cards back yet as of this writing but if the record and email are correct PSA has set a record of sorts. This collector sent 215 cards to PSA last week for Bulk Grading. Bulk Grading, by the PSA form takes 45 days. We got an email earlier this week saying the cards were graded and shipped. They received them 5/12 and graded 199 of them and then shipped them out on 5/16.

If this is correct it's a record turnaround. Did anyone else send in any cards last week? or, did PSA hire a ton of new folks? Either way we are not complaining.

                                        ========================

(EBAY RULES KICK IN THIS WEEK AND TEST CASE FOR AUSTRALIA)

Australia is the test market for what many see as a plan to force eBayers to use PayPal and just about only PayPal in the future. The test is taking place down under but not without protest. The new rules for eBay Australia call for buyers to pay by PPal only. There is a call to test this in the Australian courts but so far no word on where it is going at this point.

The fear of course is if it works, where will eBay test it next? PayPal is owned by eBay and it seems only natural for eBay to force more use of the Internet payment system. eBay says it is a way to avoid fraud in it's system but sellers, a suspicious lot by nature, aren't buying it. Some are saying the company is creating an on-line monopoly.

eBay already prohibits Google's on-line payment system as well as cash payments. It is also forcing sellers to take PayPal as a condition of membership. In the UK recently eBay forced the PayPal issue but is not banning other forms of payment.

Another move by eBay kicks in this week; the no negative feedback rule for buyers. As of this week eBay will not allow sellers to leave negative feedback for buyers, although buyers may indeed continue to leave negatives for sellers. This double whammy has a lot of sellers angry. The eBay explanation is there were too many retaliatory feedbacks left by sellers.

This occurred when a buyer left a negative and in response to the negative the seller would also leave a negative for the buyer. This would occur whether the buyer properly completed the deal or not. eBay said to avoid this it would eliminate the opportunity for sellers to blast buyers. As far as sellers are concerned the chance to leave negative feedback leaves them open to unwarranted criticism from buyers.

Sellers also say they may refuse to leave positive feedback in protest since they cannot leave negative feedback when warranted.

                                        ========================

(ANOTHER GOLDEN TICKET FOUND SAYS UD)

A doctor from Warren, New Jersey claimed the third Golden Ticket issued by Upper Deck after he broke a box of UD Basketball SP Rookie Edition. Dr. Thomas Haveron, a long time collector, pulled the winner and wasn't sure whether he should call Upper Deck or Beckett. Either way UD got the information.

(Upper Deck has it's own version of Willie Wonka)

The Dr. will be entered into a contest for the "Exquisite Experience," which offers collectors an opportunity to create their own Exquisite box/pack of high end trading cards. So far three of the five tickets have been pulled but the deadline is May 23 when the winner will be drawn.

                                        ========================

(BOB BOVE LEAVES PRESS PASS)

With little fanfare long-time executive Bob Bove is leaving Press Pass. Bove, will remain part owner but will no longer have an active role. Bove helped found the company with Victor Shaffer back in the early 1990's and remained with the company after it was sold to what became known as RC2 Corporation. It was later sold again.

                                       ========================

(TEXAS HALL OF FAME NAMES AUTHENTICATOR)

Prova Group, Inc., is the new authenticator for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. The Prova Group, based in Irving, Texas, will authenticate all signings and use it's own holographic system to mark and track items and secure them for the HOF.

"With counterfeiting in the sports memorabilia industry, we were compelled to find an authenticator with the most secure system available," said Steve Fallon, executive director of the Texas Hall. "Prova's digital technology-based system offers unmatched efficiency and security that reaches beyond traditional paper certificates which are offered in the market today."

When a collector purchases something from the Texas HOF it will come with a secure radio frequency ID tag creating a footprint with all the appropriate data. It can later be used to verify the item.

"Our technology provides a simple and secure authentication method that gives collectors, fans and athletes the peace of mind that their sports memorabilia and autographs are genuine and cannot be manipulated, mimicked or discredited," said Charles Humphreyson, CEO of Prova Group. "As long as the item carries a Prova tag they can be assured of the authentication of their signed jersey, limited edition or other collectible."

Prova will oversee private and public signings at the Texas Hall of Fame.

                                      ========================

DEALER SAYS O-J SIMPSON CONFESSED TO MURDERS

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 202

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(TOPPS OFFERS MOST UNIQUE PRESIDENTIAL LOOK-SEE YET)

** DEALER'S BOOK SAYS O-J CONFESSED TO MURDERS

** STEINER LOOKING GLOBAL

** MOUNTED USING CROSS OVER JERSEYS

** NAXCOM, HERITAGE, MARVEL BUST OUT

** NBA STORE GOING STRONG

  These stories and more in today's TBR: The Brill Report...

                                   ==================

(MIKE GILBERT RELEASES BOOK: O-J CONFESSES)

Many in the hobby industry remember Mike Gilbert as the guy who headed up O.J. Simpson's memorabilia company long before anyone ever heard of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman. He was based in California's central valley and headed up Locker 32. He had private signings with and managed Simpson's memorabilia. Somewhere along the line he fell out of favor and doesn't talk to the media. Now he's released a book saying Simpson confessed to him he did indeed kill the pair and he confessed right after he was acquitted of the double murder.

(Simpson flanked by attorneys in a Las Vegas courtroom.)

Gilbert has written a book which releases this week entitled "How I helped OJ Get Away with Murder." In the book, according to the AP, he tells how shortly after the jury said he was not guilty, Simpson told Gilbert he indeed was guilty.

Gilbert also tells how he consulted with Simpson, telling him to stop taking his arthritis medication so his hands would swell and the infamous glove would not fit. Simpson defense attorney, the late Johnny Cochran, uttered his famous line about the bloody glove Simpson supposedly wore that night, "If the glove doesn't fit you have to acquit."

The jury agreed with him.

Simpson has not commented directly on the allegations but his attorney has. Yale Galanter issued a statement to the Associated Press.

"He is a delusional drug addict who needs money," said Galanter. "This stuff not only didn't occur but it's not factually supported by the evidence."

There were rumors as recently as a year ago Gilbert was ill, and accusations by some of the people involved in the Las Vegas case Simpson faces over a memorabilia sting gone bad, it was Gilbert who stole and sold Simpson's private memorabilia. This was the memorabilia the former star running back said he was trying to get back from dealer Bruce Fromong in a Las Vegas hotel room that night. Simpson faces myriad charges in the case. Gilbert's name at the time was only mentioned casually.

                                  ===================

(STEINER SENDING OUT GLOBAL WAVES)

Indicating what may be a further stretch into a more global market, Steiner Sports just hired two key people in what could signal a broader approach to an ever diversifying hobby. Both the hires have previous experience in large venues and marketing with some of it into the Asian and European market places.

Jason Teitler was named Senior VP of Marketing and Kiva Iscol is the new Marketing Account Executive. Iscol especially has spent a lot of time in the global part of the business. She handled $25 million in accounts while at Madison Square Garden and during the last year spent time working with philanthropic initiatives taking her to Viet Nam, England and South Africa. She also spent time working the same parameters in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"We are delighted to bring Jason and Kiva to our management group," said CEO Brandon Steiner. "They bring a wealth of experience to the Steiner team and we look forward to the exciting new initiatives and strategic capabilities that will continue the growth of Steiner Sports."

Steiner is part of the Omnicon Group which is a leader in marketing and advertising worldwide with an emphasis on corporate communications and branded networks. Omnicon has over 5,000 clients more than 100 countries.

As for Teitler he previously handled a lot of PR work and marketing with Porter Novelli, working in the fields dealing with major clients and sports marketing and branding. He'll be counted on to help brand enhancement as Steiner grows to new areas, as well as product launches, interactive programs and customer loyalty campaigns. Among the clients he's handled are Dupont, Nissan, Princess Cruises and Kellogg's.

Steiner has moved away from just offering signed memorabilia in recent years, although this remains the bulk of the firm's business. However, with the addition of athlete relationships Steiner has offered camps and group meetings with many of it's key athletes such as Derek Jeter.

                                  =================

(TOPPS OFFERS MOST UNIQUE INSERT YET PERHAPS)

We've seen see-through cards, we've seen presidential cards but we've never seen the likes of a new Topps offering. How about the actual lenses from a pair of presidential glasses on a card which folds out. The idea is to look through the same glasses as President Woodrow Wilson looked through.

Releasing in Triple Threads in July the glasses card will truly be unique.

"The book card features an actual cut signature, a piece from the sunglasses case stating the date they were given to him and the actual lenses from the glasses," proclaimed a Topps official in an email. "One of the most unique aspects of the card is that it can actually be held up and looked through allowing the collector to see what President Wilson saw."

The Triple Threads product is expected to be loaded as it will be the first product to showcase items under a new contract for Topps in which a large number of Hall of Fame players will be available when it comes to their images and memorabilia.

                                  =================

(1/1 FIVE STAR GENERALS CARD PULLED IN BURBANK STORE)

There were very few 5-Star generals in the United States military but four of them have their cut signatures on one card which was pulled at Sports Source in Burbank, California. The card is now on line taking offers with a price of just under $13,000.

"My best customer pulled this and he was ecstatic, high fiving and yelling and screaming it was great," store owner, Robert DeSantis told TBR in an exclusive interview. "This is a guy who rarely gets excited, I mean he'll pull a Jordan autograph numbered to 25 and he'll just set it aside in the box, but this he was excited, yes."

The collector, who isn't being named, is in his 50's and is an Upper Deck Diamond Club Member whom DeSantis says comes into his store every day. The card was pulled from a Topps pack of Co-Signers. The card features the signatures of George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Omar Bradley and Dwight Eisenhower. This is probably the biggest pull at Sports Source which has had some great ones.

"It all depends on what this one is worth because I've had some as high as $3,000 but if this one is more than that, then this will be the number one," added DeSantis. "Last week one of my customers pulled one of the randomly inserted redemption cards for a cut autograph of a president and he sold it for $2500."

DeSantis indicated the customer who pulled the General's card rarely sells anything but this one might be too good to pass up. Sports Source is on Hollywood Way in Burbank and has been in existence for about two decades.

                                 ==================

(READER FEEDBACK ON GAI FAKE JERSEY STORY)

"It came as no surprise to me this GAI fiasco occurred. I have always questioned why GAI was a pre-qualified authenticator on eBay. Here is the real kicker; why would someone who obviously knows nothing about autographs spend $7000 on such an obvious fake? If the 51 signature jersey was truly authentic the winning bid would have been much higher because judging by the final bid of $7000, real collectors stayed away from it."

Christopher Williams, NJ, eBay autograph watcher

                               +++++++++++++++++++

                                 ==================

(NAXCOM OFFERS DISCOUNT-SPECIFIC DAYS)

Wax Box Wednesdays, Memorabilia Mondays and Vintage Sundays! Sounds like a soup de jour at a local eatery but actually it's the latest promotion from NAXCOM. NAXCOM has become one of the more innovative companies in the industry by using simple programs to try to promote new business.

(NAXCOM continues to innovate with simple ideas)

The latest has the company offering 50-percent off shipping for buyers and 50-percent off transaction fees for sellers. When collectors buy key items on those key days, they get the price break. Buy vintage on a Sunday and it ships for half off, memorabilia on a Monday same deal and so on. Nice innovation for this growing firm. In return dealers or sellers get half off their transaction fees too.

"These are three of our most popular categories so we decided to dedicate an entire day to each of them, and sweeten it even more with a very special offer for both buyers and sellers," said Eric Beckerman, COO of NAXCOM. "We anticipate these new features will accelerate our record sales growth even more in 2008."

NAXCOM recently reported record sales in the first quarter of 2008.

                               ===================

(MARYLAND STORE WINS FIRST UD BOX BREAK CONTEST)

Breaking boxes of 2008 Upper Deck NFL Draft was worth the effort for customers and store owner of a Severna Park, Maryland hobby shop. The crew at Front Row Sports Cards entered their video of the box break onto Upper Deck's "Show Us Your Box Breaks" site and came away winners.

The group of Clint Legg, Bill Bryant and Ryan Schear were declared winners and now will be entered into the prize pool contest which includes boxes of cards and a trip to the World Series in 2008.

"We were excited to find out that Upper Deck would be hosting box break competitions because it's a great idea with some very nice prizes," said Legg. "We try to do box breaks every Friday and encourage customers to open their boxes on video."

You have to be 18 to enter the contest and just upload your video box break to the UD site. Viewers get to vote on their favorites and UD staffers judge for excitement and fun in the video to pick the weekly winners.

                               ===================

(MOUNTED MEMORIES OFFERING CROSS OVER JERSEY FOR AUTOGRAPHS)

Mounted Memories, a leading company in autograph sales, announced it's offering a cross over or blend style jersey, the Reebok EQT for it's signings. It is a cross between the authentic jersey and the replica.

(Reebok EQT jersey now being used by Mounted)

"The best way to describe the Reebok EQT would be "Replitenic," said sales rep Adam Kramer in an email. "It's much nicer than the replica jersey but not quite on the field authentic."

Kramer says the EQT bridges the gap between the two with sewn on letters and numbers, but with silk screened sleeves. It has become the jersey of choice for autographs and sells for about $100 less per jersey.

"Under glass it is very tough to tell the difference because of the authentic look," added Kramer.

Among the signers on EQT's are Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning and Reggie Bush.

                               ===================

(NBA STORE OFFERS MUSEUM OF BASKETBALL LOOK)

The NBA's own store in New York is offering a look back at the nostalgic world of the NBA. The NBA usually doesn't capitalize on it's heritage like other sports do. The arena's were dark and dingy, the excitement level was quite different and much of it was before the real marketing began with the advent of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

(A look inside the NBA Store in New York City.)

However, today the NBA is actually looking to beef things up by showing off it's heritage at the NBA store. Using the slogan "Where Trading Cards Happen" the store has set up a display of unheralded vintage cards showing off what the NBA says are cards most collectors have never seen, let alone people who are just fans of the sport.

The store is located at 5th Avenue and 52nd Street in New York and is open seven days a week.

                               ===================

(POOR ECONOMY DOESN'T SCARE OFF COLLECTIBLES INVESTORS AT HERITAGE)

The latest Heritage Auction to close set a company record $3.68 million. The vintage collectibles sales were led by a low grade T206 Honus Wagner card. The holy grail of the industry brought $227,000.

(Low grade Wagner sells for nearly quarter million dollars.)

"Any potential consignors concerned that the stormy US economy might throw a shadow over the collectibles market should have had those fears eliminated by this event," said Chris Ivey, director of sports auctions for Heritage. "In both trading cards and memorabilia we saw estimates obliterated in some of the fiercest bidding wars we've ever witnessed."

A 1958 Duke Snider jersey brought over $65,000 while a Pete Maravich rookie season jersey sold for over $50,000.

                                       =====================

(IRON MAN SETS HEFTY DEBUT)

With over $100 million in ticket sales during it's opening weekend of release Marvel is already planning a sequel to "Iron Man." The Robert Downey Junior starring vehicle not only rebirthed the actors career but put Marvel in the driver's seat once again with it's tremendous cast of characters.

Now look for toys and memorabilia to really take off from the Iron Man Mode. Everything from Vintage to current action figures will be moving rapidly. There are currently 10,000 Iron Man items on eBay with less than 100 considered by title to be vintage.

Marvel says it will release additional Iron Man films in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The film could reinvigorate sales of action figures as well as other card sets, collectible card games and memorabilia sales. It will certainly up the demand for Downey autographs.

                              ===================

                              

UPDATE: GAI BUYS BACK BAD VINTAGE JERSEY!!

VIRTUAL AND THE HOBBY, MAKING IT REAL

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 201

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(Barbie has come a long way from Hippie to the Virtual world of websites.)

** VIRTUAL BARBIE 11 MILLION AND GROWING QUICKLY

** SPORTKINGS ADDS TO NATIONAL VIP PACKAGE

** GEHRIG RUTH COULD REACH $100-K

** UD LINKS WITH EUROPEAN COMPANY

** CONSUMER BLASTS BECKETT AD

** SECOND GOLDEN TICKET PULLED IN ARIZONA

** KENTUCKY DERBY TRIUMPH & TRAGEDY WILL LEAD TO COLLECTOR VALUE

         These stories and more in todays edition of TBR: THE BRILL REPORT...

                                      =================

(SUSPECT JERSEY WITH 51 VINTAGE SIGNATURES SELLS FOR $7K)

Reacting quickly to collector concerns, Global Authentication has repurchased a signed jersey which sold on eBay for $7000 and pulled it off the market. Collectors were outraged after a vintage jersey with 51 signatures, and certified by GAI, sold on eBay. The jersey, sporting the names of Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Joe DiMaggio, Roger Maris and Eddie Mathews as well as 46 more was suspect at best.

"The panel with DiMaggio, Mantle and Greenberg on it is just awful," said one Southern California expert, speaking on condition of anonimity. "They looked like they were signed by the same person, and the Koufax is terrible."

Another expert pointed out the mis-spellings in some of the names.

"The Mantle is spelled 'M-a-u-t-e' and the Mathews you can't even make out," he said. "This is some of the worst stuff I've seen in years and I can't understand how it got certified."

(Above Koufax is Mathews which looks more like Watt.)

"I thought I was having an 'Operation Bullpen' flashback when I saw it (referring to the Greg Marino forgery ring busted by the FBI in the late 1990's)," said Dave Rodriguez of Signatures.com. "There were so many bad autographs on there I didn't know what to think."

The jersey, certified by GAI and sold by 'ddrproductions,' is pictured. It was purchased by eBayer aaccollectibles which has only 23 feedback. Most of what they buy is vintage baseballs. Judge for yourself as to the spellings. To TBR the Eddie Mathews looks more like Eddie Watt, a relief pitcher in the era. It looks nothing like any Eddie Mathews we've seen previously. Item is no. 160235219780.

"We did authenticate it, it was a mistake so we went right to the seller and the buyer and reversed the transaction and the jersey is now off the market," said Steve Rocchi, executive VP of GAI. "We authenticated it in March and it was a stupid mistake, we screwed up."

(Getting a jersey signed of these players in order such as this is very suspect although not impossible.)

Rocchi added the company is building in new precautions but mistakes do happen even of this magnitude. He admitted it wasn't the first mistake and probably won't be the last.

"We always stand behind our product, this is something we always do, we will make it right if we make a mistake," Rocchi told TBR in an exclusive interview. "This was obviously a stupid mistake and we made everyone whole on it."

Without elaborating Racchi told TBR his company is working to put in additional safeguards and plans to make the GAI system even better. Plans could be announced this summer.

It is believed the jersey originally came from a company in Florida. The above experts also questioned this particular company which TBR was not able to find on the Internet as TBR was hoping for a comment.

                                      =================

(UPPER DECK WANTS BOX BREAKERS VIDEOS FOR PRIZES)

With the box breaking video YouTube phenomena, Upper Deck is trying to capitalize on the mania. Dr. Wax Battle was likely one of the first, if not the first to dial up breaking boxes on video and then uplink them to the internet social networking site. Now there are thousands. Topps does it by the case and calls it Topps TV Rip Party. Upper Deck is going a step farther.

"Collectors have embraced this new forum for celebrating the experience of opening Upper Deck boxes," said Kerry Stockholm UD director of sports marketing. "We love the concept of user generated content as opposed to Upper Deck trying to manufacture our own video."

The company began it's new Diamond Vision web site this week and is encouraging collectors to submit their box break videos to www.upperdeck.com/breaks to share their experience and even win prizes. The prizes include a $1500 shopping spree and other items including the grand prize; a trip to the 2008 World Series.

The company hopes hobby shops will jump on the bandwagon as well with tie-ins.

"Hobby shops need to be aware of how quickly collectors are taking to this and embrace it," said Chris Carlin, UD hobby marketing manager. "We would love to see hobby shops hosting videos in their store and submitting them for collectors."

The other bonus is the amount of free advertising the company gets with each video either on-line at YouTube or at the UD site. The exposure is worth thousands if not millions of dollars in advertising supplied by collectors and stores. The end benefit is hopefully more walk-in as well as Internet business for the stores.

In January there were about 10,000 box break video's posted. This month UD officials say you will find 19,000 posted.

                                     =================

(BARBIE 11 MILLION AND GROWING)

What is the world's number one toy? Yes guys, it IS Barbie. The model doll with the hour glass figure -- and she's kept it longer than an E-Harmony commercial -- is tops across the board. Her web site has 11 million girls registered, another phenomena. Now they are opening it up to the virtual world.

With the craze created on-line with Webkinz and the follow up Hasbro's littlepetshop.com, it looks like Barbie is ready to enter the virtual world. The Barbie web site has kids spending virtual B-Bucks to dress up their favorite doll. Now, take that on line.

The idea for toy makers is to continue to target younger and younger kids, as low in age as pre-school, and bring them into the virtual world. The social networking spin is taking them to a new level despite the inherent dangers. The sites use virtual awareness to move around and collect bucks to purchase stuff in the on-line virtual arena. Real or make believe some believe there is a danger.

One of the ways girls earn virtual dollars to spend on-line is to visit the Barbie Theater where they watch Barbie DVD's. Watch a DVD, earn some Barbie Bucks. It is a captive audience at worst.

Ganz, which developed Webkinz, says it has recognized the dangers and is going to add blocks to its site so parents can turn off commercialism which is rampant on these site. It will also move to keep virtual items sold on the site from being branded by advertisers. This is a key concern.

Think of it like a movie, where Coca Cola paid for a bunch of the production costs and in return was the only soft drink displayed in the movie. And prominently displayed at that. It goes back to the days of subliminal advertising except it's more overt.

Time Warner's site carries a warning about upcoming advertising. The new Barbie Girl Site does not carry third party advertising and is moving to expand it's section for parents.

                                      =================

(UPPER DECK LINKS WITH NORDIC EURO TOY COMPANY, TRENDUS)

It appears Upper Deck is trying to expand it's European base with toys and games by linking a deal with Trendus. Trendus, which already distributes UD trading cards in northern Europe, will ad games, toys and gaming to it's UD mix. Upper Deck has lots of gaming licenses and Europe has been a good place to sell gaming products.

                                      ================

(LELANDS MAY HAVE FIRST $100,000 PHOTO UP FOR AUCTION)

It is rare a photo, just the photo, could bring a hundred thousand dollars but the folks at Leland's Auction house believe a photo featuring both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig as 1927 Yankees in October, 1927, might be the first. The 7 x 8 1/4" photo is date stamped October 5, 1927.

(Photo taken October 5, 1927 at World Series.)

"We are extremely proud to be able to offer these rare Ruth and Gehrig items in our May catalog auction, especially in the final year of Yankee Stadium, the house that Ruth built and for that matter, Gehrig built," said Joshua Evans, Chairman of Leland's. "This may be the first $100,000 photo ever."

The year 1927 featured the team considered the greatest of all time and they proved it by sweeping a very good Pittsburgh team 4-0 in the World Series. The Bucs had a number of Hall of Fame players including both Waners, KiKi Cuyler and a bona fide pitching staff which two years previous had won the World Series over Washington and Walter Johnson.

Other items up for auction include a game worn Gehrig hat given to his doctor shortly before his death.

                                     ================

(BECKETT AD BLASTED)

Last week we posted a story of how Beckett is looking for freelance writers to compliment its magazine. We got an email this week from Mike Baker Junior.

"Have you ever tried to write Beckett through their website? It does not work.  The email address you supplied does not work either."

Sure enough, we tried to email freelance@beckett.com using their link. It doesn't work. No wonder Beckett is having problems getting writers.

                                    =================

(SECOND UD GOLDEN TICKET PULLED)

Michael DeRose of Tempe, Arizona pulled the second of four Golden Tickets inserted into Upper Deck products and wins the chance to build his own Exquisite Box. The card, pulled from Showtime Cards in Tempe, is one of in the game, with two left to be found. The collector chose not to sell the card but will meet with UD officials and plan his own ultimate Exquisite box.

"It's crazy," said DeRose. "The night before I opened the box I was telling my girlfriend about this promotion and if I ever pulled it, I would have to sing the 'I Got the Golden Ticket' song (From Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)."

DeRose will be flown to Dallas by Upper Deck, get to tour production facilities and site down with the staff to see what is available to make his ultimate Exquisite pack.

                                  ==================

(KENTUCKY DERBY STUBS AND PROGRAMS TO BE HOT)

Horse racing fans, and let's face it Kentucky Derby fans, witnessed a couple once in a life time events and therefore those tickets and programs will become good collector's items. Not only did Big Brown, the favorite out of the 20 hole win in impressive style; for the first time another horse was put to sleep on the track.

Eight Belles, the fillie which finished second to Big Brown, broke both front ankles trotting after the race and collapsed on the track. The horse was euthanized on the spot. Tragedy followed triumph but the crowd left stunned on the news the horse had to be destroyed.

A side note, Hillary Clinton picked Eight Belles to win the race. It was the only fillie and one of the highest, if not the highest finish by a female horse in the history of the derby. All of the above will make those tickets worth a lot, especially if Big Brown with the Triple Crown as it looks like there is a decent possibility of that happening.

                                  ==================

(TOPPS SET FOR FOOTBALL TEAM SETS)

With the success of baseball team sets the past two years Topps is coming out with NFL team sets as well. There will be 12 cards per team set and all NFL teams are available.

                                 ==================

(WAREHAM, MASS STORE CLOSING)

"I don't care what the government says, people aren't spending their money on specialty items these days."

That is a quote from Eric Jordan who owns, or owned Gateway Comics, ETC., and who is closing his store. Jordan, who bought the store in 2001 told the South Coast Today he just can't make it anymore. Wednesdays, comic book days, he used to see 15 people easy.

"Now I'm lucky to see two people looking at the shelves," he lamented.

He's already moved much of his inventory to the Internet and like many others is just shutting down his store front. He is hoping to sell the inventory in one lot so he can get another job.

                                 ==================

(SPORTKINGS TO DEBUT SPECIAL CARD AT NATIONAL)

Goodie bags at The National have become all the rage for VIP ticket holders and this year once again it should be a nice attraction. One of the items inserted randomly into bags will be one of 18 cards featuring two players; an original Sportsking and a new Sportking.

The two players will be from the same sport but one will be named, see photo at left, from the original series produced more than half a century ago. The other player will be a new Sportkings series.

These will be given in VIP bags at the National in Cleveland, Ohio, Beginning July 30 of this year.

                                   ===================

(CALIFORNIA HIGH COURT SAYS NO TO MILLER IS PSA CASE)

The California Supreme Court denied William Miller's appeal of his case against Collector's Universe. Millers name appeared on thousands of COA's long after he left the company. He sued for back pay for his name being used on each and every COA.

The courts ruled he was entitled to damages but not on all the COA's, just one. He continued to argue the multiplier but the courts refused to budge. He wanted $10 million but was awarded only $750. The high court said no to reviewing his appeal.

                               ==================

(STEINER SIGNS HIP HOP STAR, 50-CENT)

("Get Rich' or Die Tryin' autographed item from Steiner.)

With the big push on to sign celebrity items from Topps to UD to Donruss, why not Steiner. Steiner Sports inked a deal with Hip Hopper 50-cent. The deal includes autographs, memorabilia and concert worn clothing. No terms were released.

                            ====================

                           

(UPDATE--UPDATE--UPDATE--UPDATE MAY 7, 2008)

VIRTUAL AND THE HOBBY, MAKING IT REAL

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 200

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(Barbie has come a long way from Hippie to the Virtual world of websites.)

** VIRTUAL BARBIE 11 MILLION AND GROWING QUICKLY

** SPORTKINGS ADDS TO NATIONAL VIP PACKAGE

** GEHRIG RUTH COULD REACH $100-K

** UD LINKS WITH EUROPEAN COMPANY

** CONSUMER BLASTS BECKETT AD

** SECOND GOLDEN TICKET PULLED IN ARIZONA

** KENTUCKY DERBY TRIUMPH & TRAGEDY WILL LEAD TO COLLECTOR VALUE

         These stories and more in todays edition of TBR: THE BRILL REPORT...

                                      =================

(UPDATE--UPDATE--UPDATE--UPDATE MAY 7, 2008)

(SUSPECT JERSEY WITH 51 VINTAGE SIGNATURES SELLS FOR $7K)

Reacting quickly to collector concerns, Global Authentication has repurchased a signed jersey which sold on eBay for $7000 and pulled it off the market. Collectors were outraged after a vintage jersey with 51 signatures, and certified by GAI, sold on eBay. The jersey, sporting the names of Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Joe DiMaggio, Roger Maris and Eddie Mathews as well as 46 more was suspect at best.

"The panel with DiMaggio, Mantle and Greenberg on it is just awful," said one Southern California expert, speaking on condition of anonimity. "They looked like they were signed by the same person, and the Koufax is terrible."

Another expert pointed out the mis-spellings in some of the names.

"The Mantle is spelled 'M-a-u-t-e' and the Mathews you can't even make out," he said. "This is some of the worst stuff I've seen in years and I can't understand how it got certified."

(Above Koufax is Mathews which looks more like Watt.)

"I thought I was having an 'Operation Bullpen' flashback when I saw it (referring to the Greg Marino forgery ring busted by the FBI in the late 1990's)," said Dave Rodriguez of Signatures.com. "There were so many bad autographs on there I didn't know what to think."

The jersey, certified by GAI and sold by 'ddrproductions,' is pictured. It was purchased by eBayer aaccollectibles which has only 23 feedback. Most of what they buy is vintage baseballs. Judge for yourself as to the spellings. To TBR the Eddie Mathews looks more like Eddie Watt, a relief pitcher in the era. It looks nothing like any Eddie Mathews we've seen previously. Item is no. 160235219780.

"We did authenticate it, it was a mistake so we went right to the seller and the buyer and reversed the transaction and the jersey is now off the market," said Steve Rocchi, executive VP of GAI. "We authenticated it in March and it was a stupid mistake, we screwed up."

(Getting a jersey signed of these players in order such as this is very suspect although not impossible.)

Rocchi added the company is building in new precautions but mistakes do happen even of this magnitude. He admitted it wasn't the first mistake and probably won't be the last.

"We always stand behind our product, this is something we always do, we will make it right if we make a mistake," Rocchi told TBR in an exclusive interview. "This was obviously a stupid mistake and we made everyone whole on it."

Without elaborating Racchi told TBR his company is working to put in additional safeguards and plans to make the GAI system even better. Plans could be announced this summer.

It is believed the jersey originally came from a company in Florida. The above experts also questioned this particular company which TBR was not able to find on the Internet as TBR was hoping for a comment.

                                      =================

(UPPER DECK WANTS BOX BREAKERS VIDEOS FOR PRIZES)

With the box breaking video YouTube phenomena, Upper Deck is trying to capitalize on the mania. Dr. Wax Battle was likely one of the first, if not the first to dial up breaking boxes on video and then uplink them to the internet social networking site. Now there are thousands. Topps does it by the case and calls it Topps TV Rip Party. Upper Deck is going a step farther.

"Collectors have embraced this new forum for celebrating the experience of opening Upper Deck boxes," said Kerry Stockholm UD director of sports marketing. "We love the concept of user generated content as opposed to Upper Deck trying to manufacture our own video."

The company began it's new Diamond Vision web site this week and is encouraging collectors to submit their box break videos to www.upperdeck.com/breaks to share their experience and even win prizes. The prizes include a $1500 shopping spree and other items including the grand prize; a trip to the 2008 World Series.

The company hopes hobby shops will jump on the bandwagon as well with tie-ins.

"Hobby shops need to be aware of how quickly collectors are taking to this and embrace it," said Chris Carlin, UD hobby marketing manager. "We would love to see hobby shops hosting videos in their store and submitting them for collectors."

The other bonus is the amount of free advertising the company gets with each video either on-line at YouTube or at the UD site. The exposure is worth thousands if not millions of dollars in advertising supplied by collectors and stores. The end benefit is hopefully more walk-in as well as Internet business for the stores.

In January there were about 10,000 box break video's posted. This month UD officials say you will find 19,000 posted.

                                     =================

(BARBIE 11 MILLION AND GROWING)

What is the world's number one toy? Yes guys, it IS Barbie. The model doll with the hour glass figure -- and she's kept it longer than an E-Harmony commercial -- is tops across the board. Her web site has 11 million girls registered, another phenomena. Now they are opening it up to the virtual world.

With the craze created on-line with Webkinz and the follow up Hasbro's littlepetshop.com, it looks like Barbie is ready to enter the virtual world. The Barbie web site has kids spending virtual B-Bucks to dress up their favorite doll. Now, take that on line.

The idea for toy makers is to continue to target younger and younger kids, as low in age as pre-school, and bring them into the virtual world. The social networking spin is taking them to a new level despite the inherent dangers. The sites use virtual awareness to move around and collect bucks to purchase stuff in the on-line virtual arena. Real or make believe some believe there is a danger.

One of the ways girls earn virtual dollars to spend on-line is to visit the Barbie Theater where they watch Barbie DVD's. Watch a DVD, earn some Barbie Bucks. It is a captive audience at worst.

Ganz, which developed Webkinz, says it has recognized the dangers and is going to add blocks to its site so parents can turn off commercialism which is rampant on these site. It will also move to keep virtual items sold on the site from being branded by advertisers. This is a key concern.

Think of it like a movie, where Coca Cola paid for a bunch of the production costs and in return was the only soft drink displayed in the movie. And prominently displayed at that. It goes back to the days of subliminal advertising except it's more overt.

Time Warner's site carries a warning about upcoming advertising. The new Barbie Girl Site does not carry third party advertising and is moving to expand it's section for parents.

                                      =================

(UPPER DECK LINKS WITH NORDIC EURO TOY COMPANY, TRENDUS)

It appears Upper Deck is trying to expand it's European base with toys and games by linking a deal with Trendus. Trendus, which already distributes UD trading cards in northern Europe, will ad games, toys and gaming to it's UD mix. Upper Deck has lots of gaming licenses and Europe has been a good place to sell gaming products.

                                      ================

(LELANDS MAY HAVE FIRST $100,000 PHOTO UP FOR AUCTION)

It is rare a photo, just the photo, could bring a hundred thousand dollars but the folks at Leland's Auction house believe a photo featuring both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig as 1927 Yankees in October, 1927, might be the first. The 7 x 8 1/4" photo is date stamped October 5, 1927.

(Photo taken October 5, 1927 at World Series.)

"We are extremely proud to be able to offer these rare Ruth and Gehrig items in our May catalog auction, especially in the final year of Yankee Stadium, the house that Ruth built and for that matter, Gehrig built," said Joshua Evans, Chairman of Leland's. "This may be the first $100,000 photo ever."

The year 1927 featured the team considered the greatest of all time and they proved it by sweeping a very good Pittsburgh team 4-0 in the World Series. The Bucs had a number of Hall of Fame players including both Waners, KiKi Cuyler and a bona fide pitching staff which two years previous had won the World Series over Washington and Walter Johnson.

Other items up for auction include a game worn Gehrig hat given to his doctor shortly before his death.

                                     ================

(BECKETT AD BLASTED)

Last week we posted a story of how Beckett is looking for freelance writers to compliment its magazine. We got an email this week from Mike Baker Junior.

"Have you ever tried to write Beckett through their website? It does not work.  The email address you supplied does not work either."

Sure enough, we tried to email freelance@beckett.com using their link. It doesn't work. No wonder Beckett is having problems getting writers.

                                    =================

(SECOND UD GOLDEN TICKET PULLED)

Michael DeRose of Tempe, Arizona pulled the second of four Golden Tickets inserted into Upper Deck products and wins the chance to build his own Exquisite Box. The card, pulled from Showtime Cards in Tempe, is one of in the game, with two left to be found. The collector chose not to sell the card but will meet with UD officials and plan his own ultimate Exquisite box.

"It's crazy," said DeRose. "The night before I opened the box I was telling my girlfriend about this promotion and if I ever pulled it, I would have to sing the 'I Got the Golden Ticket' song (From Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)."

DeRose will be flown to Dallas by Upper Deck, get to tour production facilities and site down with the staff to see what is available to make his ultimate Exquisite pack.

                                  ==================

(KENTUCKY DERBY STUBS AND PROGRAMS TO BE HOT)

Horse racing fans, and let's face it Kentucky Derby fans, witnessed a couple once in a life time events and therefore those tickets and programs will become good collector's items. Not only did Big Brown, the favorite out of the 20 hole win in impressive style; for the first time another horse was put to sleep on the track.

Eight Belles, the fillie which finished second to Big Brown, broke both front ankles trotting after the race and collapsed on the track. The horse was euthanized on the spot. Tragedy followed triumph but the crowd left stunned on the news the horse had to be destroyed.

A side note, Hillary Clinton picked Eight Belles to win the race. It was the only fillie and one of the highest, if not the highest finish by a female horse in the history of the derby. All of the above will make those tickets worth a lot, especially if Big Brown with the Triple Crown as it looks like there is a decent possibility of that happening.

                                  ==================

(TOPPS SET FOR FOOTBALL TEAM SETS)

With the success of baseball team sets the past two years Topps is coming out with NFL team sets as well. There will be 12 cards per team set and all NFL teams are available.

                                 ==================

(WAREHAM, MASS STORE CLOSING)

"I don't care what the government says, people aren't spending their money on specialty items these days."

That is a quote from Eric Jordan who owns, or owned Gateway Comics, ETC., and who is closing his store. Jordan, who bought the store in 2001 told the South Coast Today he just can't make it anymore. Wednesdays, comic book days, he used to see 15 people easy.

"Now I'm lucky to see two people looking at the shelves," he lamented.

He's already moved much of his inventory to the Internet and like many others is just shutting down his store front. He is hoping to sell the inventory in one lot so he can get another job.

                                 ==================

(SPORTKINGS TO DEBUT SPECIAL CARD AT NATIONAL)

Goodie bags at The National have become all the rage for VIP ticket holders and this year once again it should be a nice attraction. One of the items inserted randomly into bags will be one of 18 cards featuring two players; an original Sportsking and a new Sportking.

The two players will be from the same sport but one will be named, see photo at left, from the original series produced more than half a century ago. The other player will be a new Sportkings series.

These will be given in VIP bags at the National in Cleveland, Ohio, Beginning July 30 of this year.

                                   ===================

(CALIFORNIA HIGH COURT SAYS NO TO MILLER IS PSA CASE)

The California Supreme Court denied William Miller's appeal of his case against Collector's Universe. Millers name appeared on thousands of COA's long after he left the company. He sued for back pay for his name being used on each and every COA.

The courts ruled he was entitled to damages but not on all the COA's, just one. He continued to argue the multiplier but the courts refused to budge. He wanted $10 million but was awarded only $750. The high court said no to reviewing his appeal.

                               ==================

(STEINER SIGNS HIP HOP STAR, 50-CENT)

("Get Rich' or Die Tryin' autographed item from Steiner.)

With the big push on to sign celebrity items from Topps to UD to Donruss, why not Steiner. Steiner Sports inked a deal with Hip Hopper 50-cent. The deal includes autographs, memorabilia and concert worn clothing. No terms were released.

                            ====================

                               ==================

NAXCOM PROFITS IN BAD ECONOMY

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 199

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(SHOELESS JOE COMES TO SOTHEBYS)

** NAXCOM HAS RECORD FIRST QUARTER

** MORE BAD NEWS ON THE TOY FRONT

** UPPER DECK ACQUIRES RARE FILM ITEMS

** HERITAGE FORMS P-R DEPARTMENT

** DENNY MCLAIN AUCTION, OWES BUCKS

** UD FORMS DEAL WITH 4KIDS

** MORE HOBBY FEEDBACK, DEALERS COLLECTORS

DETAILS ON THESE STORIES AND MORE IN TODAY'S TBR: THE BRILL REPORT

                                          ==================

(NAXCOM SETS SALES RECORD FOR QUARTER)

Amidst all the negative financial news, in the industry and outside of it, some good news always seems to come along. The folks at NAXCOM say they've set sales records for the quarter. Spurred along by a new auction business, a month long free shipping program and increased marketing, the company put up some big numbers.

"We had a phenomenal first quarter in 2008 with growth pretty much in all facets of our business," said CEO Eric Beckerman. "Our transactions grew an incredible 40-percent, our user base exceeded the 200,000 user mark and our VIP membership grew to the largest in the company's history."

Beckerman also credits the companies new feedback program which allows NAXCOM users to carry over their eBay feedback to their auctions on the new site.

"We really underestimated the number of frustrated sellers out there looking for a new viable alternative for selling sportscards and collectibles," added Bill Elder, VP of Marketing for NAXCOM. "Since the recent eBay fee hikes and changes were announced a couple of months ago sellers have been calling and emailing non-stop to add their feedback and to start dedicating themselves to selling on NAXCOM."

The NAXCOM system is not dis-similar from eBay but with lower fees and more user friendly regulations for sellers of sportscards.

                                         ===================

(BAD NEWS ON THE TOY FRONT STILL)

As rising costs continue in the toy industry consumers are cutting back. This is the indication coming from this week's numbers as earnings were out for both JAKKS Pacific and RC2 Corporation.

(Barbie helps keep Mattel in the black.)

RC2 reported a first quarter profit drop of 75-percent and a 17 percent loss in revenue. JAKKS wasn't far behind with quarterly profits dumping 73-percent Revenue was up a mere six percent, or, much less than expected.

Earlier in the week Mattel reported a loss as well although Hasbro reported a profit. With the price of gasoline over $4 a gallon in many places and home mortgages under siege toys are the last thing on the minds of bread winners and this is where it all stems from.

                                        ==================

(UPPER DECK ACQUIRES NUMBER OF FILM USED ITEMS FOR PIECE OF HISTORY)

Upper Deck is going all out for the movie-worn memorabilia acquiring items worn in films by Jack Nicholson (left from "A Few Good Men.") and from Brad Pitt in "Spy Game." The product is MLB Piece of History and it includes a wide number of items worn by celebrities.

With Donruss Americana and Celebrity Cuts going great guns and Topps with everything from a piece of George Washington's hair to seats from stadiums where presidents threw out the first ball, UD had to come back strong.

Among the other items the company picked up for the product are Christopher Reeve's Superman suit from "Superman III," Demi Moore's clothing from "GI Jane," Jennifer Garner's Pajama's from "Time of Your Life" and Jim Carey's shoes and clothing from "Bruce Almighty."

                                     ===================

(SHOELESS JOE'S BAT UP FOR BID AGAIN)

SOLD! For $301,000!

There are only two known to exist and one sold a few years ago. The other went up for bid this week by Sotheby's and SCP Auctions. This is of course the Black Betsy Bat used by the famous and banned slugger during his days playing ball in the early part of the last century.

The items in the auction, mostly come from one of the richest sports estates in the world, the Dr. Richard Angrist estate. The Black Betsy wass expected to sell for up to $300,000. It did to a private American collector.

                                      ====================

(BECKETT LOOKING FOR WRITERS)

Beckett Media is looking to add to it's stable of free lance collectibles writers. The company cut back on free lancers several years ago and is now trying to hire some. The ad was placed in www.Workinsports.com, a sports placement web site.

                                      ====================

(HERITAGE AUCTIONS FORMS PR DEPARTMENT, PROMOTES WITHIN)

Kelley Norwine, the current VP of marketing at Heritage Auctions is taking over the new position heading up the firm's new Public Relations department. Debbie Rexing is moving up to take over marketing. Rexing has been at Heritage for several years working her way up helping with the product photo shoots to now an executive vice president.

"Basically we will be taking a more global look at all aspects of the Heritage business," said Norwine.

Heritage has expanded it's auction universe and does very well in coins and not just cards and memorabilia. The Dallas based company understands there is more to the vintage auction business than just what is available in the U-S and apparently is looking to expand it's treasure hunting venture.

                                     ====================

(DENNY MCLAIN AUCTION)

Mark your calender for April 29 if you are interested in buying stuff which belonged to convicted criminal and former baseball player Denny McLain. A court has ordered his belongings auctioned off to settle debts in Romulus, MI. McLain won 31 games for the Detroit Tigers in 1968 and took his team to the World Series but fell on harder times later.

In 1985 he was convicted of racketeering. The conviction was later overturned on appeal. He also spent time in prison for embezzlement but has recently spent time as a writer for a Michigan magazine and did a stint as a talk show host. He authored a book about his life.

As for the auction, it was originally to settle a $7100 judgment which ballooned due to lack of payment and interest added on. He owes court fees and former lawyers as well.

"The assets of Mr. McLain's estate include his personal sports memorabilia," said Judge Stephen Cooper who was appointed receiver. "They also include photos, framed jerseys and copies of his autobiography."

The sheriff went to his own with orders from the court hoping to get back the money they are owed, $17,000 to a legal firm for starters. While trying to negotiate the McLain's said they didn't have the money. The end result is the auction.

                                     ====================

(UPPER DECK SIGNS DEAL WITH 4KIDS ON DINO'S GAME)

Upper Deck and 4KIDS Entertainment will release a joint game likely in time for the holidays based on dinosaurs. Based on the Dinosaur King animated series the game will be like most other CCG's. A Sega video game comes out in August and a DVD in November. A toy line is being developed for the spring of next year.

                                     ===================

(TOPPS OFFERS SIGNED ROOKIE CARDS OF MAGIC & BIRD)

Topps went out and purchased 50 Larry Bird/Magic Johnson rookie cards and had them signed by the two great players. The cards will be available via redemption when pulled from packs. The redemption's will be inserted into Elevation, Sterling, Letterman, Luxury Box and Finest packs. There will be five different ink colors as well.

                                    ===================

(DEALER COMMENT ON TBR STORIES)

On our story about Forensic Examiners and Hobby authenticators from a dealer quoted extensively in the article

"Your cherry picking of our conversation coupled with the misrepresentation of statements and tone once again showed an industry bias to anyone who challenges the status quo. It's not at all unexpected when I mentioned my association with Mr. Frangipani and Mr. Morales your attitude and tone changed, which showed in your writing. Many inaccuracies and mis-statements need to be corrected."

Rich Solis

R&S Collectibles

(Eds Note: Solis went on to pinpoint what he called our inaccuracies which would take too much to put here. We will agree to disagree with Mr. Solis as to the accuracy of the quotes.)

                                                  ********

"I fully believe the likes of Morales and Frangipani are nothing more than fraud artists and belong in jail. On a weekly basis people bring in items to our store that have been authenticated from these guys. It pains me to inform them they have spent thousands of hard earned dollars on memorabilia and at the end of the day have nothing to show for it. I wish the government could intervene because thousands of people are getting defrauded by the likes of Morales on a daily basis."

Grey Flannel Gallery

Lakewood Ranch, Fl

                                               ***********

The following was one of several negative opinions on Upper Deck Premier Baseball. Evidently we saw the best of the best when we opened it, as we've had nothing but negative emails regarding the product since we praised it so highly.

"I opened a case of that sh-t, spent $3000 on it and was totally disappointed. That crap was worthless. I kept two cards and sold the rest and got $264 for all of it. That just about turned me off to Upper Deck."

Gene Brassfield, Collector

Santa Paula, CA

The following person also complained but added something else about his experience with UD Customer Service, which, has been very good lately.

"Recently we returned several high dollar cards to Upper Deck which came out of the pack damaged.  A few weeks later I receive the same cards back accompanied by two packs and a letter stating that they can't trade with the collector!!!!! Evidently UD has adopted a policy whereby if you return a card which came damaged from a pack they will not replace it. They are apparently the only card company who does not stand behind their products."

Blake Meyer,

Lone Star Sportscard Company,

Carrollton, TX

                                         ****************

A foreign customer did get replacement cards but would have rather had the original card he pulled, but was very thankful anyway.

"They have been exceptionally fast and they are nice cards."

Vincenzo Lucarelli, Collector

Italy

                                         ***************

                                    ===================

                                  

ANGELS RAISE $38,000 IN GARAGE SALE

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 198

                                          **HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

                                           (MANUFACTURERS FEELING THE PINCH!!!)

** HAWAII/PHOENIX NEWS                                 

** ANGELS SALE BRINGS $38K

** SOFT NEWS AT MAKERS

** BIG-BROTHER EBAY

** READER REACT/FE & PSA

** TOPPS SIGNS DEAL FOR ALL TIME GREATS ** UDA INKS CURRENT EXCLUSIVES

Details on these and others stories in today's TBR: THE BRILL REPORT...

                                        ============================

(REPORT FROM PHOENIX)

Rumors abound and some changes as always but the hustle bustle and the buzz of the annual conference put on by Krause just wasn't the same this year in Phoenix. Held the first time and with a record number of attendees the hobby showcase was abuzz with rumors. UDA CEO Richard McWilliam was even seen available and talking.

One of them include Beckett Media being for sale, while in another deal Edge Man reportedly purchased Razor which makes Poker cards. Judy Heeter of the MLBPA was on hand but not in the conference with dealers who blasted her last year. Evan Kaplan handled those chores this year.

There was the usual round of events including the annual Upper Deck Golf Tournament, parties and a few player signings. However, we're told the usual buzz and the deal making just wasn't there this time. In previous conferences held in Hawaii the pressure was always on and someone was always hustling off to meet someone else. Reports indicate it wasn't the same this year although some deals did get done evidently.

It looks as if baseball is standing pat on the number of releases, Donruss is going to make more baseball products despite not having a big league license. This year they produced a draft pick series called Elite Edition. The company is planning on coming into the 21st Century on the ordering front as well by offering on-line ordering to dealers. Upper Deck is planning on offering TailGate Parties as well but few details are available. Topps will also be rolling out a new website designed to be interactive and designed for kids.

                                        ===========================

(ANGELS SELL GAME USED JERSEYS AT $30 EACH)

With prices like that no wonder the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim sold out of several thousand items at the teams first ever garage sale. The event raised over $35,000 for the Angels Baseball Foundation.

(Angels game used Mickey Hatcher jersey purchased at the Angels Garage sale and listed on eBay was at $113 with three days to go in the bidding.)

"Yes I think we underestimated the demand a little bit," team spokesman Matt Bennett told The Brill Report. "There wasn't a lot which held value on eBay but we have seen some of the items up there already."

The team held the first ever such event outside the stadium a little over a week ago. Fixed prices and cash only were the order of the day. Season ticket holders were allowed first crack at 9 a.m. with the general public at 10.

"Most of the stuff did go to the season ticket holders," Bennett added. "We didn't anticipate the demand."

In fact, eBay saw a number of the jerseys up for sale at nice profits for the sellers. Seller Swingman24 had at least four of them up and all were above $100 on eBay.

(Another found on eBay selling for at least $188 is the Garage Sale jersey of Shigetoshi Hasegawa)

Game used jerseys with names on them sold for anywhere from $30 to $40 to $50 each. Older style team jerseys sold more quickly. It wasn't too many years ago a game used jersey was nearly impossible to get but now for less than $50 is incredible. The club put 250 jerseys up for sale.

"There were jerseys of the Molina brothers, Tim Salmon, Estaban Yahn, Mickey Hatcher, Ron Gant and others who fans may or may not recognize," said Bennett. "We even had a Jose Canseco jersey which went right away."

Canseco was with the team in spring training in 2001 and never played in the big leagues for the Angels but he was there in the spring.

"These were items we've had laying around for years and we just decided to clean out the closet so to speak," Bennett told TBR. "We put the higher priced and more in demand items on our monthly auctions and in our Game Used Store but this gave the fans a chance to walk away with something for a great price."

The money raised will go to the Angels Baseball Foundation, a charitble cause.

                                         ================

(RETAILER FEARS IN HOBBY AND OUT, MANUFACTURERS FEELING PINCH EVEN MORE)

The worsening economy, the housing and credit crisis and lack of discretionary income along with rising fuel prices (oil hit a new high $114 a barrel this week) are sending more shockwaves through many industries and the hobby is one. Trading card manufacturers are feeling the pinch certainly.

(Among the items in overstock according to some reports are Barbie dolls.)

"The manufacturers are finding out now hobby dealers are no longer ordering every product which comes along, in fact they are ordering very few products directly and the manufacturers are feeling the pinch," said one source asking not to be identifiedwhen reached by phone during the Phoenix Convention. "The manufacturers are definitely worried and they aren't sure how to deal with this."

Royalties remain high to the leagues and players associations, the number of brands has been cut and the result means charging more for the products the manufacturers do make. This in turn translates to more high priced products on store shelves combined with collectors who are having difficulty paying the mortgage and paying $200-$300 for a pack of trading cards certainly is the first thing off the table.

"Most of the dealers I speak with, most have gone to waiting until the product either fails to perform or is a hit and they are not ordering direct hardly at all," said consultant Dave Rodriguez of Signatures.com. "Very few dealers played this game 10 years ago but now most of them are because if the product dogs it they can pick it up below cost very quickly and give their customers a nice break while making some money at the same time."

(Hobby dealers becoming more dependant upong so called "whales" to buy high end releases, are finding them fewer and farther between and losing one will kill cash flow.)

Both Mattel and Hasbro are concerned despite the fact numbers have gone up because retailers are looking at inventories they already don't want. Word is those major retailers are cautiously ordering for the next round of toys because they are uncertain of the economy. Fearing hefty inventories this results in close out prices which in turn means lower margins. Why order when you are pretty certain you'll have to blow it out anyway? This has toy makers very worried.

In the sports card market dealers who previously ordered everything are backing way off.

"Why should I lay out thousands of dollars in advance when my cash flow is so little, it just doesn't make sense anymore," said another hobby shop owner speaking on condition of anonimity. "I used to order everything but I can't anymore, not if I want to keep the doors open, it's just too risky with the high cost of the products today."

Some are ordering very little direct, knowing they can pick it up from distributors and within weeks they can buy it at less than direct cost. With cash flow such a big problem for the average card store, ordering $1200 cases direct from the manufacture all of sudden isn't in the cards.

                                   ==========================

(STORE THIEF CAUGHT, GOING TO JAIL IN MICHIGAN)

Robert Lee Stone pleaded guilty to charges he stole from Sportscard Central in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Stone made his plea earlier this week and faces four years in prison. Sentancing is set for next month.

"If you have any knowledge of where he sold sportscards, we would generally appreciate your help," said Sportscard Central owner Rick Behar. "We are still seeking a large amount of cards which have not shown up yet."

Sportscard Central is the former name of American Cards and Supplies which has taken most of it's business to the Internet. You can reach him at americard@aol.com

                                 ========================

(BIG BROTHER EBAY)

eBay will soon be spying on you. Or so it would seem. As a way to protect you from fraud the company is developing a program where it will be able to figure out what or which computers you normally list items from. If by chance you list from another computer you will receive an automated call asking if it is you.

Seems the company is getting frustrated with the number of rip off artists who are snagging your stuff and or other people's stuff and listing it under your user name. The best way the company says it can prevent this is to keep an eye on you, or where you file from. Seems rather strange and Big-Brotherish but it makes sense to the experts at eBay.

"To protect the community against this type of fraud, beginning today eBay will start noting which computers members typically use to conduct their buying and selling activity," said John Canfield, Senior Director of Trust & Safety at eBay. "After our data collection phase, sometime in June, eBay will begin verifying our sellers when they list an item to ensure they are logging on from the same machines they have successfully used previously --- usually a home or business computer."

eBay says at first it will only apply to sellers but it isn't ruling out buyers as well. The auction site is asking sellers to register their cel phone number as a secondary number in case it has to verify. An on-line workshop will be conducted May 6.

"There is no silver bullet to security," said Canfield. "We strive to make security as automatic and as seamless as possible but there are a few important area's where eBayers can help."

It does sound a bit Orwellian. 

                                          ===============

(UPPER DECK INKS EXCLUSIVE DEALS WITH THREE YOUNGSTERS)

Matt Kemp, Grady Sizemore and Andrew Bynum of the Lakers are now the exclusive property of Upper Deck Authenticated. The three rising stars signed deals for their memorabilia and autographs which will keep them in the UDA house for some time.

"These three athletes represent another coup for Upper Deck in terms of seeking out and securing some of the most collectible athletes in their respective sports," said Tim Muret, UD VP for Sports Cards and Memorabilia. "We are very excited about establishing exclusive relationships with these three rising stars."

Bynum, currently injured, is expected to team with Paul Gasol giving the Lakers two 7-footers in their line-up in the playoffs. The Dodgers committed to Kemp this year as a starter and Sizemore has had a couple good seasons.

                                 ================

(MCFARLANE CHANGING PACKAGING, UPPING CHASE CONTENT)

Starting with the Legends 4 release in July, you will see a new look to the McFarlane line of collectible toys. First the packaging will change allowing the figures to be showcased properly. Often the toys had to "be cut" according to McFarlane officials so they could fit the packaging. Now with more uniform packaging the package conforms to the action figure.

(Prototype of the new packaging for large McFarlane items.)

"The new format will give our designers more freedom to create new and unique sports poses without size limitations," McFarlane officials stated on their web site. "For example a pitcher can be fully extended in a pitch follow through or a receiver can be diving for a football with arms fully extended without the worry imposed by size restrictions."

The second move is to change the chase structure for the more rare figures. Normally selected figures had a vareity of versions inserted one per case. Now each figure will have a different version but the changes will be more subtle. It may just be a different of paint on a logo or something similar.

In response the other versions, such as fully different jersey colors -- red versus white -- will become part of the regular issues. With this the company hopes to expand upon the number of actual releases in a series, say from six figures to nine, plus the chase versions with tiny changes.

                                 ===================

(SPORTKINGS TO FEATURE NAISMITH CUT SIGNATURE)

While SportKings will take a spot at the Toronto Expo next month and will feature a series of redemption cards during the event, perhaps one of the bigges upcoming inserts in Series B will be Founding Fathers. The idea to feature a cut signature of a founding father of a sport. The biggest perhaps will be James Naismith considered the father of modern day basketball.

  (James Naismith cut sig in Series B Sportkings)

Walter Camp for football and Alexander Cartwright for baseball will also be included. The series releases before the National in late July.

Meanwhile the company will debut some truly nice cards at the Spring Sports Expo in Toronto. A wrapper redemption for those busting the high end merchandise will lead collectors to dual patch cards featuring greats of their sports. Among them is Joe Montana.

There is a silver version of each card which is numbered out of nine and a gold version which is a 1/1. SportKings Series A sold out and did very well despite the fact the product carries no licensed cards, licensed by any league or players association.

It also did well despite the fact many of the sports the card depict are very very minor. Poker players were among those in the set and when paying upwards of $400 for a pack of cards, getting a poker player or a bycycler could be un-nerving. However, players such as Pete Rose and other well known super stars drove the product and pulled off what many thought was a tough pull to say the least.

                                     ===========================

(TOPPS DOES DEAL FOR ALL TIME GREATS)

Formerly these types of players signed only through Upper Deck but Topps now has the likes of Rogers Hornsby, Lou Gehrig, Christy Mathewson, Cy Young and Mel Ott. The deal with CMG Worldwide brings into the Topps family some of the biggest names in the history of the sport and gives the grand daddy of all card companies a nice advantage in remaking vintage cards.

                                                                                                                                                 "Topps is synonomous with great athletes and we are thrilled to form a partnership with CMG giving us exclusive rights to baseball's greatest legends," said Warren Friss, GM of sports and entertainment at Topps. "We look forward to incorporating these players into our upcoming products and giving our loyal fan base cards which cannot be found anywhere else."

Upper Deck and Topps have flip flopped players over the years and while Topps has an exclusive 10-year contract with Mickey Mantle, he was the property of Upper Deck at one time. Triple Threads will be the first product to highlight the new acquistions.

CMG specializes in holding the rights to deceased players and personalities estates. Among those in the CMG stable is Marilyn Monroe.

                                  ===================

(4KIDS CHAOTIC TWO RELEASES)

Zenith of the Hive hit store shelves this week as one of the best trading card games 4KIDS Entertainment released this week. Chaotic has been a hit for the company which usually is the front company for games before deciding to go into the gaming business itself.

"It's been exciting to watch the popularity of the Chaotic Trading Card Game grow over the past few months and we look to ignite even more enthusiasm with the launch of the new Zenith of the Hive Series and the National Organized Play Program," said Bryan Gannon, President and CEO of TC Digital Games. "This will undoubtably elevate player excitement to a whole new level."

More than 11 million Chaotic cards have been registered on-line which is the key factor to the game itself. Registering cards on-line and playing on-line as opposed to previous releases Pokemon and others which were more TCG's and Virtual Card Games. The companion TV series is debuting in Australia, Israel and South Africa.

                                   ===========================

(EBAY PROFITS AND REVENUES UP, NEW USERS SLOW)

John Donahue, the new head of eBay got some encouraging news. With the increase in fees being reported next quarter things should be much better. The good news is eBay profits were up 22-percent and revenue rose 24-percent. The bad news is new users grew by only 1-percent. Translated; more sales, or higher dollar sales but fewer people jumping into the eBay program. In addition, much of the growth has to be attributed to PayPal which is owned by eBay.

                                     ==========================

(DEALER COMMENTS ON TBR STORIES LATELY)

On our story regarding Forensics Examiners and the hobby:

"I read your article regarding Chris Morales and Don Frangipani. I find your contumelius attitude about him and other Forensic Documents Examiners to be quite offensive. I have known Mr. Frangipani and Mr. Morales for years and they have never been found unqualified by a court. Famous signatures are no different than anybody else's signatures. The methods of reviewing them are the same. No one is wrong 1100 times, the amount of times I am told Mr. (James) Spence has disagreed with Mr. Frangipani. It is more likely Mr. Spence may be mistaken in HIS opinions."

Robert J. Phillips

Forensic Document Examiner

"The old saying 'Mr. Morales never met an autograph he didn't like' is very true. I'd like Mr. Solis to check out a website (Signaturedreams) owned by Mike Leppo. There you will find numerous Derek Jeter forgeries with COA's from Chris Morales, FE. None of the autographs items from SignatureDreams on eBay have ever passed PSA's "Quick Opinion." These weren't borderline fakes these were obvious forgeries. As for Mr. Frangipani, his reputation precedes him."

Chris Wiliams, Neptune City, NJ

                                    ==========================

GARDNER OUT AT TOPPS

VOLUME 2, NO. 197

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(TOM SEAVER DOESN'T WHINE OVER WINE!!!)

** MIKE GARDNER FIRED AT TOPPS

** HERITAGE TO AUCTION DB COOPER $$$

** DEALER BLASTS AUTHENTICATORS

** GEHRIG GAME USED UP FOR BID

** GAI NEW INNOVATION; DIGITAL SCANS FOR $10

** JAKKS GETS GLADIATORS CONTRACT

** ANGELS DO A YARD SALE

** DEALER COMMENTS

DETAILS ON THESE STORIES AND MORE IN TODAY'S TBR: THE BRILL REPORT....

                                    ====================

(MIKE GARDNER OUT AT TOPPS)

Just days before the Krause Hawaii Stateside Conference in Phoenix, one of the more high profile executives in the industry has gotten the axe. The Brill Report has learned Mike Gardner, head of hobby sales for Topps the past several years got the word late last week he was out.

(Mike Gardner while at Upper Deck.)

Calls were placed to Gardner for comment, and to Topps for comment but neither could be reached before publication. A closely placed source told TBR Gardner was being replaced but no announcement has been made. Topps traditionally, under the old regime, gave good severance packages to laid off executives so until he finds another position in the industry Gardner should do okay.

Gardner left a similar position at Donruss around three years ago to go to Topps, the longest standing card maker in the business. Previously he was with Upper Deck as director of Hobby Sales.

Always outspoken and energetic Gardner led the charge for strong high end products at Topps when the company was having problems producing more expensive card products with value. Products at Donruss while he was there were considered some of the best in the industry as well as those made during his time at UD.

Whether Gardner remains in the industry, which has only three major card makers and since he's worked at all three, is up in the air. Gardner lives in Southern California.

                                   ===================

(HERITAGE TO AUCTION DB COOPER CASH)

A few of the bills left behind by hijacker DB Cooper will go to auction in June according to Heritage Auctions out of Dallas. The bills were discovered by a young boy many years ago and now that young boy wants to raise some cash for his children's education.

Cooper, whose real name was Dan Cooper, was the mastermind of the only unsolved skyjacking in U-S history. He convinced authorities to give him $200,000 in cash and a parachute in exchange for his hostages back in 1971. He later jumped from the plane over the Oregon border on his way to Mexico. No body was ever found. Only recently was a parachute discovered and authorities are trying to figure out if it was the one given to Cooper.

Brian Ingram was only 8 when he found the stash of bills totaling nearly $6,000. Now he's a dad of 36, with kids to send to college and he's going to auction off some of the bills. They were returned to him from the FBI after the government confiscated them and kept only 13 of them. Some of the bills were only partially in tact.

Heritage estimates the bills could sell individually from $100 to thousands depending on demand. He is offering only 15 of the bills through Heritage.

                                   ===================

(DEALER NOT HAPPY WITH CURRENT AUTHENTICATORS)

When Rich Solis (pron: Solace) owner of R&S Sports Collectibles in Santa Clara, California, emailed The Brill Report, he was more than upset. His pet peeve was the story regarding Justin Priddy, who left his post as chief authenticator of GAI and started his own service. In particular his comments were aimed at Priddy's and others' in the industry's statements regarding Forensics Experts and the authenticators own lack of schooling in the authentication field.

(GAI Authenticated item.)

We talked to Solis to give him his chance to pitch his line and were as surprised to listen to his views, as he was to hear back from us.

"Well, I never thought you would call," he said when TBR contacted him. "I'm surprised."

We were shocked at his own statements as many in the hobby will be.

"I do back two of the most controversial authenticators in our industry, both Mr. Frangipani and Chris Morales," he said.

"You are a supporter of Don Frangipani?" TBR asked.

"Yes, I am," was the answer.

Frangipani is usually despised by many in the hobby. Most comments state "just pay him and he'll certify anything." HBO's Real Sports took their shots at him and even eBay has banned his Certificates of Authenticity. A New York based Forensics Examiner he continues to work in his field but is generally considered persona non grata in the hobby, as are most FE's.

For the most part FE's, despite their schooling, expertise and testing compare items for courts and examine handwriting samples to testify about whether they were written by the hand they were purported to be. There are many who are trusted, others who are not. Overall, the hobby itself has widely rejected the FE as an authenticator.

(JSA Approved baseball.)

"I'm upset from the standpoint of it is more of the same incomplete and inaccurate rhetoric which is constantly out there when it comes to the hobby's view of forensic experts," he told TBR. "I know factually what is involved and what it takes to evaluate a signature."

Solis admits he is not an FE nor does he have the training but he has sat in with Frangipani and studied him. He feels this has given him a good idea of what is the correct procedure and he blasts Priddy, PSA and James Spence who is the most respected authenticator in the hobby.

"I've seen them all, Spence, Justin and it's really a shame this is allowed to go on," he said. "And then they come after the forensic experts."

Solis admits a bone to pick, as he has been angered when one of his items was deemed a forgery and upon asking the third party authenticators, they refused to explain specifically what the reasons were. Most today use a generic form which states the rejection was for one of several reasons "stated below." It is much like the letter you get when a credit card company lowers your credit line; you get several reasons why they made the decision they made. Pick one or two.

Alerts on Frangipani's own web site blast both Spence and PSA/DNA. Neither Spence nor PSA do the same toward Frangipani. Spence, GAI and Spence are all approved by eBay, as mentioned before Frangipani is not. Spence is considered the most reliable in the business along with PSA.

Solis doesn't believe the FBI either when it shows the warehouse full of items the bureau says was forged by the Marino family, the largest forgery ring in the history of the country.

"When you look at all this stuff that is in a the warehouse and it was done by the Marino's it's hard for me to believe they were that good at that many signatures," Solis said firmly. "It's easy to take credit but what about the stuff that was legitimate, that were incorporated into the forgeries?"

A key complaint is the rejection of items signed in a Sharpie Pen coming back as forged due to incorrect pen pressure.

(Photo from Frangipani web site)

"The only way you get pen pressure with a Sharpie is only two things happen; the line thickens and the amount of ink to start the signature would be a blob of ink," he claims. "When you pressure a Sharpie it thickens."

Both of the key authenticators in the industry state they have seen so many of the fakes and the variations of fakes, and they've seen another huge batch of the real things, it's not hard to take a cursory look and know for sure whether it is good or bad. Solis claims that isn't good enough while most hobby experts believe it is especially with vintage signatures.

Solis blasted Priddy because he asked him to see his exemplars, his book of good and bad autograph versions. When TBR stated few people would ever show anything like this because they are trade secrets, Solis disputed the point agreeing to disagree on the subject.

TBR welcomes view points which support or differ with the opinions displayed in this article and will print reasonable length comments as long as name and city are supplied with the email

                                   ====================

(TOM SEAVER WINES ONLY A LITTLE BIT)

Tom Seaver was a great HOF pitcher but is he the same type vintner? We'll find out soon as Seaver's private stock is available but not much of it. Seaver moved to Napa Valley and opened his own vineyard and wine making business. He made limited amounts and is putting some of it on the market.

"A lot of the same things I do here are the same things I did when I was pitching," said Seaver. "Paying attention to detail, you get in the clubhouse the first year and ask the veterans where can I improve, etc., which is exactly the same things I do with my wine maker and the vineyard manager."

MAB Celebrity Services represents Seaver in this venture and is selling the stuff on a first come, first served basis. Call 973-808-1740 if you are interested or go to their web site. The company also represents Bruce Sutter and Carlton Fisk among others.

                                   ====================

(GEHRIG'S CAP GOING TO AUCTION)

First it was the Scooter's cap with gum on it, now Leland's is putting a Lou Gehrig game used cap up for auction in June. The cap is a genuine Spaulding with the "7 1/8 L. Gehrig" inside.

(Gehrig cap to highlight Leland's auction in June.)

"You don't have to tell me that game worn Gehrig items are extremely hard to come by," said Joshua Evans, head of Leland's. "We are proud to offer this relic from one of the all time Yankee greats to our customers."

The item will be shown in the June catalog. According to experts it was worn during Gehrig's streak of 2131 consecutive games played. Two other items of very high profile going up are a handwritten letter by Eddie Plank the HOF pitcher and Jim Thorpe's track and field Hall of Fame ring.

                                   ===================

(DEALER TAKES ON VARIOUS ISSUES)

Here are a few comments from dealers around the country regarding issues raised by TBR and their responses, unsolicited, via email.

"Regarding the newest Beckett format on pricing this will not fly. Beckett needed to start at least at the start of the century, 2000! We are all in a recession now and Beckett wants the public to spend $20 on both the monthly and the Plus issues to get it all. I will get stuck with at least half my magazines."

Neil Osina, Best Variety, Los Angeles (44 years in business)

***********

                                   ====================

(GAI WEBSITE BACK UP AND WITH NEW DIGITAL AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM)

It was bound to happen someone would offer autograph authentication via digital image. Global, GAI, is the first to offer this pre-test in the industry. The idea is for $10 you can send them a digital image of the autograph you wish to authenticate. If it comes back "bad" then you've only lost $10 and didn't have to package anything up. If it comes back "good" then you can send it in for the regular authentication system.

(Steve Sipe is now the lead authenticator for GAI.)

"The digital review provides you with rapid analysis of your collectibles by Global Authentication," states the web site. "Instead of taking time to pack, insure and ship a collection of items with no clear guarantee on whether they are authentic we offer this first step in taking some of the risk out of verifying your goods."

The move is the first real innovation in the authentication field and you can expect the others to at least look into following this lead. So many people feel if their item comes back not genuine they have wasted money and in a sense they are right. This particular system takes the element out of the equation for a mere $10.

                                  ====================

(GLOBAL WON'T AUTHENTICATE THREE PLAYERS)

Based on a story TBR did last year GAI no longer authenticates David Wright autographs. The company made an agreement with the player's agent when the agent balked the company was certifying autographs they believed not to be real. Now according to the GAI web site there are two other players the company has agreed not to certify. The two are NHL star Sidney Crosby and NFL linebacker, Brian Urlacher. The web site does not mention why.

                                  ====================

(JAKKS GETS LICENSE FOR AMERICAN GLADIATORS)

MGM Consumer Products division inked a deal with toymaker Jakks Pacific to license the toy line of American Gladiators. The deal covers not only action figures but outdoor toys and accessories. It also features classic and current lines of the AG Series run.

                                 ====================

(DODGERS REALIZE AUTOGRAPHS INSIDE STADIUM ARE IMPORTANT)

It only took one homestand into the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers to realize free autographs at the ball park are really important for fans. The club has for the past few years had a section where a couple of players would stand before the game down the right field line and sign. This year they chose to block that off for whatever reason. Now they have reinstated it. Obviously fans let them know.

"I don't even want to go anymore if they are going to do that to us fans," said long time fan and collector Tony before the ban was lifted. "That made it fun, getting to meet the players with my boy and getting autographs, but no longer."

A team executive said there was a lot of criticism of the new rule. Just like the criticism above.

                                     ==========================

(ANGELS HOLD YARD SALE OF JERSEYS)

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim held what the club called "a yard sale" Saturday before the game. Among the items were game used jerseys, banners, helmets, T-Shirts, books, and programs. The money went to the Angels Baseball Foundation, a charitable cause.

The sale started at 9 a.m. for season ticket holders and 10 for the general public. All items had to be paid for on the spot and in cash.

                             ======================

INTERNET SHOW AIRS HOBBY CONCERNS

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 196

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS COMING BACK AS AN ON-LINE COMMUNITY GAME!!!)

** HOBBY AIRED OUT ON I-NET SHOW

** D&D COMING BACK FOR BOOMERS ON-LINE

** DODGERS GET COLLECTIBLE AT COLISEUM ANNIVERSARY

** UD MLB PREMIER LOADED PRODUCT CHEAPER THAN TOP LINE

** CANADIANS PULLING OUT THE STOPS FOR SPRING EXPO

These stories and more in today's TBR: The Brill Report...

                               ====================

(DOCTOR WAX BATTLE SHOW TAKES HOBBY TWIST)

Doctor Wax Battle likes to get his hair up, even if it is fake, and last week on his Internet hobby show he took the hobby to task, especially Upper Deck and Beckett. The "Doc" as he likes to be called (Rick Dalesandro, who owns The BackStop in Tom's River, NJ), delivered a State of the Hobby Speech to his listeners. This came in the aftermath of a story in which he seemed to accuse Beckett and Upper Deck of a conspiracy when it came to the company providing "loaded" boxes of products to the media company for it's video box breaks.

(Exquisite at the center of the controversy.)

"The buck stops here, baby," he told his Internet audience. "We hope after tonight the manufacturers listen to the hobby and changes are made."

The Doc went positive for the most part pointing out flaws in the hobby and trying to give the firms a chance to deal with the controversy which was actually incited by a collector on a UTube video. The collector pulled no punches about his conspiracy theory. The maker of the UTube video, a collector, accused UD of giving Beckett loaded boxes to promote it's products knowing collectors would be watching and might rush out and buy boxes only to get less than the boxes broken by Beckett.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRiGYIJ65tk 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_5WR3wFTRA

Both Upper Deck and Beckett later denied the boxes were loaded and put into motion a chance for collectors to actually win the cards found in the most recent box broken, NFL Exquisite. One of the cards was a dual cut autograph of Walter Payton and Brian Piccolo.

The Doc did invite both Topps and Upper Deck officials to be present on the show to answer questions and give the company line but both declined. Beckett Media associate publisher Tracy Hackler, himself a former employee of Donruss trading cards, did appear as did Alan Narz, a Topps consultant.

"We have gotten boxes from manufacturers for the past 25 years and we use these for box breaks to check ratios, cards for the catalog and checking insertion rates," Hackler said on the show. "The vast majority of the boxes we got over the years haven't been any different than any box a collector might get at a local hobby store."

He did admit the Exquisite Box was extraordinary adding "I realized it was something special."

The show's host suggested ending any controversy, by Beckett purchasing boxes from local hobby stores rather than taking products from manufacturers. The Doc said his show does not accept manufacturer products for box breaks. Hackler and later Narz agreed it was a nice idea but it went no farther. Narz in fact suggested getting cases for special occasions for publicity from the manufacturer was actually a better way to go. Narz hosts rip-parties on Topps TV breaking cases of the new products and getting people excited.

"We've yet to pull a card of the magnitude of the Exquisite box Beckett opened," he said. "The first time we get a hot box I'm sure someone will suggest it was not legitimate."

Both said they appreciated the passion of the Internet show and the fact it was being used as a forum for airing views in the hobby. Narz suggested turning the negatives into positives as a way to build up the  hobby and Hackler agreed.

"I do appreciate your passion and your goals," added Hackler. "For the same reasons we at Beckett are so successful is because all we have is our reputation and our integrity and we hold onto that ideal and protect it at all costs."

Another question raised was the autograph quality and the purpose of using stickers for autographed cards instead of getting athletes to sign cards directly on the card itself. Hackler said Beckett's attitude is to loathe stickers but realized they are going to be around forever. Narz said until someone comes up with a better idea stickers will stay.

"To just slap a sticker somewhere on the card is an embarrassment and there should be a much better job done by athletes, they should take more pride," said the Topps consultant. "Topps sends out representatives to witness every signing and sometimes I guess those reps get intimidated by the player as the signature gets sloppier."

Topps has had Barry Bonds for the past two years as well.

"Can you imagine telling Bonds to sign his signature better?" Asked Narz. "He's not going there."

Stickers are used so lots of autographs can be gathered at one time and saved for various products over various years. It has cut down on the number of redemption cards which is a more frustrating issue than stickers.

Everyone agreed there is more support coming from the partner leagues and players associations for hobby stores now than ever before. While there is more support Doctor Wax Battle pointed out the promotions do little if the content of the boxes is inferior while prices continue to go up. The Doc has cut his weekly show to just one hour, once a week with box breaks and video replays part of the mix.

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(DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS GOING ON-LINE IN JUNE)

It took years for them to come around but in just a few months look for all those D&D players from the 70's to turn to the new on-line game Wizards of the Coast is building. It will be complete with a virtual board and a way to create yourself into the game as you did during your role playing days.

The new Hasbro D&D will be featured on a brand new social networking site Wizards is building. It will be similar to Facebook and MySpace. Social networking sites are all the rage and now they are getting more specific. Whether it's a sports game, a D&D style game or family sites, they are booming and they are the future.

D&D has always been a long game to play and in today's fast paced world this just doesn't fly. Especially not amongst older gamers or those who used to play D&D for hours with friends; before wives, husbands, kids and dare we say grandkids. The new Hasbro version is being designed to be quick, a game which can be played in the time allotted.

One of the problems with the earlier version of course was the role assumption phase. There were incidents of deaths and suicides because kids who already had problems escaped into the game rather than just playing it. The on-line experience in any field can be similar but Hasbro hopes the game becomes the game, and only the game.

Cost of playing D&D on-line is $14.95 per month but a long term contract can be had for less than $10 a month. About six million players still play the off-line D&D worldwide.

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(DODGERS RETURN TO COLISEUM, LOTS OF COLLECTIBLES)

The Los Angeles Dodgers returned to their first L-A home 50 years to the day after they opened at the Coliseum. The team moved from Brooklyn and into the vast 90,000 plus seat football stadium. They sold it out in 10 minutes this time and put 115,000 people into the place with 25,000 standing room only.

The team played there until 1961 when Dodgers Stadium opened.

The Dodgers packed the place and four homers were hit over the 250 foot left field screen over 60 feet high. There were lots of autographs as the team pulled out all the stops for this reunion exhibition game against the Red Sox.

Players signed, souvenir caps, programs, photos and much more were available, much of it ending up on eBay. The team celebrates its 50 year history in L-A this year and much more is expected.  The Highland Mint is issuing a special commemorative to honor the moment.

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(MLB PREMIER FROM UD MIGHT BE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR)

When it comes to really great products it will be hard for anyone to beat UD's 2008 Premier. At $300 a pack it's half the price of Exquisite products and has more in it. The product is actually loaded with high end vintage items and autographs of both current and retired players.

(Two pulls from UD Premier 2008)

"Our 2008 Upper Deck Premier Baseball is designed with the serious collector in mind," said Jason Masherah baseball brand manager. "We included a significant number of Hall of Famers to the product this year to make sure collectors receive some of the best players to step onto the diamond."

One case we saw yielded a Ken Griffey Jr., 1/1 autograph, a quad jersey from Joe DiMaggio, A Don Mattingly autograph, a triple jersey from the Brooklyn Dodgers featuring Campanella, Reese and Robinson and a quad Patch of some of today's top pitchers heading into the HOF when they are done. This plus much more and this was only three of the five boxes.

The Babe Ruth 1/1 cut autograph and patch card was already pulled at a shop.

"My fiance and I wanted to thank Upper Deck for one of the best pulls of our lives," said collector Bill Waters of Illinois. "We were in shock to realize the piece of baseball history we held in our hands."

Premier came out last year and did not do as well despite a lot of hype. At $300 it is pricey and hopefully UD will respond and not raise the price next year due to the success of this year's product.

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(CANADIANS PULLING OUT THE STOPS FOR TORONTO EXPO)

It was 34 years ago the Canadian Toronto Expo began and over three decades later it is still doing well. The show this year will be May 2-4 in Toronto at the International Center. A strong line-up of guests for autographs is usually a feature and this year looks like more of the same.

Included certainly are Gerry Cheevers and Pete Mahovlich, all time favorites. They will be signing Friday night of the show. Admission is $12 for adults and $3 for kids. More information can be obtained from the web site www.sportcardexpo.com or by calling 705-722-7593.

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(HEAD OF THE CLASS FEATURES NEW HANNAH MONTANA FROM TOPPS)

(Kid made good Topps the charts.)

Topps is now offering a three pack of Hannah Montana cards in it's Topps Head of the Class Promotion for it's HTA stores. The three card packs are designed to bring little girls into card shops which participate in the school promotion.

The cards are actually base sticker cards. Hannah Montana is the hottest children's show around with sold out concerts. Mylie Cyrus plays a little girl whose alter ego is as a rock star.

Young Mylie is the daughter of one hit wonder Billy Ray Cyrus of "Achy Brakey Heart" fame. He also appears on the show.

  (Dad, Billy Ray)