The Brill Report

CARD MAKERS PULL VICK, EBAY TAKES COUNTEFEIT HIT

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 150

HOT*BUTTON*STORY

(BUYING A FAKE ROLEX ON EBAY JUST GOT TOUGHER!!)

** CARD MAKERS SACK MICHAEL VICK

** COMIC CON SELLS OUT EARLY

** GERMAN COURT SLAPS EBAY

** EBAY LAWSUIT EVEN UP ON BUY IT NOW PROPERTY

** BONDS & DIMAGGIO RE-LISTED

** FORBES LISTS HOBBY TOP 10 ** RC2 TAKES HIT ON THOMAS ** 4KIDS GETS DI-GATA **

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

EDITORIAL COMMENT: CARDMAKERS DO THE RIGHT THING ON VICK

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

(CARDMAKERS MOVE ON VICK, CITE CUSTOMER DISGUST)

Fans, disgusted by the allegations against Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick, led card companies to believe the manufacturers should act now. Both Donruss and Upper Deck moved swiftly to keep Vick out of any future products pending the outcome of Vick's criminal proceedings. Playoff/Donruss moved first led by company owner and well known dog lover, Ann Powell. Upper Deck followed suit. Topps has yet to be heard from but is likely to make a decision this week. With everyone at The National this week we would expect an announcement soon.

(This 2007 Donruss Classics may be one of the last Donruss trading card of the Falcon's QB ever printed.)

Donruss moved first led by Ms. Powell who has several dogs which come to work with her and have a lot of freedom at Playoff according to a report in Beckett Media. Upper Deck later joined in the ban after first removing all Vick memorabilia from it's web site.

"Of course we appreciate the fact Mr. Vick is innocent until proven guilty but the allegations alone have resulted in an outpouring of very strong emotion within our organization and among the collecting community," said Kerry Stockholm director of marketing, in a statement. "We believe collectors will agree and support this decision as being the best course of action for our football business."

Nike was the first endorsing company to act by not releasing the new Vick athletic shoes and then suspending the athlete.

"Nike is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick and we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent," said Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer in a statement. "We do believe Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen in the United States therefore we have not terminated our relationship."

Reebok stopped sales of Vick jerseys and NFL.com pulled all of the Falcons' player goods from it's site as well. The animal rights group PETA is making lots of noise and it is believed these companies would rather make the move than face the ire of PETA as well as fans.

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

(COMIC CON SELLS OUT FOR FIRST TIME IN 38 YEARS)

For the first time in it's 38 year existence Comic-Con in San Diego set a record; a three day sell out. Completely. Organizers were dumbfounded calling it surprising but bound to happen.

(This ad was posted on the Comic-Con web site.)

Admission tickets sold out for the weekend at the San Diego Convention Center. Last year the four day run brought in 123,000 people. Actors are the big thing at Comic-Con in recent years. Among the celebrities this year were Nicolas Cage, Matt Groening creator of the Simpsons and Alyssa Milano promoting her latest film.

Aside from the vendor booths and autographs signings more and more films are being screened at the Convention. Three thousand media were credentialed for the Con and we are awaiting the final crowd numbers for the event sure to surpass the 123,000 person record.

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

(GERMAN COURT HITS EBAY ON COUNTERFEITS)

The German Federal Supreme Court ruled recently in a case of counterfeits leveling a blow against eBay in what is eBay's second largest market outside the U.S. The German high court ruled eBay must do more to control the number of counterfeit Rolex watches on it's site.

(This Rolex watch on eBay comes without paperwork and has an opening bid of less than $1. Most genuine Rolex watches are selling for tens of thousands of dollars on the site.)

Montres Rolex SA brought the suit nearly six years ago and just recently, according to Reuters, was the ruling released. Basically the court said eBay isn't doing enough and eBay must take reasonable action once it is informed of the infraction. It was also learned eBay may be held liable in certain cases upon the first infringement.

Dealers and others in the US have complained for years eBay does not police counterfeits nearly enough and are constantly warned by watchdogs such as Chris Williams of www.blogforsports.com. The US courts have always upheld eBay is just an avenue to sales and since it doesn't own anything it can't be held liable. The European courts seem to be making their own case for holding eBay accountable.

Recent suits by Louis Vuitton and Dior over counterfeit goods are pending in France. These suits seek tens of millions of dollars. According to filed papers eBay expects more legal action in Germany as well.

A lot of this case involves the low opening bid price. Many of these items, much like their American counterparts, start the bidding at the equivalent of a dollar. These start higher but if they are counterfeits they are likely to start low. The court discussed the idea whether 800 euro's was too low to start a Rolex watch and if that was sufficient evidence to call the auction into question.

The same issue is faced in the US. If you have a Derek Jeter signed ball which should go for $350, does starting the auction at $9.99 indicate the item is a fake? Chances are it does. eBay watchdog Chris Williams continues to hammer eBay daily with bad hobby items but continues to be frustrated at eBay's lack of response. Such as this email sent to eBay regarding an alleged bad seller.

"I am puzzled as to why this bad seller is still allowed to sell their items on eBay. They used to have eBay ID's 'TopDeck904,' 'usasportsautos,' critr880' when I was in contact with -- eBay. This guy is part of the same ring. Check your files. This guy has sold 100% forgeries."

Williams continues to suffer through threatening emails but continues to try to get the auction site to sit up and take notice and then do something with the massive amount of fraud which appears on its site.

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

(COURT RULES EBAY CAN STILL USE BUY IT NOW SOFTWARE)

It was a victory for both sides but neither side walks away with a huge win as a federal judge in Virginia denied a motion by MercExchange for a permanent injunction against eBay for using it's Buy It Now technology. A year ago the US Supreme Court ruled while eBay did infringe on the ME patent, ME was making enough money on the technology it was not being damaged tremendously and a lower court ruling would stand.

The lower court awarded ME $35 million which was reduced on appeal to $25 million. The bottom line is eBay gets to use the technology and ME gets a payday and future paydays from those who also want to use the technology.

For both sides it was a win/lose situation as some would classify it a two edged sword.

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

(BONDS NO. 715 RELISTED)

Not meeting the opening bid seems to be a trend in recent high dollar memorabilia auctions. First, the DiMaggio Diaries failed to get a bid with an opening number of $1.5 million. Steiner Sports decided to sell the items individually offering them with a photo of the Yankee Clipper on a plaque.

(Steiner Sports is now offering individual pages from the DiMaggio Diaries on a plaque after failing to sell the entire collection.)

Now the Barry Bonds no. 715 homer offered by Symbolic Collection has been relisted at $25,000 and has at least one bid. Although it has not met the reserve at this point the bid is a starting place. The first time the ball was listed this year (a week ago) it had a minimum bid of $375,000. No one bid.

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

(FORBES TOP 10)

Forbes Magazine came out with its list of the top 10 most expensive items of sports memorabilia in history and Mark McGwire's home run no. 70 tops the list. The ball, which Todd McFarlane paid $3 million for is worth less than $1 million today on the open market.

(Todd McFarlane paid $3 million for this one but its value has dropped substantially as McGwire was expected to go into the Hall of Fame with Ripken and Gwynn this past week. McGwire may never get into the Hall however, reducing the ball substantially.)

Other items on the list dominated by Babe Ruth include a Lou Gehrig jersey $451,000, bat used by DiMaggio during his 56-game streak for $345,000 and a 1934 Ruth jersey worn on tour for $771,000.

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

(RC2 FACING $4 MILLION QUARTERLY CHARGE FOR RECALL)

Facing a recall is something very unusual for a company in a hobby related business but RC2 Corporation is finding its recall of Thomas The Train toys expensive. The company did anticipate a charge off of $1 million to $2 million. As it turns out it will be more like $4 million.

The recall was due to certain amounts of lead in the paint in the toddler toys. The $4 million charge which will include "profession service fees, freight costs, returns and replacement processing, marketing and promotional costs" will be taken in the second quarter.

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

(4KIDS GOES DI-GATA, GAME NEXT)

Look for a new collectible trading card game in 2008 as 4Kids Entertainment has locked up Di-Gata Defenders for a Saturday morning cartoon show. Di-Gata, developed by Nelvana Enterprises is expected to be hit as it follows the adventures of four powerful young friends doing battle against evil.

(Di-Gata Defenders newest in line for CCG fame.)

"Di-Gata Defenders is an exciting, high action property that is a great addition to 4Kids Fall line-up," said Al Kahn, CEO of the company. "An engaging story line coupled with a strong interactive web presence will undoubtedly make it a Saturday morning favorite."

The series is spawning a lot of merchandise including toys and action figures with cards in the mix. There is a Nintendo game set for release in 2008 as well.

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

TOPPS PLAN; $1000 A HEAD MINI-DINNER

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 149

HOT*BUTTON*STORY

(THE YANKEE CLIPPER'S INTER MOST THOUGHTS ARE NOT WORTH $1.5 MILLION!!!)

** TOPPS OFFERS ODEN TO PUBLIC; $1000 EACH

** UPPER DECK REFILES IN THE TOPPS CASE

** STEINER AUCTION FAILS TO GET ONE JOE D. BID

** NAXCOM BECOMING AUCTION SITE

** BONDS LOVERS CALL ILLINOIS DEALER RACIST

** BONDS NO. 715 ON THE AUCTION BLOCK

** CALIFORNIA CARD SHOP UP FOR SALE

** JAKKS PACIFIC TAKES A HIT

** NEWLY LICENSED MLB GAME FAILS TEST ** NEW MAN ON CU BOARD **

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN TBR: THE BRILL REPORT.....

EDITORIAL COMMENT: BRINGING IN THE ODEN BUCKS, CALL TO THE FUTURE

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

(TOPPS OFFERING ODEN AT $1000 A HEAD)

If you were wondering how in the world Topps was going to recoup some of the millions of dollars they are paying no. 1 NBA draft pick Greg Oden, look no farther than a "meet & greet" at the National next week. One hundred lucky fans will have the privilege of having their photo taken with Oden and getting a signed Allen & Ginter card numbered to 100. Oh don't forget the hors d'oeurvres and drinks being served. The price tag for the lucky 100 to apply? A cool $1000 each!

Topps pulling in $100,000 for this event is the second move by the grand-daddy of all card companies to find creative ways to market their marquee player this season. Earlier, on draft day, the company offered a very limited number of signed Oden Draft Day Cards on a first come-first save basis on the Internet. The price tag for the Oden cards was a hefty $500. The cards are selling for about $750 on-line.

"Topps is selling 100 invitations to a private reception where attendees can rub shoulders (if you are tall enough) with Oden and receive a special Allen & Ginter card you can't find in packs," said Topps spokesman Clay Luraschi.

(For $1000 fans get this card, a photo with Oden, drinks and hors d'oeurvres.)

An email from Luraschi Topps said only two tickets were allowed to be purchased per credit card and the frenzy started at 1 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday July 25th.

The event will take place next Friday, August 3, at the Fahrenheit in Cleveland where the National is taking place. Topps will also feature Oden at the company booth on Friday at 3:15.

Going to this extreme by Topps is a sign of the times in the hobby where catering to the highest end possible is the norm. There seems to be a lot of discretionary money available at the higher end whether on Wall Street on in trading cards, so expect to see more of this type of thing.

This was tried several years ago when Signature Rookies offered a Draft Pick Weekend, inviting fans to spend a weekend with players who signed with SR. The three day event cost roughly about $1000 but included hotels, some meals including a BBQ with the players and hanging out with the players for three days and during a three hour signing session. Transportation to the event in Oklahoma City was extra. The event only drew about a dozen fans. Today fans would be lined up and most would be turned away at that price.

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

(UPPER DECK EXTENDS STOCK OFFER)

Upper Deck extended it's offer to pay $10.75 per share of Topps stock until August 10 due to the fact it refiled notice of it's proposed move to take over Topps with the FTC. It had to do this under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

Topps board has told it's stockholders not to accept UD's offer but continues to negotiate with Upper Deck. Topps board wants the shareholders to approve it's deal with a Michael Eisner led group which amounts to $1 less per share than the UD offer. The Eisner deal would keep several key management people in place at Topps, the UD deal would put them on the unemployment line.

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

(JOE DIMAGGIO DIARY DOESN'T BRING A SINGLE BID)

The folks at Steiner Sports apparently overestimated the worth or perhaps the publics interest in the coveted Joe DiMaggio Diaries because the auction for the papers written by the Yankee Clipper didn't bring a single bid. The opening bid was set at $1.5 million and the auction closed with no one making the offer.

The Diaries, said to reveal DiMaggio's inter most thoughts about everything, were put on the block ending Wednesday night. There was to be no buyer's premium but it didn't matter because there wasn't a buyer; at least at $1.5 million.

(The Joe D. Diaries fail to catch the rich publics eye.)

"Read inside the mind of Joe DiMaggio and see how he really felt about certain people/situations or funny references he made in his diaries," proclaimed the catalog information from Steiner Sports. "This collection is considered a relic from an American icon; we are pleased to offer you a chance to acquire the entire collection."

The diary was started in 1981 and began as a record for tax purposes to keep track of Joltin' Joe's expenses. It reportedly stated also if he would have for-seen the frenzy around his 56 game hit streak he would have stopped at 40 straight games. The diary concluded in 1993. It is not known what Steiner will do with it at this point but as the move toward super high end collectibles in sports seems to be waning recently, someone has to be taking a long look at this one for the next auction.

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

(NAXCOM.COM MAKING BIG CHANGES, ADDING LINKS, AUCTIONS)

NAXCOM already lists more sports cards than eBay and has partnered with eBay to allow listings on both sites to coordinate with each others buys and sells. Now, the company will expand this to Yahoo, ThePit, Google, Amazon and more including shopping.com. The latest move is one of a series of actions being taken this summer by NAXCOM as it tries to dominate the sportscard auction and listing business.

(NAXCOM makes pitch at National for new services)

The company is going to add eBay style auctions with several twists. Among the features will be no listing fees, no added fees for Buy It Now type auctions or multiple images, as well as other fee-less proactive twists. The company will also feature a multi-listing program and Buyer/Seller Protection. eBay currently charges extra for second photos, BIN, 10 day auctions and several other features.

The site will also feature a "negotiator" which will allow buyers to make an offer to sellers on one item or an entire shopping cart.

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

(ILLINOIS DEALER CALLED A RACIST, FIGHTS BACK ON BONDS-FIRE)

Winnetka, Illinois sportscard dealer, Keith McDonough of Bleacherz Sports is shocked at some of the responses he is getting to his national campaign to burn Barry Bonds memorabilia if Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's all-time Home Run record of 755. Bonds will likely do it this week.

(McDonough plans to Burn Barry as he feels Barry has burned fans of baseball and Hank Aaron as well.)

McDonough got national publicity with an appearance on ESPN and several blogs have picked up on the idea of him collecting memorabilia to burn in a Bonds-fire when the record is broken. The dealer urged fans to urge Bonds to retire after hitting no. 754. Bonds hit two homers in his last game in Chicago last week to get to 753.

The responses were running 8-1 against McDonough's idea and some people were calling him a racist which the dealer disputes since he is in support of Aaron who of course is black.

"To imply that I am a racist is ridiculous," said McDonough in an email. "Aaron is my boyhood hero, and I can still remember watching him hit no. 715 in my living room in 1974."

Others charged if he isn't selling Bonds merchandise anymore due to the record then why is he selling Canseco, Sosa and others. His reply is he's not.

"We don't sell their items either," he said. "Kids need role models and while some of my best customers are adults, hundreds are kids. We will protest his record the moment he breaks it."

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

(BONDS NO. 715 IS UP FOR AUCTION)

The homer Bonds hit to break Babe Ruth's record of 714 home runs is up for sale on eBay with a starting price of $375,000. The ball was first caught by a man standing in line at a concession stand and Andrew Morbitzer eventually sold it to Symbolic Collection of La Jolla, CA. Now with Bonds about to reach another milestone it's time for SC to sell it while it's at the possibly highest peak.

(eBay auction no. 190134041196)

"With no indictments, no suspensions and seemingly no movement by Major League Baseball against Barry Bonds I believe this ball is one of the penultimate sports collectibles today for market appreciation," said Robert Rios, VP of SC. "Last year there was a swirl of allegations that had kept many bidders from jumping into the competition for the ball and I believe when the dust settles Bonds will rightfully be judged as the greatest home run hitter of all time."

Rios said he believes the ball could reach into seven figures but the starting bid of one third of that comes without a reserve. Highest bidder gets the ball.

Bonds' no. 756 is expected to go for about half a million dollars.

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

(CALIFORNIA CARD STORE FOR SALE)

A card store in Riverside County, CA is up for sale for $75,000 without the inventory. The un-named store was placed up for sale in an advertisement in the USA BizMart. The store is an 800 square foot site with a renewable lease and three part-time employees. The owner is retiring and the store has been in business since 1999.

With an asking price of $75,000 the owner says the store grosses about double that each year and has about $50,000 in inventory, but again the inventory is not included in the asking price. Contact Vince Castellucio at 951-277-4002 for details.

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

(INVESTMENT BANKER MCCONNELL NAMED TO CU BOARD)

Investment banker Michael McConnell is the 8th and latest addition to the Collectors Universe board of directors. The 41-year old McConnell is a managing director of Shamrock Capital Advisors.

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

(JAKKS TAKES HIT)

JAKKS Pacific took a pretty good hit in the second quarter according to figures just released. Profits fell about 22-percent despite higher sales. Higher production costs took a big bite out of the profits with WWE doing well, Hannah Montana not so well.

Hannah Montana is a product featuring a Disney character who plays the double life of a rock star and a student.

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

(NEW LICENSED BASEBALL CARD GAME FALLS SHORT)

The Brill Report often does product reviews, not as often as we'd like to get around to doing them, but often enough to give you some input when considering new products. We were recently approached with a pair of new games called "Trade Up Baseball" and "Grand Slam Trivia" from Snap TV. Both are licensed by Major League Baseball and after reviewing them with input from others we have concerns with both.

Trade Up is designed for kids 6 and over but probably wouldn't sit well with either. And with a $29.99 SRP it should not sit well with mom and dad either. The Game is licensed but outside of putting "MLB" and the Logo on the box, there isn't a need for licensing or the royalty Snap TV has to pay for this game.

It has three steps. First, select a team, second trade up and get better players and third; the World Series. There isn't a need for step two and everyone will skip it. Let the kids pick their team, or divide the cards to pick the teams and go forward. Six year olds don't have the attention span for Step 2. It uses a pretty lame CD to follow the game and play three innings for a complete game. The graphics are clear and crisp but are elementary even by six year old standards. The trivia questions are fine but we saw the same question asked twice in a six question run.

(Player card for MLB Trade UP)

There is a unique feature which TBR does applaud. Each time a batter steps to the plate the defense must put a "Glove" card on an area it thinks the batter may hit the ball to. If the batter does get a hit to the gloved area, the hit becomes an out. Pretty cool and the only ingenious part of the game. The play board is nothing to write home about and there is little creativity. It is the "Blue" team versus the "Red" team all the time. No clips although there was one still shot of Mickey Mantle. There are team logos on the cards.

The player cards are fairly cool and collectible but not grad-able. The rounded edges are poorly cut and would bring a low grade for the collector.

"Techno Bowl was more interactive than Trade UP," said one young adult who played the game. "By today's standards I can't see any kids getting excited about this when they can grab a joystick and a Wii and do battle with a bat and a virtual ball."

Grand Slam Trivia had some nice twists and turns and does use MLB action clips in it's quizzes. It's basically a straight trivia game. It allows players four questions per "at bat" so you do have to plan your strategy on whether scoring runs via a couple doubles and a single or go for the home runs (more difficult questions). The hard are not hard enough and the easy are pretty darn easy.

(GS Trivia from Snap TV Games has some nice touches but remains a rather elementary game for the money.)

A nice touch is the "Batting Cage" where you can warm up with a quick 10 question game. This is a unique offering but the game remains elementary and really doesn't measure up to the competition. For $25 a pop you can do better. It's not quite enough to get your beer drinking friends at the bachelor party excited and it's too quick for the really young kids. Teens perhaps but again, they'll grab the joystick first.

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

SHINDERS OPEN OR CLOSED?

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 148

HOT*BUTTON*STORY

(DAVID ORTIZ SUED BY STEINER!!)

** SHINDERS; SOME STORES ALIVE AND UH, WELL

** STEINER SUES BIG PAPI FOR $1 MILLION

** TOPPS CFO LANDS AT DIAGEO

** RAZOR DELAYS SIGNATURE EDITION

** SOME PAYPAL RATES GO UP

** HOBBY DEALER GETS RUDE AWAKENING WITH BONDS

** PETE ROSE WILL BE IN SPORTSKINGS

** GOFF CALENDER LOOKS TO BE ANOTHER WINNER

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

EDITORIAL COMMENT: ROSE IS BACK AND THAT AIN'T GOOD

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

(SHINDERS DOWN TO THREE STORES AND UP OR DOWN FROM THERE)

It all depends on who you talk to and they aren't even answering the phones at the corporate headquarters and the web site isn't being updated either. At the moment there are three of the Minnesota based Shinders stores still open. There were as many as 16 at one time started 91 years ago as basically a newspaper stand.

It later became a multi-purpose newsstand style store with comic books, sports cards both new and vintage, gifts, newspapers from around the world and novels. Shinders was a familiar call for distributors looking to lock in a chain store account for trading cards and they moved a lot of them in their day. It also carried adult books.

The company had been sold then mismanaged and since chief owner Robert Weisber, an attorney, was arrested after police found illegal drugs and a gun in his car, the company started slipping fast. Now the three stores open are basically "day to day" according to sources contacted by The Brill Report, and who asked their names not be used.

"We're not really having a fire sale but we basically are going to deal," said one employee speaking on condition of anonymity. Another was less optimistic.

"I've marked a lot of stuff down even 40-percent but probably won't go less than that, maybe," he said.

Another was quite optimistic saying three stores are open now "but we expect two more to re-open next week or so because they were basically shut down by the managers, there."

A report in the local newspaper said all the stores had closed but was a bit premature. They may close soon but getting answers is as difficult as finding a Shinders which is open. Court documents at one point showed the company losing $100,000 a month but some inventory was liquidated to pay down some loans.

So where will Shinders end up? It is a crap shoot at the moment. The web site still exists and the "hiring practices" segment states due to company reorganization the company is not looking to hire anyone but check back.

"The web site is not going to be updated because those guys either quit or were laid off," said one worker at a Shinders store.

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

(STEINER SUES ORTIZ OVER AUTOGRAPHS)

Big Papi didn't perform up to Steiner Sports expectations and as a result the Red Sox slugger is being sued for $1 million by the memorabilia firm. Steiner charges not only did David Ortiz not show up at some meet and greet events, and not only did he not fulfill his total 13,000 autographs contract but he also signed for other companies and for cash deals.

(Ortiz signed ball for Elite Sports Marketing on eBay.)

Steiner claims it had an exclusive for Ortiz autographs and the Red Sox DH violated the agreement according to a suit filed in Manhattan. The deal took place in 2004 and the suit says Ortiz signed with four other companies during the time he was supposed to be exclusive to Steiner.

                                 

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

(JESSUP UPDATE)

Catherine Jessup left Topps to become Chief Financial Officer for Diageo for the North American Divsion. The Brill Report reported last week she had taken a CFO position with a bottled water company and the basic description for Diageo is as a "distiller."

Jessup had been Topps CFO for several years.

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

(RAZOR SIGNATURE POKER DELAYED DUE TO AUTOGRAPHS)

Expected to release in late July, it will now be the end of August before collectors can get their hands on Razor Poker Signature Series. The Series is a high dollar product with autographs including cut signatures of presidents who reportedly played Poker.

"We apologize for the delay but we wanted to ensure there were no redemptions in the product," said CEO Josh Pankow in an email.

The company waited until the very end to hopefully get the autographs back releasing the information the day of the scheduled release.

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

(CERTAIN PAYPAL RATES GOING UP)

An email sent to users of PayPal Website Payments Pro and Virtual Terminal will see an increase in fees come September first. Monthly service fees will jump 50-percent from $20 per month to $30, while transaction fees will remain at 30-cents for captured fees but will go to 30-cents for fees not captured within 29 days.

A PayPal spokeswoman told AuctionBytes the reason is PayPal is not recovering the costs of the transactions and therefore had to raise fees, adding, PayPal fees are still lower than other merchant accounts when all fees are accounted for.

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

(HOBBY DEALER VS. BONDS; BONDS LEAVES CHICAGO CLOSER TO 755)

Hobby dealer Keith McDonough of Bleachers Sportscards in Winnetka, Illinois near Chicago did his part. Feeling most fans don't want Barry Bonds to break Hank Aaron's record of 755 home runs he began a campaign to get fans to convince Bonds to stop at 754 and retire. If not he was collecting Bonds' memorabilia and cards to have a Bonds-fire.

His email encouraged people to join in and even show up at the ballpark with sheets of paper to protest. Barry sat out the first game, pinch hit in the second but in the final game in Chicago the slugger banged two homers to bring his total to 753. For his part, McDonough was lots of anti-burn Barry emails. They were running 8-1 against McDonough early on. Many using the "f" word to their disadvantage.

"Go burn your Bonds stuff not likeyou (sic) have a life anyway, I hope someone knocks the 'f' out of you, hey mabey (sic) I will, see you at your bonfire loserboy," said one email typical of the many responses.

Some called him a racist, while others took hard personal shots at the hobby dealer as well.

"youre (sic) a joke, Why don't you enjoy the fact you are experiencing history clean or not," was also typical.

There was some support.

"I applaud your decision for pulling Bonds' memorabilia, especially more for doing at a risk to your own financial gain," said one email. "I have been reading about the threats you have been receiving and I just wanted to show support and wish that more sports memorabilia stores would have the courage and unselfishness as far as greed to help people, especially our youth realize what a degenerate, self-serving scumbag Barry Bonds really is."

For McDonough's part it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and whether he would do it again is a question only he could answer. Bonds may have given his answer smashing two homers before leaving Chicago on his way toward Aaron's record.

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

(GOFF CALENDER POSTS WORLD SERIES HISTORY)

Bill Goff's latest sports calender is going to be a hit among hits as it features some of the greatest moments in World Series History. Goff's "Hallowed Ground" 2008 Calender is painted by his usual staff of sports artists and features both the 1960 Bill Mazeroski homer to be the Yankees in Game 7 and the Game 2 smash by Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series at Dodgers Stadium.

(Hallowed Ground Goff Calender)

Goff has been producing the series for 15 years but this is the first honoring the Fall Classic exclusively. The 11 x 17 inch format allows fans to really show off this artwork by such reknown artists as Andy Jurinko, Bruce Becker and Bill Purdom.

The calender retails for $17 plus shipping and can be purchased on the web site www.goodsportsart.com.

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

(PETE ROSE WILL BE IN SPORTKINGS)

It has been 18 years since Pete Rose had a mainstream trading card and 21 years since he had an autographed card in a series. Rose has never had a game used card because game used came about after his retirement and his bansisment from baseball. Whether you believe in Rose or not, Sportkings evidently does and will include Rose in it's first series to be released soon.

"A tribute to Pete Rose is long overdue," said Dr. Brian Price, president of Sportkings. "It's only fitting that a player of his stature would appear in our premier release."

(Notice Rose without logos on helmet or uniform.)

To it's credit in the announcement Sportkings did mention Rose's legal problems and banning from baseball along with it's attempts to pump Rose's on the field accomplishments. As expected there will be no major league logo's used on anything picturing Rose since he has been banned for life.

"Collectors have waited far too long and now the wait is over," the announcement proclaimed regarding the use of game used Rose items. "There is a lot of debate as to whether or not he should be reinstated and allowed into the Baseball Hall of Fame."

Dr. Price has never been one to shy away from the controversy and putting Rose into the game is very controversial for anyone making a mainstream trading card set.

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

TOPPS CFO RESIGNS-DEALER GOES AFTER BONDS

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 147

HOT*BUTTON*STORY

(ILLINOIS HOBBY DEALER GETS UGLY WITH BARRY BONDS!!)

  ** TOPPS TRADING CARD NUMBERS LOOK GOOD

  ** TOPPS CFO RESIGNS, WILL OTHERS FOLLOW?

  ** UPPER DECK REFILES WITH FTC

  ** HOBBY DEALER SAYS "BURN THIS CARD"

  ** MASTRO SIDE-STEPS JUDGMENT IN RELEASE

  ** TOPPS NAMES LATEST ROOKIE REDEMPTION

  ** DAVE & ADAMS GETS MAIN STREAM PUBLICITY

  ** MIKE HARGROVE TO APPEAR AT NATIONAL

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

EDITORIAL COMMENT: BURN, BARRY, BURN

                                         

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

(TOPPS NUMBERS LOOK GOOD BASED ON CARD SALES, CFO JESSUP RESIGNS)

Right in the middle of Topps reporting a strong quarter based on the success of trading card sales (see sub-head below) despite a dip in the confectionery trade, CFO Catherine Jessup called it quits. The long-time vice-president and top financial player at Topps resigned effective August 3rd, to take a CFO's position for North America for an un-named multinational beverage company.

Jessup was not only a vice-president and CFO, she was Topps treasurer. The company said there was no dispute between Jessup and the company forcing her to leave. This may be so, but Jessup may have anticipated the writing on the wall and took another opportunity while the getting out was good. While the battle continues between Upper Deck, Topps and a group led by Michael Eisner to see who will end up with the company, Jessup may be the first of several to take other positions. UD has already stated it will replace current management at Topps if it gets the company. It already has it's own people in those positions ready to take over.

Eisner on the other hand has made deals to keep much if not all current management in place. This was a fact pointed out by the courts because it was not widely revealed to stockholders who were being asked to vote on the Eisner deal. The court delayed a stockholder vote and opened the doors for UD to begin a hostile take over.

UD, which had asked the FTC to rule on it's attempt to purchase Topps regarding regulatory issues has made another move. The company withdrew its earlier request of the FTC and is refiling in order to give itself more time to answer questions. The previous filing was hindered by the July 4 Holiday according to a statement from Upper Deck and with the refiling it will have a renewed and full 15 days to answer any questions the FTC should ask of it.

Topps has stated the Upper Deck offer to buy the company despite being $1 more per share than Eisner's offer isn't as good. Topps officials claim there are anti-trust issues involved, issues which UD says it can overcome. Thus the filing under the HSR Antitrust Improvements Act.

TOPPS NUMBERS STRONG BASED ON TRADING CARDS

In the middle of everything else going on with Topps the quarterly numbers showed strong improvement based on trading card sales although overall the figures weren't so impressive because of the continued slowdown in confectionery sales. Topps reported quarterly net income more than doubled over year ago figures when Topps reported $388,000 in income. The quarter just closed showed net income at $1.1 million. The key reason? Those high end, higher margin sports card product releases.

"The company continues to post improved operating results which reflect the success of our ongoing efforts to revitalize the US Sports business," said CEO and Chairman Arthur Shorin. "We are also actively implementing changes across the board in our confectionery business...however there are still many challenges in this segment which we expect will continue to impact our performance."

Releasing more high end products with much better margins has been the key in the trading card business as far as the manufacturers go. They produce fewer common cards by far in the mid to higher end releases and realistically with few exceptions the jersey, bat and even some autographed cards remain relatively cheap to produce. Producing a triple bat card for Triple Threads isn't really much different than producing a triple bat card for Topps Base Brand.

Topps still floods it's products with low cost up and coming rookies and draft picks who don't command the type of money a LeBron James or Derek Jeter require. Topps does have the Mantle family as well as Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez but items from these players are few and far between in boxes and packs.

Entertainment (trading cards of sports and non-sports) showed net sales of $37.1 million compared to $34.9 million a year ago for a 6.4 percent increase. Overall net sales (including confectionery) were only $72.3 million or down $4.1 million from the previous year. Topps did get a boost over previous years because it shipped Series 2 baseball in July (Topps first quarter) rather than in the spring as was the case in prior years. New rules from MLB are forcing baseball products to ship in the calender year they are made for.

In previous years what would have happened is 2007 Baseball One would have shipped in November 2006 and Series Two in April 2007. This year under the new rules both shipped in 2007. The company also reported it has basically an $81 million cash reserve and no debt.

EDS NOTE: Just as a side note TBR has indicated in recent weeks one of the keys to Michael Eisner's acquisition to Topps is his building of a multi-media company and the procurement of the Bazooka Joe icon. TBR has pointed out the particular advantage of making Bazooka Joe Internet episodic programming, Saturday morning cartoons and perhaps a Bazooka Joe movie. In a document released by Topps, as required as a public company, it has come to light the company name given to the Eisner/Madison-Dearborn consortium trying to purchase Topps is Tornante-MDP Joe Holding LLC, and Tornante-MDP Joe Acquisition Corp. TBR doesn't think "Joe" is coincidental.

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

(CHICAGO HOBBY SHOP OWNER GETS ANTI-BONDS GROUNDSWELL)

Keith McDonough of Bleachers Sports in Winnetka, Illinois is having fun with the Barry Bonds home run chase and getting lots of publicity in the meantime. McDonough, a long-time hobby dealer quoted often in The Brill Report, started a campaign to get Bonds to sit down and think and not go through with his breaking of Hank Aaron's lifetime home run record.

"We want to bring attention to the fact most people don't support Barry going after this great record and we want them to show they are not happy by bringing an 8x10 piece of paper to the games telling him to retire after he hits 754," McDonough told ESPN. "How great would that be if he decided to do this, it would be the classy thing to do."

 

(Getting a-head in Barry Bonds case has much more to do with "hat size" than it does progressing to no. 756)

(Bonds 20 years apart)

McDonough even created a web site where people can go www.bondsretire754@aol.com. He says if Bonds doesn't call it quits after no.754 his site is collecting cards and memorabilia to burn.

"We want to have a Bonds-fire to burn cards and memorabilia and our store has donated a couple thousand dollars worth of cards, autographs and stuff and we've gotten some from our customers since we announced we'd be doing this," he added. "Barry's not going to the Hall of Fame and all he'd be doing is taking away a great record from Henry Aaron."

The Cubs played the Giants this week at Wrigley Field and Bonds has been hurting lately. He pinch-hit in Tuesday's game and lined out. It isn't likely he will play the rest of the week as the club has said he's really not ready and Bonds has concurred. He's also stretched out his playing so he can try to break the record at home in San Francisco where he would be treated to a round of cheers, whereas, in Chicago or elsewhere he'd be facing a round of jeers as well.

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

(MASTRO SIDESTEPS BULK OF COURT JUDGMENT)

In an email to customers, officials at Mastro basically ignored the judgment the giant auction house was ordered to pay by an Indiana judge. The court pretty much handed Mastro a victory but reading the email readers would think the company was whitewashed of any wrongdoing. Such isn't quite the case.

Indiana hobby dealer and frequent Mastro customer Bill Daniels filed a lawsuit against Mastro after paying $20,000 for a large lot of signed photos. Daniels tried to get his money back when he learned the lot wasn't quite what Mastro said it was including a large number of smaller than 8 x 10 photos, non-color photos, smudged autographs and what he felt were forged autographs. Mastro was willing to buy back the odd sized photos but Daniels refused.

Daniels not only sought his money back but punitive damages as well and went to several media outlets with his story. In the end the court ruled Mastro did mis-lead Daniels with the description in its catalog but it was not done intentionally. The judge ordered Mastro to pay Daniels $8944.34 but also ordered Daniels to pay Mastro $3000. The court said he defamed Mastro to the tune of $1000 and failed to produce documents as required. The judge added another $2000 for the infraction.

The bottom line is Mastro must pay Daniels the balance which amounts to just under $6000. Mastro has 30 days to appeal and while the company says it will, chances are it won't. The cost of the appeal in Indiana is at least $6000 which would be a wash.

For it's part, Mastro's email never mentions the $9000 judgment and rather states it gained a great victory over Daniels amounting to a small payment of just over $600.

"Daniels was given $608.85 because a small portion of the 2012 photos Daniels purchased in December 2004 were not described in the lot description," the email from Mastro stated.

The only mention of the $9000 judgment came in the last paragraph and included no dollar amount.'

"The only negative in the judgment was that an additional award to Daniels was made on the basis that our catalog stated 'LOA from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA,' but Steve Grad was the only one to physically sign the LOA on behalf of the PSA/DNA Team."

The statement went on to say Mastro's attorneys will ask the judge to reconsider that portion of the ruling. The decision was a victory for Mastro in that the company defended its claims of conspiracy with PSA as Daniels stated, and because the judge threw out the autograph experts Daniels used in trying to make his case. The decision means Mastro will not have to face any punitive damages but as of right now it still must pay Daniels nearly one-third of what he spent on the auction in the first place. Although no way can it be considered bonus money due to the cost of taking the case to court.

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

(TOPPS RELEASES SIXTH FINEST ROOKIE CARD)

It is turning out to be a good solid year for baseball rookies and Topps is announcing the latest name in its Finest Rookie Redemption Card list. He is Milwaukee Brewers third sacker, Ryan Braun. Braun follows such rookie hotshots as Tim Lincecum, Dice-K Matsuzaka and Elijah Dukes to name just a few.

(Ryan Braun is no. 6 release of Finest Redemption Cards.)

The cards are expected to ship after the Redemption close date of August 15, 2007.

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

(HOBBY DEALERS GET MAINSTREAM PUBLICITY)

Dave & Adam's (Dave Silver and Adam Martin) Sports Card Store was the target of a very long article in the Buffalo News in New York this past week. The article which included several photographs detailed how the pair got together, formed their business with a small store, eventually growing to more than one and wholesale business worldwide.

The article even talked about how they went from sports nuts to guys who write checks of a quarter million dollars to athletes for exclusive signings. And how they now run a 26,000 square foot warehouse.

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

(RECENTLY RESIGNED MANAGER HARGROVE TO SIGN AT NATIONAL)

Only a week or so ago Seattle Manager Mike Hargrove had his team in contention in the American League Western Division in baseball and then suddenly he quit. He called it off and didn't say much except it was his choice to make the change.

Hargrove will be in Cleveland, where he spent many seasons, and will also be at The National Sports Collectors Convention. There he will appear on VIP night and sign autographs for two hours for VIP guests. He'll also be available to the media.

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

BATTLE FOR TOPPS GETTING UGLY (UPDATE)

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 146

HOT*BUTTON*STORY

(LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON; TWO GREENBERGS BOTH POWERFUL FORCES IN BASEBALL)        

** MIXED REVIEWS CONTINUE ON TOPPS SALE

** COURT DEFENDS MASTRO IN DANIELS CASE (UPDATE)

** CONFLICTS PERSIST AS TOPPS DEADLINE NEAR

** MOUNTED GETS WILLIE MAYS

** SPORTKINGS REGISTERING COLLECTORS

** UD TAKES THE BABE VINYL

** DAN CUNLIFFE GIVES $10K TO KIDS FROM VIDEO

** TRISTAR OFFERS SPECIAL NATIONAL SET

DETAILS ON THESE AND MORE STORIES IN TODAY'S EDITION OF TBR; THE BRILL REPORT

EDITORIAL COMMENT: OH WHAT A TANGLED WEB TOPPS WEAVES

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

                                     (UPDATE FOR MONDAY JULY 16)

(JUDGE SAYS MASTRO DID NOT INTEND TO MIS-LEAD DEALER WITH SALE)

An Indiana judge ruled Mastro Auctions did not intend to mislead dealer Bill Daniels when it sold him a $20,000 lot of signed photos in one of it's auctions. The judge did order Mastro to pay Daniels $9000 for the photos and autographs which were not as described in the auction which took place three years ago. Daniels claimed many of the photos were smaller than the auction description led him to believe and additionaly he felt some were forged.

Daniels attorney did not immediately return a call to The Brill Report, while officials at Mastro reportedly said they hope the award is diminished on appeal. Daniels bought a lot of 2000 photos which he intended to break up to sell. Among them were Mantle and other stars as well as minor players. Daniels has been a Mastro buyer for a long time and admitted to TBR previously when he had problems with items he had no problem returning them or having Mastro make good on the auction. This time Mastro did offer to buy back the items in question but Daniels turned them down and filed a lawsuit.

The judge did order Daniels to pay $1000 for making defamatory comments regarding Mastro and another $2000 for failing to produce documents for trial. Interestingly enough Daniels had accused Mastro of lack of a paper trail on the auction.

The court rejected the opinions of two authenticators presented by Daniels. The judge said neither Richard Simon nor Stephen Koschal were qualified in this matter. The two main authenticators in the country, PSA and JSA are used frequently by Mastro to authenticate items before they go to auction.

The decision by the court is a major blow for Daniels who was looking at large punitive damages if he was sucessful.

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

(VARIOUS OPINIONS ON TOPPS VS. UPPER DECK MAKE POINTS BUT MISS KEYS)

The Brill Report has been following and writing the story of the future of Topps for more than a year and as the story grows to a crescendo it is interesting to see some of the business writers who are now writing for key and mainstream publications search for reasons as to why Upper Deck and Michael Eisner want Topps. Most point out the key to buying Topps is while the company isn't setting any records it is certainly undervalued, and the reason is it has no debt. In addition to no debt it has what is estimated to be an $85 million cash reserve. So buying the company for any price is really less than the purchase price because the buyer gets the $85 million in the deal.

Steven Rubis of Seeking Alpha makes some solid points, among them is the above scenario regarding Topps cash reserves. He also points out while stockholders are saying the Eisner offer is undervalued at $9.75 a share, Upper Deck's offer of $10.75 a share is just as undervalued.

(Michael Eisner's deal with Topps may be flawed but likely could be the deal Topps accepts.)

"The problem is that Upper Deck made an inferior offer if they want to be taken seriously," he writes. "Trading card collectors would probably agree that the value of the Topps brand is worth more than the $1 premium over Eisner's offer."

He also goes on to back Topps in its stance the FTC may not give regulatory approval of the deal with Upper Deck. Rubis also agrees with many such a deal would give UD a monopoly in trading cards. While this might seem likely TBR points out there can likely be no monopoly since neither UD or Topps control licensing and there are several other card companies out there which can be offered a license.

For instance, if MLB/MLBPA, NBA and the NFL wanted to they could offer licenses to Playoff (has an NFL license but no baseball or NBA), Press Pass, Tri-Star or even fledgling Sage. If MLB gave Playoff it's baseball license back, there would be no monopoly. A monopoly only exists if one company controls an entire market. The NHL for instance has created somewhat of a monopoly by only licensing its cards to Upper Deck. A monopoly is not the issue and if the FTC takes this into account it might give regulatory approval more quickly than expected.

Clyde Milton also of Alpha tells basically the same story calling the Eisner deal a coup.

"They are paying $385 million for Topps but immediately, (theoretically) being handed $85 million, along with the other assets of the company," Milton says. "Hats off to Mr. Eisner. If you can pull this one off, you are getting quite the deal."

He goes on to point out there still is much value in the Bazooka Gum name as well as Topps.

What most fail to realize in the Eisner position is Eisner seems to be building a multi-media company. This is something which is no stranger to him as the former CEO of Disney. The one thing Eisner acquires if he buys Topps is what everyone else is seeming to see as an aside. The Bazooka Joe brand is one of the most iconic in American history.

Eisner already owns an Internet socializing site and he owns a company which makes sports and other videos for children. He is developing episodic programming for the Internet targeting companies who don't feel YouTube and MySpace are right for them. They want something more family oriented when it comes to placement of advertising dollars on the Internet.

What could be more family oriented than Bazooka Joe the mini Internet series, Bazooka Joe the Saturday morning cartoon series or even, dare we say, Bazooka Joe the movie? The content is already there for :90 second Internet episodes of Bazooka Joe. How many Joe comics have been written over the last several decades and are already ripe for ripping to video? Millions we dare say.

It doesn't seem UD has the vision for this type of entertainment value while Eisner seems a perfect fit. Is Topps undervalued at $9.75 or even $10.75? Yes. But breaking this company up would be a tragedy, and not using it to its fullest potential is even worse. The current Topps management hasn't used the vision at all, and Milton even writes the company has almost always disappointed in the market. Only in the mid 1990's was the stock a good bet.

Wherever Topps ends up will be a major story and we hope no one misses the point.

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

(POSSIBLE CONFLICTS AT TOPPS DRAW MAINSTREAM ATTENTION)

Topps is a company which is under the microscope at the moment as both Upper Deck and Micheal Eisner try to acquire it in what is shaping up as an interesting battle. Now the New York Post tosses in another possible conflict which is sure to raise some eyebrows. It concerns Topps board member Steve Greenberg.

Greenberg is the son of former major leaguer Hank Greenberg, a former deputy commissioner of baseball and a co-founder of the Classic Sports Network as well as board member with the NY Mets. Greenberg, according to the Post article, also formerly worked under Eisner at Disney and has supposedly been consulting with Eisner's partner in the Topps deal (Madison Dearborn) in it's move to acquire the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs items was reported in Fortune Magazine.

(While not the slugger on the field his famous father was, Stephen Greenberg has made a name for himself as a slugger behind the scenes in baseball as a man who makes deals.)

Greenberg is an investment banker at Allen & Company. Dissident board members indicate he may be tipping the scales in favor of the Eisner deal. As it turns out he is a close friend of the former Disney chief and a frequent guest on his talk show.

Greenberg was close personal friends with former commissioner Faye Vincent and his ties to baseball are extraordinary. With a HOF father behind him, his minor league career never amounted to much, but the UCLA Law School grad has made an impact in the executive offices of baseball as well as investment banking.

Earlier this week TBR reported a dissident stockholders group filed proxy statements to replace the current board of directors members who they oppose with their own slate of candidates. This is something they've threatened to do for the better part of the last year, or at least since the dissidents won seats on the board.

It's been reported widely Eisner's deal will keep several key executives at Topps in place and those key exec's do own large amounts of voting stock. An Upper Deck attorney stated his client would eliminate those positions since it already has people at UD in place to take over those spots. In fact, the deal to keep key executives and the fact it was held from stockholders, is what Judge Strine of Delaware objected to the most in his ruling. He ordered Topps to give these details to stockholders to make an informed decision.

The bottom line is it makes it much easier for these executives to vote to accept $9.75 a share while keeping their jobs than $10.75 a share and head to the unemployment line.

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

(MOUNTED MEMORIES MEETS MAYS)

Willie Mays is signing for Mounted Memories with wholesale prices running in the $165 range for 8 x 10 photos and $450 for jerseys. Baseballs are $225.

(Mounted Memories is offering Willie Mays.)

Mays raised his prices again recently. As few as six years ago he was charging $85 for autographed baseballs, today he is around $200 when he does sign. He does not sign often anymore. Failing eyesight and weakening health have taken their toll on the former great Giant but he still draws a crowd wherever he goes.

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

(SPORTKINGS REGISTERING NEW CUSTOMERS)

Dr. Brian Price's new Sportkings are moving along quickly. Price has licensed the Sportkings name and will soon be making interesting trading cards of players in various sports. Now by going to the web site you can register for the company newsletter with a promise the information will not be sold.

"I have not been as excited about a project since I received the Parkhurst brand in 1990," said Price. "Combining the 1933 tradition with the 2007 trading card creativity, this product will deliver collectibility and value."

The original brand had 48 players from all sports but Price plans on adding event and game used items as well as autographs to the new Sportkings coming in a few months.                                                                                                     ===================

(THE BABE GOES VINYL; UPPER DECK STYLE)

The Lebron series was a hit, Kobe was successful but how about Babe Ruth? Do fans of the game really want to see the Bambino in vinyl. It's not exactly spandex but it might work for newer fans of the Greatest Player in Baseball History.

(1500 of these Babe vinyls will be made.)

Upper Deck is now offering Babe Ruth in its celebrated vinyl series and is limited the figure to only 1500 with another 500 wearing a slightly different uniform. The 12-inch figure has a suggested retail price of $49 with the more rare version at $99. The previous series of Lebron James featuring the four alter-ego's of the NBA player sold out very quickly. It is expected Ruth will sell quickly also.

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

(ANGELS BROADCAST EXPERIENCE FOR JIMMY V FOUNDATION BRINGS BUCKS)

It was on eBay and as it ended the experience of a lifetime for an Angels fan was worth $2050.00. The experience to sit in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim broadcast booth (ebay auction no. 170125338253) was part of the event to raise money for the Jimmy Valvano Cancer Research Fund. The package did not include broadcasting but it did give a family a chance to sit in the booth during a game and be a part of the experience.

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

(HOBBY DEALER WINS $10,000 PRIZE AND DONATES TO KIDS LEAGUE)

"Grab'em by the Sack" may sound like a jocular expression not pleasing to moms but when it comes to sunflower seeds, baseball and a $10,000 prize donated to kids baseball, well, mom might forgive the company for the name of the contest. Dan Cunliffe who's family has owned Republic Jewelry & Collectibles in Auburn, Maine for many years has been putting together videos and entering contests for the past two years. He's finally won one.

Cunliffe is well know in hobby circles and his store won Best Card Store within the industry two consecutive years. He's also been involved in local youth sports very heavily and decided to try to win the contest to help build a much needed new field.

"Many hardworking volunteers have donated tons of time and labor towards building a new regulation size baseball field for our community's kids," said Cunliffe. "To have money to put toward this is such a blessing."

The move also touched the sponsors of the company program designed to show the connection between sports and sunflower seeds. You can see the video on www.youtube.com by searching for Minot Astros baseball team.

"We couldn't be happier with the way the contest ended and are thrilled Dan is putting his prize toward such a good cause," said John Sandbakken National Sunflower Association marketing director. "Baseball and sunflower seeds are synonymous and this is the perfect ending to our contest."

A total of 55 videos were submitted with 115,000 views during grand prize week alone. A quarter million viewings took place during the contest. The them was "grab'em by the sack" meaning sunflower seeds of course.

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

(TRISTAR OFFERS SPECIAL REDEMPTION OFFER AT NATIONAL)

TriStar is offering a unique version of a redemption offer or wrapper redemption if you will at the National in Cleveland in August. The company is offering two licensed minor league sets featuring six up and coming minor leaguers who will likely play in the big leagues one day. The first six card set is Silver and there are only 250 available.

The first 100 people who buy the set and visit the TriStar Corporate booth with the set, unopened, will automatically be given the Gold version of the set.

(Beau Mills figures to be pounding out homers in Cleveland in a couple of years.)

The set will feature five minor leaguers from the Indians and the Diamondbacks first round pick in 2006. Beau Mills figures to be playing first base for the Indians some day. The slugger was the first round pick of Cleveland in the 2007 draft. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer is a top flight pitcher expected to be in Arizona some day soon. He was the 11th overall selection last year by the D-Backs.

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

TOPPS SAYS "NO" TO UPPER DECK, YET "MAYBE"

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 145

HOT*BUTTON*STORY

(EXOTIC WORLD MUSEUM ON THE MOVE!!)

** NEW CARD BOXES OFFER HOBBY SAFETY

  ** UPDATE: TOPPS RENDERS EDICT: NO TO UPPER DECK

  ** UPDATE 7/11/07: INVESTORS MOVE TO PROXY ON TOPPS

  ** EBAY MOVES TO LIMIT PROMOTIONAL FINANCING

  ** eTOPPS ODEN'S DOING WELL

  ** HOT HUNTER IN UDA STABLE

  ** NATIONAL VIP GOES NASCAR

  ** BRADY A MOUNTED MEMORY

  ** THE IPHONE BOOSTS HOBBY COMPANY

  ** EXOTIC WORLD TAKES ON LAS VEGAS

EDITORIAL COMMENT: A MUSEUM ON THE MOVE

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

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

(UPDATE TOPPS; ADDING MOVE BY INVESTOR GROUP)

In the latest move in the battle for Topps a group of disgruntled stockholders is not taking Topps directive to vote against a deal with Upper Deck, to heart. In fact they are forming their own plan to kill the deal to sell Topps to a company led by Michael Eisner, and to replace the current board.

Crescendo Partners, led by Topps board member Arnaud Ajdler, filed proxy statements with the SEC to begin to unseat the other members of the Topps board who are pushing the deal with Eisner. No date has yet been set for the shareholders to vote on whether or not to accept the Eisner deal and reject the higher dollar amount from Upper Deck.

Upper Deck filed with the SEC for regulatory approval of the deal which Topps board/management wants to kill. UD is in the middle of a hostile takeover attempt of Topps and has until July 24 to get it's stock bought. It of course can extend the deadline if it wishes at that point. A decision is expected next week from the SEC on Upper Deck's request.

The New York Times reports an interesting twist to the entire scenario in that one of Topps board members is Steve Greenberg (correcting name of board member, more in Thursday update) who is an investment banker at Allen & Company. He was also worked for Eisner when Eisner was CEO at Disney and the Times says there are indications he is advising Dearborn (Eisner's partner in the Topps deal) on other financial matters. This could be construed as a conflict of interest.

This is the latest of what some are calling "interesting" issues involved with the Eisner deal. It's been reported key Topps executives (many who own major stock interests in Topps) would keep their jobs if Eisner took over. Upper Deck has stated through an attorney these people would be out if UD bought the company.

The issue of whether to sell your stock to Upper Deck at $10.75 per share and be out of a job, or sell to Eisner at $9.75 and keep your high paying executive position is a no brainer. This is the dilema facing the stockholders. In addition, is the up to $16.5 million dollars Topps would have to pay to Eisner's group should the Upper Deck deal be accepted and who would pay for that. At the moment in a Topps filing, Upper Deck has not accepted that responsibility. The difference in price of $385 million and $425 million, minus the $16 million in question, really only means a difference of $24 milion in the long run.

Stockholders will have to weigh this one and are being bombarded daily. A difference of $24 million? This is the same amount automaker John Delorean was looking at in his failed cocaine deal in 1984 when he was snared in a sting by the FBI. And they laughingly call trading cards "cardboard crack."

(Previous story below)

(NEW: TOPPS BOARD TELLS UPPER DECK NO, BUT OFFER NOT DEAD)

As expected the decision of the Topps board of directors came swiftly Monday morning regarding Upper Deck's tender offer of $10.75 million and the answer was a resounding no, sort of. While the words said Topps was rejecting UD's offer of $425 million for the company stating the offer was "substantially similar" to the $9.75 offer and deal made with the Michael Eisner led group, Topps said it would continue to negotiate. It said a "consenual transaction" with Upper Deck was possible. The recommendation Topps gave to shareholders is basically stating it won't recommend the UD offer and it will recommend the Eisner offer.

In a release filed Monday morning Topps pointed out if a deal was not sealed with Upper Deck and Topps backed out of the Eisner contract it would cost Topps $12 million plus another $4.5 million to Eisner's group. This would be money lost; the $12 million as a "breakup fee" and the balance as "expenses" to Tornante (Eisner's company). Basically it is a requirement as a good faith/bad faith situation. This could happen if Topps makes a deal with UD, loses the deal with Eisner and then the deal with UD collaspses.

Upper Deck's offer amounts to a hostile takeover attempt and UD has given the option to stockholders to sell at the $10.75 per share price until July 24. It can voluntarily extend the timing as it wishes. Topps had ordered a June 28 meeting be held for stockholders to vote on the decision regarding Tornante but the courts put a stop to it saying the shareholders did not have enough information about the UD offer. The courts also were concerned deals were in place to keep Topps management partially intact while UD said it would replace Topps managers and executives. Many of them hold large stock options.

Regarding continued negotiations with UD, Topps said it would see if a better deal with UD was possible but cautioned there "can be no assurance that a surperior transaction will be reached with Upper Deck."

Topps says it still has concerns about any deal with UD being inhibited by anti-trust regulations, full financing by UD and of course the money it would have to pay Eisner's group if a deal with UD was struck and the Eisner deal canceled. Topps has $85 million in reserve cash at this time. All of which makes either offer for the stock look a little better but losing $16.5 million out of that is not an attractive option for the management at Topps, if indeed all of that money would be paid out.

Topps has not yet set a date for the vote by stockholders but that should come soon.

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

(STRICTLY MINT CORNERS OFFERS NEW CARD BOXES)

The development of cardboard boxes to hold, store and more importantly ship trading cards has been a slow one over the years. What else is there? An odd shaped piece of cardboard designed to tightly fit trading cards so as to keep them pristine when the box was folded to size. They are not perfect but they are inexpensive and do the job. Now something new hits the market and it may be perfect.

Mint Corners is a Florida based company run by a card dealer and former college baseball player who says he got tired of shipping cards only to learn they were damaged when they arrived at their destination. So Bill Kull invented something new; Mint Corners boxes which leave the corners of the cards floating while the rest of the card is securely locked into place as with normal boxes.

(View looking down into MintCorners Box.)

"The primary way cards lose value and collectors lose money is through damage to a cards corners," said Kull. "With conventional storage boxes any movement or shifting causes the cards corners to come into contact with the box so they end up being damaged by the very thing designed to protect them."

Kull says with his new invention the corners are secure since they never touch the box as show above. The cards are held in place as normal.

"There were a lot of products on the market to protect single cards but there really wasn't anything that worked for someone like me; the serious collector with thousands of cards," he added. "I thought to myself there has to be a better way."

(View shows card corners floating in air. Not shown is layered top positioned between cards and box lid.)

After two years of research Kull patented the idea for the one piece box and now has it available on his web site www.mintcorners.com. The cost is more than traditional boxes but not much more considering the extra content. The boxes sell for less than $1 each and can be purchased in bulk.

"In this industry condition is everything and given the price of sportscards today, you have to protect your investment," said Kull.

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

(EBAY PROMOTIONAL FINANCING GOING AWAY)

The Promotional long term financing option on eBay sales is going away simply because so few people used it. In her letter to eBayers, columnist Jen Werhmaker told readers there just wasn't enough people who took advantage of the option.

"Whereas our standard option has shown a positive effect on sales, these options have had a very low adoption by buyers," she pointed out. "Just in case you have a buyer who won an item that offered these other financing options; he or she will still be able to take advantage of them during the checkout process until August 6, even if the offer is no longer displayed on the item page."

PayPal introduced the option three years ago hoping different forms of financing would increase sales. This was not the case. Starting the week of July 9 the more popular method of financing will appear automatically on listings which sell for more than $50. This is for the US based Seller. Other options will automatically be removed from the site.

One such item being disbanded is the 6-month deferred interest financing option for purchases over $199.

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

(TOPPS ODEN CARDS DOING WELL ON EBAY)

The as yet to be produced signed eTopps Greg Oden cards are doing fairly well on eBay. There are several listed for which collectors paid $500 each. One sold for $755 and another is in the $650 range with several days to go. One seller listed his with a Buy It Now for $1149 but has not received a successful offer. He'd declined four offers.

The card is one of only 50 made and will not even be produced for several months. Most dealers were upset as were some collectors when Topps announced the 50 cards would be sold for $500 each. The company did sell out in quick fashion but it was not the same for the other three players offered anywhere from $100 to $300.

Oden, the first pick in the NBA draft was expected to be the top pick and signed an exclusive autograph contract with Topps for the coming season. There will be plenty enough signed Oden cards to go around and even at that for any numbered to 50, the price tag of $750 might be a bit steep.

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

(UPPER DECK OFFERS HOT HUNTER)

Hunter Pence is one of the hottest young players in baseball today and UDA has him to sell. The company is offering dealers Pence signed baseballs for $48 with an SRP of $80.

(The player is strong and a candidate for NL Rookie of the Year even at this early stage, but the autographs is weak as most collectors will point out.)

While his signature is one of the weakest around at this point, there is no denying his talent. The Astro's slugger had 32 extra base hits through his first 53 games including 8 home runs.

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

(CARDS GAIN ATTITUDE AS PUBLIC AWARENESS GROWS)

One of the dangers in growing the card business to new collectors and "fans" is the media attention brought to trading cards. Most of the publicity these days is good and often the "good" turns to bad when the unscrupulous try to use trading cards to take advantage of others.

We were reminded of this again just this week when a gentleman from Tehachapi, California called us to see what he should do. He was kind enough to offer a woman and her family $1200 when they desperately needed it. When it came time to be paid back the woman didn't have the money but offered him what she said was $2000 in trading cards, all 146 of them. The many knew nothing about cards and took them as payment.

"I know nothing about cards so I put them into my computer by teams," the man gold TBR. "They are all Topps cards."

After some discussion it was determined the man had a 1966 common card and 145 Topps cards from 1988 and 1991.

"Sir, I'm sorry to be the one to have to tell you this but your cards are probably worth a total of about $5," and not much more.

The stunned man realized he had been taken and thanked us very much adding he was going to send them all back to the woman and demand "fresh money."

As cards become more widely publicized and collected this type of thing happens all the time. The classic case is when former LA Kings owner Bruce McNall used a warehouse full of trading cards as collateral to the banks to borrow millions of dollars. His cards were not worth nearly what his company had purported they were worth and the end result was McNall spending several years in a federal prison for fraud. Several others in his organization were also busted in the case.

While we always see a few times a year someone coming to us with cards they took as payment, it seems to be happening much more now than ever before. Or, at least since the early 1990's. This is a sign cards are becoming much more popular and it's also a sign education is definitely needed which card shop owners must provide as a first line of defense.

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

(NATIONAL VIP'S GET 27 CARD NASCAR SET)

The VIP goody bag has become the one thing collectors and dealers look forward to every year at the National and this year the latest addition is the 27 card NASCAR set provided by Press Pass. The entire VIP package is supposedly worth $700.

The set includes all the big names including Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The VIP packages carries a price tag of $119 pre-order or $129 at the door. The package is loaded with special cards, coupons and other autograph opportunities for the convention which takes place in Cleveland August 1-5.

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

(MOUNTED BACK WITH BRADY)

Tom Brady remains one of the great quarterbacks in the history of the NFL when it comes to "winning," but a $229 price tag for an 8x10 photo signed is getting up there. Mounted Memories has Brady back in stock and the prices range from $229 to $259 for the larger 16x20 inch signed photo.

Brady doesn't sign much and due to this his stuff is going to be higher and probably more in demand. Mounted will very likely sell out of the photos, despite the price tag. Mini helmets are $259, footballs $350 and jerseys a cool $499.

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

(COLLECTIBLE CONCEPTS IPHONE FRIENDLY, MAJOR DEBT)

Collectible Concepts just released a new downloadible promotional video directed at Apple's new iPhone users as a way to increase it's audience. Company CEO Paul Lipshutz says it is a great way to grow the audience for it's collectibles. The company sells licensed wall hangings, stand-ups and many other sports items in addition to it's military collectibles.

The site hotstocked.com however reports the company remains in hot water due to an amazing debt of more than $76 million. The stock is valued at .0001 per share and there are five-billion shares issued. The company did show an increase in sales but still had a net revenue over the last 12 months of less than $600,000.

Collectible Concepts just announced it was going to open 10 retail kiosks in the southeastern United States in order to get more retail exposure.

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

(EXOTIC WORLD MOVES MUSEUM TO LAS VEGAS)

For those of you who never went to the Exotic World Museum of Burlesque and the Strippers Hall of Fame (yes we said Strippers Hall of Fame) in Helendale, California, you won't have to go to the desert town anymore. Once tucked along Old Route 66 somewhere between "no place special and where the hell are we?" the museum moved to Las Vegas.

Perhaps this is where it should have been all along. The web site doesn't tell you much because the people who charitably run the thing are probably not as on top of it as they should be. Although it is coming along.

(The former stripper/exotic dancer recently)

This week, in search of the museum we did a major story on a few years ago, I finally tracked down Dixie Evans, the kindly former exotic dancer who runs the museum and who still partially owns the land in Helendale (near Victorville if that tells you anything).

"We had problems with the county and some complaints from neighbors," Ms. Evans told The Brill Report. "We finally got some help from a television producer back east and we've been in the process of moving it to Las Vegas."

It's a much smaller venue now than the sprawling room by room museum located in Helendale. In fact, the last time TBR was there for a story there were torrential rains which took it's toll on the building. Mold, a partially caved in roof and just general wear was putting the archives in danger.

There is lots of memorabilia from sports to the fans used by Sally Rand, the famous fan dancer to the love seat once owned by Jayne Mansfield. Boxing memorabilia from fighters who frequented the strip shows which permeated the 1920's and 1930's and of course photos of the most famous strippers around.

(Dixie Evans in her heyday as the MM of Burlesque.)

Ms. Evans, once known as the Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque and who appeared in the video "Too Hot To Handle" with Pattie Waggin, is pushing 90 years old now. Amazingly she is as they say sharp as a tack and abundant stories of the old days continue to roll off her tongue like butter melting in a microwave.

She says the reason for the move had nothing to do with the annual Miss Burlesque Competition held at the site every year, but more because she took in a number of homeless workers over the years who were housed in trailers. The trailers were an eyesore to some distant neighbors and one thing led to another. The museum had to be moved.

Rightfully so, however as it is a treasure trove of a bygone era and the memorabilia really did need to be somewhere protected. The old museum just grew as stuff came in with no real purpose. Once the new place gets on it's feet or some wealthy donator finds reason to make it a real museum, it will truly be a thing of beauty -- much like the ladies for whom it is a reason to be.

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

TOPPS DRAFT DAY ODENS SELL OUT, PRICE HIGH

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 144

HOT*BUTTON*STORY

(SUPERMAN & CREW JOIN FORCES WITH MATTEL FOR NEW TOY LINE!!)

   ** TOPPS SELLS OUT OF ODEN AT $500 PER

    ** EBAY WATCH DOG DRAWS IRE OF DEALER/LAWYER

    ** COLLECTORS UNIVERSE DEALS OUT MORE CASH

    ** TOPPS COO GETS HEFTY BONUS

    ** TOPPS VAULT OFFERS RARE LOOK

    ** MORE PARENTS JOIN LAWSUIT OVER THOMAS RC2

    ** NATIONAL STARTS MINI-MUSEUM

    ** MORE COLLECTORS BASH UD OVER TOPPS DEAL

    ** TBR SEEKS COMMUNITY HELP IN RETURN OF MEDAL

EDITORIAL COMMENT: RETURN TO OWNER--TBR LOOKING FOR YOUR HELP

DETAILS ON THESE STORIES AND MORE BELOW IN TBR: THE BRILL REPORT                                       

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

(TOPPS ON-LINE NBA AUTOGRAPHS DRAWS IRE FOR HIGH PRICE, STILL SELLS OUT)

Topps offered limited quantities of several NBA draft picks they'd signed to be purchased on draft day and despite the high price at least one of these cards did sell out. Topps decided to offer signed Draft Day cards of Greg Oden, Brandan Wright, Yi JianLian and Nick Young.  There were 100 of each except for the no. 1 pick, Oden, of whom Topps only offered 50 signed cards.

The price tag put off dealers in a big way and after fighting to get in to see the price, many chose to back off. The price for one of the 50 Oden signed cards? A cool $500! Chinese star Yi was $200, Wright was $150 and Young was the cheapest at $100.

(Topps sell-out despite $500 per card price tag.)

"I'll pass at that price," said one dealer who asked not to be identified. "$500 is way too much, even for Oden."

Most dealers we spoke with looked at the situation and figured there would be plenty of Oden autographs in packs of products this year and if you did pull one limited to only 50, chances are it might not list in the price guides for $500. If it did, it might be the top end. Topps signed Oden to an exclusive deal, a deal which could be complicated if indeed Topps is purchased by Upper Deck in it's hostile takeover attempt.

As for Yi, the Chinese star was selected in the NBA draft in the sixth slot in round no.1 by the Milwaukee Bucks. Wright went no. 8 in the first round. Nick Young went no. 16 to the Washington Wizards. Last year's key Topps' guy was Adam Morrison who has yet to pan out as expected.

(First card of Chinese star Yi LianJian who inked with Topps.)

The frenzy was on as dealers could start ordering at noon Pacific time Friday. Many said they could not get in as the public and dealers were competing for the right to purchase the signed cards. When they did get in they found the Oden's were sold out. Most of the dealers TBR spoke with said this was fine because the cost was too high for resale.

As of this writing the other three players had not sold out.

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

(EBAY SELLER THREATENS AUTOGRAPH WATCHDOG WITH LAWSUIT)

A seller who is an attorney is threatening to sue eBay watchdog Christopher Williams for exposing alleged sellers of fake autographs on eBay. Williams, who in his blog, points out hundreds of autographs which fail to pass eBay's own verifiers offering paid quick opinions. Daily Williams forwards these to The Brill Report and this publication periodically brings them to our reader's attention. Williams pays for each and every Quick Opinion out of his own pocket and has exposed hundreds of forgeries to the public through his own blog.

One such seller is threatening a lawsuit as Williams forwarded this email to TBR.

"We are a group of lawyers who are tired of eBay, PSA and people like u that think PSA is the end all and be all. PSA was started by two guys who started gia (sic, GAI) they didn't like the way PSA was being run so they quit and started gia. Just because PSA pays eBay a huge kickback every year, ebay tries to pass them off as the end-all be all."

The writer then went on to threaten several entities including Williams with legal action.

"Good luck to you and your website. We will be watching so be very careful as to what is said about people on your blogs, but its already too late. You have on many documented occasions defamed people. This will be the easiest lawsuit we will ever win."

The email is signed by Matt Sutton of Sutton, Sutton and Stevens.

The matter began when Williams questioned a signed Derek Jeter item, which Sutton told him he was waiting for a Quick Opinion return. Sutton also questioned how PSA could render quick opinions at what he said seemed like all hours.

"How is it that PSA can have so many so-called experts 24 hours a day?"

It isn't the first time Williams has been threatened. He also sent us another email from a seller who was selling a signed Mets helmet. The PSA quick opinion stated likely not genuine.

"This is the first of two emails I received from that seller (Signiturememorabilia) who just had all his items removed from eBay," Williams wrote TBR.

Email: "if one of my items gets removed from ebay, especially one like this, i am going to be the furthest (Sic) to lay a suit against you, i am a person with enough money to blow to make sure someone like you never dicks with other people again. Like I said earlier "thaks (SIC) for getting involved where you don't belong" this is going to be great making sure that you never do this again."

Williams pays for all the QO's himself and reports daily to eBay his findings. He's also stayed in touch with rights holders of certain athletes whom he finds are heavily forged and sold on eBay.

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

(COLLECTORS UNIVERSE UPS CASH DIVIDEND TO STOCKHOLDERS)

Stockerholders of Collectors Universe got an unexpected bonus as the company announced it is raising the upcoming cash dividend by double. The regular dividend is 12-cents but officials now say the latest dividend will jump to 25-cents.

"The Board of Directors is committed to enhancing stockholder value and we believe that this increase of the regular cash dividend from .012 to .025 per quarter is consistent with that objective because it provides a way of returning more of the cash flow generated by our business to our loyal stockholders," said A. Clinton Allen, Chairman.

Chief Executive Officer, Michael Haynes added he felt this reflects the company's continued financial growth and optimism. Collectors Universe is the parent company of PSA, PSA/DNA and several coin grading and rating services.

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

(KEY TOPPS EXEC GETS STOCK BONUS)

In another stock related matter, Topps COO Scott Silverstein, received his bonus in stock amounting to 6653 shares. This is listed on file as part of his bonus from Topps and comes at just over $10 per share. He now owns 56,199 shares of Topps stock. The bonus plus over $266,000 in compensation was 79-percent of Silverstein's annual salary and percentage wise was far more than his colleagues but even less than he could have made. Statements in SEC filings show he could have received a bonus of up to 90-percent of his salary. He did not receive a pay increase during the year while many others in the company did. Chairman Arthur Shorin received a bonus of over $467,000.

One of the contentions of stockholders, Upper Deck and a Delaware judge when it came to Topps expected sale to a group led by former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, was key executives would keep their jobs after the sale. Many of those executives have large holdings in Topps stocks.

The judge two weeks ago issued an order putting the deal on hold and giving Upper Deck the freedom to pursue a tender offer, or in effect start a hostile takeover of Topps, which it has begun.

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

(TOPPS VAULT OFFERS RARE FILE COPIES OF TOPPS CARDS)

For several years The Topps Vault has been auctioning off press plates, proofs and other original items from the Topps archives, on eBay. So many have been sold Topps now is moving into "in-house" archives of a different nature. Called Topps File Cards these are cards held in binders at the Topps site for reference purposes and are now being slabbed by Beckett Grading.

"During his distinguished tenure with Topps the legendary Woody Gelman and the Topps team painstakingly pasted two crisp copies of each trading card into an individual set presentation binder to show the front and back of each," said Topps through its Vault Newsletter. "During the course of their creative endeavors the Topps production staff would incessantly reference these rather distinct binders.'

(TOPPS in-house archival binder holds treasures.)

The company went on to say many of the cards were removed over time and are lost. Many were returned after being handled and are no longer in mint condition.

Topps took the two distinct sides of the card (front and back) which were pasted into the album and had each side slabbed as a 1/2 and a 2/2. The front with the paste stains and the back with a paste stain. These are being sold on The Vault.

(Auctions for the special cards began July 1)

There is more however as an original copy of each was also placed into a binder with out being pasted. These 1/1 cards are graded by Beckett, no paste. These cards will likely carry somewhat high grades and while the 1/1 tag might be questionable since they are basically the same cards which were released to the public, they do have historical significance. The cards were obviously early pulls from production lines, or possibly pre production, and placed at Topps offices for posterity.

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

(MORE PARENTS JOIN SUIT AGAINST RC2 LEAD PAINT ISSUE)

More parents are joining in a lawsuit targeting RC2 Corporation and its Thomas the Train Toys. What may turn out to be a class action suit was filed last week on behalf of children who played with the toys. The company recently issued a recall due to lead paint in the toys. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages with an eye toward medial treatment in the future.

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

(DC COMICS INKS DEAL WITH MATTEL FOR FUTURE TOYS)

It is a major deal for Mattel which now owns the right to make toys from DC Comic characters which includes Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman among others. There are over 1000 comic book characters for Mattel to choose from and while financial terms of the deal were not released this could mean Mattel is after the lucrative deals such as made with rivals Hasbro and Marvel.

DC is a product of Warner Bros., and the movie business is big business as anyone can see with the advance notices for "Transformers." Comic book heroes are at the center of some of the biggest deals around. The toy contracts are huge.

This deal also gives Mattel the rights to make toys for characters based in future films featuring DC comic book forces. Mattel will support the lines with Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and Mattel Games as well. 

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

(UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUM SOUGHT, 1898)

The Brill Report is researching the family of a former University of Minnesota Alum in its hopes of returning a piece of personal memorabilia to its rightful owner. TBR is looking for descendent's of one George Belden Jr., a US Veteran and former student at Minnesota in the 1890's.

About 40 years ago Bob Brill, publisher of TBR, found a mint condition medallion given to the late Belden honoring him for service to his country and to the school. It was dedicated Christmas, 1998. The inscription reads "From the faculty and students of the University of Minn as a token of your patriotism." The reverse reads "For God and Humanity USV."

(1898 medal issued to Geo. Belden Jr.)

We have learned through the university archives a George Belden did graduate from the school with one degree and later returned to earn a law degree before the turn of the century. He also wrote a letter to the school newspaper detailing his return from Manila aboard ship as a soldier in the Spanish-American War. He died in May 28, 1953 in Minneapolis.

So far we have been unable to track down any relatives who may still be living and with the help of our readers it is hoped we might be able to do so. The medallion has a slight hole in one end where it was evidently used as a necklace or some other jewelry. Any help or input can be directed to Bob Brill at brillpro@prodigy.net.

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

(THE NATIONAL OFFERS MINI-MUSEUM IN CLEVELAND)

It's been a long time coming but the beginnings of what could turn out to be a real tribute to the hobby will go on display at The National in Cleveland. A small exhibit featuring early price guides and hobby memorabilia will be showcased by those running the event.

Contributors who feel they have something which should be on display to showcase the hobby as a whole can contact The National at mberkus@aol.com. The show takes place August 1-5, 2007.

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

(MORE COLLECTOR INPUT AGAINST UPPER DECK IN POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF TOPPS)

As the battle over who will buy Topps continues with Upper Deck seeming to have the upper hand at the moment, collectors are speaking out. This week TBR received more input from adult collectors opposed to the sale. Scottsdale, Arizona collector, Jason Llewellyn, US Navy Retired, said he sent a letter to the SEC opposing the sale. He feels some of the reasons UD wants Topps is to acquire the Mantle deal as well as the contracts of Topps exclusives, Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Josh Gibson not to mention others. He also doesn't trust UD to put collectors first.

"Upper Deck will ruin the hobby and force many collectors to stop collecting. I would seriously consider stop collecting altogether if that happens. I believe that the quality of products will diminish and we as collectors would suffer greatly. Everyone should voice their opinion. Notice Beckett hasn't mentioned it yet? Weird."

If you have an opinion feel free to write to TBR at info@kckings.com.

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