... and if this doesn't frighten you, I don't know what it will take. ----- jim o\-S

Collectors Universe and Topps Join Forces to Market New Line of Graded Sports Cards

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. and NEW YORK, April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Collectors Universe, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLCT) and The Topps Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: TOPP) today announced that the companies have signed a marketing and exclusive card grading agreement for sports cards. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Under the three-year agreement, Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), a division of Collectors Universe ...

[jtr comment: these are the guys who I believe are going to start grading casino chips]

... will grade selected sports cards supplied by Topps prior to their distribution and sale.

[jtr comment: in other words, these cards will be available ONLY in slabs!!!!]

These limited quantity sports cards will be sealed in a clear plastic, tamper evident case. Topps will market the graded sports cards to retail outlets and specialty dealers throughout the United States.

Also under the agreement, the companies will provide cross-marketing and promotional support including links to the Topps and Collectors Universe PSA Web sites and special mailings to customers of both companies.

David Hall, Collectors Universe chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Topps is a household name to sports fans and collectors of sports memorabilia alike. We are gratified to be associated with this venerable company. By joining forces, both companies will be able to participate in a new area of the sports card market. This agreement introduces PSA to the mainstream sports fan. One of our growth strategies is to expand beyond our traditional markets ...

[jtr comment: Read that sentence again: "ONE OF OUR GROWTH STRATEGIES IS TO EXPAND BEYOND OUR TRADITIONAL MARKETS...."]

... and this agreement certainly does that by turning sports fans into instant collectors."

Topps Executive Vice President, Scott Silverstein, said, "Trading and collecting sports cards represents a major market in the United States and abroad. Topps has been the leading marketer of sports cards for 50 years, and as such we want to continue providing our customers with premium, high quality products. To collectors of sports memorabilia, PSA is the most well known and accepted provider of independent sports card grading services, and therefore, the logical choice for us in this exciting new endeavor."

Topps expects to begin marketing the new line of graded sports cards to retail stores and other specialty outlets by mid-April 2001.