Topps to Launch Auction Program Featuring Its Archived Items of Americana

Historic Company Teams With the World's Online Marketplace to Offer
One-of-a-Kind Items

NEW YORK, June 26, 2001 -- From the Beatles and the Partridge Family to Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson and Superman -- ever wonder what is locked away in the annals of one of America's most historic companies? Well, the secrets are about to be unveiled.

This coming July 6th, The Topps Company (NASDAQ: TOPP) in conjunction with eBay, will launch the Topps Vault, an internet initiative which from time to time will offer the general public some of the most sought after items in the collectibles industry. The Topps Vault will include original and one of a kind items such as paintings, photography (including original negatives), artist proofs, uncut sports card sheets from the 1950s, 60s and 70s and much, much more.

"People have waited years and years for an opportunity to own something from Topps archives," said Warren Friss, Director of the Topps Vault. "The Topps Vault contains tens of thousands of truly special and unique items that have a place in American sports and entertainment history."

A Taste of What The Topps Vault Has to Offer

-- 1956 Topps Baseball Pins Sheet (featuring Willie Mays)

-- 1966 Topps Green Hornet Stickers Uncut Sheet (featuring Bruce Lee)

-- 4-Color Proof for of 1966 Topps Superman in the Jungle Trading Cards

-- 1976 Topps Baseball Uncut Proof Sheet

-- 1964 Topps Beatles (A Hard Days Night) Packaging Art

"The items which the Topps Vault will be offering are extremely unique," added Andy Coleman, Director of Collectibles of eBay. "We anticipate that these one of a kind pieces will generate a great deal of excitement with our users."

The Topps Vault, to officially launch in Seattle, WA during 2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Weekend, will offer more than 200 total items which will be auctioned between July 6 and Aug. 3. The second installment of Topps Vault Items will be featured in Fall 2001. A special area accessible via the eBay Sports Memorabilia Page will be designated for the Topps Vault and each auction lot will include full color photography along with a detailed description.

The Topps Company, founded in 1938 as Topps Chewing Gum, is an international marketer of entertainment products, principally collectible trading cards, candy and sticker album collections.

For more information on the Topps Company, click here.