Conference school::sports_memorabilia

    This was a very informative  news letter and I appreciate your placing 
    it in for our reading consumption.  It gives me some insight into the 
    hobby and what companies are producing a good quality product with 
    investment potential.  I really don't purchase any of the new issues,
    but it does make for some very interesting reading.

Article 8114 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Message-ID: <brillU2AM1225pe@clarinet.com>
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 92 9:34:07 PDT
ACategory: sports
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                        Brill-iant Ideas:
	The sports collectibles market has reached the point where even the
industry's price guides have become valuable.
	The three most prized collectible magazines are Beckett, Tuff Stuff
and Legends. A new entry called Pocket Pages is also becoming a hot
commodity.
	``It's erupted since February,'' said Ruth Atkinson, spokeswoman for
the California publication. ``The phone rings off the hook with calls
from all over, including Canada, Texas and Illinois.''
	Because of increased demand for the booklet, distribution will jump
from 10,000 to 15,000 with the June-July issue. The bi-monthly
publication is considering a national issue, although a New York-New
Jersey edition may come first. The target date is 1994.
	Pocket Pages was started by collectors seeking a magazine with more
information.
	``We just wanted to get the information out to collectors,'' Atkinson
said. ``Now people want back issues and the insert cards.''
	Show promotors rely on Beckett for the free convention calender while
collectors and dealers use its price guide. Pocket Pages provides
regional coverage and includes something Beckett does not: who is
signing autographs and for how much.
	Legends, with its classy cards, lists for more than the cover price
as soon as it hits the market.
	Beckett, the bible of the industry, is the only collectible price
guide that does not include trading cards. Its high-gloss covers
featuring the top young stars are what most collectors seek.
	Tuff Stuff includes high-quality cards. That may or may not continue
after the company's merger with Cadmus Communications.
	``We have not decided what we'll do with that business yet, but we
have not made the decision to discontinue cards,'' said David Bosher,
vice president of Cadmus.
	Pocket Pages has a long way to go to catch the other magazines. But
while publishers plan for the future, speculators are buying back issues
hoping it will be a winner.
	FLEER UPDATE: Fleer update basketball boxes are producing about two
update sets each.
	MAGIC: Impel, which has changed its name to SkyBox Intl., tabbed
Magic Johnson as its new corporate spokesman. SkyBox makes NBA Hoops and
SkyBox basketball cards as well as Olympics and minor-league baseball
cards.
	UPPER DECK: Upper Deck Basketball high-number boxes hit the market
running, with dealers asking $2 per pack. Boxes jumped from $25 to $35
on the secondary market in a hurry. Show dealers are asking $45 to $60.
The set includes Billy Owens' first Upper Deck card and new cards for
Dikembe Mutombo and Larry Johnson. The Jerry West ``Basketball Heros''
cards are hot.
	RIPKEN: Cal Ripken Jr. rookie cards are up again. The Baltimore
shortstop's 1982 Topps traded card is now $210. A regular issue Topps is
$75 while both Donruss and Fleer list for $52. Ripken's 1992 Stadium
Club card has an error. His name is spelled ``Ripkin'' on the back.
	INVESTMENT TIP: The Mets' Anthony Young made a strong debut. His 1992
Upper Deck card (No. 535) can be found in commons boxes for 25 cents if
you hurry.
	FOOTBALL: Sources at Pro Set continue to say their product run will
be much shorter. Dare we say ``limited?'' Pro Set and Pacific are now
gearing up for football. Pacific plans two series.
	RACING: I've never been a fan of racing cards but Pro Set's 1992
Winston Cup Series is eye catching. A box of 36 packs netted almost two
sets, but none of the 5,000 Dale Earnhardt holograms. The 280-card set
includes a 32-card ``Legends'' sub-set featuring Donnie and Bobby
Allison among others. The first Miss Winston Cup, Marilyn Green, has a
legend's card and interestingly her birthdate is listed as Dec. 21,
19??. The Car Rig sub-set is a bit much, picturing trucks which
transport the cars. Pro Set's 200-card Winston Drag Race set isn't as
nice, although Shirley Muldowney has a card as do other women who owe
their careers to the lady in the pink car.
	ADD RACING: Pro Set is recalling its Winston Cup holograms. Saying
quality control was poor, Pro Set wants collectors to return them for a
better hologram. This will likely make the poor quality products even
more valuable.
	Q & A: Is it true there are a lot of counterfeit Frank Thomas Leaf
Rookie Cards going around?
	R. Allen, Las Vegas, Nev.
	Several fake Thomas cards were circulating around shows in Southern
California but heads-up work by dealers and the authorities led to the
break up of a counterfeiting ring. Leaf filed a lawsuit against Paisano
Publications Inc., and impounded hundreds of fake cards. The Thomas card
lists for $70 and sellers were asking $30 for the bogus cards.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    Walt,
    
    I don't know where you guys get this article from, but I enjoy reading
    it!  
    
    Keep posting them!!
    
    Regards,
    Denny

Article 7512 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2AT1255pe@clarinet.com>
Date: 29 Apr 92 17:03:56 GMT
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                        Brill-iant Ideas:
	It will be several years before the Negro League Museum is completed
in Kansas City but former players are getting a jump on the action this
week in Chicago. Sponsored by Upper Deck, 20 veterans of the Negro
League will be honored at Saturday's White Sox-Rangers game.
	``I think it's wonderful for the fellas to get to see some of their
old friends and a lot of them can use the money,'' said Buck O'Neil, a
star first baseman with the Kansas City Monarchs and the first black
coach in the major leagues.
	``We don't pay a lot of money to our Heroes of Baseball veterans,''
said Jay McCracken, vice president of Upper Deck, which underwrites the
program. ``However, for some of the guys who are down on their luck it's
a payday.''
	O'Neil believes that covers a lot of former players.
	``All of these guys have to be 70 years old or more and they started
working regular jobs late in life,'' O'Neil said. ``They didn't have the
time to build a pension.''
	With the city's help, O'Neil has been instrumental in trying to get
the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame off the ground in his hometown. Kick-off
ceremonies for the structure take place in June with the doors set to
open in 1995.
	There have been a few Negro League trading cards but none have really
brought much attention to the players. The 80-year-old O'Neil hopes the
Kansas City based museum will do that.
	O'Neil managed the Monarchs in 1948 and sent 13 players to the big
leagues,including Ernie Banks and Elston Howard.
	UPPER DECK HI-LOW: Believe that the Jerry West ``Basketball Heros''
cards are scarce. Company officials say there is an average of four to
five per box. We've seen two per box and many dealers report getting
only one of the hot sub-set. There isn't a short print (SP) card in the
series as there have been in other Hero sets so the number of ``header''
cards will equal the other nine cards. Collectors should note that the
high number ``Locker'' boxes contain 20 new Rookie Standouts. The low
number ``Locker'' boxes contained the first 20. Regular foil packs of 12
cards, each have four cards from the high series.
	FLEER: What's hotter than Fleer's Rookie Sensations? Fleer hopes it
will be the new Rookie Sensation Promo Sheet. Collectors who send 10
Fleer wrappers plus $1 will receive a numbered (250,000 printed) sheet
featuring the 20 card sensation set.
	FOOTBALL: The latest Beckett Football Monthly shows Topps' Stadium
Club Football jumped another $10 to $140, while Score's Pinnacle went up
$1 to $56.
	BASKETBALL: As expected, Larry Johnson is passing Dikembe Mutombo in
both the rookie of the year race and the dollars per card race.
Johnson's Upper Deck Card is now at $10 and going up, while Mutombo is
$10, going down. Both are at $3.50 in Fleer and Hoops 2. Their SkyBox
cards are $5.
	KIDDS: Leaf has joined Topps in printing new baseball cards aimed at
younger collectors. Topps previously unveiled the 132-card ``Topps Kids''
set. Available in mid-May, Leaf will issue (under the Donruss name) 
``Triple Play.'' The Donruss set is 264 cards with larger print. Triple
Play will sell for 55 cents while Topps Kids retails for 35 cents. Of
course, if dealers see a hot market that will change. The cards should
be in great enough supply that most show dealers won't carry them. Six
of the Triple Play cards will carry pictures of players in their little
league uniforms, including Andy Van Slyke and Cal Ripken.
	TOO TUFF: Cadmus Communications has aquired an 80 percent interest in
Tuff Stuff. In the process 23 jobs were lost although Tuff Stuff
President Ernie White remains in some capacity. Cadmus has printed Tuff
Stuff for almost two years and due to the magazine's rapid growth some
help was needed. ``Tuff Stuff had grown to nearly $10 million in sales
on virtually no new capital and they were desperately in need of
capital,'' David Bosher, Vice-President and CFO at Cadmus said in
explaining the merger. Bosher admitted Tuff Stuff had held up payments
to vendors for a time. A major price guide for trading cards, Tuff Stuff
has a monthly circulation of 225,000.
	POCKET MOVE: Pocket Pages has moved quickly to the national level.
Last week we announced the collectible pocket-sized magazine was
planning to expand from its California regional base. We've just learned
they've made the decision to expand now. The June/July issue will reach
into Illinois, New York, Texas, New Mexico and Canada with 15,000
copies. The August/September issue will be sent to more states with 50,
000 copies.
	Q & A: Will the 1992 Donruss Factory sets include the Diamond Kings?
	C. Luksch, Los Angeles, Calif.
	Donruss Factory sets are due out in mid-May complete with four Leaf
preview cards. Diamond Kings, currently valued at $75 for the set, will
not be included.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 8248 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.baseball,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: baseball, men's professional
Message-ID: <brillU2y61245pe@clarinet.com>
Date: 6 May 92 16:56:19 GMT
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Note: release at will


                        Brill-iant Ideas:
	Score has reached the pinnacle in the card collecting field. In early
June, Score's Pinnacle Baseball will make a debut with new and
interesting sub-sets. Following the lead of Pinnacle Football and
Hockey, and much to the praise of dealers and collectors alike, there
will be no factory sets.
	``We found out from a lot of collectors that they like the fun of
putting together sets,'' said Dean Golembeski, Score spokesman. ``We're
trying to accomodate the collector, the dealer, and the investor and
we're listening to what they're telling us.''
	Dealers, of course, don't like factory sets because it takes away
from box and pack sales.
	The set will consist of 620 cards in two series. Like the other
Pinnacle cards ,hese will have a high-gloss coating and be of thick
stock. The difference is that there will be one full shot on the front,
whereas the other sports carried two smaller photos. The back will
feature a headshot, a summary of the player's career stats plus his full
1991 statistics.
	As with Pinnacle Football, Score is releasing baseball late in the
card season. There was concern, but it also gave the card company a
chance to evaluate the true rookie standouts.
	``With Football we had some doubts about the timing but we were
convinced that with the quality, people would buy it,'' the spokesman
said. ``We sold out, we're getting good feedback and it's going up in
value. That carried over into hockey and we hope to follow with
baseball.''
	The cards carry a black border on white stock with the photos moving
into the border.
	There are several sub-sets, including draft picks and one called 
``Shades.'' It features players wearing Oakley brand wraparound
sunglasses. With computer graphics, a player's action shot is
superimposed onto the lense of the player's sunglasses.
	``We tested the sets on a group of young boys and the subset they
loved was Shades,'' said Golembeski.
	Golembeski says two boxes at most are needed to complete a series.
Suggested retail is $1.89 per pack (16 cards) while cellos (27 cards)
will sell for $2.99. There are also eight different pictures on the
wrappers which could become collector's items as well.
	The sub-set inserted in the cellos is called Team 2000, projecting
the top stars in the game eight years from now. There will be three of
each card in the packs.
	Pinnacle should do very well, although coming on the heels of Fleer
Ultra and at about the same time as Leaf could take some of the edge off
the product. Pinnacle will be limited to about half of the regular Score
product.
	BEST BUY: Stadium Club Hockey continues to drop. Beckett now lists it
at $75. Boxes can be found for about $60. The common complaint is that
there are few rookies. However, the stars are holding their value well
and this is a good investment.
	UPPER DECK: High series hockey debuted at $17 with six cards listing
at $2 or more. Alexei Kovalev is tops at $3.
	ULTRA: As expected, Fleer Ultra has hit a cooling period but expect
it to turn quickly. The card is limited and will be back in a month or
two. Now is the time to buy.
	UD BASEBALL: While most dealers complain there is too much Upper Deck
Baseball Product on the market in 1992, Vice-President Jay McCracken
says it's just the opposite.
	``There is actually less 1992 baseball product than there was in
1991,'' said McCracken. ``It looks like there is more left on the
shelves because there is more product from other companies for
collectors to spend their money on, and because of the slow down in the
hobby due to the economy.''
	As mentioned here earlier, Upper Deck boxes can be found easily for
$25 at most shows. McCracken says Upper Deck will print its usual
extended set of 100 cards but won't come out with an additional Final
Edition (100 cards) as it did in 1991. Instead, new minor league cards
will come out in October.
	MANTLE UP: Mickey Mantle's 1953 Topps card (No.82) is on the rise at
$26,000. Does that mean his 1992 Archive card (reprints of the 1953 set)
will go up? Dealers are basing the price of Topps' Archive Series on one
percent of the 1953 price. Mantle had been selling well for $24 but you
can expect to see the reprint for $26 now.
	POLITICS: It must be an election year. Senator Bill Bradley (D-NY)
can't win for losing. Bradley's first three cards continue to go down.
His rookie card (1969-70 Topps No.43) is $230 and dropping. Consider it
voter apathy.
	Q & A: Has anyone ever won those much talked about all-time sets that
Topps said could be won in 1991?
	M. Aproian, Canyon Country, Calif.
	Jack Glenn, a New York traffic manager won the grand prize in the
Topps 40th Anniversary Sweepstakes. He won all 40 complete Topps
baseball card sets from 1952 through 1991. It's worth an estimated $125,
000.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 7701 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features,clari.sports.top
Message-id: <brillU2yK1230pe@clarinet.com>
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Date: Wed, 20 May 92 9:30:01 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
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                        Brill-iant Ideas:
	It's almost June and baseball is nearly history as we usher in
football. This could only happen in the trading card industry.
	The football card market is on the rise and it is easy to see why the
cardmakers are trying to beat each other to the punch. A recent survey
shows football doing better than basketball and hockey combined.
	Reaction to Fleers pre-production samples has been excellent. The new
cards are quite an upgrade. The card stock is similar to Upper Deck and
there are colorful action shots on the front with the largest ever full
frame shots on the back.
	``The design going in was to make the photos as large as possible,''
said Jeff Massien, Fleer Vice-President.
	Fleer's regular issue is designed to sell for 99 cents.
	The 480-card set has all the ``hooks'' that made Fleer baseball the
hit of 1992. There will be ``All-Pro'' limited edition subsets, 2,000
signed Mark Rypien cards, cello packs with ``Rookie Sensations,'' and
rack packs with a ``Team Leaders'' subset. The popular ``Pro Visions''
will also be back. 
	Many dealers are upset with Fleer's big push into subsets, saying the
craze has weakened the market for the pure collector. Massien disagrees.
He indicates there are pure collectors who identify with the players and
then there are the speculators and investors who like the highly
volatile subsets.
	``Since we cannot make card sets for every type of collector, we try
to cover as many bases as we can by giving our set as many components as
possible,'' he said. 
	Pro Set began shipping its 1992 edition this month with Emmitt Smith
the featured player. Four very limited Smith holograms are inserted.
There are 400 cards in Series 1 which has been cut to one-third of last
year's run.
	Pacific will produce 25,000 numbered cases for each of two series,
down from 48,000 last year when the value of the product went into the
dumper.
	``Pacific got a bad rap last year,'' said Vice-President Marty
Cramer. ``Since our facilities were so small the product came out over a
long period of time and dealers thought we were cranking up the printing
presses again. We were not.''
	Pacific will cut factory sets by three-fourth to about 20,000. Steve
Largent has signed 1,000 cards. The former Seattle star is the subject
of a 10-card subset.
	Star Pics got out of the blocks first with its set, featuring Steve
Emtman, drafted No. 1 by Indianapolis. The 100-card factory set doesn't
include all the hot drafted players. Among those available only in the
foil packs are the Colts second pick, Quentin Coryatt.
	Action Packed has added a twist. First there were 24K gold Barry
Sanders cards. Now Sanders has signed 1,000 of them.
	WEST SUBS: The Upper Deck Jerry West Heros subset debuted at $25,
although dealers in Southern California have been asking (and getting)
$40 and more. The header card is listed at $10 indicating a short
supply. Although Upper Deck officials deny it's a short print card, few
dealers believe it.
	ADD UPPER DECK: The basketball extended set came out at $15, which is
very low when you consider there are nine cards with values higher than
a dollar and Billy Owens debuted at $4.50. Larry Johnson's No. 445 is at
$3, while his Rookie Card, No. 2, is $11. Dikembe Mutombo dropped to $8.
Johnson's Rookie Standout card is up to $9. If you just bought the
Johnson cards you would be making a great buy. His Upper Deck cards
total $25.
	HEROS: The 1992 Upper Deck Home Run Heros continue to amaze. Now
listing at $50, the sub-set saw a jump of $8 in one month.
	TOPPS COMICS: Topps has formed a new division, hoping to capitalize
on the hot comic book market. Topps Comics, Inc., will market high-
quality color comic books.
	PLAYBOY-CARSON: Star Pics Playboy set features a timely card. One of
the interview cards highlights a Johnny Carson interview done in
December, 1967. The interview, conducted by Alex Haley, marked Carson's
five years on the Tonight Show at age 42. It's the only American trading
card featuring Carson, who retired from the show this week.
	PRO GUINNESS: Pro Set has developed a new series of cards based on
the Guinness Book of World Records. The cards, which come in 10-card
foil packs, are interesting and are loaded with trivia. The unusual
thing about these cards is the trivia question. There is a story about
the world record pictured on the front of the card followed by a
question about that record. It is very, very, very redundant.
	Q & A: What has happened to the Michael Jordan baseball card and will
it go back up?
	N. Rita, Woodland Hills, Calif.
	Check your latest Beckett. With Jordan's MVP status the 1991 Upper
Deck (SP1) issue of Jordan batting a baseball is on the rise. It's up to
$10 and rising. It is also the first SP card, which means if you collect
short print subsets it's the first one you need. It had been at $20
early in 1991, but dropped to $9 when it became readily available.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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                        Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                           By BOB BRILL
	Pro Set has taken a definite step forward by cutting back its 1992
football product. In slashing production by two-thirds, Pro Set may
finally make some headway with collectors.
	``The hobby asked us for something that's separate and different from
the mass market,'' said Erik Herskind, Pro Set spokesman. ``We came out
with 7,500 numbered 'hobby only' cases and we've put a little extra
value into those cases.''
	Those cases contain Emmitt Smith holograms, gold foil stamped cards
and cards signed by Smith and Eric Kramer. Hologram No.1 will be fairly
easy to get while No. 4 will be very difficult. Those cards stamped with
gold foil feature five running backs. These ``Ground Force'' cards are
very limited.
	``Pro Set like other cardmakers has seen the value and the fun of
collecting special insert cards,'' he said. ``We listen and look at the
hobby very closely and found that people really enjoy these foil stamped
cards. It's something we put in at the last minute.''
	Pro Set won't produce factory sets. The photo quality of the cards is
improved and the color is much better.
	One card has Patriots' coach Dick MacPherson shouting and pointing at
someone on the field in a shot that would make a great antacid
advertisement. Emmitt Smith's card (No. 150) shows the running back
chewing up yardage with his cleats.
	The sub-sets are typical but interesting. There are the traditional
cards urging youngsters to stay in school and off drugs. There is a 
``Milestone'' sub-set highlighting records set during the year and
various others, including statistical leaders, Super Bowl and the Pro
Bowl. Six players who signed NFL Players Association contracts have
Draft Day cards. Series 2 will have a heavy emphasis on rookie cards.
	The set is 400 cards and one box should produce one set minus a few
commons. There are four additional Hall of Fame cards. The card backs
feature a second photo and complete statistics.
	There is too much printing on the front. From a collector's
standpoint it would be nice if Pro Set would drop the ``Official NFL
Card'' tag from the front.
	Pro Set has had an image problem but as word spreads that the company
is indeed limiting production, it may overcome the problem. Pro Set
limited its Parkhurst hockey cards and it did well.
	``I'm glad they've cut production,'' said Dwight Temple, owner of
After The Anthem in Burbank, Calif. ``The cards are a lot nicer than
last year and it's not doing badly.''
	Prices range from 75 cents to $1 a pack. Each pack contains 15 cards
and one game card. Packs average five subset cards. Series 2 will be out
in October.
	HOCKEY: With the Rangers' Tony Amonte being named NHL Rookie of the
Year it should mean a boost for his cards. The Stanley Cup Playoffs
caused the hockey card market to rise. Amonte's Upper Deck issue (No.
450) is $4 and was set before Amonte won the award. The entire extended
set jumped to $17.50 with an arrow pointing up.
	STADIUM: Topps' Stadium Club Hockey set continues to sink. It's now
listed at $70 and going down. Too bad. It is an eye-catching set.
	SCORE-PINNACLE: A Score insert set has finally caught on in a big
way. The 12-card Team Pinnacle sub-set lists at $125. Wayne Gretzky and
Brett Hull lead the pack at $20 each.
	BRAILLE: Eight new Braille cards will be offered in Action Packed
Football foil this year. Previously, Braille cards were only offered to
the general public in factory sets. Action Packed has been donating
Braille cards to schools and organizations around the country. Among the
players featured are Emmitt Smith and Ronnie Lott.
	HOPE ANEW: Long known as America's favorite comedian, Bob Hope has
been known as one of the nation's favorite golfers as well. Hope, 89,
has been honored with a Pro Set trading card picturing him in full
swing. The card is highlighted by the famous Hope profile in gold.
	UPPER DECK: While the overall price of Upper Decks 1992 baseball set
is dropping ($35), the Ted Williams sub-set and the Home Run Heroes
continue to soar. The Williams sub-set lists at $17 while the attractive
Heroes 26-card sub-set sells for $50. It's an upgrade from last year's
Silver sluggers. The trademark bat on the border is gold. The only
drawback is the large photo on the back squeezes the text, making it
difficult to read. The avid reader will find lots of information,
although stating that Todd Zeile (No. HR26) was the ``first Cardinal
with his last name beginning with the letter 'Z' to hit a major league
home run'' is a bit much.
	Q & A: Are the 1992 Stadium Club Gold Cards limited?
	J. Lee, Burbank, Calif.
	Topps says since the Stadium Gold cards are part of the regular set
they are not any more limited than any other card in the series. One
recent box we opened had 21 Gold cards. Beware dealers who may charge a
large premium because the cards are different. We've seen the Frank
Thomas gold card at $8.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    
    At the end of the last note there was mention of a Gold Stadium card.
    By this are they refering to the members choice cards?
    
    
    Jim

    Probably the performance cards, what are they 291-300?
    

    They're numbered 591-600.
    
    John

    
    Just so people don't get mis-informed.  Pro Set is being extremely
    deceptive in it's advertising and promotional material regarding
    this year's football set.
    
    They are stating: "We will be limiting producing to 7,500 numbered
    HOBBY cases".
    
    They are also producing ***RETAIL*** cases -- you know, for places
    like Toys R Us, Kay-Bee, Woolworth's, Mom & Pop ... The differences
    between the two (retail and hobby) are:
    
    	1) Retail won't be numbered
    	2) Supposedly HOBBY will have more holograms inserted into
    	   their cases (yeah, random my ars).
    
    Don't let ANYONE tell you these cards are going to be LIMITED in
    any way, shape or form.
    
    -rjk

    It kills me when these companies say "the hobby"  or "collectors" asked
    for things like limited print runs etc. They should say "investors" and
    "dealers". The dealers like limited stuff  so  they  can jack up prices
    and then tell you it's scarce. Investors only like stuff they can hoard
    so they'll make a killing later on because no one can get ahold of it.
    
    John

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Message-id: <brillU2uA520pe@clarinet.com>
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 92 14:25:01 PDT
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                        Brill-iant Ideas:
	There are other price guides in the trading card industry but Beckett
is the Bible. Collectors only buy cards after consulting the most recent
Beckett Monthly. It's also a controversial and misunderstood magazine.
	``People are giving stuff away at shows cheaper than I get it direct
from the card companies and it has a lot to do with price guides,'' said
Mike Henderson, owner of Grand Slam Cards in Raleigh, N.C.
	Like any industry barometer a price guide can set the price rather
than letting the market do it. It's a danger Beckett wants to avoid.
	``We use regional correspondents, regular analysts, mail order
publications, computer trading networks, readers and the daily box
scores to help set our prices,'' said Theo Chen, Becketts Senior
Analyst. ``We travel to shows and shops to get an idea of what dealers
are asking and what people are paying.''
	Beckett employs 10 full time analysts. The magazines were founded by
Dr. James Beckett in 1984 and have grown from an annual publication to
various monthlies. Articles on players and a card show calendar are also
included.
	Many basketball collectors say Beckett is underpriced, but Chen
defends the pricing.
	``The older basketball market isn't strong and the newer cards are
all over produced,'' he said. ``Except for the Fleer Rookie Sensation
inserts there is only a certain level which newer cards can reach.''
	Such inserts are the hot trend. 
	``The problem with inserts is that people open packs just to get them
so the regular cards become plentiful and are next to worthless,'' said
Chen. ``While I don't think it's a negative trend, it's just where the
market is right now.''
	The 20-card, 1992 Fleer Baseball Rookie Sensations sub-set lists for
$200. There have been other crazy trends. Remember the promo craze of
1991 and the ``error'' cards in 1990? Chen says it's hard to predict if
this latest phenomenon will last.
	Then there is the question of why many complete sets are worth less
than the sum of the cards in that set.
	``A minority of players in any given set are hot cards and are easy
to sell while the balance of the cards are difficult to sell,'' he said.
``Therefore when the dealer sells a set he is moving all the cards at
once and is willing to discount the entire package.''
	What about the confusing aspect of the high and low columns? It has
nothing to do with whether or not a card is mint.
	``At shows, dealers usually sell only hot items at the high column,''
said Chen. ``The difference in the columns only represents the range
people are willing to pay for the card.''
	Condition IS a major factor in determining card value. If the card is
pre-1980 and in strictly mint condition, the price should be increased
by up to 50 percent. Again that is only a rule of thumb.
	``There is no law against selling something above or below book,''
Chen said.
	STADIUM: Stadium Club 2 is falling quickly at shows. The gold cards
helped spur demand initially, but consumers have quickly learned they
are part of the regular set and easy to get. Pack prices have fallen
from a debut of $3 to as low as $1.50. Boxes are selling at some shows
for $54.
	TV SHOPS: Buyers should use caution when purchasing items from cable
television programs. We saw one show selling a Topps Glossy Rookie Set 
``discounted'' to $19.75. It books for $8.
	FLEER: Ultra Series 2 arrives before the end of the month. It will be
a 300-card set with more inserts. There will be 50 rookies, a 10-card 
``All-Rookie Team'' and a 20-card ``All-Star'' sub-set. Expect Series 2
to be, as they say, ``hot.'' It needs the rookies to drive it because
most established stars are in Series 1.
	PINNACLE: Score Pinnacle Baseball debuted at $1.50 per pack and
wasn't setting the world on fire. Coming out between Stadium Club 2,
Ultra 1 and 2 and Leaf 1, Score could be hurt by timing.
	``It's selling strictly because it's new, not because it is good,''
said Bob Lewis of Graff Baseball Card Co., in Chicago. ``Consumers say
they don't like the black borders.''
	ACTION: Action Packed 1992 features four combo cards. They have shots
of two players, one overlapping the other.
	OLYMPICS: SkyBox has moved into a new arena with its USA Basketball
Series. Aside from cards autographed by Magic Johnson and David
Robinson, there is a plastic card featuring the Olympic Basketball Team.
It's more like a pocket calendar than a trading card. The 110-card set
will be out next week. Suggested retail for an eight-card pack is $1.99.
	RYAN: Special Legends Sports Magazines honoring Nolan Ryan will be
given out at Anaheim Stadium on June 16. The Angels will retire Ryan's
number ``30'' that night.
	Q & A: Is Upper Deck printing minor league cards?
	L. Wasny, Santa Barbara, Calif.
	Upper Deck is going all out for its debut Minor League Set. Albums
featuring the cornerstone players will be given away at all Triple A
sites. Brien Taylor signed an exclusive deal with Topps so Upper Deck
could only print a pre-major league card. The cards will be sold
everywhere and should make an impact.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 8140 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features,clari.sports.top
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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Date: Wed, 1 Jul 92 11:14:25 PDT
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	Denny's again is slamming the competition with sports collectibles
but this year their cards are available at every meal instead of only in
conjunction with a ``Grand Slam Breakfast.''
	The restaurant chain will hand out Upper Deck holograms in a
nationwide promotion featuring one player from each team. The difference
this year is that you can get the cards at breakfast, lunch or dinner.
	``As far as adding traffic at Denny's we felt it was sucessful enough
to do it a second year,'' said Jennifer Harmon, Denny's National
Advertising manager. Some dealers would order several meals just to get
the cards and either leave the food or pass it on to someone else.
Harmon says Denny's did see a significant increase in the number of
Grand Slam Breakfasts in 1991.
	This time you'll get one of the 26 holograms if you order any of 10
special meals. Behind each player is a landmark unique to his city. The
San Diego Mission offsets the Padres' Fred McGriff while the Yankees'
Matt Nokes is driving one deep past the Statue of Liberty. The holograms
are clear and colorful when it comes to the players, although some of
the backgrounds are better than others. Some are a bit blurry. The
Hollywood sign behind Dodger Kal Daniels is perhaps the best.
	Only players who have hit grand slams are included in the set, which
means player selection is limited. While there are stars like Cal Ripken
and Will Clark, Ken Caminiti and Luis Polonia won't drive this set.
	Denny's will hold in-restaurant swap meets offering collectors the
chance to trade with other collectors.
	``That will be organized by the managers who will set it up,
depending on which dates work in that store,'' Harmon said. ``We feel
real good about giving customers a chance to make trades.''
	The promotion runs from July 1 through Sept. 13 while supplies last.
Harmon will not release the numbers available. 
	The cards will be distributed randomly instead of a specific player
each week.
	NBA TOPPS: Just a week after Topps secured a contract to print NBA
cards, dealers are lining up. ``There has been tremendous interest,''
said Paul Esacove, of California-based Paul's Candy Company. ``If they
do it right, this will be knockout product, big stuff.'' Meanwhile
sources indicate that at least 25 of the top 35 rookies will be in the
Stadium Club set and there will be two series. Look for the same with
football and hockey.
	PARKHURST 2: Parkhurst Series 2 features 48 rookies while the Final
Update of 25 cards includes the Award Winners and the Stanley Cup cards.
	UV SPECIAL: The UV coated product Upper Deck is releasing at the
National is a 54-card set featuring All-Star players from the past and
present as well as future candidates. It's the company's first attempt
at a higher quality UV card. The cards are borderless and come with
either silver or gold foil. Frank Thomas, Nolan Ryan and Robin Roberts
make this one hot collectible.
	UPPER DECK: Leave it to Upper Deck to find another reason to buy
cards. The company has released the Hero Highlights pack (different from
Baseball Heros). There is also a French version. Plus, a new feature in
the 1992 factory sets. While cards in packs have silver holograms on the
card backs, the factory sets will have gold foil holograms. They should
be out in August.
	TOPPS KIDDS: ``Topps Kids'' is out. With aspects similar to Scores
Big Head cards and Topps Big, it's a fun-looking set but not very
imaginative. Many of the cards, such as Will Clark's and Ellis Burks',
feature actual head shots on cartoon bodies. The cartoon backs are very
much like the Topps Big series, including a lot of information for
youngsters to ponder.
	HOCKEY: The latest Beckett lists the 12-card Score Pinnacle B insert
set at $175. How rare are they? Many dealers say they have never seen
one. Wayne Gretzky is tops at $30 while Mario Lemieux and Brett Hull are
$28 each. Stadium Club has finally stopped sliding and could be poised
for a move up. After his standout performance in the playoffs Lemieux's
cards are up. His O-Pee-Chee 1985-86 rookie is $175 while his Topps
issue is $110.
	STAR PICS: Star Pics Football for 1992 is high quality as is usually
the case with this cardmaker. Washington defensive tackle Steve Emtman
is the cornerstone. While it lacks marquee quarterbacks and running
backs, the 1992 draft was so deep this could easily be one of Star Pics
best.
	GAMEDAY: As if there weren't enough football cards on the market the
NFL will unveil the new ``GameDay'' cards at the National. Others are in
line as well.
	POLITICS: Sacramento entrepreneur Michael Ross is pumping Ross Perot
cards. Ross will print 12 Perot trading cards with information about
Perot's life and his positions on the issues. One card calls Perot the 
``Rookie Star of '92.'' Money from the cards will be donated to Perot's
campaign. Meanwhile, Wild Card is releasing its political cards called 
``Decision 92.''
	Q & A: I really like the Comic Ball cards. Are more planned?
	H.Neyer, Washington, D.C.
	Upper Deck will release Comic Ball 4, which has cartoon characters
with football players.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 8200 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2l81245pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 92 9:52:51 PDT
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	The 13th National Sports Collector's Convention has arrived in Dixie
and it promises to be a strong show in these tough economic times. It
also brought some new wrinkles to the Georgia World Congress Center in
Atlanta.
	``This is the first time Topps has been a corporate sponsor at the
annual convention,'' said show manager Pam Stevens of Smith, Bucklin
Associates in Chicago. ``We've also added McDonald's and lots of
billboards to make this a unique marketing venture.''
	After 94,000 people attended the 1991 National in Anaheim, Calif.,
the Atlanta event should draw 75,000. This is the first time the
convention has been held in the South, and it's also the first time the
National Convention Committee has hired an outside firm to run the huge
show.
	``This is an industry showcase event which has grown to tremendous
size,'' said Stevens. ``So far it has cost over a million dollars and
net proceeds will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.''
	There are 878 dealers each paying $425 for a booth and 100 corporate
sponsors. The fact that Topps decided to attend is big news in itself.
Topps had lost some of its share of the market due to upsart Upper Deck
and increased activity by other companies. Now Topps looks like it's
finally taken its leadership role to heart.
	Topps' big splash is a $100,000 giveaway. Through a nationwide
promotion, Topps selected five people to each spend $10,000 at the
convention. One of the the lucky five gets to spend $100,000, making
show dealers very happy.
	Among the highlights this year are two auctions held by Bruce
McNall's Superior Galleries, the unveiling of the NFL Game Day cards, a
Pro Set banquet open to the public, a Donruss photo booth where you can
have your own trading card made and the usual array of autograph
signers.
	Other twists include dealers getting 37 percent rebates while a large
portion of gate receipts will go to Ronald McDonald Children's
Charities.
	Stevens promises the problems of last year's show -- substantial
amount of theft and long lines for autographs -- are history. This is one
of the few shows which is open to both the public and the industry. As a
result, crowd control is a problem.
	``We took a hard look at past conventions in making things right,''
she said. ``We never want to lose sight of the dealers and the sponsors
who make this show.''
	The 1993 convention will be in Chicago, and Los Angeles, Houston and
Philadelphia are finalists for the 15th National in 1994.
	The Convention runs through Sunday.
	FANFEST: The National Convention overlaps Fan Fest at the All-Star
Game in San Diego. Will the two major shows detract from each other?
	``It's hard to say because the National has been in existence quite
some time and the main hobby dealers have been there from the beginning,
'' said Ray Schulte, the consultant for Major League Baseball who set up
Fan Fest. ``The hard core collectors go to the National while card
collecting is just one element of our event.''
	Over 200 dealers (40 percent from California) have signed up and
Schulte expects up to 100,000 visitors. Next year there will be a two
week window between the shows. Most major corporate sponsors will
attend. Topps will not.
	ULTRA 2: Fleer Ultra 2 is on the market and it opened with a bang.
With the huge success of Ultra 1, wholesalers are being careful how much
of the second series they are passing on to show dealers. Some report
paying between $70 and $85 dollars a box, which translates to $90 a box
to consumers. Some dealers won't sell boxes, preferring to sell packs
instead. If consumers can wait, the price should drop to within reason.
	ACTION MACKEY: One of the neatest collectibles to arrive has to be
the Action Packed set given out at a benefit in Chicago. The three
cards, two enclosed in a hard plastic case, honor Hall of Famer John
Mackey, the Eagles' Reggie White (winner of the Whizzer White Award for
community service) and Jack Kemp, who is Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development and a former NFL quarterback. Kemp's card is No. HUD. The
cards are 24K gold leaf. Kemp will do the honors when Mackey is inducted
into the Hall of Fame in August. Don't expect to see these for sale at a
show but if you do, don't hesitate to buy.
	SCORE ITALIAN: Score had such success with its Italian Soccer cards,
that the company decided to bring the product to the United States. It's
a pretty card but is there sufficent interest in soccer cards that few
Americans can read?
	Q & A: With so many new cards it's hard to decide which to buy. I
like Leaf. Is it a good buy?
	T.James, Baltimore, Md.
	Leaf is always a good buy. Buy what YOU like as a collector. Leaf has
been selling for $65 a box at shows but should drop a little now that it
has arrived at the warehouse stores where it's selling for $40. It's
expected to be one of the more stable products of the season.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    
    FWIW:  The Topps spending spree has to be spent on TOPPS cards.
    
    -rjk

    RE:  -.1
    
    I knew there was a catch!!
    
    dan
    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL, every indication the 13th National Sports Collector's Convention in Atlanta and FanFest in San Diego were both successful. In Atlanta 65, 000 people attended the National while figures for FanFest were not available at this writing.)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports' Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	By every indication the 13th National Sports Collector's Convention
in Atlanta and FanFest in San Diego were both successful. In Atlanta 65,
000 people attended the National while figures for FanFest were not
available at this writing.
	``Reaction from the dealers was incredibly tositive,'' said show
manager Pam Stevens of Smith, Bucklin Associates, which handled the
National. ``Of course it depended on the dealers you talked to but they
seemed very pleased with the outcome.''
	There was concern because this was a first time event for the South.
However, with the attendance and the dollars spent, Atlanta showed it
was ripe for the ultimate collectors show. 
	``We achieved one of our primary goals which was to give the sports
memorabilia industry a shot in the arm,'' she said. 
	Stevens added everything went smoothly and the problems of crowd
control which plagued last years show in Anaheim were overcome.
	Other problems were not so easily solved. Divisions between dealers
remain and it showed when they narrowly voted not to renew Smith,
Bucklin's contract to run the show in 1994. The firm will run next years
event in Chicago. The site of the 1994 convention is up in the air.
	FanFest was awesome. More than a show, FanFest has become a 
``happening.'' Organizers made a good decision in putting the card show
on one floor, corporate booths on another and signers in a large third
room. While lines were long for autographs they moved well and were very
relaxed.
	All autographs were free, whereas most signers charge at the
National. Among those signing in San Diego were Hall of Famers Enos
Slaughter and Fergie Jenkins. Vendors sold baseballs for $6. One
enterprising collector stood in line with an album full of inexpensive
cards of the signing players. He sold the cards for $2 each and did a
brisk business.
	``Fanfest is more sophisticated and more fan oriented than the other
shows,'' collector John Dommers said. ``What makes it fun is that things
change every day.''
	There was everything the average baseball fan could want including
minor league exhibits and free games of skill.
	Leaf/Donruss had a ``make your own baseball card'' booth at both
sites and Upper Deck debuted its super premium FanFest card set with UV
coating. The borderless cards are much thicker than Fleer Ultra or Topps
Stadium Club and were well received.
	``The FanFest Set is real nice and about the best I've seen,'' said
Richard Hernandez who admits to being a big Upper Deck Collector.
	Mega Cards unveiled the new colorized photo series following on the
heels of the Conlan Collection and its Babe Ruth Series. Silver Star
displayed the Roger Clemens hologram and announced that Ken Griffey,
Frank Thomas, Daryl Strawberry and Will Clark will be next. Former
relief ace Dan Quisenberry held a pitching clinic and a number of
baseball executives were on hand to talk to the fans.
	EARNINGS: Figures from Wall Street show Topps is still number one
with 1991 sales breaking $300 million followed by Fleer at $161 million.
Topps stock is selling at $17 while Fleer is over $23. Topps will boom
even more when it debuts Stadium Club Basketball this fall.
	PINNACLE BOOM: In unbelievable fashion the new Score Team Pinnacle
Baseball set debuted at $300. It is a 12 card insert set and very
difficult to find. The Frank Thomas/Will Clark card is at the top, $50.
	ROOKIE INSERTS: Fleers Rookie Sensations finally dropped. The set is
down to $175. Almost all insert sets dropped this month which could be
due to the rush of new product coming out this summer. Collectors just
can't pursue everything. One collector at FanFest told me he wishes the
major companies would limit their sets to 600 cards for that very
reason.
	LEAF: To the surprise of many 1992 Leaf Set debuted at only $25.
There are few stars. Frank Thomas will be in Series 2. As with Fleer
Ultra many dealers are opening the boxes to get the highly valued insert
cards. They in turn sell the sets at blowout prices. We've seen Series 1
sets as low as $12.50. It's not a good sign for the hobby but it is a
great deal for collectors who can take advantage of these low prices on
complete sets.
	MEGA ACTION: Action Packed is coming out with a 24K gold leaf card
set which will retail for $200 per pack. Yes, you read right. At $200
per pack they better be great, especially when you consider there are
only six cards in a pack. It will take two boxes (48 packs) to complete
``The Mint Collection.''
	Q & A: Is memorabilia from the Olympics worth collecting as an
investment?
	K.Holt, San Diego, Calif.
	Since the Olympics only happen every few years they can be a good
investment. The related problem is that trying to sell your investment
can be difficult because interest in Olympics memorabilia peaks only
during the games. Overall they are a good investment but be selective.
Press materials and medallions do well. When it comes to pins stick with
those from smaller, less developed nations and those which feature
first-time sports. Beware of fakes.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2lN210pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 92 11:41:53 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
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Brill-iant Ideas:
	Now that the Olympics have arrived, the cardmaker with the exclusive
license to make Olympic trading cards is grinning from ear to ear. In
addition, SkyBox is blasting through the NFL as the USA Dream Team
rockets over the competition in Barcelona.
	``We're jumping into football full tilt this year with three lines of
football cards,'' SkyBox spokesman Doug Drotman said.
	SkyBox will again make Pro Line cards and two others will make their
debuts. The Impact series targets the consumer, while Prime Time will be
sold only to hobby dealers.
	The UV coated Prime Time is limited to 10,000 cases with 20 numbered
boxes in each. Packs contain 12 cards and will be released late in the
season so the rookies will appear in their NFL uniforms.
	Impact is a 350-card set featuring the stars of the NFL, including UV
coated special inserts of Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly. Kelly signed
cards as well.
	Some will not be featured as the suit between the players and the NFL
continues in court.
	``We never want to talk about who we don't have but I will say the
one guy who might be the hole is Barry Sanders,'' Drotman said. ``We
have everyone else and nobody has everybody.
	The Pro Line set again will feature players in street clothes. This
year's series picks up where the last series left off, starting with
card No. 301. The opportunity to get autographed Pro Line cards is one
in every 36 packs.
	There will be nine-card subsets of 50 different players, similar to
the 110-card USA Basketball set which profiles players on the Olympic
basketball team.
	``We're excited about the USA set because it breaks the mold of
basketball cards,'' Drotman said.
	The most highly prized card is the blue plastic USA Team card which
is similar to a pocket calender and is very difficult to damage.
	``This team is going to be a memory that will last a lifetime so this
plastic card is definitley something that will last a long time,''
Drotman said.
	Next year, Hoops and SkyBox will continue the Olympic trend. Hoops
will highlight the just-concluded Tournament of the Americas while
SkyBox will have action shots from the Olympics.
	Drotman welcomes Topps back into the NBA fold. Many believe Topps
Stadium Club cards will blow away the rest of the market.
	``Competition will bring out the best in everybody,'' he said. ``We
think Topps will bring new collectors into the hobby and that will make
basketball card collecting more mainstream.''
	``We're very confident in our product,'' said Drotman. ``If people
are going to collect basketball cards I think we have as good a product
as anybody else.''
	OLY BASKETBALL: As the Olympics get underway, the price of Olympic
cards is on the rise, especially Team USA. Both Skybox 2 ($24) and Hoops
2 ($14) are up, driven by Olympic cards in those sets. Most insert sets
are down and so is Upper Deck with the exception of the West Heroes. The
Heroes are $4 per card and $20 for the Header. Dikembe Mutombo (No. 3)
has fallen to $5.
	BECKETT: The August issue of Beckett Basketball Monthly is destined
to become a collector's item. It features an awesome painting of Michael
Jordan soaring above the clouds to meet three vintage World War 2
bombers.
	TOPPS SPREE: Topps' first visit to a national convention was a
success. Company officials ushered grand prize winner Bert Price around
as he spent his $100,000. The items he purchased included a 1952 Topps
set, a case of 1982 Traded (Ripken's rare rookie card), and rookie cards
of Nolan Ryan, Lew Alcindor and Roberto Clemente.
	ALL-STARS: Colla Cards produced a special All-Star set released at
FanFest. Only 25,000 numbered sets were produced with 24 cards and some
photos are bland poses. The best action shot may be the swing of Mark
McGwire. It's No. 1 in the series and is THE numbered card. The cards
are borderless, UV coated and have some very true colors. However, a
couple of the action shots are not as clear as they could be.
	TUFF STUFF: Sources indicate Tuff Stuff, recently purchased by Cadmus
Communications, will continue to print trading cards but may cut back.
Targets dates have already been missed for the second series of the
Civil War cards.
	HOLOGRAMS: Silverstar Holograms will print 175,000 each of five new
players due out within the month. The five are Roger Clemens, Darryl
Strawberry, Will Clark, Frank Thomas, and Ken Griffey. One company
official said the set may grow to include more than five.
	RINGS: Are you ready for the rings? Balfour, out of Attleboro, Mass.,
has been licensed by the NHL, the NFL and Major League Baseball to
produce team rings. They sell for $78 to $120. Try 1-800-235-6533 for
more information.
	Q & A: Are newer Bowman Hockey sets worth much?
	K. Miller, Studio City, Calif.
	Not at the moment. The 1990-91 set lists at $17, while the following
set is priced at $15. Rookies in the first set include Jeremy Roenick,
Ed Belfour and Kevin Stevens. Remember that even though these cards were
plentiful, Topps has discontinued Bowman, so hang on to them. Because
they were only made for two years, they will eventually become valuable.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 8397 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sport's Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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                         Brill-iant Ideas
	If you believe the price of trading cards has gotten out of hand,
then this story is not for you. Would you pay $200 for a pack of six
brand new cards? There are collectors who will and speculators have
purchased nearly all of the NFL Mint Collection produced by Action
Packed.
	``It's a very specific audience we're going after and we've sold
about 75 percent of the boxes,'' said spokeswoman Laurie Pearlstein.
	Only 500 sets were made. There are 1,000 boxes and to complete the
set a collector must purchase one box from column ``A'' and one box from
column ``B.'' The wholesale price for a 24-pack box is $2,400 with a
retail value of $4,800.
	``It sounds ridiculous when you think of it,'' admits Pearlstein. 
``Except, when you figure the cards average $16 each and the star cards
will sell for much more.''
	The 288-card Mint Collection duplicates the regular Action Packed
series except the cards are 24k gold leaf. The front has a black border
and there is a four color head shot on the back.
	Ten players from each NFL team are featured plus eight Braille cards
which is an Action Packed trademark.
	``This is a very, very limited and numbered edition,'' said
Pearlstein. ``We found collectors wanted something they knew was
limited. It's not for the kid with a pocketful of change, obviously.''
	Obviously.
	Buyers also get a 24k Barry Sanders prototype which in some cities
could sell for $2,400.
	Action Packed officials consider the company THE trendsetter. It was
the first company to make cards with gold foil, the first to have 24k
gold inserts and the first to sell cards at $2 a pack.
	``We like to think of ourselves as a luxury card,'' said Pearlstein.
	Upper Deck is another trendsetter and was the first to produce
premium cards. Trying to regain some of the luster it lost in the past
year, Upper Deck will debut a premium card likely to retail in the $50
per pack neighborhood. It is still in the planning stages.
	``We're not cast in concrete with any of this yet,'' said Vice
President Jay McCracken, who believes there is a market for this type of
product.
	``It's the ultimate in niche marketing,'' he said. ``When we began
our company in 1989 we didn't know how big the premium card market was,
but at this point we think there are collectors who really want the
upscale stuff.''
	The set would highlight Upper Deck spokesmen Joe Montana, Wayne
Gretzky and Reggie Jackson, to name a few. Production would be very
limited with one player being released at a time.
	It should debut before the end of the year.
	OLY PINS: Pin trading remains the most popular Olympic sport. Coca-
Cola has established a pin-trading center in Barcelona where peddlers
and collectors meet. There are 3-5,000 different styles of official pins
and many unofficial ones. Among the most popular are press pins brought
by news organizations.
	FANFEST: Upper Deck experienced quality control problems with its
FanFest sets. Company officials say the problems were more than they
normally face with new products. Some of the UV coated cards were bent
and will be replaced at no charge if collectors send them back.
	LINDROS: Score passed out Eric Lindros cards featuring him in a
Flyers uniform. Rumors spread that there were only 500 made and the
price reportedly skyrocketed to $1,000 in Philadelphia. Score gave away
many more and is taking steps to make the card available to the consumer
very soon. So save your hard earned dollars.
	AUCTION: It must be the 90's. The Leland's Hall of Fame auction Aug.
4 will have Ty Cobb's game-worn uniform and the digs worn by Roger Maris
during his record breaking 1961 season (blood stain included). Also up
for sale, and expected to draw silent bids and hearty laughs, are four
Champ Prophylactics with the faces of sports figures gracing the
packages. One condom pack features Ted Williams. While the Cobb Jersey
should sell for $115,000, the four condoms might bring $300.
	FOOTBALL: Beckett Football Monthly did not disappoint with its
pricing of the football version of Fleers Rookie Sensations. The 20 card
insert set is worth $100. Leonard Russell and Todd Marinovich rank high
at $12 each. The 24 card All-Pro team debuted at $15 while the Team
Leader inserts list for $27. The special Mark Rypien cards are $1.50
each. Score and Pro Set list for $16 while Pacific Plus is $14 per set.
Every 1991 football set either dropped or stayed the same with the
exception of the regular Fleer set which at $10 is going up.
	ACTION BB: Action Packed releases its first baseball cards in
September. ``All-Star Gallery'' has 84 retired major leaguers who played
in the midsummer classic. The seven card packs each contain one Hall of
Famer. Action Packed is trying to get a major league baseball license to
produce regular issue cards.
	Q & A: Now that Classic has signed Shaquille O'Neal does that mean
there won't be an Upper Deck, Fleer or Topps card of him?
	D. Radcliffe, No. Hollywood, Calif.
	Not Necessarlly. If O'Neal signs his NBA contract before the other
companies to go to print he will be in those sets. If he doesn't he
would be in the update sets. Classic has the exclusive to his first card
but once he's in the NBA he's fair game.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    Hey the 1991 Fleer set is going up. I knew it was a nice set ;-)
    
    John

Article 8494 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.local.sfbay,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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Date: Wed, 12 Aug 92 17:59:50 PDT
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     United Press International
	The announced move of the San Francisco Giants to Florida has
triggered a rush on Giants' memorabilia from coast to coast. If the
Giants do move, the Tampa-St. Petersburg area could become a Southeast
mecca for the industry.
	``The fever is big here because the people are so hungry for a pro
team they'll adopt anybody,'' said Skip Weintraub of Baseball Card
Clubhouse in Tampa. ``The day after the announcement I took two dozen
orders for Giants team sets and lots of calls for Will Clark rookie
cards.''
	In the city by the other bay they bought all the tickets to the last
game.
	``Most of the demand is for tickets and in the wake of that we're
selling a lot of merchandise,'' said Bob Tolifson, the clubs director of
retail operations. ``Tickets for the last game are sold out but people
generally are buying anything with 'San Francisco' on it.''
	Final game tickets are always hot items. Ducats for the New York
Giants finale at the Polo Grounds in good condition sell for $60, while
unused tickets in mint condition sell for more than $100.
	``Ticket takers told me many people bought an extra ticket with the
idea that they would use one and keep the other,'' said Duane Garrett,
Giants historian and president of the San Francisco based Richard
Wolffers Auctions.
	There is also disgust. One longtime Giants fan came into Wolffers the
morning after the announcement and dumped his entire collection of
Giants' uniforms.
	``He had game-worn uniforms from Mays, Bonds, Perry and Will Clark,''
Garrett said. ``He was just fed up over the prospect of the move.''
	Tolifson said the five retail stores owned by the Giants have been
very busy but he's not sure how long the trend will last, adding that
it's slowed the past few days.
	Garrett believes that while the short term impact on the hobby is
strong, the long term value of Giants memorabilia from all three cities
will level off.
	``There is always a rush of collecting interest in a new city
regarding the recent history of the franchise,'' he said. ``Eventually
interest in San Francisco will wane, like it did in New York where you
once had a million Giants fans and now you have only a fraction of that.
''
	The move is good for the hobby because it adds one more city to the
lineup. Now the people of Florida won't have to wait for their stars to
develop with the expansion Marlins. Instead they'll have their own
built-in superstars and Will Clark rookie cards have a brand new place
to shine.
	``I even sold all of the Will Clark Starting Line-Up statues I've had
on the shelf for a year,'' Weintraub said. ``Everybody wants a piece of
the Giants and Clark seems to be the headliner.''
	PRO SET: Pro Set, rumored to be in trouble in recent months, has
replaced chief executive Lud Denny with Robert McLaughlin. McLaughlin, a
specialist in turning around troubled firms, immediatly set upon the
task of securing additional funding and says he's finalizing a financial
agreement. Denny, who founded Pro Set, will work on other projects.
	BUCKNER BALL: When actor Charlie Sheen (``Major League'') paid $93,
000 at auction for the baseball Bill Buckner booted in the 1986 World
Series allowing the Mets to come back and win, he thought he had a
bargain. Now Buckner says he still has the ball that Mookie Wilson hit.
Stay tuned. We haven't heard the last of this one yet.
	UPPER DECK: Upper Deck has a winner with its high numbered baseball
series. Four inserts will drive the product although the set itself is
undervalued at $9. The hottest insert could be the Tom Selleck-Frank
Thomas short print card. Women who don't collect cards have been asking
for the Selleck card, which is taken from his film, ``Mr. Baseball.''
	BECKETT: Score Pinnacle Baseball is the highlight of the latest
Beckett price guide. The 12-card Team Pinnacle insert set jumped to
$350. The high dollar card is No. 4, featuring Frank Thomas and Will
Clark. It lists for $60. The 40-card Team Pinnacle 2000 inserts debuted
at $27. Fleer Ultra 2 also hit the guide for the first time and lists at
$38 per set, while the Ultra All-Rookie Team is $40 and the All Star set
is $120.
	HOT PLAYERS: Players to watch are the Orioles Mike Mussina, the Blue
Jays Juan Guzman and Eric Karros of the Dodgers. All are becoming hot
commodities and their cards are undervalued.
 
	Q & A: Will Topps continue its gold card inserts in football?
	R. Manning, No.Hollywood, Calif.
	
	Yes, however, there will be a gold card in every pack instead of one
per box. The cards are well done. The card featuring Detroit lineman
Mike Utley, who was paralyzed in a game last season, has favorite
memories detailed on the back. Boxes collate well, leaving collectors
just a few cards short of a set.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 8550 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sport's Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2aJ350pe@clarinet.com>
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ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
	
	If you are looking for innovative baseball cards look no farther than
the latest from Leaf. Leafs second edition of Studio Cards is a big
change from 1991 and is indeed quite special. Following last year's
successful debut of the black and white portrait cards, Leaf has taken
the product a step farther.
	``In our thinking studio was defined as a unique concept in a card,
different from the standard color action shots,'' said Vince Naus of
Leaf. ``We never intended to be locked into black and white portraits.''
	While the 1991 Studio cards featured a black and white portrait, this
year's card is a marriage of portrait and action. Of the two photos on
the front, one is a standard black and white action shot. The studio
portrait this year is in color and graces one fourth of the card.
	Although the larger photo is grainy, it is very much an eye-catching
combination.
	``The action shot was intentionally downplayed so that the focus of
the card would be on the color portrait,'' he said. ``We wanted a glary
look where it appeared that the player was actually sitting in front of
a large blowup of himself playing the game.''
	The card backs are void of photos but do carry the team's insignia in
a diamond followed by lots of interesting personal information.
	For example, while Ruben Sierra's best friend is teammate Juan
Gonzales, he'd most like to meet Michael Jordan. And while Barry Bonds
still considers former teammate Bobby Bonilla his best pal, his favorite
singer is Michael Jackson.
	While I didn't like Studio 1991 nor have I joined the insert craze
which has swept the hobby, Studio 1992 is neat. The regular issue cards
are interesting and on good UV coated stock. However, the best thing is
the first ever Studio inserts, called Heritage, which come about four to
a box.
	``The Heritage cards are as limited and will be as actively sought as
Diamond Kings which sparked our regular Donruss set,'' said Naus.
	The 14 card subset takes baseball back to its roots. The 14 current
major leaguers (eight in regular packs and six in Jumbos) are pictured
in uniforms their teams wore in the past. Darryl Strawberry wears a
Brooklyn Dodgers outfit, Kirby Puckett wears a Washington Senators
uniform and Baltimore's Cal Ripken wears the digs of the St. Louis
Browns. The Browns moved to Baltimore after all those awful seasons in
Missouri.
	The Heritage cards look like old faded photos. They are bordered in
teal with a gold foil stamp.
	Available in early September, Studio cards come 12 to a pack with 48
packs per box. Suggested retail is $1.09 but look for them at $2 per
pack as they hit the market. While Jumbo packs have been added this year
the total production will be less than last year's product which was low
to begin with. The factory direct cost is $36 a box so expect the retail
price at shops and shows to settle in at about $55.
	Leaf finally made the move to the highly desirable UV coating just in
time for this set.
	``We were just able to complete our testing to be certain that the
plant conditions would make it a quality product,'' he said. ``We didn't
want quality control problems with scratching and sticking.''
	Upper Deck ran into problems with its Fan Fest set. Many of the cards
were bent or scratched.
	Naus says the company is looking at adding UV coating to all its sets
in 1992.
	FLEER-MINORS: Less than a week after Marvel announced it was
purchasing Fleer, Fleer completed a deal to purchase ProCards. ProCards
makes minor league team sets and moves Fleer into another arena.
	``We are adding a new dimension to the Fleer sportscard line and
doing so with a company that pioneered much of what is going on today,''
said Fleer President Vincent Murray.
	Founded in 1985, ProCard will produce 148 different team sets this
year. Fleer follows Upper Deck into the minor card market. Upper Deck
will print its first minor league cards this fall.
 
	POST-OLY: The U.S. Post Office is offering collectors a piece of
Olympic history. For $29.95, collectors will receive six stamps,
envelopes and Barcelona postmarks commemorating five different Olympic
sports. The sixth features the Olympic torch. The collectibles can be
purchased individually but if you purchase the set you also get a
special Olympics pin. Only 50,000 sets were made.
 
	LINDROSS: As expected, Eric Lindross' first card, 1990 Baseball Score
Traded, is up. It now lists at $5.50.
 
	COLLATION CORNER: Collation on boxes of 1992 Leaf leaves something to
be desired. While there is a gold card in every pack and about four to
five gold leaf rookies in each box, it is difficult to put together a
set from one box. It is just as difficult to get two sets from two
boxes.
 
	Q & A: Can you tell me more about the Upper Deck Heroes Highlight
cards?
	V. Habamyan, Aguoura Hills, Calif.
	Dealers who participate in Upper Decks own card shows around the
country can buy up to two cases which feature the special cards.
Randomly inserted are cards commemorating 10 greats from the past
including Lou Brock, Reggie Jackson, Robin Roberts and Brooks Robinson.
Some are signed.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 10131 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2aQ120pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 92 10:24:45 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	Making a living producing baseball cards, especially for a small
company, can be extremely difficult.
	While many smaller companies are in trouble for a number of reasons,
one small firm is in the game for the long haul. Colla Cards has a
quality product and is growing slowly in hopes of finding its niche in
the vast world of trading cards.
	``We're a real small company putting out a big-league product,'' said
Barry Colla of the company that bears his name. ``We're not going to
become an Upper Deck. We want to stay small.''
	Colla, which produced an All-Star set in 1992, started two years ago
with a limited edition Will Clark set. Designed to sell for $10 each, it
now sells for $30. Only 15,000 Clark sets were made.
	Colla went on to make other individual sets including Don Mattingly
and Jose Canseco. In 1991 eight more players were added including Ken
Griffey Jr., Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter. Only 7,500 each were made of
the latter two.
	The 1992 All-Star set is a winner. The borderless cards are UV coated
with the players' lifetime All-Star statistics on the back. The 20-card
sets sell for $10. When the rosters were determined for the annual game,
Colla went into its second phase of production. Everyone who bought the
set was mailed the cards of the additional four players who made the
team. The additions were Ivan Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Joe Carter and
Chuck Knoblauch.
	``We hope to do the same thing next year for the game in Baltimore,''
said Colla.
	There were only 25,000 numbered 1992 All-Star sets. The first card in
each set (Mark McGwire) carries the limited edition number.
	Perhaps one reason these cards are so good is that Barry Colla is the
chief photographer. He was a photographer by trade long before he was a
card-maker.
	``We have a staff of five and I do all the photography, the pre-
production work and we package everything ourselves,'' he said. ``I
prefer it that way because we can produce the limited edition sets and I
can oversee quality control.''
	Colla doesn't want the firm to become too large.
	``We're trying to put out a quality product at a reasonable price
with some supply and demand involved,'' said Colla. ``We want something
that is unique and in short supply.''
	Next up are sets of Mark McGwire and Tony Gwynn, both due in a few
weeks. Colla isn't sure what direction he'll take in 1993 because he
wants to add more sports.
	``I would prefer to get into one more sport because as everybody
knows the baseball market is really saturated,'' he said.
	Colla has also produced sports post cards, which are not limited and
sell for $1 each or six for $5.
 
	FOOTBALL: Almost all the regular 1992 sets are off, according to the
latest Beckett Monthly Price Guide. But, as expected, the inserts are
up. Fleers Rookie Sensations are up to $105 for the 20-card set.
	TOPPS: Topps regular edition football is hot. While the set itself
debuted at $14 (Emmitt Smith at $1.25) having a gold card in every pack
is driving sales. Wholesalers are already talking about upping the price
to dealers. Beckett has not yet listed a range for gold cards.
	REAL GOLD CARDS: More than a year after the first promos were handed
out, Precious Metal Cards has come through with its first actual
product. PM Cards has released a Brooks Robinson card that is a real
work of art. The cards contain one gram of gold or platinum or one troy
ounce of silver. In all, there are four Robinson cards and nine football
cards. A Babe Ruth card is due soon. Prices range from $92.50 to $107.50
per card and can be purchased through authorized dealers or by calling
800-528-8819.
	UPPER DECK AGAIN: Leave it to Upper Deck. The company has come up
with another product to complete its 1992 baseball set -- a limited
edition 54-card hologram set featuring the best hitter and pitcher from
each team. Happily, collectors don't have to buy packs since the item is
sold only as a boxed set. Suggested price is under $30.
	SCORE HOCKEY: Score Hockey will be available next month. This year
there will be two distinct sets. The French set will vary widely from
the English set and will include different inserts. There will be a
total of four Eric Lindross cards. The colorful cards are among Score's
best. We'll have more in a future column.
 
	Q & A: Is it true Topps will have random inserts in Stadium Club 3?
	J. Grosh, Lancaster, Calif.
 
	Topps had to come up with something to drive 1992 Stadium Club, and a
three-card insert set featuring the No. 1 draft picks of the past three
years is the key. Chipper Jones, Brien Taylor and Phil Nevin cards can
be found in an average of one in every two boxes.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
 
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 10257 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2S21220pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 92 9:23:20 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
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Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	The trading card industry may have weathered the worst of the
recession but it is not out of the woods yet. While collectors are
frustrated with the amount of new product on the market the trend is
again moving toward older cards.
	In turn, the major card-makers are cutting production. That's a good
sign in light of the demise of Pro Set, which has filed for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection.
	``I'm hoping the others will learn from Pro Set,'' said Bill Rodman,
president of B&J Collectibles, a New Jersey mail order house. ``Topps
and Upper Deck must realize they can't kill the golden goose.''
	Pro Set overproduced and when supply far exceeded demand collectors
stopped buying Pro Set because the value kept dropping.
	Upper Deck will make 50 percent fewer football cards after the
product fell through the floor last year because there was too much of
it.
	``We are not worried or scared in any way but we have some concerns
about the market,'' said Upper Deck Vice President Jay McCracken. ``We
need to look at values in the secondary market and we have to cut
production a little bit probably in all four sports. ... We may have
produced too much baseball this year.''
	Dealers and collectors alike feel there are too many companies
producing cards.
	``The companies are forcing people to choose what is going to
survive,'' said Bob Cunningham of Blue-Gray Collectibes in Marietta, Ga.
``Since there are so many choices the lower-priced products are falling.
Kids are buying $4 packs instead of 50 cent packs.''
	McCracken and Rodman agree there are too many companies producing
draft pick sets. 
	``Ultimately it's up to the collector to decide,'' said Julie Yolles
of Star Pics, the first of the draft pick card-makers. ``If you can
offer unique and different things that are quality products, let the
competition thrive.''
	Collectors and especially dealers have found the hobby was not
recession proof.
	``The recession has most definately caught up with the hobby,''
Rodman said. ``We're also seeing the mass produced product which was
hoarded is now being put on the market and there just aren't enough
people to buy it.''
	A year ago 1989 Upper Deck factory sets were selling for $220 if you
could find them. Now you see them at almost every show and dealers are
asking $165. Wholesalers sell them for $125.
	There are too many shows and too many dealers. Many of those dealers
are borderline and won't be around in a year or so.
	``The number of new card manufacturers is astounding but there are
also too many dealers,'' McCracken said. ``The reason dealers are in
trouble is because many of them are underfinanced.''
	Not all the news is bad. Cunningham says business is up 20 percent at
his store and it's not only because the industry's national convention
was held in Atlanta.
	``People see that banks pay 3 to 4 percent interest and a good rookie
card can increase more than that,'' he said. 
	The trend is swinging to older cards. A year ago those cards sat on
dealer tables for months.
	``Older cards, the good solid cards are selling well now,''
Cunningham said. ``I've sold three Michael Jordan rookie cards since the
(convention).''
	Rodman agrees.
	``Dealers are learning that they should buy a Ryne Sandberg rookie
over a Ken Griffey Jr., because Sandberg is a sure Hall of Famer while
Griffey could run into a wall tomorrow,'' he said.
	So while the hobby has many problems it is a hobby that will survive.
	``Anybody who can weather the storm and come out with quality product
will find a return to the 1980s when the hobby was booming,'' Rodman
said. ``The hobby is here to stay.''
	Or as Cunningham puts it, ``As long as dads keep having sons there
will be baseball cards.''
 
	UPPER DECK FB: Upper Deck has done it again. The trendsetter in the
premium card market always seems to take the hobby to a new level. Each
of the randomly inserted Pro Bowl cards in the 1992 football packs
features two players divided by a rainbow with PRO BOWL in silver. The
cards are UV coated and have the best colors of any card we've seen. The
players' names are in silver and the backs are rainbow colored with a
scripted history of the players career.
 
	HOCKEY: The latest Beckett Hockey Monthly shows a rise in the value
of the 1991-92 Upper Deck Extended set now at $20. Topps Stadium Club
dropped again. It's now $60. The Pinnacle ``B'' series is up to $250 as
Mario Lemieux broke the $40 barrier. It is a 12-card insert set.
Parkhurst 2 is $32 and should continue to rise.
 
	GO FISH: Legends Magazine will produce a special edition devoted to
fishing and the 5th Annual Pete Lopiccola Memorial Marlin Tournament.
Included will be a card sheet highlighting Tony Gwynn and Carl
Yastrzemski in their favorite fishing gear. Profits will go to leukemia
research.
 
	SKYBOX: Collectors looking for autographed Magic Johnson/Jim Kelly
cards in boxes of SkyBox will find an exchange card instead. The actual
autographed cards will be sent by certified mail. The New SkyBox Impact
cards by the way look more like billboard adds than trading cards. The
player's name is so large on the front of the card it becomes a
distraction.
 
	Q & A: Is it true Pacific is making prism cards?
	R. Mecca, Covina, Calif.
 
	Pacific has released a Prism sub set in its 1992 Football Series 2.
The 12 cards feature running backs and are eye-catching, to say the
least. The front has a shot of the player by himself, in action and
encased in the prism. There are 10,000 of each.
 
	Send your questions to: Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807,
San Fernando, CA 91340.
 
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Includes some Shaq info, TSC III info and yes... there will be Fleer Ultra
    hoop cards...
    
    
Article 8733 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2S9120pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 92 10:21:38 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 859; Id: z4413; Sel: xxsz.; Adate: 9-9-120ped; V: sked
Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
Codes: ysz.rxx., tnrb...., txia....

                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	Fleer is delivering another steller series of NBA cards. This top of
the line company has added last season's hottest player, Larry Johnson,
to the signature series.
	But a Shaquille O'Neal card must wait. With Classic signing O'Neal to
an exclusive deal major cardmakers reached an agreement with the NBA not
to release any O'Neal cards until Jan. 1.
	Ordinarily, once a player is in the NBA he's fair game. The other
companies did not give much since O'Neal figured to be in Series 2
anyway.
	``It really doesn't upset our timetable because our Series 2 comes
out to coincide with the playoffs,'' said Ted Taylor, a Fleer spokesman.
``We didn't come out with Series 2 last year until almost March.''
	Contrary to previous reports Fleer will release an Ultra Basketball
Set. Fleer Vice President Jeff Massien had said the NBA wouldn't give
the company permission to print the higher quality cards even though
Topps was given the go ahead to print the similar Stadium Club cards.
	``We received a lot of calls from dealers and collectors when the
announcement was made, so we went back to the NBA and said we had to
make this card,'' Taylor said. ``We asked them to reconsider and they
did.''
	Fleer has long been printing NBA cards. Topps has come back to the
NBA after a decade-long absence. So did the Stadium Club decision force
the NBA to reconsider Fleer Ultra?
	``I don't think that hurt but I don't think it had a lot to do with
it,'' Taulor said. ``We are their oldest continuing license holder,
resuming the line in 1986.''
	Fleer's regular line of basketball cards looks like a winner in the
low-end category. A year ago it would have been considered high end.
	It has gold borders with plenty of action shots. As with previous
Fleer products there will be Rookie Sensation cards inserted in jumbo
packs and a key player insert set in the regular packs. Chances of
getting one of the 12 Johnson inserts are 1 in 6 packs. Johnson signed
2,000 cards.
	The cards feature high gloss coating on both sides and the backs
carry full career statistics. Series 1 has 264 cards.
	Johnson is pleased with the accuracy of the cards, which is something
he cares about.
	``Things have been said that have been inaccurate in the past,
especially for me coming from a program like Las Vegas,'' Johnson said
without citing specifics.
 
	COLLATION CORNER: Collation on Stadium Club 3 is the best of the 1992
set with a box yielding almost two sets. Dealers are breaking down boxes
looking for the first randomly inserted Stadium Club cards. It's a
three-card set featuring the top draft picks of the last three years.
Chipper Jones, Brien Taylor and Phil Nevin are the hotly sought
commodities. There is one every two boxes.
 
	JUMPING THE GUN: Upper Deck angered dealers by releasing its 1992
football cards to discount clubs, such as Price Club, at the same time
they were released to hobby dealers. Dealers who paid $27 a box direct
from Upper Deck saw them at the clubs for $28.75. Topps released Stadium
Club 3 Baseball to the same clubs a week after dealers got them. While
dealers were paying local wholesalers $45 a box they found them at the
clubs for $42.75. It was great for collectors but terrible for dealers.
Dealers began dumping the new football product at $28 a box, or $1 over
cost. It was a similar situation with Stadium Club.
 
	GOLD PACKS: While most cardmakers are randomly inserting gold cards
in packs, Upper Deck has taken the insert craze a step further by
placing entire gold packs in it's boxes. One of every 30 packs contains
only gold cards which are part of a 50 card set, numbered G1 through
G50. The gold cards feature players whose rights are sold by NFL
properties and not the players association. Upper Deck sued both
organizations charging they were forced to sign two agreements.
 
	PHOTO FILE: Photo File has come up with a unique idea. It is
releasing baseball team composites featuring 14 players from each team,
suitable for framing. Only certain teams are available at the moment.
 
	CANSECO: When news came that Jose Canseco had been traded to Texas,
Bay Area collectors quickly snapped up everything featuring Canseco in
an Oakland uniform. On the other end, Dallas dealers report not so brisk
sales of Canseco cards. While reaction to the trade in Texas was good,
card shops report mixed interest in the slugger's cards with collectors
taking a wait and see attitude.
 
	CORRECTION: We reported the Colts' second pick, Quentin Coryatt, was
available only in foil packs of Star Pics. Spokeswoman Julie Yolles says
Coryatt is available in the boxed set as well.
 
	Q & A: I recently read in your column about Colla Cards. How would I
get a set?
	T. Arnold, Fredericton, New Brunswick
 
	You can lern more about Colla Cards by calling BlueForest, the
Canadian distributor for the firm. The number is 519-763-4615.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
 
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 8812 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2SG115pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 92 10:24:30 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 861; Id: z4512; Sel: xxsz.; Adate: 9-16-115ped; V: sked
Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
Codes: ysz.rxx., tnrb...., txia....
Lines: 96

                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	There is little difference between the new edition of NBA Hoops
basketball cards and last year's, but it is still worth collecting.
	Hoops will score a coup by being the first major cardmaker to have
Shaquille O'Neal in Series 1. In addition, Hoops could be the first with
the ``Return of Magic Johnson'' cards.
	``That will be addressed,'' said Doug Drotman, spokesman for SkyBox,
which makes NBA Hoops. ``Magic is one of our four corporate
spokespersons along with Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and John
Stockton.''
	Hoops has also come up with an innovative way to include O'Neal in
Series 1. After he signed an exclusive deal with Classic the NBA reached
an agreement with its licensees stating that no company could release an
O'Neal card until Jan. 1, 1993. Most won't print the Series 2 until
February.
	Hoops will randomly insert certificates for its Lottery Exchange
package in Series 1. Collectors will mail the form to Hoops and on Jan.
1 the company will mail cards for those lottery picks who have signed
NBA contracts. O'Neal is one of 11 lottery players.
	``Consumers will have to wait a little but by Jan. 5 people will get
their O'Neal cards,'' Drotman said. ``We can comfortably say that will
be before any licensed NBA Shaq cards.''
	As for the regular cards there is little change.
	``We didn't want to be too different from what we've done in the
past,'' Drotman said. ``It's been successful year in and year out for
the hard-core basketball fan.''
	The photos are 11 percent larger and production has been cut by 50
percent to limit supply.
	Research showed good response to the clean, white borders and the
players names printed vertically. The card backs still contain full
career statistics which collectors enjoy.
	There are several randomly inserted cards:
	1. First card with all 12 players on the Olympic Dream Team. This
one, unlike last year's edition, does have Clyde Drexler and Christian
Laettner.
	2. A Ewing insert highlighting his best NBA game with blue foil
stamping to match the Knicks colors. Stockton will be the Series 2
feature which is due out in late January.
	3. A card highlighting Johnson's entrance into the NBA on the front
and the day his jersey was retired on the back. The news conference
photo from 1979 has Magic in a leisure suit.
	If insiders are right, the next photo may be of Magic in a Laker
jersey on one side and an Armani suit on the other.
 
	BECKETT: There were a number of surprises in the latest Beckett
Baseball Monthly, including Stadium Club 3 inserts of Chipper Jones,
Brien Taylor and Phil Nevin. Many thought Taylor would debut at nearly
$30. His card is $16, Nevin is $10 and Jones lists for $8. Those prices
will not hold. Expect them to take off once collectors realize their are
only six inserts per case. The Upper Deck Scouting Report set debuted at
$35 for the 25 cards. Eric Karros, a lock for NL Rookie of the Year is
$6 as is AL star Dave Fleming. Frank Thomas' Upper Deck Ted Williams'
Best card lists at $16. Topps' 1992 Factory Gold baseball set jumped to
$500, while Scores Team Pinnacle Baseball set moved to $375. The regular
Pinnacle set is $60. Leaf 1 dropped to $24. Dealers have been blowing
the sets out at $12. Almost all of the insert sets which were hot
earlier this year are on the decline. Collectors who want them have them
by now.
 
	FRONT ROW: Front Row has added inserts to its 1992 baseball draft
pick set. The regular set is 100 cards but randomly inserted are pure
gold cards of Ken Griffey, Frank Thomas, Brooks Robinson and Yogi Berra
to name a few. The regular cards are average and the company crossed the
line by using a Little League picture of Athletics' draft pick Jason
Giambi.
 
	ULTRA FB: Fleer Ultra Football should be a hot seller. The card
design mirrors baseball. The main difference is an attractive dark green
border on the bottom compared with the marble border on the baseball
cards. However, the much darker card backs are not as attractive.
 
	STADIUM FB: Topps' Stadium Club football also picked up where
baseball left off. There are several Member's Choice cards with extra
gold foil stamping and the card backs are nicer than Ultra.
 
	PACIFIC: Pacific released a 28-card novelty set. Triple Folder
football cards are four times the size of the standard issue. There is a
large action shot with two smaller shots which fold over to make a
second large photo. It works much in the same way as the back inside
cover of Mad Magazine. There is one card per pack plus a card from a
1992 Pacific sub set. Suggested retail is 69 cents. Big cards have never
moved into the mainstream.
 
	Q & A: Is there a difference between the 1992 Upper Deck factory sets
and the hand collated sets?
	J. Fraser, Los Angeles
 
	The factory sets have gold holograms on the backs of the cards
instead of the silver ones found on cards taken out of packs.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
 
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    I find it hard to believe there are only 6 insert cards per case of
    TSCIII. I bought four boxes (two for me  and  two for someone else)
    and each box had an insert card in it.
    
    Also, according to the latest  Stadium Club  news  letter it states
    that members will receive one of these cards in the future.
    
    John

Article 8886 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.local.california,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2SN420pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 92 13:21:19 PDT
Location: california
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 927; Id: z5122; Sel: xxsz.; Adate: 9-23-420ped; V: sked
Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
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Lines: 101

                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	The trading card company Upper Deck has entered a joint venture with
Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall.
	Two vice presidents and three managers are among the six staffers to
leave Upper Deck. Both Jay McCracken, vice president of sales, and
marketing chief Tony Loiacono are out.
	``This company has grown very quickly and from time to time you have
to take a breath of air to see what individuals are going move the
company forward,'' said Richard McWilliam, president of Upper Deck.
	In a streamling effort McWilliam has reduced his staff of vice
presidents from 12 to five.
	Bert Moyer is the new senior vice president and chief operating
officer after a career with Western Digital and National Semiconductor.
	Upper Deck has faced some tough challenges over the past 18 months
with many in the industry wondering if the company was in trouble. Topps
and Fleer passed Upper Deck in the premium card field. Dealers fumed
over charges that high-quality product was going out the back door to
selected wholesalers. They also charged the company was over producing,
something which McCracken recently told us they probably had done.
	McWilliam denies the company is having problems.
	``We're definitely not in trouble and the changes have nothing to do
with back-door policies,'' he said. ``The industry is going through a
normal realignment and we think during the next year there is going to
be an industry shakeup. We want to make sure we lead the industry.''
	Upper Deck angered dealers by releasing its new football cards to
Price Clubs the same week it was delivered to hobby dealers. Hobby
dealers paid $27 a box from Upper Deck while consumers were buying it
for $28.75 from Price Clubs.
	``This was an isolated incident,'' McWilliam said.
	McWilliam said his company will ship products to hobby dealers first
and wholesalers second.
	``This instance was because of a situation that was occurring that I
really can't comment on now,'' he said. ``We needed to make certain the
product was in the marketplace and not in our warehouse. It was not
related to the recent dismissal of employees.''
	On the security issue, McWilliam says there have been problems but
feels his 40 person security force has gotten a handle on them.
	Upper Deck will spend more time on sports products. That may spell
the end for Comic Ball, which mixed cartoon characters and players. The
company is also moving out into a widening sports industry. Enter
McNall.
	Earlier this year UPI reported that McNall was trying to move into
the autograph industry in a big way. Now, McNall and Upper Deck have
formed Upper Deck Authenticated and signed exclusive deals with players.
	``When the opportunity to join forces with Upper Deck arose, I jumped
at it,'' said McNall.
	Among those who have signed are Mickey Mantle, Gordie Howe and Wayne
Gretzky.
	``We're looking to create products around these players,'' McWilliam
said. ``When the collector purchases the product they're assured it is
authentic with no chance it can be counterfeited.''
	The players may still sign at shows on their own, but company
officials hope to eventually have them under contract only to Upper Deck
Authenticated.
	The numbered merchandise will have a hologram and will be recorded in
a computer data bank. If the owner sells the product, that can be noted
as well. The items will be sold through major upscale chain stores such
as Dillard's. Also the Home Shopping Network will feature one-hour
specials of Upper Deck memorabilia beginning in November.
 
	BECKETT: Beckett Basketball Monthly indicates Dikembe Mutombo has
finally stopped sliding and Larry Johnson's cards continue to do well.
There has been increased activity in both SkyBox and Hoops cards of
Olympic players.
 
	PACIFIC: Pacific is putting the fun back into collecting by selling 5
card, 25 cent packs of football cards. Pacific Plus and has the same
quality cards as the regular pack. The red foil packaging is attractive.
 
	ACTION UPDATE: For the first time Action Packed Football will have
Micheal Dean Perry and Eric Dickerson as well as a host of quarterbacks.
Due in early November, the Action Packed Update will also include
rookies such as Steve Emtman.
 
	PRO LINE GOLD: There are randmonly inserted Gold Quarterback cards in
foil packs of Pro Line. Expect them to go for premium prices at dealer
tables.
 
	COLLATION CORNER: The collation of 1992-93 Hoops is average. A box
will not yield a set and will leave collectors about 20 to 30 cards
short. The Magic Johnson gold and the Patrick Ewing blue foil inserts
seem to average about one each, per box. Upper Deck has never been known
for great collation but the new football boxes are about the worst the
company has ever produced. You won't come close to a set with one box.
Many packs, especially gold card packs, are loaded with doubles which
Upper Deck says it is working to correct.
 
	Q & A: I have opened several boxes of Topps football cards and have
yet to find a draft pick gold card. Did Topps short print these?
	M. Gaus, La Puente, Calif.
 
	No. Topps officials say there are 16 Draft Pick cards out of 660
cards in the set. The odds of getting a Gold Draft Pick (one gold card
per pack) are about one in 40, or less than one per box. Keep searching.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
 
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.



Article 8962 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2SU135pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 92 10:42:12 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 868; Id: z3828; Sel: xxsz.; Adate: 9-30-135ped; V: sked
Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
Codes: ysz.rxx., tnrb...., txia....

                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	Here's a baseball card set worthy of the grand old game.
	Action Packed has done the national pastime a great service. While
the company has not yet been granted a license to make cards of current
players, it has produced its first baseball set featuring retired
players.
	``We were anxious to do something with baseball and thought it would
be nice to honor the old stars,'' said company spokeswoman Laurie
Pearlstein. ``We really wanted to combine Action Packed with some all-
time greats.''
	This 84-card set features Hall of Famers as well as lesser stars.
Collectors are guarenteed a Hall of Famer in every seven-card pack,
which carries a suggested retail price of $2.99. There will be three
series, 84 players each. Boxes may yield nearly two sets and there won't
be factory sets.
	Yogi Berra and Robin Roberts are there, but so are Sal Bando and Vern
Law. Bill Mazeroski, Rocky Colavito, and Vida Blue are included while
older collectors will reminisce with Herb Score and Enos Slaughter.
	In some cases, these are the only cards ever made of the player. Most
of the photos are color but there are sepiatones.
	``Sepiatones are basically black and white photos that turn brown
through the aging process,'' Pearlstein said. ``We used them when we
could not get good action color photos.''
	Among those players are Wally Moon and Joe Garagiola.
	The Action Packed collection is a potpourri of major league memories.
This is one set fathers can enjoy with their children and that is what
collecting should be about.
	``Action Packed believes collecting is a family activity and this set
bridges the gap between fathers and sons,'' she said. ``It combines the
players the father collected with the 3-D technology today's kids love.''
	The cards are the glossy 3-D we have come to expect from Action
Packed, which has been producing football sets since 1989. The black
borders a frame, with a gold leaf inner border. The backs detail the
players' statistics with his accomplisments in gold leaf.
	The Berra card is the best we've ever seen. A non-traditional shot,
Berra is in shin guards waiting in the on deck circle looking skyward
after a foul ball. The card puts you right there.
	You fall off the mound with Bob Gibson as he follows through. You
watch with Willie Mays as he pounds one out of the Polo Grounds, and you
charge a grounder with shortstop Dick Groat.
	Action Packed has taken great pains to make these cards different
from their previous sets. It's not just football cards with old baseball
players.
	I have never been an Action Packed fan because the cards reminded me
of coasters. However, this is the exception, and is a must for family
collectors.
 
	UPPER DECK: The new Upper Deck football inserts are difficult to come
by. We opened three boxes and got two Walter Payton Hero cards and three
Pro Bowl inserts. However, we did get five packs of gold cards which
should average one in every 30 packs.
 
	BECKETT: Beckett Football Monthly shows Upper Deck inserts are hot.
The 16-card Pro Bowl set is $100. The Payton cards are $3 each while the
50 card Gold set is $60. David Klingler lists for $4.50. The gold cards
in the regular Topps set are worth three to six times the value of the
regular issue cards while Stadium Club debuted at $40. Impact by SkyBox
is a $22 set, Score is $16. Action Packed lists for $100 if you purchase
the factory set which includes two Barry Sanders gold cards and the
Braille cards. The new Collector's Edge is $70 for the 175-card set.
 
	FLEER: Nolan Ryan fans can add another card to their collection. Ryan
is in the 1992 Fleer Christmas Set. The 720-card package was shipped to
retailers and includes a 12-card ``Smoke 'N Heat'' insert set featuring
today's premier fastball pitchers. The black-bordered cards are UV
coated and have gold foil. The writing on the back is wonderful. Picture
Lee Smith, ``Out of the bullpen he stalks, a tall, dark figure. He has a
job to do ... He is a warrior.''
 
	HOOPS: Nice job by Hoops on the team cards. Each features several
players in front of a city landmark. It would be nice if there were some
detail about the landmark, however.
 
	COLLATION CORNER: The collation of the new Leaf/Studio cards is good
but the selection of the Heritage card inserts is not. You should get a
Studio set from one box but there will be doubles of the four to six
inserts. The inserts are excellent.
 
	Q & A: Why are show dealers selling brand new sets at rock-bottom
prices? Are these new sets worthless?
	G. Kline, Huntington, Ind.
 
	On the contrary. Dealers open boxes to get the expensive insert
cards. Left with thousands of regular-issue cards they make sets and
sell them cheaply, hoping to break even. They make a profit on the
insert cards. The result is a bargain bonanza for collectors. Dealers
are selling these 1992 sets at ridiculous prices: Upper Deck football
$14, Studio $15, Leaf 1 $8, Fleer Ultra 2 $15.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
 
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 10822 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2O71255pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 92 10:01:51 PDT
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	Upper Deck has streamlined its new series of hockey cards, hoping to
return to the time two years ago when it ruled the card world.
	This season's cards are similar to the 1992 baseball product, but
there are changes:
	Gone is the French series, which was targeted for Quebec but ended up
in the United States at inflated prices. Gone are factory sets, which
dealers hate because they hurt the sale of common cards. Gone are 12-
card packs, giving way to 15-card packs.
	There are random inserts, a short print card, a Wayne Gretzky Heroes
of Hockey sub set, jumbo packs with randomly inserted Euro-Stars,
improved holograms and a tear strip that make packs easy to open.
	Upper Deck chose not to put a short print card in its high series
last year and realized collectors were turned off.
	``We are hopeful and confident the public will be pleased with the
innovative and exciting sub sets we have included in our new series,''
said Richard McWilliam, president of Upper Deck.
	There is also a major push toward up-and-coming stars whose names are
tough to pronounce.
	``Once again we're focussing on a lot of players who may not be
familiar to hockey collectors yet,'' said Rich Bradley, spokesman for
Upper Deck. ``We are showcasing players who will have an impact in the
future such as members of the Moscow Dynamo Team, the World Junior
Championships and Team USA.''
	Ray Leblanc, who starred in goal for the United States, is not
included.
	Upper Deck has found its niche with UV (ultra violet) coated cards.
The only cards that carry the glossy coating are inserts.
	The NHL Rookie Team will be featured in a seven-card set randomly
inserted in foil packs. Collectors should get four per box. Pavel Bure
will be the short print card which should debut in the $8 range.
	The 20-card Euro-Stars set will be hot. It includes Sergei Fedorov,
Bure and Jaromir Jagr to name a few. A six-card All World insert set,
available only in cases shipped to Canada, will be highly sought.
	Upper Deck will not produce a French set even though Score decided to
produce two different sets for the English- and French-speaking markets.
	``We felt it was a fad so we decided not to produce French cards this
year,'' Bradley said. ``You get into a cost factor by producing two sets
and you must look at how much of a market there is for French cards.''
	Jerry West was a popular first Hero of Basketball and Gretzky should
be as popular even though Gretzky is sitting out much of the season.
However, the Gretzky name in both Canada and the United States should
make this 10 card set a hot ticket.
	``Gretzky is hockey,'' Bradley said. ``I can't think of anyone better
than Wayne Gretzky who should be featured as our next Hero.''
	Bradley would not reveal the name of the high series Hero except to
say he would not be a current player. 
	There will be both low series and high series boxes.
 
	CLASSIC COUP: Classic has signed Manon Rheaume of the Tampa Bay
Lightning to an exclusive deal. Rheaume, 20, the first woman to play in
an NHL game, is in the Tampa Bay farm system. Classic was just one of
the card companies trying to sign her, including Upper Deck. Classic
showed its stuff earlier this year by signing Shaquille O'Neal, the LSU
center now with the Orlando Magic, to an exclusive contract.
 
	PINNACLE: Collectors were so delighted with the design of Pinnacle
Baseball that Score is using the same technique with football. Last
year's Pinnacle football featured two photos on the front. Baseball used
a single photo on a black card. The new football cards will mirror
baseball.
 
	BECKETT: Collectors are finally beginning to notice Parkhurst 2.
Beckett Hockey Monthly shows the 225 card set lists for $33. Joe Juneau
and Pavel Bure are tops among the regular issue cards at $4. Collectors
are also noticing Upper Decks Euro-Stars series. It's $24. Team Pinnacle
``B''cards continue to soar. The 12-card set lists at $300.
 
	PRO SET: Lenders have provided Pro Set ``debtor in possession
financing,'' which will allow it to resume business after filing for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Pro Set hopes to have its new hockey cards on the
market this month.
 
	ANCHORS AWEIGH: Front Row has signed a deal with the Naval Academy to
produce the Navy's first trading card set. The 50-card Naval Academy
Legends will be limited to 100,000 sets ($12.95) plus 20,000 gold sets
($49.95).
 
	Q & A: Is Upper Deck dropping its High Series boxes in football?
	B. Harris, Huntington, Ind.
 
	In response to collectors' requests, Upper Deck is experimenting with
its football cards by issuing them in a two-series format. Series 1 is
1-400 while Series 2, due in November, will contian 220 cards. Normally,
Upper Deck mixes low series cards with the high series. Dan Marino will
be the Heroes of Football star. If it works, expect more of the same
with other products. 
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
 
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 11118 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2OL240pe@clarinet.com>
Date: 21 Oct 92 18:41:10 GMT
Lines: 97
Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	The signing of Eric Lindros was tangled enough. Now his hockey card
is causing problems.
	The trading-card company Upper Deck superimposed the jersey of
another Philadelphia player over a shot of Lindros on card No. 88. It is
impossible to detect with the naked eye. Upper Deck wanted to include a
card with Lindros in a Flyers uniform in its low-series packs instead of
waiting until the high-series cards were issued.
	The NHL Players Association said Upper Deck didn't disclose the fact
until after the card was distributed, adding it regrets any
disappointment the incident caused.
	The head of the NHL's licensing division for cards went a step
farther.
	``We consider this very serious,'' Ilene Kent said. ``We're looking
at our options. We don't know yet if we will or if we won't take action.
''
	Kent refused to discuss what options might be considered. It's
doubtful the NHL would refuse a license to Upper Deck since card
companies pump so much money into the league.
	Upper Deck apologized to Lindros, saying it had no intention of
portraying him on anything but the most flattering card possible, but it
wanted the most complete set it could produce. 
	``We apologize if this has caused Eric, the Lindros family or the
NHLPA any inconvenience,'' Upper Deck spokesman Rich Bradley said. ``A
1992-93 hockey set without Lindros would have been a disappointment to
our collectors.''
	Upper Deck blamed tight deadlines for the incident, but questions now
arise concerning Upper Deck's integrity.
	``I don't think it effects our integrity,'' said Michael Merhab, vice
president of creative services for Upper Deck. ``That's why we didn't
try to keep it a secret from anybody. We wanted to bring to collectors
the most accurate set and that set needed to have Lindros in a Flyers
uniform.''
	Upper Deck was committed to certain shipping dates. Those receivers
in turn had commitments to ship the product to the next level. One delay
meant a chain reaction. Rather than delay, Upper Deck decided to make
the card.
	``The card getting out prior to us letting the NHLPA know that we put
the jersey over Eric was a mistake on Upper Deck's part and that is what
we are apologizing for,'' Merhab said. ``We want to live by the rules of
the NHLPA. All our stuff is sent out for approvals and we live by those
approvals. This is just one case where a mistake was made on our part.''
	The buck doesn't stop there however.
	``It's a slap in the face to collectors,'' said Rob Veres of Burbank
Coin and Sportscards, a large shop in California. ``That is the lowest
of the low when you realize kids believe they are getting Eric Lindros
and actually they are not.''
	Not all of the reaction is negative.
	``It doesn't hurt Upper Deck's credibility because collectors want to
have Lindros in his Philadelphia uniform no matter what,'' said Steve
Panet of Fastball Sportscards in Toronto.`` Upper Deck didn't break any
rules as far as I'm concerned. People love the card.''
	Lindros is the spokesman for Score, a company that makes trading
cards and novelty items. Score refuses to be drawn into the controversy.
	``Let the issue rest with the NHL, the NHLPA and Upper Deck,'' said
company spokesman Dean Golembeski.
	At one time, Topps routinely, and poorly, placed the heads of traded
players on the uniforms of their new teams. Topps spokesman Bob Ibach
wouldn't take sides either except to say, ``In this business nothing
surprises me.''
 
	BOWMAN: Topps has gotten such positive reaction from its rejuvenated
Bowman line any decision to discontinue Bowman has been put off. Topps
had considered dropping the line but the new Bowman, which approaches
Stadium Club quality, has been received well.
	MARATHON COIN: Runners in the Oct. 25 Chicago Marathon can purchase a
limited edition silver coin commemorating the event. With 10,000 runners
and only 5,000 coins the rush is on. Those wishing to buy a coin for
under $30 can call 800-345-1841.
	BECKETT: While the latest Beckett Basketball monthly did not list
Fleers Rookie Sensations, Fleer All Stars did list for $27. The new
Hoops Series 1 is $15 with only Christian Laettner debuting as high as
$1.50. The Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) rookie card remains a
mystery. Beckett now says the 1969-70 card is worth $700. Other guides
list it for more than $800.
	CLASSIC JUMBOS: Classic has joined the jumbo pack craze with its 1992
baseball draft picks set. There will be one bonus foil cards in each 16-
card pack.
 
	Q & A: Are food-issue cards worth much?
	D. Aproian, Los Angeles
 
	Many of the cards produced by food companies over the years were
unlicensed and therefore considered worthless. The unlicensed cards
usually feature players without team logos on their jerseys or caps.
Other food issues are licensed although many are only distributed
regionally. If you collect food issues do not ignore the common players.
Food sets can be valuable, but they are often difficult to sell because
they are not in the mainstream.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
 
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.

    In the section  regarding  food issues, I wouldn't  say  they are
    unlicensed issues.  Afterall,  the  logos  are airbrushed off and
    they are approved  by  the Players Association. Unlicensed issues
    to me are cards like Broders which show logos and aren't approved
    by either Major League Baseball or the Players Association.
    
    John

    Right... The McDonald's cards were obviously licensed...

Article 11374 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2N41245pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 92 9:50:27 PST
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     United Press International
	The revival of Pro Set trading cards is playing to bad reviews.
However, buying some of the cards may not be a bad investment.
	The Dallas company is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy but has received new
financing and is producing a limited supply of new NHL and NFL cards.
Non-sports cards are on hold for the moment but should return.
	Pro Set founder Lud Denny has returned -- at a monthly salary of $22,
500 -- after being pressured to resign by lenders, the Dallas Morning
News reports. However, Pro Set spokesman Erik Herskind says Denny never
really left.
	``He always owned the company and although he stepped aside as
president when Bob McLaughlin came in he remained as a consultant,'' he
said. ``McLaughlin never utilized Denny's contacts. New CEO, John
Grigsby, has put a lot of emphasis on Lud's relationships with the
licensors and his marketing skills.''
	McLaughlin, a turnaround specialist, left last month in an apparent
dispute over the company's direction.
	Some see Denny's return as a drawback. Under Denny Pro Set started
its downslide by doing what many cardmakers have done -- overproduction.
You can buy Pro Sets MTV Rap cards for instance at $1 a box at retail
outlets while the Pic And Save chain had 1990 Pro Set football for $9.
	Herskind says Pro Set and not the courts have control over the amount
of product the company can produce, and it is in its interest to make
less. 
	``We've reduced case quantities dramatically,'' he said. ``Across the
board we're producing only 10,000 numbered cases of NHL series 1 and 12,
000 cases of Series 2 football, including jumbo packs.''
	If the numbers given by Herskind hold, it will be a substantial
reduction. Last year Pro Set produced 80,000 cases of Series 1 hockey
alone. Pro Set has hired an auditing firm to check the presses three
times a day.
	``We are completely above board on this,'' Herskind said. ``If
customers base our current production on the past they are making a
mistake. We are a different company and we are making a concerted effort
to correct the situation.''
	Dealers remain skeptical.
	``They have debtors to satisfy and they will produce as much as they
need to produce,'' said one wholesaler who asked not to be identified. 
``I don't believe for a minute they'll limit the product. Like the rest
of the companies they are out for the dollar.''
	There are a large number of dealers who won't buy Pro Set, but major
chains such as Toys R Us and Wal-Mart Stores will get their share. This
still might be a good purchase. The cards are nice and if they stay
limited collectors could see increased values in a couple of years.
	NHL Series 1 should be on store shelves this week followed by NFL 2,
NHL Series 1 Jumbo packs and NFL Series 2 Jumbos. The new premium
football card, ``Pro Set Power,'' will debut in December as will
ParkHurst Series 1 hockey.
	Herskind won't release details on Power except to say a new
photographic process will be used.
	An insert is still under development while NHL Series 1 will have a
12-card gold rookie insert and a ParkHurst preview insert.
	Herskind says dealer cost will remain $389 for a 20-box case or $19.
45 per box.
	DRAFT PICKS: Showing what might be a good trend, Star Pics has become
the latest cardmaker to drop a series. Star Pics joined Arena Holograms
in not producing a hockey draft pick set. Industry experts have
questioned the number of draft pick sets the hobby can support.
	TOPPS: Topps regular issue hockey is available. It mirrors both the
baseball and football cards and has a gold card in each pack. Topps
Traded baseball set is also available for under $11.
	PRICES: Beckett Hockey Monthly offers a nice debut for 1992-93 Upper
Deck hockey. The set price is $33 with eight cards worth $1 or more. The
not-real Eric Lindros card (No. 88) leads the list at $5. The card
features Lindros' head superimposed on the body of another Flyers'
player. None of the inserts was listed. Both Lindros cards in the Score
set list at more than $1. Score Pinnacle B, a 12-card insert set, is up
to $350. The rookie cards for both Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux are
on the way up.
	CAGNEY: Proving you don't have to be a star on the field to be a hit,
the gray flannel baseball uniform worn by Academy Award winning actor
James Cagney when he was 16 brought $3,000 at auction. It was sold at a
William Doyle Galleries auction.
	Q & A: There are so many randomly inserted autographed cards and so
many signers at shows, are autographs losing their value?
	S. Franklin, Van Nuys, Calif.
	Numbered signature cards remain valuable but in general autographs
are becoming so commonplace the value can't help but decline. Donruss
spokesman Vince Nauss expects autograph cards to tail off soon. 
``Industry-wide we're into a third year of signature cards and I think
collectors will lose interest soon,'' he said.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 9334 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2NB1pe@clarinet.com>
Date: 12 Nov 92 18:04:16 GMT
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     United Press International
	Collectors continue to swarm to Upper Deck simply because it makes
quality products.
	After ushering in the premium trading-card era in 1989, Upper Deck
soon took a back seat to Topps Stadium Club and Fleer Ultra because of
new photographic technology.
	But Upper Deck, always the innovator, is constantly looking for ways
to stimulate collectors, and is doing exactly that.
	For one thing, Upper Deck President Richard McWilliam has become more
accessible. We decided to let hobby dealers ask the questions:
	Q. Upper Deck produced seven different versions of 1992 baseball,
including high and low numbers and jumbo packs. Isn't that ridiculous?
	A. Past products were designed for specific channels. Foil packs went
to retail and jumbos to magazine distributors. We're reducing that.
We've also decided not to produce a low and high series, but instead
we'll make a Series 1 and 2. Low series cards will no longer be mixed in
high series packs.
	Q. Why is Upper Deck producing card shows?
	A. It is an excellent idea because our shows are designed around our
Heroes of Baseball games and attract potential collectors. It helps
expand the card market but it's not a profit generator for us.
	Q. Fleer Ultra blew the socks off Upper Deck in 1992. How will Upper
Deck come back in 1993?
	A. I disagree that Ultra blew our socks off. It was a good card but a
more expensive card. We produce the best card at the best value
possible. In 1993 we will continue to upscale and we will definately
take the market by storm.
	Q. How about going to a thicker card stock?
	A. We are. Our 1993 baseball card has the thickest card stock in the
industry.
	Q. Will Upper Deck continue to place UV coating only on inserts?
	A. We're toying with the concept of UV coating everything but for now
it's just the inserts and 1993 baseball.
	Q. The 1991 Final Edition angered everyone because you tried to
release the rookies a year early. That killed the 1992 low number cards.
Will Upper Deck do that again?
	A. No. We heard the dealers.
	Q. Dealers paid $27 a box for 1992 football but it came out at the
Price Clubs the same week, selling for $28.75. Why did Upper Deck
release it to warehouse stores so quickly?
	A. This was part of our suit against the NFLPA and the NFL. We were
concerned they would get a court order to prevent us from shipping. We
had to be certain the product was in the marketplace prior to them
taking legal action. We have the only set with every player because we
have gold packs which contain those who signed with NFL Properties.
	Q. Upper Deck has been accused of having valuable cards go out the
back door to certain dealers. What is Upper Deck's reaction?
	A. Part of our ``back door'' problem was that we were in five
different buildings. Our company is under one roof now and we are
securing it as best we can. It's very difficult to prevent people from
stealing certain cards in small quantities.
	Q. Does Upper Deck send cases with a lot of high-value cards to high-
volume dealers?
	A. It's clearly not our policy to do that. We never load up cases and
we don't have significantly large hobby customers.
	Q. Was Bruce McNall brought in to prop up Upper Deck by forming Upper
Deck Authenticated?
	A. Upper Deck does not need any propping up from outside investors.
McNall is a partner, but not an active one, in Authentics. We manage the
partnership and he assists where he can.
 
	PRICES: 1992 Bowman baseball made a surprising debut at $75 a set,
according to Beckett Baseball Monthly. The first premium Bowman cards
are sharp and feature a gold card in each pack. Seven cards are at least
$2. Brien Taylor is $6. Eric Karros' Upper Deck rookie remains at $2.25
despite his Rookie of the Year status. Most inserts continue to fall.
Carlos Baerga's 1990 Leaf rookie is up to $8, while rookie cards for
George Brett and Robin Yount both jumped $5 to $225. Some of the Topps
Gold and Gold Winner cards are individually priced as well.
	MORE UPPER DECK: Upper Deck basketball should do well with the gold
foil on the cardfronts and pastels on the back. Baseball in 1993 is the
best product the firm has ever produced.
	``1992 has been a year of change for us,'' McWilliam said. ``We need
to listen to collectors and dealers and provide state of the art product
that blows their socks off. That is what we plan on doing in the future.
''
	ULTRA FOOTBALL: Fleer Ultra football hit the stands running. Boxes
can be found as low as $40. Packs are about $1.50.
	PINNACLE: Word on the street is that Pinnacle 1 baseball is scarce.
Pinnacle hockey should do well after it's shipped in December. Hockey is
a colorful sport and works well with the re-designed black Pinnacle
cards. This could be the next hit of the hockey-card season.
 
	Q & A: Who is the next Upper Deck Hero of Baseball?
	A. Rodriguz, Hollywood, Calif.
 
	Willie Mays is up next for baseball.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 9395 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2NP145pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 92 10:51:26 PST
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	Fleer continues to surprise collectors at every turn.
	While most cardmakers might offer a regular set before embarking on a
highly styled premium card, Fleer did not. Fleer is unleashing its
latest Ultra line of cards with hockey.
	``The timing was a big part of it,'' said Fleer spokesman Ted Taylor.
``We got our license so late in the year that we decided to put all of
our energy into what has been our most productive series, and that is
Ultra.''
	Surveys show hockey fans are more affluent and that plays well for
Ultra.
	``The hockey fan is a high-end, upscale kind of guy and we felt this
would have a lot of appeal to him as well as our Fleer Canada
sudsidiary,'' he said. 
	Even before Fleer's long-awaited Ultra Basketball hit the stands
Ultra Hockey caused a lot of talk.
	``It looks great and I think it will sell well,'' said Dwight Temple
of After the Anthem in Burbank, Calif. ``It looks real good and the card
back really looks nice. I cannot see any fault with this card.''
	A nice touch is the flying puck tied to the Fleer logo on the front.
	Ultra Hockey mirrors the previous Ultra entries except the color used
on the bottom border is blue ice rather than the green which was used
for football and baseball. The border sets off the card very well.
	The hockey set is only 250 cards and should easily be attained with
one box. That is a plus for collectors although it kills the sale of
common cards for dealers.
	Fleer seeks to remedy that by continuing its rash of hot inserts.
Featured are 30 randomly inserted cards plus a 10-card Jeremy Roenick
insert set. The others are rookies, all-stars and award winners.
	The inserts will do well from the beginning and of course there is
the added treat of searching for the first Fleer Eric Lindros card.
	Ultra Hockey should hit the shelves by mid-December.
 
	SCORE: Score NHL card No. 312 has a glitch the guys with the air
brush missed. Halfway down the left side of Colin Patterson's card you
can clearly see the Upper Deck logo on the side board. Upper Deck's
advertising has caused problems. Last year Topps changed the letters of
an Upper Deck sign on a card.
	UPDECK: Upper Deck's minor league baseball set is top-notch. Critics,
however, charge there are too many in the set who have already had major
league cards, Todd Van Poppel and Keith Mitchell among them. Roger
Salkeld has several. About 8 percent of the players had cards
previously. Series 2 football won't do as well as Series 1, which was
driven by gold packs and Pro Bowl cards. The ``Coaches Report'' cards
are nice but don't compare with Pro Bowl.
	SHAQ: Upper Deck has joined Hoops in supplying an insert to trade for
a Shaquille O'Neal card. Hoops Lottery Exchange card isn't difficult to
get and the ``Trade Upper Deck'' card should be at least as easy.
	ADD MINORS: Fleer's Excel minor league cards are sharp with gold foil
fronts but have far to go to upstage Upper Deck's entry. Whether either
succeeds with minor league cards is uncertain.
	PRICES: Beckett Football Monthly shows Score, which did away with
factory sets, is $20 and going up. Upper Deck's Payton Heroes cards are
up ($55 a set) while the gold cards ($50) are down. Stadium Club inserts
debuted at $32 with Roger Staubach and Terry Bradshaw tops at $10 each.
Younger collectors aren't familiar with legends such as Y.A. Tittle.
Mention George Blanda and they say, ``Who?'' All new Pro Set inserts are
skyrocketing while Pacific inserts aren't. Gameday came out strong at
$65.
	CLASSIC: The first card for Tampa Bay goaltender Manon Rheaume
debuted at $2.50. She is the first female player and is exclusive to
Classic.
	NEON CARD: Normally when Action Packed does something special it
involves gold. Not this time. The new Neon Deion Sanders card inserted
in Rookie/Update packs carries a neon orange strip.
	SUPERHERO: The Superman Doomsday cards are selling for $60 a box and
more in some places. Stores report pushing and shoving in long lines as
people stood outside hoping to get the comic book in which Superman
dies, again.
 
	Q & A: Which new cards should I buy as an investment?
	M. Lerner, Los Angeles
 
	Today's cards are produced in great quantities so few of them will
hold their value like a Mickey Mantle card. Too many people are stashing
unopened boxes hoping they will yield those $100 rookies in two years.
Dealers are already hoarding Pat Listach. If you look at 1991's Jeff
Bagwell and Chuck Knoblauch cards you'll see how they have dropped. The
best bet for a future Mantle is a 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. It
lists for a hefty $55 but will go up. It was the first card ever made by
Upper Deck and Griffey is on his way to the Hall of Fame.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
 
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    Hoops exchange card is easy to get? there's only one in every
    ten boxes, it debuted at 50$ in this month's Becketts, its already
    the most valuable Hoops card ever made. Does anyone out there
    have one? 

Article 9459 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2D3350pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 92 12:53:49 PST
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 883; Id: z4717; Sel: xxsz.; Adate: 12-3-350pes; V: sked
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	The first of two football cards produced by SkyBox is nothing
special, but the second could be the sleeper in a crowded field.
	SkyBox Impact isn't setting the hobby world on fire although
PrimeTime looks like a winner. While Impact is a low-end product,
PrimeTime is UV coated front and back on thick stock. Card No. 1 is
Deion ``PrimeTime'' Sanders and there are 75 rookies in the set.
	``It was a late issue so we were able to get all the rookies in
uniform in a single series,'' said SkyBox spokesman Doug Drotman. ``That
appeals to collectors because they don't have to buy an update set.''
	The rookie cards list the round the player was chosen in the draft
and the position in that round on the front, making it easy to pull the
rookies.
	The card has a gray background with a huge player photo. His number,
name and team are displayed around the card framing the player although
the card is borderless. The photos are clear and dominant and the card
is busy without appearing busy.
	``We wanted to pull the player out of the action rather than have a
lot of players crowding the photo,'' Drotman said.
	The result is similar to SkyBox Basketball without the overdone
computer graphics.
	There is an action shot on the back, a single year's statistics and
loads of information. The colors stand out and while the graphics on the
backs are similar to Impact, the cheaper version has more statistics.
	Both SkyBox sets are small. PrimeTime is 360 cards, Impact 353. The
PrimeTime insert set is 16 cards with silver foil borders. They are
copies of the Costacos Brothers posters and mirror a regular subset
without the silver foil.
	PrimeTime also has a Jim Kelly flip hologram and a special foil card
featuring Steve Emtman which is certainly eye catching. The hologram
features kelly in action if held one way and celebrating if held
another.
	There are about three poster cards per box, less for the Kelly and
Emtman cards.
	There are five uncorrected errors in the numbering sequence of
PrimeTime. Cards Nos. 2, 350, 354, 357, 358 all have duplicates.
	PrimeTime is being sold only to hobby dealers.
	``When we we set out to create a super-premium football product, it
was apparent from our discussions with dealers that over-production and
the lack of hobby exclusivity were the two main concerns,'' said Frank
O'Connell, President of SkyBox Intl.
	It is limited to 10,000 cases, 200,000 numbered boxes and there won't
be jumbo packs. Boxes break down well although you will need to purchase
singles to complete a set.
 
	FLEER: Fleer made a major mistake with 1992 Ultra Football. The
product faded fast with good reason. Many shots are blurry, the colors
run together and some photos are faded. Compare the Reggie White card
(No. 315) sent to dealers with the actual card and you'll see the
difference. The photo is the same shot only smaller and out of focus.
One professional photographer called it ``very poor.'' Let's hope Ultra
Hockey doesn't take the same turn.
	UPDECK: Upper Deck Basketball is selling for about $50 per box. It
will drop soon even though this years edition is an upgrade over the
successful debut series. The Wilt Chamberlain Heroes cards are selling
for $3.
	PRICES: Beckett Hockey Monthly shows the latest Score Eric Lindros
jumping to $3. The Upper Deck Gretzky Heros are $3.50, the header is
$15, the short print Pavel Bure is $10, the checklist for the All Rookie
team is $20 while the 6 card All World set is $60. It's found only in
cases sent to Canada.
	BENCH: I watched Johnny Bench's new show. ``Sports Club'' features
fun interviews, but it is another attempt to sell memorabilia to an
uneducated public. A fast-talking pitchman joined Bench and hawked the
1991 Classic Draft Pick set for $39.75. He said it included a Rocket
Ismail card, which he claimed is selling for $10. Actually the regular
226-card draft pick set sells for $27 and no Rocket cards list near $10.
Classic did make four other small sets for the individual sports. If he
was selling those four together for $39.75 it was a fair price. However,
the top selling Rocket card in the sets lists for $1.25 not $10. When I
called the 800 number they would only tell me it was the 1991 Classic
Draft Pick Set, but could offer no other information. The former catcher
runs an entertaining show, but the pitcher should be relieved.
 
	Q & A: What do you think about the NFL Gameday cards?
 C. Dorman, Los Angeles
	
	It's not likely the 500-card set will go much higher than it's $65
debut because collectors do question oversized cards. They are
attractive with clear photos and plenty of information but they do
require larger pages and protectors to keep them in good condition. Such
products are being sold and generating new profits for those tied to the
larger card market. The NFL says only 17,500 numbered cases were made.
Overall there isn't a reason Gameday shouldn't hold its value except for
size. As a collector, if you don't mind larger cards then it really
isn't a problem. 
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
	
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 9509 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2D96pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 92 15:16:14 PST
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 911; Id: z6126; Sel: xxsz.; Adate: 12-9-6pes; V: sked
Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
Codes: ysz.rxx., tnrb...., txia....
Lines: 89

                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     United Press International
	Several card companies specialize in draft pick sets or pre-rookie
cards but none has dominated the 1992 field like Classic. Classic Games,
Inc., pinned its hopes on LSU star Shaquille O'Neal and the big guy did
not disappoint.
	``Shaquille's impact was expected to be big but I don't know if
anyone expected it to be this big,'' said Classic spokesman Seth
Toporek. ``I don't know if the sport will ever experience this again.
Shaquille was a once in a lifetime opportunity.''
	Classic produced only 280,000 boxes yielding an average of four 
``Shaq'' cards each. There are also 125,000 retail sets. The photo shows
the powerful center performing a monster jam. While the regular O'Neal
card (no.1) sells for $7, the hottest of his offerings is the randomly
inserted LP card (only 56,000). There are two per 10 box case and they
sell for up to $75 each while listing for $30.
	By signing O'Neal, Classic left the other basketball draft pick sets
with only a single card listing for a dollar. Star Pics has Christian
Laettner at $1.50 while Front Row has no one. Classic makes quality
products but exclusive signings have been the key to its success.
	``For draft picks it is clearly defined as companies battle for the
rights to use the players,'' Toporek said. ``We've been fortunate enough
to sign the players collectors want.''
	Toporek says O'Neal signed for less than the reported $2 million but
for much more than what Classic had paid anyone before. This exclusive
went beyond the bounds since he signed through the calendar year. That
kept other card makers from printing his NBA card. Instead they placed
exchange cards, readily available in packs, which collectors can mail in
to receive a ``Shaq'' card in January.
	Toporek knows collector interest will switch when the other cards hit
the market.
	``I imagine the initial response will be that the price will come
down but I think it will stabilize at 85 percent of what it is now,'' he
said. ``Collectors must choose whether they want the player's very first
card or an NBA licensed rookie card.'' 
	Other exclusives include Alonzo Mourning and the first woman to play
for an NHL team. Manon Rheaume's signing has boosted Classic sales.
	``She was one of the driving forces leading to our hockey sellout,''
said Toporek.
	Classic has again issued its four sport set. It contains 325 cards
and features O'Neal, football player David Klingler, Rheaume, and
baseball's Phil Nevin.
	Two inserts should be hot. O'Neal with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and a
shot with O'Neal, Desmond Howard, Nevin and Roman Hamrlik. The set is 25
cards and a 26th insert offers collectors $500,000 in autographed
prizes.
	To illustrate Classic's standing, two other draft pick companies
passed on hockey this year. Both Arena Holograms and Star Pics were cold
to the icy sport.
	Some collectors believe there isn't room for more than one draft pick
set especially since so many companies produce minor league cards. Both
Fleer and Upper Deck joined the fray in 1992. Upper Deck will likely
skip the minor leagues in 1993 and shoot for a re-entry in March, 1994.
	When Classic launched the ``Shaq Attack'' it set the standard for the
pre-rookie line.
	DONRUSS: The reaction to 1993 Donruss baseball has been mixed. The
question most heard at shows, ``1993 baseball already?'' Several more
baseball cards will debut before Christmas.
	ACTION: After debuting an awesome baseball set, Action Packed is
moving into basketball. Action Packed joined forces with the Hall of
Fame to produce a set due out in April. The first series has 84 cards
featuring players and coaches enshrined in the Hall.
	UPDECK: A recent press tour of Upper Deck revealed the quality effort
behind the product. As did the other reporters, I expected to be
impressed. I did not expect to be overwhelmed. The effort put into
computer enhancing the colors in the photos is phenomenal and the care
taken in packaging products sold through Upper Deck Authenticated is
impressive. Workers use white cloth gloves so as not to smudge the
products. One item in the Authenticated catalogue is a 727 jet
customized for the L.A. Kings. The price tag is $5 million. The New York
Yankees are seriously considering the purchase. It will be signed by all
the Kings. A Yankee plane with the Great One's signature?.
	ADD UPDECK: Look for inserts commemorating Upper Deck's 5th
anniversary in Series 2 baseball. The cards will be updated 1989-92
cards with special foil stamping, including the 1989 Griffey Jr. Also
look for Fanimation inserts in Series 2 football retail boxes. The 10
cards feature top players in comic book form. ``Marshall'' Troy Aikman's
card says he is 6-8 with an electro-magnetic weapons system. The
colorful cards are similar to various Marvel cards and could mean a
crossover of collectors. Fanimation is not available in hobby boxes.
Chances are your local card shop owner will not have them.
	Q & A: How many cards are in the Donruss Studio Heritage insert set?
	J. Gross, Palmdale, Calif.
	There are 14. There are eight in foil boxes and six in Jumbo packs.
In the Jumbos you'll find Kirby Puckett, Darren Daulton, Jeff Bagwell,
Paul Molitor, Andy Van Slyke and Andre Dawson.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.

                

Article 9561 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sport's Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2DG1220pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 92 9:20:13 PST
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 864/914; Id: z3842; Sel: xxsz.; Adate: 12-16-1220pes; V: sked
Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
Codes: ysz.rxx., tnrb...., txia....
Lines: 88

                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	Many collectors cast aside the name of Topps in the past three years
claiming the card company was out of step with the hobby as it moved
into the 1990's. For the most part the criticisms were justified.
However, in 1993 Topps has once again surged ahead with a regular issue
card which should make even the harshest critics take notice.
	``We've upgraded the stock and improved the photography,'' said Topps
spokesman Timm Boyle. ``We're calling it premium quality at popular
prices.''
	Topps improved its regular product in 1992 after a successful 1991
debut with Stadium Club. While Stadium Club dropped a notch in 1992 the
company's mainstream cards rebounded. Improvements included randomly
inserted gold cards, no more gum in packs and glossy fronts.
	The 1993 card is first class and there is a reason for it.
	``It's mainly competition,'' Boyle said. ``Let's face it, there are a
ton of choices out there. It's not like the old days when Topps could
make a product and know people would buy it.''
	The 1993 version is UV coated on both sides and the inserts are top
notch. Titled ``Black Gold,'' they are the best since the 1970 football
inserts which were the cream of the insert crop.
	``We really think this will take the hobby by storm,'' said Boyle.
	The Black Gold cards even have gold on the back which is a step
forward. Among the players featured are Barry Bonds, Will Clark and Ryne
Sandberg. These average one in every 48 packs.
	There are also various ``You've Just Won'' Black Gold cards which can
be exchanged for 11, 22 or all 44 cards in the set. Look for one in
every 120 packs.
	Every pack contains a regular gold card which have more gold than
last year's crop. Last year there was only one in every box.
	Another change is the price. The new packs are 69 cents instead of 55
cents but still holding the affordable bottom line.
	The regular issue cards are similar to last year but on whiter stock.
Topps also joined the 1990's by using brighter inks, a glossy finish and
by placing a full-color photo on the back.
	Series 1 is available now. Series 2, due in late February, will have
players from the expansion teams. Topps has yet to decide how many cards
will be in the total set. It could reach 825, or 33 more than 1991. They
will produce factor sets again.
  
	STAR PICS: In what could be a sign of the times, Star Pics, Inc. has
permanently closed its doors. Star Pics produced draft pick sets since
1990 as well as non-sports cards such as Twin Peaks and Playboy. The
firm was rumored to be in trouble. ``Due to the sagging trading card
industry and the struggling economy, Star Pics will no longer produce
trading cards,'' said president Richard Poyle. ``It is no longer
financially feasible for us to continue.'' Earlier this year Pro Set
filed for bankruptcy protection.
	PRICES: Ryan up, Ripken down. The Nolan Ryan rookie card jumped
another $50 to $1,600 in the latest Beckett Baseball Monthly. On the
down side are all the Cal Ripken rookies except one. Only the 1982 Topps
traded escaped the down arrows, holding at $275. The other three fell $3
each. Most 1992 insert sets continue to fall except for Score Team
Pinnacle which jumped to $425 for the 12 card set. Donruss' Rookie
Phenoms debuted at $35 with Pat Listach and Eric Karros at $9 each.
Karros 1991 Fleer Ultra card finally moved. It's now $4 as is the 1992
Ultra Listach rookie. Bowman continues to surprise. The 1992 set jumped
to $90.
	BECKETT: Price guide guru Dr. James Beckett finally solved the
problem of the growing baseball bible. With so many new sets the monthly
magazine was growing so fast it would soon rival Webster's. Smaller type
was the answer. The move cut the size of the price list by 30 percent
while still keeping all the vital information.
	INVESTOR TIP: Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the
investor? Reggie Jackson is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame this time and
shrewd investors are already betting on his rookie card. The arrows
continue to rise on his 1969 rookie card (No. 260) which lists for $675
but can be purchased for less. It's a bit expensive for the average
collector but could easily top the $800 mark by this time next year.
	BASKETS: When Topps got an NBA license, collectors drooled at the
thought of Stadium Club basketball. Now they are cool to the product.
The hottest selling NBA card is an upscaled Upper Deck followed by Fleer
Ultra.
	FOOTBALL: Retail boxes of Upper Deck Football Series 2 have hit the
stands and collectors have begun the search for Fanimation cards. Boxes
yield an average of nine inserts including Fanimation, Marino Heroes and
holograms.
	 Q & A: Which Upper Deck Series 2 football boxes will show up at the
warehouse clubs?
 B. Becker, Los Angeles
	
 The boxes containing the Fanimation inserts. Check the lower right hand
corner of the box lid and you will see a notation to that effect.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 11898 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sport's Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2DN115pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 10:16:02 PST
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 849/897; Id: z4067; Sel: xxsz.; Adate: 12-23-115pes; V: sked
Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
Codes: ysz.rxx., tnrb...., txia...., tsza....
Lines: 87

                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     United Press International
	For the past three years collectors have criticized Topps for being
out of step with the hobby as it moved into the 1990's. For the most
part the criticisms of the card company were justified. However, in 1993
Topps has once again surged ahead with a regular issue card which should
make even the harshest critics take notice.
	``We've upgraded the stock and improved the photography,'' Topps
spokesman Timm Boyle said. ``We're calling it premium quality at popular
prices.''
	Topps improved it's regular product in 1992 after a successful 1991
debut with Stadium Club. While Stadium Club dropped a notch in 1992, the
company's mainstream cards rebounded. Improvements included randomly
inserted gold cards, no more gum in packs and glossy fronts.
	The 1993 card is first class, and there is a reason for it.
	``It's mainly competition,'' Boyle said. ``Let's face it, there are a
ton of choices out there. It's not like the old days when Topps could
make a product and know people would buy it.''
	The 1993 version is UV coated on both sides and the inserts are top
notch. Titled ``Black Gold'' they are the best since the 1970 football
inserts which were the cream of the insert crop.
	``We really think this will take the hobby by storm,'' said Boyle.
	The Black Gold cards even have gold on the back which is a step
forward. Among the players featured are Barry Bonds, Will Clark and Ryne
Sandberg. These average one in every 48 packs.
	There are also various ``You've Just Won'' Black Gold cards which can
be exchanged for 11, 22 or all 44 cards in the set. Look for one in
every 120 packs.
	Every pack contains a regular gold card which have more gold than
last year's crop. Last year there was only one in every box.
	Another change is the price. The new packs are 69 cents, up from 55
cents.
	The regular issue cards are similar to last year but on whiter stock.
Topps also joined the 1990's by using brighter inks, a glossy finish and
by placing a full-color photo on the back.
	Series 1 is available now. Series 2, due in late February, will have
players from the expansion teams. Topps has yet to decide how many cards
will be in the total set. It could reach 825 or 33 more than 1991. They
will produce factor sets again.
  
	STAR PICS: In what could be a sign of the times, Star Pics, Inc. has
permanently closed its doors. Star Pics produced draft pick sets since
1990 as well as non-sports cards such as Twin Peaks and Playboy. The
firm was rumored to be in trouble. ``Due to the sagging trading card
industry and the struggling economy, Star Pics will no longer produce
trading cards,'' said president Richard Poyle. ``It is no longer
financially feasible for us to continue.'' Earlier this year Pro Set
filed for bankruptcy protection.
	PRICES: Ryan up, Ripken down. The Nolan Ryan rookie card jumped
another $50 to $1,600 in the latest Beckett Baseball Monthly. On the
down side are all the Cal Ripken rookies except one. The 1982 Topps held
at $275. The other three fell $3 each. Most 1992 insert sets continue to
fall except for Score Team Pinnacle, which jumped to $425 for the 12
card set. Donruss' Rookie Phenoms debuted at $35 with Pat Listach and
Eric Karros at $9 each. Karros 1991 Fleer Ultra card finally moved. It's
now $4 as is the 1992 Ultra Listach rookie. Bowman continues to
surprise. The 1992 set jumped to $90.
	BECKETT: Price guide guru Dr. James Beckett finally solved the
problem of the growing baseball bible. With so many new sets the monthly
magaine was growing so fast it would soon rival Webster's. Smaller type
was the answer. The move cut the size of the price list by 30 percent
while still keeping all the vital information.
	INVESTOR TIP: Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the
investor. Reggie Jackson is a shoe in for the Hall of Fame this time and
shrewd investors are already betting on his rookie card. The arrows
continue to rise on his 1969 rookie card (No. 260), which lists for $675
but can be purchased for less. It's a bit expensive for the average
collector but could easily top the $800 mark by this time next year.
	BASKETS: When Topps got an NBA license, collectors drooled at the
thought of Stadium Club basketball. Now they are cool to the product.
The hottest selling NBA card is an upscaled Upper Deck followed by Fleer
Ultra.
	FOOTBALL: Retail boxes of Upper Deck Football Series 2 have hit the
stands and collectors have begun the search for Fanimation cards. Boxes
yield an average of nine inserts including Fanimation, Marino Heroes and
holograms.
	Q & A: Which Upper Deck Series 2 football boxes will show up at the
warehouse clubs?
 B. Becker, Los Angeles
	
 The boxes containing the Fanimation inserts. Check the lower right hand
corner of the box lid and you will see a notation to that effect.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 9671 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sport's Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU2DU130pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 92 10:29:08 PST
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 880/927; Id: z4247; Sel: xxsz.; Adate: 12-30-130pes; V: sked
Approved: clarinews@clarinet.com
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Lines: 92


                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	January marks the debut of the first cards featuring Shaquille O'Neal
in a professional uniform. While the first ``Shaq'' cards were made by
Classic, which signed him exclusivly through the calendar year, what
many will consider his rookie cards will be mailed to collectors
beginning next week. First out of the blocks will be Hoops from SkyBox.
	Normally when a player signs an exclusive deal it ends when he plays
his first pro game. Then anyone with a license can print his cards. When
Classic signed O'Neal to the unusual deal it forced the others to be
creative. Cardmakers chose to wait until January before issuing a card
for the Orlando Magic star.
	Hoops and Upper Deck went a step farther. Hoops randomly inserted a
Lottery Exchange card to mail in for a 10 card draft pick set including
O'Neal. Upper Deck printed a ``Traded'' card collectors could send in
for O'Neal. The difference is that the Upper Deck O'Neal card will also
be in high series packs available in March. The Hoops card will not.
	``With Upper Deck it is just a chance for collectors who don't want
to wait,'' said spokesman Rich Bradly.
	SkyBox took a different view.
	``People should be alerted they can only get the Hoops Lottery
Exchange card by uncovering one in a pack or through our second chance
drawing,'' said SkyBox spokesman Doug Drotman. ``The offer expires March
31 so if collectors have them they should send them in.''
	Drotman says several thousand, or only about 10 percent of the
Lottery cards, have been received. In the second chance drawing,
collectors send in post cards in hopes of winning a lottery set. Chances
of winning are the same as finding one in a pack. Drotman declines to
reveal the odds but normally these offers average one in 36 packs.
	If there are cards left over the deadline will not be extended.
	``Any unclaimed card will be destroyed,'' said Drotman. ``We are firm
on this as these cards will never make it into the marketplace.''
	This could make the Hoops card the most difficult to find in later
years and therefore the most valuable.
	Hoops 2 will be available in a couple of weeks and there will be
other O'Neal cards. He will also be featured in the regular SkyBox set
in February. Upper Deck, Fleer and Topps will have various O'Neal cards
as well.
	The controversy will continue over which is O'Neal's rookie card. Is
it Classic or his NBA rookie cards? Which brings up another question.
Some publications only recognize cards in pro uniforms available in
packs as ``rookie'' cards. Will the Hoops send-in card be eligible?
	Only time will tell.
 
	CLASSIC: The hottest cards currently are Classic 4-Sport which sell
quickly at $1.50 per pack and Upper Deck basketball which is moving
rapidly at $1.25. Collectors continue to search for the O'Neal cards in
Classic packs. Dealers should not expect Classic Minor League Baseball
to do as well. The ``Shaq'' is a unique force.
	ADD UPDECK: The Upper Deck Traded card is listed as no.1A. The O'Neal
card will replace that. Also no.32A (Magic Johnson) and 33A (Larry Bird)
will have replacement cards in the high series. Upper Deck hasn't
decided which players will fill the bill but there will be a new No.32
and No.33.
	PRICES: Surprises in the latest Beckett Football Monthly include
Upper Deck Coach's Report debuting at $80 for the 20 card set. Upper
Deck series 2 is right at $12. Score Team Pinnacle shocked at $175 as
did Primetime Poster cards at $75. SkyBox Primetime is a sleeper at $40.
Gameday is up to $70.
	PRO SET: The return of Pro Set is a mixed bag. The regular card is
redesigned but is not exciting. It does have a randomly inserted Santa
Claus card plus an Emmitt Smith send in offer. Pro Set Power, the
premium card is UV coated and very much a hot upgrade. A gold foil 
``Power'' stamp graces the front and the key player is highlighted in
brighter colors in an action shot. The backs feature a huge photo but no
statistics. The card numbers also correspond to the number on the
player's jersey which is unique.
	FOOTBALL: The Jim Kelly flip hologram from SkyBox is different but
likely won't catch on. Holograms can be tough enough to see but placing
a second hologram on the same card is distracting. However, the entire
Costacos Brothers Poster cards are sharp and highly collectible.
	BASEBALL: Topps baseball is selling well at shows for 75 cents per
pack, $25 a box although the clubs have it for $17. Dealers who explain
the many inserts (gold and black gold) are more successful. Dealers say
sales of Donruss have died.
	HOCKEY: Score has an Eric Lindross Pinnacle 30 card set not available
in packs. Upper Deck has selected Gordie Howe as its high series Hero of
Hockey.
 
	Q & A: How much should I pay for Upper Deck Fanimation Cards?
	G. Villela, Sylmar, Calif.
 
	We've seen Fanimation inserts (Series 2 football retail boxes)
selling for $8 each. We've also seen them flying off dealer tables at
$7. Expect the 10 card set to debut at $50-$70, so $6-$8 is fair.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    So the Upper Deck send away card of the Shaq will be the same one as in
    the high number packs.  I bet some  people  are  kicking themselves for
    shelling out 10 to 15$ for that "trade" card.
    
    I picked up a box of the new Pro Set football. I thought the design was
    pretty nice. Very much improved over the previous issues. I got four of
    the HOF-2000 insert cards and a Santa card.
    
    John

I've seen UD baseball out.  At $2/pack, I passed...
    
Article 9727 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3J6425pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 93 13:27:28 PST
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     United Press International
	If Pro Set is counting on its new premium football card to pull it
out of financial difficulty, it shouldn't bet the farm. Photo selection
will hurt this set.
	``There are always photos you'd like to replace later but we feel
we've picked good shots and the player selection is excellent,'' said
Pro Set spokesman Erik Herskind. ``Instead of just improving quality we
chose to make a statement of power by selecting photos based on power.''
	Digital Layered Imaging is a computer technique that emphasizes the
key person in the picture.
	``With DLI, the players, in full color, explode out of a semi-ghosted
background,'' said Herskind.
	Credit Pro Set with trying to bring back collectors and dealers. The
card backs are filled with clear and colorful action shots.
Unfortunately, it's not the backs collectors buy.
	More than a few blurry and unflattering cards jumped off the table.
Some photos rival the poor quality of Fleer Ultra football. Shots of
Jeff Lageman, Alvin Harper and Neil Smith are taken from the rear.
Lorenzo White looks as if he has a cast on his hand and Lawrence
Dawsey's face is blocked by the ball. The shot of Joe Montana is weak,
Leroy Hoard is blurred and the ball looks like a cardboard cut-out.
	The worst offender features Deion Sanders. He looks like a weeping
Madonna crying out in pain with his eyes shut.
	There are some standout shots. The Emmitt Smith shot is nice as is
the Tim McKyer as he stretches parrallel with another player for the
ball. Cards of Dexter McNabb, Jim Kelly and Lorenzo Lynch all feature
quality shots. The inserts (called Combos) are nice, especially the shot
of three Redskins'receivers.
	Cost is a problem. To get the 10-card Emmitt Smith set you must mail
20 wrappers and $7.50. A seperate $20 mail-in offer will net a Smith
autographed sheet.
	Pro Set officials point to the new NFL GameDay cards which use
similar technology and have a few photos which look out of place.
However, while Power has a quality problem the biggest hitch is photo
selection. There are too many photos showing players with their backs to
the camera for no reason. There had to be better pictures to choose
from.
	To Pro Set's credit, there were only 10,000 cases (20 box) made and
you can easily make the 330 card set with one box. It's loaded with
rookies and for the first time some player card numbers correspondend to
uniform numbers. Troy Aikmen is No. 8.
	``It was a long time coming for the numbering sequence,'' Herskind
said. ``When you see the cards laid out in a folder it's really
impressive.''
	Perhaps. But not quite impressive enough to make collectors return.
 
	ADD PRO SET: Pro Set unveils its Rookie of the Year on the TNT
network Jan. 30. The show airs from the NFL Experience, the giant Super
Bowl card and entertainment show at the Rose Bowl. Bengels receiver Carl
Pickens is a good bet.
	PRO LINE: Pro Line will debut a 28-card Rookie Gold subset available
in Jumbo Packs which contain one gold card.
	HOOPS: The Hoops Lottery Exchange card is much more difficult than
officials would have you believe. The odds printed on the card say one
in 10 boxes. The card gets you a 10-card set featuring Shaquille O'Neal
and other draft picks. Hoops 2 features a random insert set called 
``Magic's All-Rookie Team'' with 10 players. These have gold foil
stamping. Regular rookie cards will have plain gold borders and 
``Rookie'' across the front. 
	PRICES: Beckett Monthly shows good value in the new hockey cards.
Fleer Ultra, one of the two best, debuted at $35. There are several
random inserts in Ultra boxes and only one series. Stadium Club Hockey
is $35 for each series. Upper Deck is on the rise at $35 while inserts
range from $30 to $45 per set. The six All-World inserts found in
Canadian packs are up to $70. Score Pinnacle B is $450 for the 12 card
set. Every Eric Lindross card is going through the roof. Topps is lowest
of the new cards at $4 while the others average $7 each. His 1990-91
Score Rookie card is $30.
	UPPER DECK: Shipments of Upper Deck baseball are well behind
schedule. It was expected by the middle of December. By Jan. 4 they were
nowhere to be found.
	TOPPS: Collectors are buying 1993 Topps baseball packs like crazy
after seeing the Black Gold insert. An A/B insert can be exchanged for
22 of the 44 Black Gold cards. Dealers are asking between $125 and $200
for this exchange card.
	ADD TOPPS: Citing a softness in the card market, Topps reported a $3
million drop in third-quarter earnings from a year ago.
 
	Q & A: Is there something special in Classic Baseball Jumbo packs?
	B. Becker, Northridge, Calif.
	Classic baseball jumbos feature the same preview inserts found in
hockey packs which include the $65 Shaquille O'Neal.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, CA 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    Careful on the BlackGold Winner Cards. Center Sports in Billerica has
    the A Winner or the B Winner for $40. The A/B Winner is $75. They
    had 5 A or B's and 2 A/B's.
    
    I opened a box of Jumbo's (5 Golds in a pack). 24 packs to the box.
    I paid $47.20. I got both an A and B winner card from it. According
    to both Center Sports and Batter's Up in Tewksbury this is not
    uncommon. There appears to be many winner cards around. 
    
    IMHO they won't be less then $40 or $75 but $125 to $200 is overprice.
    
    Steve

Article 9786 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3JD320pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 93 12:22:07 PST
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Slugword: brill
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	Collectors wanting a simple but valuable piece of baseball card
history need only look to 1963.
	The Fleer set that year contains just 67 cards and few stars, so it's
not difficult to build. In addition, dealers don't find it profitable,
new collectors aren't familiar with it and single cards are available at
most shows for a small investment. 
	While it's loaded with commons it does have stars such as Sandy
Koufax, Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente. Among the missing are Mickey
Mantle, Roger Maris and Hank Aaron. If there were photos of others they
have long since been lost.
	``We toyed with the idea of redoing the 1963 baseball set since it
was the 30th anniversary so I know there aren't any of those photos or
even cards around,'' said Fleer spokesman Ted Taylor. ``Fleer didn't
have much of a sense of history back then.''
	Four cards are worth at least $100 and the checklist is $450 if you
can find it. The entire set lists for $1250. The checklist reads 
``Series 1'' indicating Fleer planned to print more. The Joe Adcock card
(No.46) is difficult to find because, like the Checklist, it was a short
print. 
	Irv Lerner was an unpaid Fleer consultant and the recognized industry
expert on Fleer. Lerner said there are many stories about the shortprint
cards but there was a simple reason.
	``There were two uncut sheets ready for the printer and each held 66
cards,'' Lerner said. ``Adcock was on one sheet and the checklist was on
the other. So there were only half as many of those two cards.''
	In 1963 Topps filed a lawsuit stopping Fleer from printing more.
Eventually Fleer signed a 15 year non-compete claus but later won
another lawsuit breaking Topps' monopoly and opening the door for the
1981 Fleer and Donruss cards.
	The 1963 set has other interesting trademarks.
	Topps put gum in its packs so Fleer placed a cookie inside. By
today's standards the cards are ugly, featuring white stock with a head
shot and an action drawing on the front. The card backs are white and
green with one year of current statistics side by side with the players
lifetime figures.
	Rod Kanehl and Glen Hobbie cards are only $8. Fortunately for
collectors there are few stars. Many lesser players signed exclusive
contracts with Fleer while others appeared in both sets including
Adcock.
	It also features Maury Wills' first card. He didn't have a Topps card
until 1967. His Fleer issue is $80 and considered his Rookie although he
had been in the majors for years.
	The set is relatively easy to complete in good conditon aside from
Adcock and the colorful checklist.
	Fleer did print other cards including the highly sought 1959 Ted
Williams set and 1960-62 Baseball Greats. However the 1963 Fleer set
stands alone. It is a true collector's item and will become only more
scarce as years go by.
 
	INVESTMENT: While your selection of older cards may be greater at
large shows finding them at bargain prices is much better at small,
neighborhood shows. Dealers who can pay $250 table fees are not trying
to ``just get rid of'' their old cards. Chances are new dealers trying
to ``raise some money'' by selling their own collection will pay $25 for
one of 20 tables at a community center. Recently, I purchased a $40,
1958 Eddie Mathews in mint condition for $6. Someone beat me to the $55
Pee Wee Reese for $4. At another show I purchased $300 worth of old
cards for $77. The dealer was pleased to take my money and I was happy
with the bargains.
 
	PRICES: Beckett Baseball Monthly was right on the money with 1993
Topps Series 1 at $14, Donruss at $16 and Score Select at $25. Most
inserts are dropping except for Score Team Pinnacle which is $450 for
the 12 cards. Reggie Jackson's 1969 rookie card is up to $700.
 
	UPDECK: 1993 Upper Deck baseball came on to rave reviews. Packs are
selling at $1.50. Two boxes may not yield a set but you will get many
inserts. Triple Crown Contenders are super and should be THE chase card
of the Spring. Collectors are paying $20 more for basketball boxes
featuring Jerry West Selects inserts which are sent to hobby outlets.
Retail boxes have special rookie inserts.
 
	BOWMAN BARGAIN: Have you looked at 1990-91 Bowman lately? Both sets
are loaded with ``up'' arrows indicting card prices on the rise. Topps
used Bowman as a testing ground for young players which translates into
many rookie cards worth $1. Boxes are easy to find at $10 or less.
 
	TOPPS: An easier way to find the 1993 Topps Black Gold cards is to
purchase Jumbo Packs. A 24 count box can yield up to three inserts.
Expect to pay $3 per Jumbo.
 
	Q & A: Are the Team Pinnacle hockey inserts easier to find than the
baseball inserts?
 B. Sands, Valencia, Calif.
	
	Yes. The hockey inserts, which include the Lindros/Gretzky, average
one per box. Dealers considered themselves lucky to find more than one
Team Pinnacle baseball insert per case.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif. 91340.
	
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    I've still got the '63 Fleer Koufax I got from a pack at a Mom and Pop
    store in Iowa.
    
    John

Article 12289 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3JK330pe@clarinet.com>
Date: 20 Jan 93 20:35:32 GMT
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	Spanish-language baseball cards hit store shelves in February.
	``We and the Players Association just felt like the timing was right,
'' said Marty Cramer, vice president of Pacific Trading Cards Inc., the
first cardmaker to get such a license.
	``Our priority is to focus on the Hispanic player. The whole intent
is to get the card to the retailers who sell to Hispanics, who in turn
can get it into the hands of the kids.''
	The Series 1 set will include every Hispanic player in the big
leagues (Cramer estimates 240) plus other major players for a complete
set of 660 in two series. There will also be randomly inserted 20-card
prism and gold foil sets. Inserts will average about two per box.
	The cards will only be sold in Pacific ``change maker packs.'' These
are five-card packs, which retail for 25 cents. Boxes have 100 packs and
are sold factory direct for $250 a case (20 boxes).
	``Trading cards have always been a player-driven product,'' said
Donald Fehr, executive director of the players' union. ``By developing a
Spanish-language set, the players can reach a previously undeveloped
market and create new heroes for an entire generation of youth.''
	Cramer agrees.
	``We really are working hard with the Players' Association to create
heroes for these youth,'' he said. ``This is not just another card set.
There is really a lot of good will behind this project.''
	Pacific signed three spokesmen: batting champ Edgar Martinez
(Mariners), home run king Juan Gonzalez (Rangers) and pitcher Dennis
Martinez (Montreal).
	Unlike some other cards these will not be bilingual. They are
designed specifically for the Spanish-speaking public in the United
States and Latin America.
	``Our goal is to put it where Hispanics live such as California,
Texas and Miami,'' Cramer said. ``We are targeting the top 50 Hispanic
markets in the United States, so it will be difficult to get in states
with a low Hispanic population.''
	All the cards are UV coated on both sides and are similar to previous
Pacific products. The shots are clear and the colors are strong. A
second photo on the back covers about 40 percent of the card. Statistics
are limited to 1992 and lifetime totals.
	Response from the Hispanic advertising market has been strong, with
interest also in Puerto Rico and elsewhere outside the U.S. mainland.
Cramer says the target is really the retail market and not hobby
dealers.
	Cramer believes the baseball product is here to stay but he's not
sure about football, which surveys show is also followed heavily by
Hispanics. Pro Set tried it but was not successful.
	HOOPS: Hoops 2 is selling for $1 a pack and worth it. It is loaded
with rookie cards and inserts. The Supreme Court inserts, featuring
Patrick Ewing, are outstanding. A box should yield about three. Look for
other inserts such as Magic Johnson picks the rookies, featuring
Shaquille O'Neal. Since there are less than 200 cards in Series 2 a box
will easily provide almost three sets. Dealers are selling sets for as
low as $5.
	PRICES: Beckett Basketball Monthly shows demand for the Hoops Lottery
Exchange card is up. It jumped to $60. The Jerry West Selects cards,
found in Upper Deck hobby boxes, debuted at $70 for the 20 card set.
That assures those boxes will increase in price. Boxes sent to retail
outlets can be found at $40 at shows while the hobby boxes are near $60.
In addition the All-Rookie cards found in retail boxes only list at $20
for the 10 card set. Fleer Ultra came out at $25, Stadium Club $27 and
SkyBox $20. Dealers are seeing more action on the early Fleer issues
(1986-89). Many of the arrows are pointing up which indicates collector
demand.
	FLEER: Dennis Eckersley, winner of the American League Cy Young and
MVP awards, is the spokesman for 1993 Fleer Ultra, which debuts next
week. Fleer's regular issue baseball is doing fairly well, selling for
$1 a pack. Boxes were quickly available at the clubs for less than $25.
	PRO SET: Six defensive players are finalists for the NFL Pro Set
Rookie of the Year to be announced the night before the Super Bowl: Dale
Carter (Chiefs), Marco Coleman (Dolphins), Santana Dotson (Bucs), Steve
Emtman (Colts), Robert Jones (Cowboys) and Chris Mims (Chargers).
	SCORE: Score has put a three-card set of the ``NFL's Great Moments''
cards in the NFL ``Follies'' videotapes. The cards highlight Franco
Harris' ``Immaculate Reception,'' Jim Marshall's wrong-way touchdown and
Garo Yepremian's flubbed Super Bowl pass.
	Q & A: I enjoyed the 1953 Topps' Archives set. Will Topps make more
reprint sets?
	T. Baily, Glendale, Calif.
 
	Sources indicate Topps is on the verge of making a 1954 Archives Set.
The 1953 Archives, released in 1992, was a big hit. One prominent
collector asked me if Topps would consider doing basketball archives.
They are looking at basketball, hockey and football archive collections.
If you would like to see that happen drop us a line.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif. 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 9883 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3JR620pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 93 15:18:51 PST
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     United Press International
	While the Buffalo Bills prepare to meet the Dallas Cowboys in Super
Bowl XXVII, the event of the year for sports card collectors is taking
place not too far from where Sunday's game will be played in Pasadena,
Calif.
	The event, sponsored by NFL Properties, is called NFL Experience 2.
It officially began last year in conjunction with the Super Bowl in
Minneapolis but has grown considerably this year. Every major card
company participates and players sign autographs for free.
	``It's a chance for people to see what pro football is all about,''
said Bill Barron, who heads up the Creative Services Division of NFL
Properties, which runs the event. ``At the same time if they are into
star gazing they will see hundreds of NFL players and other celebrities.
''
	It is a sports theme park that brings fans closer to the NFL through
a series of interactive games, displays and a card show.
	Dealers paid $500 for a booth and should make it back as thousands
pass through the four-day event. Admission is $10, which is not
expensive when you consider what's available.
	There are 248 dealer booths and 176 different organizations
represented. Large cardmakers include Topps, Score and Classic. Upper
Deck, a major sponsor, will make a special 50-card boxed set available
to dealers who have a booth. The ``NFL Experience Set'' is similar to
the set Upper Deck sold through baseball's All-Star FanFest.
	The event is a combination trade and consumer show, which should
benefit both manufacturers and collectors.
	``There is a good mixture of dealers and manufacturers,'' said
Barron. ``I know the cardmakers will enjoy talking to consumers who buy
their product.''
	There will also be a pin-trading center in one of the giant tents,
which house the NFL Experience. That was spurred by Coca-Cola's
sponsorship of the Olympics. 
	``Coca-Cola is a title sponsor,'' he said. ``It's a new venture for
them to become involved in a card show and they see a lot of potential.''
	Several NFL players will sign autographs for free and long waiting
lines are anticipated. But Barron thinks he's come up with a plan to
meet collectors' needs. They will get tickets from a separate line for
the individual signers and will present those tickets at the stage.
Tickets will be given based on the number of signatures the player can
sign and all tickets will be honored.
	A player with a long name such as Randall Cunningham may only sign
300 signatures in two hours while Ray Guy might sign 500.
	Signers include Steve Young, David Klingler and Steve Emtman. Up to
15 percent will be retired players.
	Promotional goodie bags will be handed out at the door.
	Games will include running against the time of the NFL's fastest man,
catching passes from a machine and throwing an NFL football. There will
be a theatre for NFL films, a four-on-four flag football competition
sponsored by Upper Deck and a chance to have a card made of yourself.
	About 400 teams from around the nation competed for a chance to go to
Pasadena for the finals of the flag football contest.
	``There are a variety of things people can do at this event,'' said
Barron. ``It's all encompassing with over 700-thousand square feet.''
	Country singer Garth Brooks will perform, TNT will broadcast the
Saturday night program when Pro Set hands out its Rookie of the Year
Award and MTV airs live on Sunday.
	``There is no doubt in my mind that the fan who comes out, will have
-- pardon the pun -- a real NFL experience,'' Barron said. 
	CLASSIC: Classic 4-Sport has sold out. Driven by the Shaquille O'Neal
insert and all 40,000 numbered cases were gone in six weeks and have
been hot at shows.
	AUTOGRAPHS: Baseball Autograph News says Stan Musial is now bypassing
the middleman and selling his autograph directly through ads.
	TOPPS: Topps is releasing a 44-card set called ``Football's Finest''
and it is a beauty. It is a combination of 3-D, gold foil, black borders
and a lacquer finish. It only sold in sets and 3,000 have been
manufactured. The card backs are dull but the fronts set a new standard
in card design.
	PRICES: Beckett Football Monthly indicates most new Upper Deck cards
are on the rise, including the Walter Payton and Dan Marino Heroes at $5
each. Fanimation debuted at $45. Surprises? Primetime Poster cards $70,
Scores Dream Team $55 and Pro set Power $30. Pinnacle features a lot of
cards on the rise and Barry Foster's rookie card (1990 Topps) finally
hit $1.
	SKYBOX: Look for some hot chase cards in SkyBox 2 due in mid-
February. The Thunder and Lightning inserts, featuring 18 major stars,
have black borders and the traditional SkyBox pastels in a unique
setting.
	Q & A: Are there any good football investment sets which are
affordable?
	T. Baily, Glendale, Calif.
	Fleers 1990 Update at $32 is a winner. Seven cards list for $2 or
more while Emmitt Smith is $20. The 1987 Topps set is just $52 and
includes rookie cards for Randall Cunningham, Herschal Walker and Jim
Kelly.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif. 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: Pro Set has a winner with 1992-93 Parkhurst.
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3F1350pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 93 12:56:31 PST
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     A Sports Collector's Guide
	For the second straight year Pro Set is betting on a revived
Parkhurst hockey card and it's a good bet. It has been successful
because of the nostalgia Parkhurst brings to collectors and due to the
quality Pro Set has brought to the product. 
	``We have set our sights very high for Parkhurst,'' said Pro Set
spokesman Erik Herskind. ``Parkhurst plays a big role in our turnaround.
We are looking for a large investor and the ability for us to produce a
viable product is very important.''
	Herskind said Pro Set, which is operating under bankruptcy laws, is
talking to several possible investors. 
	``Everyone is very cautious with the news that Topps stock is
dropping and rumors, whether substantiated or unsubstantiated about
other companies,'' he said. ``If someone is going to invest a large
amount of money in a card company he wants to make sure the industry is
sound.'' 
	Herskind wouldn't mention who the possible investors are but does
admit it involves someone outside the industry.
	The addition of Emerald Ice will make Parkhurst a very sought after
commodity.
	Each pack contains a card stamped with an emerald green ``Parkhurst.''
The stamp goes all the way through the card.
	While most firms have issued gold or silver cards it is high time
someone came up with something different. Kudos to Pro Set for the bold
move.
	The card backs are highlighted by an attractive green while the card
front is similar to last year's product with a slight color variation.
Each card is bilingual. Last year Pro Set produced both French and
English, which didn't work.
	``Collectors told us when Parkhurst first came out it was bilingual
so why not go back to that,'' said Herskind.
	You can expect a full 240-card set from one box. There are only 7,000
numbered cases.
	Pro Set has reached into the past for its chase cards. There is an
eight-card ``Parkies'' insert set, which features the great goalies. The
checklist mirrors the 1950 Parkhurst wrapper. Look for eight inserts per
case. The classic goalie shots include Jacques Plante and Gump Worsley.
	Parkhurst President, Dr. Brian Price, contacted the goalies or their
families and paid them $2,000 each for the rights.
	``They were all very excited about the idea,'' he said.
	Look for forwards and defensemen in future series.
	NFL EXPERIENCE: 100,000 people attended the NFL Experience at the
Super Bowl. Autograph lines moved well and dealers liked the foot
traffic but many complained there were too many lookers and not enough
buyers. That's difficult when you pay $500 for tablespace but most said
they were pleased. While signers were expected to include retired
players, only current players attended. Complaints from consumers
included the $5 hamburger and the $3 frozen lemonade as well as too few
restrooms. The NFL should be applauded for staging events for everyone,
including toddlers and senior citizens. Security got involved when some
SkyBox Shaquille O'Neal cards from the Series 2 turned up. Series 2
isn't out yet. SkyBox officials were hoping to catch whoever had them.
Kansas City linebacker Derrick Thomas was selling his new Bio Sheet
cards. Bio Sheet is an 8 x 10 card featuring an action shot on the front
and lots of personal information on the back.
	UPPER DECK SET: The Upper Deck NFL Experience set is one of the
company's best. It sold for $10-$17.
	SUPERBOWL: Each fan received about 30 cards at their seat. The Super
Bowl 27 Program also had two cards inside.
	ACTION WINNER: The winner of an Action Packed 18K gold card is JoAnne
Clark Papac, wife of former Oakland Raider quarterback Nick Papac. She
won the $5,000 Barry Sanders card through the Action Packed second
chance drawing.
	PRO SET ROOKIE: The Dolphins Marco Coleman was named Pro Set Rookie
of the Year.
	PINNACLE: 1993 Pinnacle Baseball should be hot. The trademark black
borders remain but the Pinnacle name is in gold, the picture is larger
and the redesigned card backs are sharp.
	STADIUM: Topps took Stadium Club back to its roots. The 1993 logo is
black and red with a red stripe and lots of gold, which helped sell
collectors in 1991. Topps added four different insert products to Series
1. Included are 1st Day Production cards, No.1 expansion picks, 3,000-
hit club cards and a chance to win Stadium Club Master photos. Inserts
are 1 in 24 packs.
	PRICES: Beckett Hockey Monthly indicates Upper Decks six-card All-
World Team set released in Canada is hot at $80. Fleers Ultra set is
dropping but the inserts are streaking. All-Stars are $60, Award Winners
$60 and the eight-card Rookie set is $45. Scores six-card Team Pinnacle
set is $125 and the Score Canadian Olympians set is $150.
	HOOPS: Dealers have caught on to the limited supply of Hoops 1
Lottery Exchange cards. They are asking $200 for the card, which nets a
beautiful Shaquille O'Neal card.
	Q & A: Is Fleer going to make an Ultra Hockey 2?
 V. Baltayan, Hollywood, Calif.
	Fleers did so well with Ultra Hockey 1 officials changed their mind
and will make a second series. The set includes 200 cards plus inserts.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3FH1230pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 93 9:31:16 PST
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	After years of frustration, collectors are once again excited about
Topps trading cards but the company's resurgence has not been without
problems. Topps has finally moved into the 1990's in a big way but
security had to be increased and profits have dropped.
	For the first time since 1982 Topps expects a net loss. The value of
its stock has dropped and officials blame the overall card market.
	``We see this development as a market contraction rather than a
seasonal fluctuation,'' Topps Chairman Arthur Shorin said. ``The
speculative frenzy of the last few years is giving way to a hobby
reflecting true collector interest.''
	The bottom line? There are too many cards on the market. Sources
indicate Topps has seen the light and cut production.
	Its Stadium Club premium card revolutionized the industry in 1991 but
in 1992 collectors charged the company cranked up production leaving no
shortage on the market. The set was also expanded to 900 cards. Boxes of
1992 Stadium Club can be found at shows for as low as $19.
	The 1992 gold card promotion was fraught with problems but did move
Topps heavily into the insert market. In 1993 Topps added the successful
Black Gold inserts.
	``Our regular issue is vastly improved and good enough to stand on
its own but the gold and Black Gold are added inducements,'' Topps'
spokesman Timm Boyle said.
	Bold moves included re-entering the NBA market and re-printing old
sets. After a popular 1953 reprint Topps is remaking the 1954 baseball
set. Also on tap is a 150-card NBA series featuring stars from 1981-1991
when Topps did not make basketball cards. 
	The cardmaker has finally jumped into the insert craze with both
feet.
	``The market is so competitive that everybody wants to give consumers
and dealers a reason to buy their product,'' Boyle said.
	The 1993 Stadium Club Baseball Series 1 features many chase cards and
there will be inserts in Series 2 basketball. There is a 21-card insert
set in Stadium Club basketball while the regular issue has six players.
	The first Stadium Club inserts were baseball draft picks and
quarterback legends. These should have skyrocketed but collector
interest cooled when they turned up in quantities. Topps quickly
discovered chase cards are easy targets for thieves. Several people were
arrested, including at least one employee.
	Topps won't disclose figures but the firm spent a substantial dollars
on security. One source says they've added security guards, placed
cameras in key corners of the operation and about the only thing not
subject to random searches are women's bras.
	TOPPS: Topps released its final 1992 football edition as a ``High
Numbers'' series. It contains 113 cards, including the first Topps' card
for last year's No. 1 overall Steve Emtman and four special cards
depicting the top draft picks of the last four years. Each boxed set has
10 gold cards and there is one gold card per pack. There isn't a gold
checklist but there is a gold card for Curtis Whitley of San Diego. The
only Topps card featuring Whitely is the gold card. There is an error
card. The first 7 on some Randall Hill cards has been dropped making it
No. 37 when it is actually No.737.
	SHAQ: There has been some confusion over Upper Deck's Shaquille
O'Neal traded card. In the first series collectors found the ``Traded
Card,'' which was mailed in for an O'Neal card. The traded card itself
was listed as No.1A. Upper Deck is stamping that card and sending it
back to collectors as a receipt along with the real Shaq card (No.1B),
which is stamped ``Trade Card.'' In addition, in Series 2 packs the
exact same Shaq card can be found with two exceptions; it is listed as
No.1 instead of No.1B and is stamped ``No.1 NBA Draft.''
	PRICES: Beckett Basketball Monthly shows prices continue to rise on
Shaq cards but may be low for the Hoops Lottery Exchange card. The guide
values the card at $100. It has been seen in the $150-$250 range. Hoops
seems to be THE set. The regular issue O'Neal card is $6 while his card
in the Magic All-Rookie Team set is $60. The entire Magic set (10 cards)
debuted at $100. Fleers Rookie Sensations aren't as hot as in previous
seasons while the Upper Deck ``Jerry West Selects'' cards are selling
very well.
	HOCKEY: Upper Deck Hockey High Series hits store shelves next week
with Gordie Howe featured in the Heroes insert set.
	AUCTION: Among the items at Leland's auction in New York Saturday is
Pete Rose's Rolls Royce, which is expected to bring about $40,000.
	Q & A: Why does Upper Deck send boxes with one kind of insert to card
shops and the same boxes but with different inserts to warehouse clubs?
	J.R.Aldana, Agoura, Calif.
	Cardmakers are looking for new sales outlets. Boxes of Upper Deck
Football Series 2 were sent to hobby shops and contained the ``Coaches
Report'' inserts. Boxes sent to retail outlets featured ``Fanimation''
inserts. Upper Deck says it is an opportunity to introduce sports cards
to more people. Some Dealers get upset because when customers want these
cards the dealer must buy them from retail outlets.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3FO805pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 93 17:08:54 PST
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	Score's Pinnacle 1993 premium baseball card set, scheduled for this
month, will continue to feature high dollar inserts but those inserts
will be much easier to find.
	The 1992 Team Pinnacle 12 card set currently lists for $450.
Collectors opened multiple boxes hoping to find one of the inserts. This
year the ratio is one in 24 packs or about 1.5 per box.
	``Both dealers and collectors told us it was very frustrating to put
the insert sets together because they were so difficult to find,'' Score
spokesman Dean Golembeski said. ``We listened to what they said and made
things somewhat easier.''
	Series 1 contains the 1992 10-card Team Pinnacle insert set and
Series 2 will feature the Rookie Team Pinnacle inserts. Frank Thomas and
Fred McGriff will be in the first set. Bret Boone of Seattle and Ryan
Thompson of the Mets will be in the latter.
	There are also other subsets including Idols, Hometown Heroes and a
Now & Then set similar to the hologram series released by Upper Deck.
Each card features a player in a current photo and a photograph from his
rookie season.
	Each 27-card Series 1 Super Pack will have a Team 2001 player while
the Series 2 packs will include a Slugfest card.
	The regular cards have been redesigned with one exception.
	``The black borders will remain a Pinnacle trademark,'' Golembeski
said. ``We feel collecters really are attracted to the distinctive
border on these cards.''
	Collectors for years have been frustrated by black borders because
they chip so easily. The black bordered 1986 Topps baseball and 1962
Topps football are very much desired but are difficult to find in mint
condition. Current technology however has made black better.
	``The UV (ultraviolet) coating on todays cards helps preserve the
black borders,'' he said.
	Changes include the company name in gold over the black border and a
much larger picture which fully encases the player. Previous Pinnacle
cards featured the player stepping over the border which was a nice
touch. The new picture may be bigger but it remains to be seen if
collectors like the change.
	The card backs are highlighted in gold and feature a portrait shot on
a gold background.
	We haven't seen enough of the set to judge photo selection but the
shots are very colorful which is always a plus.
	SHAQ: Two Hoops Lottery Exchange sets sold for $270 with the
Shaquille O'Neal card itself bringing $170 at shows in Anaheim,
California. Basketball and particularly the Shaq is selling so briskly,
one dealer wondered aloud why he even brought baseball cards. Topps
Series 2 is out and selling well with the regular issue O'Neal card
bringing $5. The gold Shaq card should sell for $35 easily.
	SKYBOX: The Thunder and Lightning inserts in SkyBox 2 are some of the
best looking cards we've seen. The silver outline around the player
gives the card a 3-D look. It's a surprise that O'Neal isn't in the
subset. Boxes of SkyBox 2 are selling briskly in the $45-$50 dollar
range.
	UPPER DECK: The Upper Deck NBA All-Star sets are on a level with the
firms NFL Experience set. Both are outstanding. Dealers are breaking the
NBA sets and selling the Shaq card quickly for $20. Upper Deck joined
with McDonald's Canada to release a bilingual 33-card All-Star hockey
set which includes six holograms.
	BASEBALL: Classic Minor League Gold Baseball and Donruss Series 2
have arrived. Donruss 2 is loaded with many good ``Rated Rookie'' cards
including Tim Wakefield, Tim Salmon and David Nied.
	PRICES: The Cowboys Super Bowl XXVII victory win translates to higher
prices for Cowboys cards. Troy Aikman's 1989 Score Rookie card is $42
and going up while Michael Irvin's rookie card is $22 and rising. The
only Upper Deck Fanimation card to increase is Aikman's at $10. Ah, the
sweet smell of success. The rookie card for Buffalo's Thurman Thomas is
dropping. According to the latest Beckett Football Monthly, the Upper
Deck Dan Marino inserts are on the rise at $5 per card. It might be that
few Series 2 boxes are being opened. With fewer single cards on dealer
tables the price is sure to go up. The 100 card Stadium Club Update set
debuted at $34 while the four-card draft pick subset is $75. Quarterback
legends is finally going up and sits at $30. Joe Montana's rookie card
is rising again at $165.
	MORE NFL: As if the field weren't already overcrowded, the NFL is
issuing a license to Score Board, which is the parent of Classic. The
Classic NFL Draft Card set will be the official card of the draft.
                                Q & A:
	Has Upper Deck decided who will be players No. 32 and No. 33 in this
year's basketball set?
	P.White, Los Angeles
	Upper Deck was to decide after the All-Star Game. You may recall
there were cards for Magic Johnson (No.32A) and Larry Bird (No.33A) in
the first series. Bird is featured in the Series 2 Heroes of Basketball
set.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif. 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: What's the hottest trading card on the market? Anything with Shaquille O'Neal on it.
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3M3115pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 93 10:15:43 PST
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Slugword: brill
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     A Sports Collector's Guide
	Upper Deck's new line of NBA cards features four O'Neal cards as card
companies capitalize on collectors' demand for more cards of the game's
top rookie.
	``He is a wonderful player, a nice guy and we're just happy he's
having a great year because it's really helped the card market,'' said
Christopher Corman, Upper Decks Senior Assistant Brand Manager for NBA
cards.
	Three of the O'Neal cards will be in the Upper Deck regular series
while the fourth will be a Rookie Standout insert. He'll also have an
All-Star and a Top Prospects card, but the Rookie Standout should be the
hot one. Upper Deck could have put him in more categories but begged
off.
	``We only put a player in a sub-set if he belongs in that set,'' said
Corman. ``We must have him in the All-Star set and Rookie Standouts.''
	Any card bearing the likeness of the NBA rookie brings in top dollar.
In our last column we estimated the regular issue Topps Gold O'Neal card
should sell for $35. It sold at shows in California for $100. Packs of
the regular issue cards are selling for $1.50 and boxes for $45. Stadium
Club is $4 per pack and between $80 and $100 per box. The Stadium Club
Beam Team Shaq insert brought $300 at a Los Angeles show. Where will it
end? Fleer Ultra and Upper Deck 2 are next.
	Larry Bird, recently retired star of the Boston Celtics, is also
being marketed quite well. Upper Deck's second series, due out this
month, will feature 10 cards highlighting Bird. Bird and Magic Johnson,
also recently retired, were natural choices for the Heroes insert set
but Johnson signed an exclusive deal with SkyBox.
	Collation has not been good recently on Upper Deck boxes and Corman
said they are working on improving it. There are only 220 cards in the
series.
	All random inserts will be UV coated. One is a short print card of
Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins, each of whom has scored more than
20,000 points during their NBA careers.
	Other inserts are three holograms and a 19-card 15,000 Point Club
set. The latter will be available only in boxes delivered to hobby
stores. Boxes shipped to retail outlets include the Rookie Standout
inserts.
	Locker Boxes have a nine-card set with foreign players while jumbo
packs highlight another 20-card set of the five best players in each
division.
	Still to be decided is who will be pictured on cards No. 32 and No.
33. It will not be Magic or Bird. As retired players they cannot be
featured on a regular NBA card. In the first series they were listed as
No. 32A and No. 33A.
	This is Upper Deck's finest basketball product so far and with four
O'Neal cards it may have the most staying power in the long run.
	ADD TOPPS: Topps Series 2 Basketball boxes collate well with a chance
at getting one set and close to a second.
	ADD UPPER DECK: The Upper Deck Jam Session set is exquisite. Dealers
are breaking the set to sell the O'Neal for $10. Upper Deck has again
joined with McDonald's to produce a small set with bonus prizes,
including a one-on-one with Michael Jordan and a European vacation.
	ULTRA-PRO: Ultra-Pro, which makes pages to hold cards, has signed a
deal with Topps to offer a Stadium Club sheet. It has no PVC, which
means the pages will be safe for premium cards. Each 10-page pack
includes a Stadium Club card, which is part of a 10-card set featuring
Barry and Bobby Bonds along with Willie Mays.
	DRAFT PIX: Front Row has a seven-card Larry Johnson Grandmama set
showing the Charlotte star in a takeoff of the television commercial.
The firm is also offering a new Junior Card Dealer Program offering
youngsters a chance to earn money while learning about cards. With
Classic leading the way among the draft pick companies, Front Row and
Courtside are being forced to work harder. Courtside officials began the
practice of offering product to card shops on consignment as a way to
stimulate sagging sales. Front Row followed. Front Row reserved space at
the Candy Wholesalers trade show in Los Angeles but was a no show.
Classic and Courtside were both there.
	PRICES: The latest Beckett Hockey Monthly showed a low debut for the
new Parkhurst inserts. The set lists for $25 but the Emerald Ice cards
seem low at two to five times the value of the regular issue. Emerald
Ice inserts are similar to other cardmaker's gold cards. The Eric
Lindros card is $7. Joe Juneau and Teemu Selanne are both on the rise.
Both list for $4 in Pinnacle while Juneau is $5 in other sets.
	METAL: Precious Metal plans to release a card portraying at least one
baseball player at the National in Chicago this July. PM Cards are made
of gold, silver and platinum.
                                Q & A:
	I have a Stadium Club Super Bowl 26 card which I received at the NFL
Experience. What is its value?
	L. Wertheimer, Thousand Oaks, Calif.
	Experts indicate little movement because Topps failed to put gold
foil on the embossed portion. If there was gold there would be more
collector demand. Currently you should feel lucky to get twice the value
of the card in the regular issue Stadium Club set.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    
    With all the people spending their money on the basketball cards, it'll
    mean they'll have less for baseball ;-) That's okay with me.
    
    John

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.baseball,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: baseball, men's professional
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	It sounds like something out of ``Field of Dreams'' -- all-time
strikeout king Nolan Ryan meets Walter Johnson. What would the two great
fireballers say to each other? The answer might lie on a card in the
latest edition of the Conlon Collection from MegaCards.
	Conlon Series 3 features more photos by Charles Conlon, the famous
photographer who snapped classic pictures for The Sporting News. Among
the changes in this series is a Ryan sub-set picturing him with Dizzy
Dean, Bob Feller and a classic shot with Ryan and Johnson shaking hands.
	``It is one very special card where we used a little bit of computer
technology to put the two greats together,'' said Steve Juskewycz,
president of MegaCards. ``We edited four different Ryan photos together
to get just the right picture.''
	It really is a strong work of art. The giant blowup of the card at
the National Confectioners Association convention in Los Angeles
prompted a double-take.
	Wasn't Johnson dead before Ryan pitched for the Rangers? ``Yes,''
answered Juskewycz. ``In fact, Johnson died about a month before Ryan
was born.''
	On the back there is a fantasy conversation speculating on what may
have been discussed if the two did meet. We won't reveal details here.
	It may seem like an attempt to capitalize on Ryan now that he has
announced he'll retire at the end of the 1993 season but Juskewycz says
the decision was made previously.
	``We looked at players who are playing today and tried to find
somebody that had a legacy, had character and was someone who would be
interesting and meaningful when compared to players from the past,'' he
said. ``We bent over backward to make this turn out right.''
	Series 3 picks up where Series 2 left off, card no. 661, and runs
through No. 900. It does have random inserts which will make pack sales
stronger. In the past collectors would wait for factory sets so there
wasn't a need to buy packs.
	Inserts include a series of eight different colorized cards. You can
also send away for two more of Jim Thorpe and Shoeless Joe Jackson.
	When MegaCards revealed in 1992 it would colorize cards there was
some backlash from purists but that subsided when the cards were
unveiled.
	``We didn't want to make something in color just for the sake of
making a color card,'' Juskewycz said. ``We wanted it to look like a
color photo that was taken yesterday rather than something tinted or
airbrushed.''
	Conlon experts did their homework. They checked uniforms, players
hair and eye color, stadium walls and seats in an attempt to get the
most accurate depiction possible. 
	``I'm not exaggerating when I say the reaction has been universally
positive,'' he said.
	The Ryan-Johnson card and the entire Conlon series for that matter
are winners.
	SHAQ-MANIA: Shaquille O'Neal has driven Topps Stadium Club through
the roof with boxes commanding up to $135 each. Shaq's Beam Team insert
is drawing $300-$350, although one recently wnt for $250. The other
Stadium Club O'Neal cards sell for $20-$25. With more Shaq's on tap
wholesalers are pre-selling boxes of Fleer Ultra 2 at $80 a box.
	HOMERUN HEROES: Upper Deck has gone a step further with the 1993 Home
Run Heroes found in jumbo packs. The player's name is written on an
embossed bat at the bottom of the card.
	COLLATION CORNER: Both Stadium Club 2 basketball and SkyBox 2 collate
very well. A box of Stadium Club yields nearly two complete sets,
including four O'Neal cards.
	NHL CANADA: Another crackdown on unlicensed cards. The NHL Players
Association won an injunction in Canada against Super Star Heroes which
prevents the company from dealing in any product featuring NHL players.
About 18,000 unlicensed cards and 55 price guides were confiscated at a
show in Brampton. Included in the guides were unlicensed cards which
have little or no value. Dealers often do make a profit from the illegal
trade.
	PRICES: The latest Beckett Baseball Monthly shows some unexpected
surprises. Bowman 1992 baseball is going through the roof, Score Select
inserts are hot and Topps Black Gold is doing poorly. In the Black Gold
set, one of Topps best inserts, almost every card is dropping. The A/B
exchange card, which seems to be more plentiful than the company
indicated, has fallen to $60. Many Score Select singles are on the rise
and all four insert sets are priced high. Bowman 1992 jumped $50 and is
now $150. There are 650 ``up'' arrows indicating singles rising in
price. The other phenomenon is the 1992 regular issue Fleer Update set
with every card rising and the set listing for $50.
	Q & A: What is the story behind Stadium Club High Series Football and
why it is so expensive if you can even find it?
	M.Santos, Los Angeles
	Topps surveyed its dealers about the interest in Stadium Club High
Series football and the response was so low Topps halted production.
Less than a thousand cases were made so the law of supply and demand
kicked in. Cases reportedly have sold for $5,500. There are four
randomly inserted cards featuring the top draft picks of the past four
years, which will command a huge premium in coming years. The High
Series has many of the same players who were in the Upper Deck Gold set.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (Bob Brill)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3MH1255pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 93 9:53:23 PST
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Brill-iant Ideas:
	If you think collectors are crazy to spend $4 per pack for Stadium
Club Series 2 basketball cards wait until you see how they react to
Fleer Ultra 2.
	Dealers were amazed as they sold out of the Topps Stadium Club at $3
per pack, $85 per box when it first arrived. They quickly bumped the
price to $4 and collectors didn't seem to mind. They kept on buying.
	At the same time dealers began pre-selling Ultra at $80 per box weeks
before they were going to get ths stock. The price is already in the
range of $100 per box on the secondary market which means collectors can
expect to pay $120-$150 per box when it arrives at card shows later this
month. Stadium Club flucuated between $105 and $130 per box this past
week after most hobby dealers finally got their shipments. The price
stayed high even though there was more product on the market.
	``It indicates that a lot of the gloom and doom that appeared in the
hobby is going away rather quickly and that is good for the hobby and
good for Fleer,'' said Jeff Massien, Fleer vice president. ``We think it
will roll over into other sports.''
	Dealers who don't buy direct from Fleer, knowing they won't get a lot
of Ultra 2, won't sell boxes. Instead they will choose to sell packs at
$5-$6 each which equates to $180-$216 per box.
	``I think once this thing hits, $100 a box will be cheap,'' Fleer
spokesman Ted Taylor said. ``This is going to be dynamite.''
	The reason for all of this of course is three more cards of Shaquille
O'Neal. Fleer Ultra will feature one rookie card and two inserts. O'Neal
will be listed as one of 10 All-Rookie inserts and one of five cards in
the Rejector series.
	In all there will be 200 cards in the regular set (25 percent are
rookies) plus a 20-card Jam Session sub-set featuring players known for
their slam dunks. You can also get two additional Jam Session cards by
mail. Another 10-card insert set will highlight the leagues top guards.
	Another feature will be autographs. Duane Causwell, Pervis Ellison
and Stacey Augmon have signed over 2,500 of their cards for random
insertion in packs.
	``The long term staying power of this set is tremendous because there
are some great rookie players in it,'' said Taylor. ``I don't know if it
is the second coming of the 1986 (Jordan and Barkley rookies) set but it
is the best in the past six years.''
	Oh by the way, suggested retail is $1.79 which you will never see.
	SHAQ-MANIA: Shaquile O'Neal continues to be the hottest player to hit
the hobby in years. One California dealer told us he sold nearly a
thousand dollars worth at a Saturday show and all but $20 was basketball
product. He sold only three baseball cards totalling less than $1.
	ADD-SHAQ: Officials at Upper Deck have changed their minds and added
a fifth O'Neal card to the set. The Shaq will be in the All-Division
insert set replacing Patrick Ewing and giving Upper Deck the most Shaq
cards this year. It will also be the first set with Doug Christie and
Jimmy Jackson in their NBA uniforms. They will be numbers 32 and 33.
Cases ship late this month.
	PRICES: The latest Beckett Basketball Monthly has the much awaited
debut of the second series of basketball and is a little on the
conservative side. The Stadium Club Beam Team insert of O'Neal has been
selling for about $225 in the eastern portion of the country and $350 in
Los Angeles, the hottest basketball market. The price guide lists it for
$200. You can't blame Beckett however as Shaq cards are skyrocketing so
fast it is hard to keep up with the trend. The other Shaq cards seem to
be on target ranging from $8 to $20. The Hoops Lottery Exchange set is
on the money with the Shaq card selling for $150 and the set for $270.
With all the attention being centered on O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning's cards
are priced well at $2-$4 each and higher for the inserts. His is the
card to buy in quantity now when they are affordable. Star Company cards
continue to rise as interest in the sets from the 1980s increases.
	ULTRA HOCKEY: Fleer Ultra 2 hockey shipped this week and should be
seen at some shows this weekend.
	CLASSIC MANON: Classic is unveiling its Pro Hockey Prospects set with
a seven-card Manon Rheaume insert set. The female goaltender now has
more cards than NHL minutes played. She signed 6,500 cards.
	ACTION MINT: Action Packed has produced a Mint Collection
Rookie/Update set which mirrors the regular set. The mint set is covered
in 24k gold leaf.
	Q & A: Is Donruss going to produce Triple Play for 1993?
	Phil Herrera, Sylmar, Calif.
 
	After a less than spectacular debut in 1992 Donruss will again
produce its low end Triple Play cards. The cards are improved and have
black borders. Designed for younger collectors suggested retail is $.59
per pack.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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Date: Wed, 24 Mar 93 9:47:57 PST
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	Make way for a new trading card. Well, its not actually a card and in
fact the company has declared it won't use the word ``trading.''
Whatever you choose to call the Quarterback Legends set from Metallic
Images you will say it is innovative.
	``We think these cards are unique and tap into a growing sense of
nostalgia for football's greatest players,'' said Peter Hexter,
president of Metallic Images. ``We're also proud these cards represent
the first of what we hope are many sets of Metallic Images collectibles.
''
	The ``cards'' are metal trays, which are the same size as a
traditional trading card except the ends are rolled. A colorful action
shot graces the front along with a head shot. The player's story is on
the back.
	They are sold in attractive collector tins with styrofoam to hold the
20-card set in place. It also keeps them from getting scratched.
	Players in the first series include John Brodie, Jim Plunkett and
Danny White. While many nostalgia sets offer Hall of Famers, this set is
unique because some of the players were never stars. Prime examples are
Lynn Dickey and Steve Grogan.
	Each of the 49,000 sets is numbered and comes with a letter of
authenticity.
	CUI, the parent of Metallic Images, makes collectible ceramic and
glassware products. CUI has 30 licenses with all the major sports so we
can expect to see more sets in the future.
	This is not a set you'll see at card shops on a regular basis, but it
will be an interesting collectible if not a valuable one in years to
come.
	SHAQ-MANIA: We recently indicated that by June, Stadium Club Series 2
basketball might reach $200 a box. It might happen by this weekend. Last
weekend in Los Angeles it sold for up to $175. Wholesalers are willing
to pay $140 and more if they can find it. Collectors are buying
everything at inflated prices just to get their hands on Shaquille
O'Neal cards and are paying well over the Beckett Price Guide for O'Neal
insert cards. They are finally buying Alonzo Mourning cards and his
recent 37-point performance was a hot topic of discussion at shows last
weekend.
	PRICES: The latest Beckett Football Monthly reflects the rising price
of the Stadium Club High Series. While the set lists for $60 it is
undervalued. Topps will only say the number of cases produced is in 
``the hundreds.'' Some sources indicate as few as 300 cases were made,
which means this product can only increase in value. Like its baseball
counterpart 1992 Bowman football is on the rise. It is now $90 a set
with several hundred ``up'' arrows indicating prices on the rise.
Beckett Future Stars lists the autographed Classic Draft Pick O'Neal
card at $1,200 and the Shaq LP8 card at $100.
	HOF COINS: Hall of Famer Don Drysdale and wife Ann Meyers, a standout
college basketball player, will be pictured on collectible coins. They
are the first husband-wife team to be so honored. The gold, silver and
bronze coins are offered by Mountain High Coins and will be limited to
15,000 selling for $10 to $50. For more information call 800-345-1841.
	BALLPARK SHOTS: Michael Gustafson is at it again. Gustafson, who
makes a living taking aerial photos of major league ballparks, will be
over Mile High Stadium in Denver April 9 for the Rockies opener and down
in Florida shooting Joe Robbie Stadium April 5 for the Marlins first
home game. The photos will be made into limited edition collectibles
signed by the photographer. Gustafson has put together another package
of ballpark shots signed by Hall of Famers. Drysdale, Brooks Robinson,
Ernie Banks and Al Kaline have agreed to pen photos of ballparks. Cost
is $39.95 each with only 200 of each printed. Call 800-554-0153 for more
information.
	HOCKEY: Upper Deck has done it again by producing more great inserts.
The Gordie Howe cards are the best the cardmaker has made to date in the
Heroes series in any sport. When you add Calder Candidates, World Junior
Grads (available in Canada) and Gordie Howe Selects you can see why they
are popular with hockey fans.
	Q & A: Can you tell me more about the phony Hoops Lottery Exchange
cards?
	John Mann, Northridge, Calif.
	SkyBox security has uncovered counterfeits of the card, which will
not be honored. The Exchange Card can be redeemed for the 10-card Draft
Pick Set featuring O'Neal and sells for about $270. The redemption
deadline is March 31 and 15,000 of the genuine cards have been turned
in, which is less than half. The most recognizable way to detect a fake
is to look at the word ``rookie'' in the lightly shaded area in the
upper left corner. If the word is half in the light area and half in the
darker gray area the card is fake. Only the ``e'' should be in the
darker portion. In addition, many of the smaller curved letters, such as
``o,'' or ``a'' appear more as colored dots rather than actual letters.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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Date: Wed, 31 Mar 93 10:05:03 PST
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	If you enjoyed the All-Star Gallery baseball set from Action Packed
and if you like basketball, the company's latest innovation puts you on
the right court.
	Basketball is booming and the company which produces those embossed
3-D cards has jumped on the bandwagon at the right time with a 42-card
Hall of Fame set.
	``Much like our baseball, this basketball series shows the really
great older players in action shots,'' said Action Packed spokesperson
Laurie Goldberg. ``It's hard to get the older action shots but we got
them and when you combine our embossing with basketball it really looks
great.''
	The set includes Jerry West, Elvin Hayes, Pete Maravich, several
coaches and one future Hall of Famer. There will be a five-card Larry
Bird sub-set with a special No. 33 in the corner designating his retired
jersey.
	Some photos are black and white to go along with those in color and
even a few sepia tones. Some cards are a bit darker than the others
because basketball arenas in the past did not offer the best lighting.
	``The biggest problem with basketball is that inside photos tend to
be darker,'' said Goldberg. ``However, the four levels of lacquer
applied to the cards seems to offer more of a contrast so the player
stands out.''
	This is a first attempt at the NBA for Action Packed and while the
set is small the growth in today's basketball market should make this a
desired commodity for collectors. Older collectors will buy it, but in
time younger fans will come around.
	Suggested retail for the six card packs is $2.99 with 24 packs in a
box while gold cards will average less than one per box.
	``Action Packed set the gold standard and we'll continue with it,''
Goldberg said. ``It was nice to be able to place the gold Hall of Fame
logo on the card.''
	Action Packed racing cards are doing very well.
	Richard Petty is the featured driver and there are seven Braille
cards which have become a company trademark.
	Petty visited the Morehead School for the Blind in North Carolina to
donate some cards and was so impressed he's giving some of the proceeds
to the school.
	The set features drivers, including a four-card ``Young Guns'' sub-
set with the top rookies on the circuit in western gear.
	``It's a driver heavy set,'' said Goldberg. ``We don't have a lot of
frill and we don't do mechanics or pit crews because research shows
people want drivers.''
	It sold out immediately.
	SHAQ-MANIA: The Shaquille O'Neal craze is finally slowing. While
boxes of Stadium Club 2 basketball have hit $200 at shops it seems to
have peaked. Wholesalers are getting $165 per Stadium Club box. ``It's
crazy,'' said Dave Bronsan of Sweet Deal in Northridge, Calif. ``I'm
paying $150 per box so I'm barely making 10 percent.'' Collectors have
turned to Alonzo Mourning and Harold Miner. The craze continues as Fleer
Ultra 2 basketball trickles out.
	LOCKERS: After success with basketball locker boxes, Upper Deck is
issuing lockers for hockey. The 1993 NHL All-Star Locker Series is a
boxed set of 60 cards featuring All-Star players and future stars.
Randomly inserted are Howe signature cards. High series basketball
lockers have a sub-set of players born outside the United States called
``Foreign Exchange.''
	PRICES: The new Beckett Hockey Monthly shows recent issues of Bowman,
Parkhurst and all Gordie Howe cards are hot. The Upper Deck Howe Selects
inserts debuted at $90 and the Howe Heroes are $4 each except the card
teaming him with Wayne Gretzky, which is $5. Bowman hockey is sizzling.
The set is $75 and rising. The Parkhurst reprint inserts set lists at
$400 for the 18 cards. The hottest single player is Teemu Selanne whose
Upper Deck rookie is $9.
	BASEBALL: Stadium Club baseball hit shows at $2.50 per pack.
Collectors should note that boxes contain 24 packs instead of the usual
36.
	ERROR: Score announced card No. 76 in its 1993 Pinnacle series
contained an error stating the former Cy Young Award winner Frank Viola
had a ``surgically repaired elbow.'' Viola, now with the Boston Red Sox,
has never had surgery on his pitching elbow.
	TOPPS: Topps' 1993 Stadium Club Dome Set is available and like the
previous installment is an excellent buy. Encased in a plastic replica
of Jack Murphy Stadium it contains 200 cards, including 100 draft picks.
Selling for about $40 it also has a dozen master photo cards which are
sharp. Topps debuted its long awaited Ray Bradbury Comics and No. 1 has
a sneak preview of the upcoming film ``Jurassic Park.''
	DI CARDS: Press Pass, a new cardmaker, has released its ``Royal
Family'' collection. The 110-card set has tabloid-style headlines and
spicy stories about Di and friends.
	Q & A: Will there be more Topps Black Gold cards?
	G. Stewart, Sunland, Calif.
	While the bottom has dropped out of the Topps Black Gold market it
should get a jump start now that Series 2 has arrived with 22 American
League stars. Series 2 has Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey and Juan Gonzalez.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3A71210pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 93 9:07:44 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	Leaf entered the premium card market in 1990 with one of the most
valuable card sets in recent years. However, the quality of the 1993
Leaf Set, which debuts in May, far surpasses Leaf's first offering.
	``In 1989 Upper Deck was the highest level card on the market and we
introduced Leaf in 1990 to go head-to-head with it,'' said Vince Nauss,
spokesman for Leaf. ``Since then we've seen the development of full
bleed, UV coating and gold foil stamping, which took trading cards to
the super premium level of Ultra and Stadium Club. That is what people
have come to expect in a high-end card.''
	Similar to Fleer Ultra, the 1993 Leaf cards have improved full bleed
photos, UV coating and a marble-like bottom border. ``The Leaf Set'' and
the player's name are stamped in gold foil on the front.
	However, the back is what sets the card apart. While there is gold on
the front, the back has a silver foil hologram in the shape of the
team's logo. The Rangers' logo, for instance, is the state of Texas.
	The back photo includes the player and a city landmark. Yankee cards
feature the Statue of Liberty while the Giants have the Transamerica
Pyramid. There will actually be two landmarks per team. Some
Philadelphia cards will feature the Liberty Bell, others will have City
Hall.
	``It was easy to match the competition but we looked for other
elements which led us to the back of the card,'' said Nauss. ``The
backdrops with the cityscapes and the silver team holographic logo
really make this card sing and dance.''
	In 1990 Leaf produced the valuable Frank Thomas rookie card, which
lists for $60. The White Sox slugger is a hobby favorite and that's why
in 1993 Thomas, who signed as Leaf's spokesman, is featured in a 10-card
insert set.
	Other inserts include Gold Leaf Rookies (foil packs), Heading For The
Hall (all packs), Gold Leaf All-Stars (jumbo packs) and Fasttrack, which
features rising young stars (magazine distributor packs only).
	All packs should be available at larger shows within a month after
dealers receive their first shipments of Series 1. Each series contains
220 cards.
	The Gold Leaf Rookies will have a ballpark in the background while
the Thomas inserts will feature a very large silver foil ``FRANK.'' The
Heading to the Hall inserts project the player's Hall of Fame plaque
plus a roadmap to Cooperstown.
	Roberto Alomar's card has a great shot. Following through on his
swing the Toronto hitter holds only the bat handle. The barrel of the
bat and the ball are heading toward you as two projectiles.
	In order to have expansion and traded players in their new uniforms,
the Rockies, Marlins, Reds, Angels and Mariners will be available in
Series 2 only. Other key players will also be in Series 2, including
Barry Bonds, who will appear with the Giants.
	Suggested retail for the 14-card packs is $1.79 but it will likely
sell for at least $2. This card is beautiful and should be hot, giving
Upper Deck, Stadium Club and Ultra stiff competition. Series 2 won't
ship until August,giving Leaf the first shot at a few surprising
rookies.
	Dealer direct cost is just over $40 per box.
	BASKETBALL: Fleer Ultra 2 debuted at $3.50 to $5 per pack while
Stadium Club is selling for about $5. Upper Deck Basketball high numbers
opened at $4 but could stabilize at $2. The demand for Shaquille O'Neal
cards has lessened slightly as baseball season begins.
	SKYBOX: SkyBox is offering a card of the top six draft picks. The 20,
000 numbered cards can only be obtained by sending three wrappers each
from Series 1 and Series 2, plus $3.25 via certified mail to: SkyBox
Head of the Class, Dept. D Box 5066, Rockville Center, N.Y. 11571-5066.
Only one per household.
	HOT CORNER: Fleer Ultra Baseball and Topps Stadium Club baseball are
selling in the $2 to $2.50 range. Series 2 Topps Baseball Jumbos are
selling for $3.
	WHO'S ON FIRST: Action Packed has a treat for baseball fans in All-
Star Gallery 2. One card features Abbott and Costello in the garb they
wore doing their most famous skit, ``Who's On First?'' Series 2 includes
another outstanding array of players from Babe Ruth to Thurman Munson
and even Bob Uecker.
	GAMEDAY: Fleer acquired the rights to produce NFL GameDay cards.
GameDay, an oversized card, is Fleers third football line.
	BOXING: Citing a soft market and poor business practices, boxing card
maker Kayo Cards has closed its doors.
	Q & A: With all the insert sets are card companies ever going to get
back to just making baseball cards?
	C. Czcysnzki, Los Angeles
	Most cardmakers are trying to do exactly that with their low end
cards. However, collectors are chasing the insert cards for investment
purposes and competition is such that cardmakers must continue to
upgrade. If they don't have inserts they don't sell. Donruss again has
Triple Play, which spokesman Nauss hopes kids play with. ``We don't want
people to collect them for value,'' he said. ``We as an industry have to
appeal to the youngster on the basis of fun or the hobby could be hurt.''
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sport's Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	Basketball has replaced baseball as the sport of the 1990's for many
youngsters, and it's paying off for the trading card industry.
	``I've been saying for years basketball is the wave of the future
because today's kids are hoops oriented first,'' said Jeff Prillaman of
Cavalier Sports Cards in Charlottesville, Va. ``Baseball is the sport of
an older generation.''
	Sports card dealers are learning they must carry basketball. One
dealer recently had $950 in sales at a community show, $930 of it coming
in basketball cards.
	Marketing has been the key to the rise in basketball and the slide of
baseball. Basketball has been marketed worldwide. Michael Jordan is
better known in Europe than any baseball player.
	``The NBA markets its product better and there hasn't been the
negative publicity which has surrounded other sports,'' said card dealer
Steve Taft of Agoura Hills, Calif.
	Baseball is fighting an image problem despite its lofty position as
the national pasttime mainly due to constantly rising salaries.
	Ricky Henderson sent the price of his card spiralling downward after
saying he was underpaid at $3 million a year. The final nail in the
coffin came after he broke Lou Brock's stolen base record and declared,
``I am the greatest.''
	NBA scandals and egos have been kept in check. Even Charles Barkley,
basketball's bad boy, has become popular because of his TV commercials.
	``Baseball must do a better job of getting youngsters out to the game
with their parents,'' said Topps' spokesman Bob Ibach, who was the PR
Director for the Chicago Cubs. ``The NBA is doing a great job
cultivating the fans of tomorrow.''
	Basketball is so hot that Topps re-entered the market after a 10 year
absence.
	Another telltale sign can be seen on the playgrounds. Thirty years
ago it was very common to see youngsters playing sandlot baseball. Today
it is difficult to find them even playing the game. On the other hand,
especially in the inner city, basketball is the most economical form of
recreation.
	The popularity of basketball followed through into the market place.
	In 1989, basketball cards were very affordable. As baseball got more
expensive and money for luxuries became scarce, hobbyists looked for
something cheaper to collect.
	Basketball has breathed new life into a slumping hobby.
	``It indicates the gloom and doom is going away and that's good,''
said Jeff Massien, vice president at Fleer. ``We think it will roll over
into other sports.''
	Of course, Orlando's Shaquille O'Neal by himself has rejuvinated the
entire sports card industry, although a bumper rookie crop, including
Alonzo Mourning has helped.
	Soon we may be going to basketball card shops and shows instead of
baseball card conventions.
	BASKETBALL: Now that all the basketball product has been released and
baseball season is underway the demand for O'Neal cards seems to be
dwindling. Upper Deck High series has been seen as low as $1.75 per pack
while Fleer Ultra 2 runs from $3-$4. Stadium Club is holding near $5.
	SKYBOX: SkyBox officials report just over half of the 40,000 NBA
Hoops Lottery redemption cards were turned in. The redemption set lists
for $250 but is selling for much more. This promises to be one of the
most valuable of the cards depicting O'Neal and a great rookie crop. A
second chance drawing for more sets will be held April 15.
	BASEBALL: Stadium Club seems to be a bit slow getting out of the box
as is Fleer Ultra. Collectors are being patient.
	INVESTMENTS: Nolan Ryan's rookie card (1968 no.177) is up to $1,650.
There has been a lot of action on the 1959 Topps set perhaps because for
baby boomers turning 40 this year, it was the first set they collected
as children. Prices reflect the activity.
	PRICES: The latest Beckett Baseball Monthly continued to show
dramatic rises in two hot sets. Bowman 1992 jumped another $50 to $200
with almost every card on the rise. The other frightening development is
the 1992 Fleer Update set now listing for $100 and selling for $120. It
contains a $12 David Nied rookie card. The 1993 Upper Deck inserts are
soaring. Many 1992 sets are falling like rocks in still water including
Pinnacle Team 2000, Stadium Club, Stadium Dome, Ultra and Diamond Kings.
	Q & A: As a collector of Ryne Sandberg cards and key rookies I often
have trouble finding exactly what is in a set and what the card numbers
are. Short of buying the set how would I go about finding this
information?
	K.Porter, Muscatine, Iowa
	The most helpful publication is SCD (Sports Collectors Digest), a
weekly newspaper dedicated to the hobby and found in almost every card
shop. SCD prints the checklist of each new set up to a month before the
product is released.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

    Basketball is hot right now because of Shaq. What'll happen to
    basketball cards next year if there isn't another Shaq.
    
    John

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sport's Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3AL1215pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 93 9:14:59 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
 ``A League of Their Own'' has really changed the lives of the women who
played in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943-
1954). Recently several former players began making the rounds at card
shows where they sign autographs and tell their story.
	``The fans want to hear about what happened, how we traveled and the
difficulties of World War 2,'' said Dottie ``Kammie'' Kamenshek, who
played 10 seasons for the Rockford Peaches and who was portrayed in the
movie by actress Geena Davis. ``It's nice to see that the men are
accepting us as much as the women.''
	The ladies were honored by the Hall of Fame as pioneers in women's
sports. It was a deserving tribute for those who played in the league
during its 12 year run.
	The line of autograph seekers at their table in Anaheim, Calif., last
weekend wasn't as large as the one for Guy Lafleur, but that doesn't
bother former catcher ``Pepper'' Paire-Davis.
	``People have greeted us with open arms, taken our story to heart and
they go away smiling, which makes us happy,'' she said. ``After 50 years
of being kept under the rug our story is out.''
	Approximately 700 women played in the league, which was formed by
major league owners who feared baseball might fold after many of its
stars went off to war.
	While the ladies are hoping to make a few dollars signing various
items, they are mainly doing it for fun.
	``We're having a ball, we're paying our expenses, we're traveling and
we're making a little money,'' said Kamanshek.
	A signature on a card (the women print their own) is $3, photos are
$5, bats are $10 and baseballs $5. Their story is a natural for some
enterprising card company.
	Kamanshek was easily the best player in the league. The first baseman
from Cincinnati participated in over 1,000 games, was a .292 lifetime
hitter and won several batting titles while playing on four World Series
winners. Experts of the day said she could have been the first woman to
play in the men's major leagues.
	``We had to win the boys over and we did,'' said Kamanshek. ``They
not only realized that we were nice ladies but that we could play
baseball.''
	The movie, she says, was a composite, and while it was historically
accurate, Hollywood did take a lot of license. Movie makers bought the
rights to the league's story from the women's players association.
	Kamanshek's own visit to Cooperstown was more than she expected.
	``It was a thrill,'' she said. ``I spent six hours touring every area
of the Hall and was in awe. I just love baseball.''
	If these women come to your area don't miss them. You'll enjoy the
conversation and you'll learn more about the sport we love. As an added
bonus you will walk away with some real history.
 
	HOOPS: Hoops 2 (made by SkyBox) remains hot. It is selling for $100
per box. Hoops has always been a lower end card but the Draft Pick cards
(DP) are making it soar. The Shaquille O'Neal DP lists for $60.
	BASEBALL: Triple Play by Leaf includes inserts for the first time.
Designed for youngsters (59 cents per pack) Triple Play is a simple,
cardboard product. However, there are bonuses. Each pack contains a
three inning scratch off game just for fun and there are full bleed, UV
coated random inserts. Nolan Ryan's ``Express'' card is one of them.
There are 10 inserts with about five per box. Collation is not very good
so it might be better to buy packs rather than boxes.
	HOCKEY: The NHL Players' Association has approved five hockey card
contracts for the coming year. Leaf is the only new edition and for the
moment Pro Set (Parkhurst) is not on the list. Pro Set is still in
bankruptcy and the question of a new license is undecided. The other
contracts belong to Fleer, Score, Topps and Upper Deck. Each company
will be limited to two brands, which means some hard decisions.
Currently Topps has five brands including Bowman and Stadium Club.
	INVESTMENTS: Prices are right on 1960 Topps baseball cards and there
is an adequate supply available. We recently pointed out that there has
been a marked increase in the demand for 1959 Topps. The reason might be
that for baby boomers turning 40 this year it was the first set they
collected. If that is true then 1994 may see a demand for the 1960 set.
Start picking up those commons today. It is an undervalued set.
	PRICES: The latest Beckett Basketball Monthly shows an increase in
all O'Neal cards. The Stadium Club Beam Team jumped to $300 with the set
selling for $600. Meanwhile, the Ultra Rookie Shaq debuted at $100, the
Rejector card at $75, the All Magic Shaq is $135 and the Hoops Lottery
Redeption Set jumped to $300 with O'Neal listing at $200. The regular
issue Stadium Club and Ultra Shaqs are $25 each.
	TENNIS-MODELS: Portfolio Intl., offers a 58-card set featuring
women's tennis champ Steffi Graf and super model Kelly Emberg in
swimwear. Along with Graf and Emberg 19 other fashion models are
portrayed, but there aren't any nudes. Each star is highlighted in a
four-card insert set. Emberg autographed 1,000 cards and Graf signed
100. Suggested retail is 99 cents per pack.
 
	Q & A: Are there more Parkie inserts coming in Parkhurst Series 2
hockey?
	B. Sands, Los Angeles.
	The Parkie goalie inserts (reprints of classic Parkhurst cards) were
so successful that Series 2 will include eight new Parkies. This time
forwards will be pictured. The Emerald Ice inserts are back and look for
a third insert, ``Cherry Picks.'' Coach Don Cherry picks his top 21
players.
 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    Donruss Triple Play cards had inserts in their packs last year called
    "Gallery of Stars".
    
    John 

Article 13624 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3AS135pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 93 10:40:41 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	A decision by the NHL Players Association has left the future in
doubt for one of the oldest manufacturers of hockey trading cards.
	O-Pee-Chee of Canada has been printing hockey cards since 1933. But
when the NHLPA announced the five new hockey licensees would be limited
to just two brands of cards each, it caused problems for Topps and its
Canadian partner.
	O-Pee-Chee became a sub-licensee of Topps in 1968. Topps currently
features its regular issue cards, Bowman, Stadium Club plus the two
Canadian based lines, O-Pee-Chee and Premiere.
	``We are in the process of developing our marketing strategy and
trying to figure out how the contracts apply,'' said Topps' spokesman
Timm Boyle. ``The only thing that has been decided is Bowman will be
dropped.''
	Malcolm Bull, vice president of O-Pee-Chee, says his company will be
a player somewhere.
	``O-Pee-Chee will have a presence in the hockey card market and Topps
agrees that we should, but at this point I really don't know what it
will be since we are still negotiating,'' he said.
	O-Pee-Chee has been a force in Canada and Topps cannot afford to lose
any share of the marketplace at this point.
	Dropping Bowman means the 1992 hockey set will remain a high-priced
product. Production was very low and now that it is the only premium
Bowman hockey card it will soar. Boxes are $165 while sets sell for
$150.
	The other four contracts were dealt to Upper Deck, Score, Fleer and
Leaf, which becomes the new player on the block. Pro Set was left out of
the mix.
	``Pro Set is not out of the running but unfortunately since we are
still in Chapter 11 bankruptcy it was proper for the NHLPA to announce
its decision,'' said Pro Set spokesman Rod Ulrich. ``Ted Saskin (NHLPA
Director of Licensing) is working closely with Pro Set officials and we
think in a couple of months we'll have a decision on printing our
ParkHurst Hockey cards.''
	Saskin confirms the success of ``Parkhurst'' helps Pro Set.
	``Pro Sets contract runs out June 30th and it is unclear at this time
what will happen since they are in bankruptcy,'' he said. ``We are very
cognizant of the success of Parkhurst and the part it will play in the
success of Pro Set.''
	Ulrich believes Pro Set and Parkhurst will continue despite the
recent setback.
	``We are confident we will be printing Parkhurst for 1993-94,'' he
said.
	Classic also failed to get a license.
	``Rejection is never fun,'' said Steve Charendoff of Classic Games. 
``We have our place in the industry and we've been able to shine without
a major license. It wasn't a situation where if we didn't get it we'd be
in trouble.''
	Upper Deck continues to be strong and has been good for the industry
and the NHL. Score has also been a winner after developing its Pinnacle
series.
	The wild card is Leaf, which moves out of the baseball arena for the
first time and could be the future hockey headliner.
	Saskin was very impressed with Leaf, which showed creativity as well
as sound management and financial stability. Leaf will produce a regular
issue and a premium line but it hasn't decided if the Donruss name will
be used.
	``It is too early to tell but we will have two brands,'' said Leaf
spokesman Vince Naus. ``Look for the the first issue probably in
October.''
	With sports marketing growing on a global basis, Leaf is in good
position. The Leaf name is strong in Canada and its parent firm is in
Finland.
	``It remains to be seen how far we'll stretch into Europe,'' said
Naus. ``With so many European players in the NHL and with Leaf having
companies in Europe we think we will be able to help the NHL beyond
North America.''
	NHLPA: The NHLPA says Upper Deck was reprimanded for printing a
doctored Eric Lindros card but won't disclose the penalty. Lindros'
first Upper Deck card in an NHL jersey featured his head but another
player's body.
	HOOPS: Preliminary figures show 26,000 of the 40,000 Hoops Lottery
Exchange sets were mailed. That includes the second chance drawing,
promotions, exchanges and the redemption cards pulled from packs. The
other 14,000 sets will be destroyed. The set contains what will likely
be the most valuable Shaquille O'Neal card.
	INVESTMENTS: Hot rookies in baseball: the Angels' J.T. Snow, Mike
Lansing of the Expos, the Dodgers' Mike Piazza, Al Martin and Kevin
Young of Pittsburgh and the Rockies' David Nied.
	BASEBALL: Topps sold out of Stadium Club Series 1, although it is
moving slowly at shows at $1.50 per pack.
	PRICES: Beckett Football Monthly shows strong activity on four sets.
Bowman 1992 is up to $100 per set while Collector's Edge and Playoff are
also showing increases. The 100-card Stadium Club high series is up to
$80 but still seems low considering only hundreds of cases were made.
	Q & A: Is Topps printing 1993 Bowman baseball?
	C. Skaug, Palmdale, Calif.
	It was originally thought Topps would discontinue Bowman but the
success of the new premium Bowman killed that. Bowman 1992 is the
hottest set in the hobby at $200. If Topps continues to limit production
Bowman will be a hot commodity. The 660-card 1993 edition is due in mid-
July.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 10637 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3y51210pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 5 May 93 9:35:10 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	In a declining trading card market, interest in basketball has surged
with the assembly of Olympic Dream Team and is expected to continue
because of the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal.
	A survey of the trading card industry showed the overall market is
down and the number of speculators is off but basketball is on the rise.
	``The survey does not really include much of O'Neal's impact but we
did see the positive impact of the Olympic Dream Team,'' said Laurie
Goldberg of Action Packed.
	Looking at dollars spent on the four sports, baseball declined 4
percent; football fell 30 percent, and hockey dropped 42 percent while
basketball showed an increase of 23 percent.
	The survey commissioned by Action Packed and done by NPD Group of
Park Ridge, Ill., says the sports card market declined 9 percent in
1992. Figures show $1.8 billion dollars in sales while the number of
collectors fell by seven percent to less than 17 million.
	``This decline may be nothing more than an expected leveling off of
the hobby after several years of dramatic growth that brought
speculators in,'' said Randall Chuck, Director of Research for Action
Packed. ``The losses were more significant among heavy collectors than
light collectors which suggests the specualtors, who are the heaviest
buyers, are pulling out.''
	Many speculators jumped on the bandwagon in the late 1980s. Many who
jumped off since have moved on to comic books and other forms of
memorabilia. Overproduction by card companies in 1990-1992 drove many of
them away.
	One key factor is the economy. Overall, there was an anticipated
spark after the elections and it was reflected in the hobby. People were
feeling hopeful and began to spend.
	Another key factor is O'Neal, who by himself brought the hobby out of
a two-year slump. The survey shows basketball was the only sport to
increase. The only impact O'Neal had on this survey is due to Classic
because no other cardmaker could release O'Neal cards until January 1,
1993. Hoops and Upper Deck did issue cards to be exchanged for O'Neal
cards.
	The survey showed that while the hobby was down over the previous
year, it was not as bad as two years ago.
	Actually, the number of basketball cards sold was down 12 percent.
That figure, combined with the increased dollar amount, indicates
collectors paid more per card. Ultra, Upper Deck and Stadium Club
premium cards account for much of it.
	The median sportscard collector remains a 12-13 year old boy although
hockey collectors tend to be 14-15 years old. The typical card collector
is in the 19-23 age bracket. Only five to six percent of collectors are
over 45 with baseball dominating the age group. Men still make up 90
percent of the card collecting world.
	Hockey is of particular interest. Almost 30 percent of hockey sales
came from baby boomers age 25-44. Baby boomers in each of the other
sports make up about 20 percent. It should be noted the survey did not
include Canada.
	The best news from this survey perhaps is kids still drive the hobby
and many of the speculators have left.
	ADD ACTION: Action Packed has an innovative new product which is one
of the best we've seen. The 84-card Monday Night Football set is loaded
with gold and previews the upcoming ABC games. The cards are in a
horizontal format so the player seems to be coming out of the TV set.
Each card gives the game date.
	BASKETBALL: Fleer Ultra 2 boxes have dropped to as low as $65 with
packs at $2.25 as basketball finally tails off. You will see more series
2 basketball available as dealers unveil boxes they've held back.
	STADIUM: As UPI reported earlier, Topps joined with Rembrandt to
release Super Premium Ultra Pro pages and cardholders. These are
designed for Stadium Club cards and are archive safe. On the market now
are pages, semi-rigid holders and a padded D-ring folder with ``Stadium
Club'' embossed in gold. Ten cards featuring Bobby and Barry Bonds along
with Willie Mays are randomly inserted.
	PRICES: Beckett Hockey Monthly indicates Mario Lemieux and Teemu
Selanne are the hottest players in the hobby. Selanne's 1991-92 Upper
Deck rookie card jumped to $14. Lemieux's O-Pee-Chee rookie is $400. All
the new Upper Deck 20-card insert sets are hot with World Jr. Grads and
Howe Selects each at $100 and Calder Candidates at $80.
	PARKHURST UPDATE: A 25-card Parkhurst update set is available only
through the mail. It sells for $12.95, $49.95 for the Emerald Ice update
which comes with a binder. Look for the offer on Series 2 packs.
	Q & A: What are POGS and are they worth collecting?
	R. Green, Tarzana, Calif.
	POGS are milk bottle caps which sell like wildfire in Hawaii and
which are starting to pop up on the mainland. In the 1940's dairies
often put western stars on milk caps. The NFL has given license to such
products and several companies are making caps or similar items
featuring players. Snap-It is making plastic holders. This is very
likely a passing fad and while it may do well in the short term don't be
surprised if it goes the way of the hula hoop.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 10741 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: Collecting every one of Nolan Ryan's trading cards presents problems because of availability as well as price.
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3yC125pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 12 May 93 10:33:17 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     A Sports Collector's Guide
	Ryan's 1968 rookie card is valued at $1,650, but that isn't the only
problem. There have been hundreds of Ryan cards issued since then, and
some are hard to find regardless of price.
	``Ryan has an entire page to himself (about 500 cards) in our
alphabetical price guide, which doesn't include the unauthorized cards,''
said Theo Chen, Senior Price Guide analyst for Beckett Publications. 
	The true ``one-player'' collector wants every card, including
Kellogg's, MSA Soda Superstars, Mother's Cookies, MooTown Snackers,
Jimmy Dean and Burger King to name a few. Few off-brand issues are
expensive, but price doesn't drive this part of the hobby. 
	``I admire those people because they are the true collectors and the
foundation of the hobby,'' Chen said. ``The mainstream stuff can be
boring but this is a challenge.''
	Completing a Ryan collection is difficult but a Gary Sheffield, Frank
Thomas or Ryne Sandberg is not. Sandberg, a sure Hall of Famer, is also
affordable. His most valuable card can be purchased for about $100.
	Food makers have traditionally offered the biggest challenge. Post
and Jell-O featured box bottom cards in the 1960's. In June consumers
will find pop-up cards in each specially marked package of Kraft cheese
singles.
	``There is a contemporary look to the cards and there is a lot of
excitement generated by the pop-up design,'' said Lance Moore, a
spokesman for Kraft.
	Collecting older players is difficult. Yogi Berra and Willie Mays
cards may be cost prohibitive. Start with the less expensive team leader
cards (often showing several Hall of Famers) or the reprint sets.
	Metallic Images has produced metal cards with stars such as Rocky
Colavito and Bob Gibson. Topps reprinted the 1953 set in its Archive
Series and will soon release a 1954 reprint. These plus the off-the-wall
cards should suffice until affordable mainstream cards are found.
	Dealer bargain boxes often yield exciting treasures. We recently
found a low grade 1966 Sandy Koufax for $10. The card sells for $110 in
excellent condition, but a Koufax collector would be happy with the poor
condition card until a reasonably priced upgrade is found. The same box
contained two Roberto Clemente cards at 30 percent of their mint value.
	Sometimes condition isn't essential. To collectors who want every
card of their favorite player (Bill Mazeroski in my case) just having
all the player's cards is half the fun. The bottom line is no matter
what you collect, have fun doing it.
	BASKETBALL: Collectors who passed on the first series and went
directly to series 2 are now finding first series boxes are scarce. As
expected more series 2 is becoming available. One wholesaler chose to
sell the Stadium Club 2 he's been holding back. Recently sold at $185 a
box he made it available for $150.
	MARKETPLACE: Leaf baseball debuted at $5 per pack, but dealers
quickly realized that price may be too high. Dealers hoping to make a
bundle with Ultra and Leaf are finding them a tough sell at $3.50.
	PRICES: Beckett Baseball Monthly shows 1992 Bowman is going ``nuts.''
The set is up to $300, the Thomas foil card is $30. The Upper Deck Home
Run Heroes are on the rise while all rookie cards for Mike Piazza, Jack
Snow and David Nied are up. Ultra Award Winners debuted at $80 while the
1993 Ultra set is falling. The Stadium Club first day production inserts
should bring up to fifty times the price of the regular card which means
a $3 Frank Thomas is $150. It seems high. Score debuted at $20 with the
Franchise set at $70.
	DUCKS: The Disney owned Mighty Ducks of the NHL will have their share
of memorabilia but others have already gotten into the act. Derek
Johnson and Ian Taylor of Taylor's Cardshop in Orange County sell T-
shirts proclaiming, ``The Ducks: Coming to a Pond Near You.'' They'll
mail them anywhere for $15, 714-997-4822. Disney, which is very
protective of its copyrights, will likely look into the matter. ``We're
going to operate under normal NHL and Disney licensing guidelines in
dealing with products associated with the Mighty Ducks,'' said Ken
Wilson, the Ducks marketing director.
	1ST DREW: Classic has unveiled the first card of the NFL's top draft
pick. Washington State quarterback Drew Bledsoe was selected by New
Enlgand and Classic officials were at the draft handing out his card.
	Q & A: Is baseball going to be as powerful as basketball?
	V. Baltayan, Hollywood
	Baseball 1993 won't rival basketball but there are some strong
rookies. The basketball market was driven by a rare rookie crop
dominated by one player, Shaquille O'Neal. Baseball has so many players
but even more importantly, more brands to choose from.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 13936 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3yJ220pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 19 May 93 11:24:31 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
Format: regular
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	Baseball great Ted Williams still carries some big league clout. He
has established his own card company and secured a tough-to-obtain
license from Major League Baseball Properties.
	``Absolutely Ted's involvement helped secure the license but it is
more than that,'' said Tony Loiacono, a member of the Ted Williams Card
Company management team. ``It is his passion for the game, the
management he has assembled and the quality of the cards.''
	Ted and his son John, who founded Grand Slam Marketing, will oversee
the 200 card ``Premier Edition '93'' scheduled for July. Like most sets
it will have UV coating and foil stamping.
	Loiacono is a former Upper Deck executive and the first Williams set
has a familiar ring.
	One sub-set, based on the artwork of former big leaguer Gene
Locklear, is similar to the Upper Deck Heroes Series in that it will be
sequentially numbered year to year. The former Yankee is an avid
illustrator-painter.
	Upper Deck was the first to seek collector input. The philosophy
worked and Williams' officials know it.
	``We understand what collectors and dealers want and we're going to
insure it by using the latest technology,'' said Loiacono.
	The cards are designed to be ``collector friendly.''
	``We know how they want the cards to lay in a row of pages,'' he
said. ``If it is horizontal on the front it had better be vertical on
the back so it looks good when the pages are turned.''
	Williams is no stranger to Upper Deck. In 1992 he had two insert sets
and recently inked an exclusive deal to sign memorabilia for Upper Deck
Authenticated.
	Some of the players Williams will select will be those he feels did
not get proper recognition, and he will lend his comments.
	``This is a reflection of my love for baseball,'' said Williams. ``It
stands as a pure baseball card set.''
	It combines a number of very nice elements. Featured are two current
stars (Juan Gonzalez has been named), past big leaguers (Ty Cobb and
Larry Doby among them) and players from the Negro Leagues.
	Women are not left out. Four players from the All American Girls
Baseball League, including stars Dottie Kamenshak and Pepper Paire
Davis, will have cards as will one woman who played in the Negro
Leagues.
	``We're excited to honor them,'' said Loiacono. ``It is really about
the men and women who contributed to baseball.''
	Loiacano wouldn't name the former female player but sources tell UPI
it is very likely Toni Stone of the Indianapolis Clowns and later the
Kansas City Monarchs. She was one of two women who played during the
leagues' waning years.
	``The women signed on as drawing cards because attendance was low
after our big stars went to the majors,'' said Buck O'Neil, who shared
the right side of the infield with Stone. ``Toni was a pretty good
hitter and fielder.''
	Only 9,999 cases will be printed. Each $1.59 pack contains 12 cards.
	The set should be a hit with older collectors. The management team is
made up of business people who understand niche marketing which is the
future of the hobby.
	``We have a bunch of guys who have developed the concept really for
the love of the game,'' said Loiacono. ``Major League Baseball supports
the concept, not only because Ted is involved, but because we have
developed a card that meets collector's needs.''
	In the 1950s Williams learned to market himself and even had his own
exclusive set with Fleer. Williams, at the plate and in business, is a
proven winner and this venture should score well.
	ARCHIVES: Topps Basketball Archives arrived featuring rookie cards
for players from 1981-1991 when Topps was absent from the NBA market.
The high gloss cards feature whichever baseball card design Topps used
during the player's rookie year. The set is 150 cards.
	HOCKEY: Parkhurst 2 boxes, which can yield one full set, break very
well. The Parkie inserts feature forwards.
	MARKETPLACE: Leaf and Upper Deck baseball are summer hits. Leaf is
riding high on a new design and Upper Deck Series 1 is loaded with key
rookies such as J.T. Snow, Mike Piazza and Tim Salmon. Upper Deck took a
turn with its Heroes of Baseball. Series 2 features Future Heroes,
including Ken Griffey Jr. A nice touch but we hope they return to
players from the past.
	PRICES: As more Ultra 2 basketball showed up dealers anticipated
prices dropping. The new Beckett Basketball Monthly shows several
Shaquille O'Neal cards dropping and Ultra taking a major hit. Series 2
is $35 and falling with O'Neal down to $20. Alonzo Mourning is the only
key player holding on. Inserts on the rise are Hoops Redemption, Magic's
All Rookie and Stadium Beam Team. The Upper Deck Rookie Standout O'Neal
card debuted at $65.
	SAILING: Upper Deck Authenticated offers a unique ``collectible.''
Yachting fans can purchase ``Stars and Stripes,'' winner of the 1987
America's Cup. Skipper Dennis Conner will sign it anywhere the new owner
wants. The price tag is a cool $500,000.
	Q & A: When will the next Stadium Club series arrive?
	J. Grosh, Los Angeles.
	Stadium Club baseball series 2 debuts this month, series 3 due in
mid-July.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 10922 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3u21225pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 93 9:27:57 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	More Rockies, more Marlins and more inserts are the hallmarks of the
Upper Deck collection in 1993 and Series 2 is a big part of it. The
second series seems to have more of everything, including 48 expansion
players and a Mickey Mantle card.
	``What your seeing in the whole format change of going from one
series to two is we're responding to what collectors want much better,''
said Upper Deck spokesman Rich Bradley. ``They want more of everything,
including the expansion players who have had a huge impact on baseball.
We waited to get them all in uniform. We're also giving them the best of
the old and the new with the Hall of Famers.''
	Mantle, Willie Mays and Reggie Jackson are the past greats in the 
``Then & Now'' hologram insert set. All three are in Upper Deck Heroes
uniforms.
	The 1993 issue is easily Upper Decks best yet. There are some
exceptions however. As in all major sets collectors will find Barry
Bonds in a Giants' uniform and Jody Reed in Dodger blue. Missing is the
Dodgers' Mike Piazza in any form. Piazza, the early pick for Rookie of
the Year, was featured in Series 1 but could have been tabbed for an
insert.
	``Generally a player will only get one regularly numbered card if he
didn't change teams,'' said Bradley. ``J.T. Snow and Reed have changed
and we've issued a new card to reflect it.''
	Players who are in the set who might have been left out are Mike
Scioscia, Steve Decker and Archi Cianfrocco. All are destined for
commons boxes. There is a strong group of stars, though, and overall
player selection is good.
	Inserts again highlight the set with five in Series 2. In boxes sold
to retail outlets Reggie Jackson picks up where Ted Williams left off.
Williams' best hitters were featured in 1992. This year Jackson picks
his clutch performers.
	Boxes sold to hobby dealers have cards looking back at the first five
years of Upper Deck. There will be 15 cards including the first one
(1989 Ken Griffey Jr. No. 1) reprinted with today's technology and a
fifth anniversary logo.
	``We looked at the cards that were significant in the history of
Upper Deck whether it was a first appearance or a unique photo such as
Nolan Ryan tossing a football,'' he said. ``If you can capture five
years in 15 cards we've done it.''
	Jumbo packs feature a 25-card ``On Deck'' set with top players.
	A big change is in the continuing Heroes Series. In the past one
player was featured on 10 cards but this time eight players will be
named in one 10-card set. Future Heroes includes Bonds and Thomas, a
header card and a checklist.
	Among the many sub-sets, Upper Deck added ESPN's Peter Gammons, who
analyzes the key statistics of 20 players.
	Inserts can be overused. Thomas, Gonzales and Roberto Alomar have
four second series insert cards each. 
	``There is no doubt collecting is insert driven,'' said Bradley. 
``The nice thing with our packaging is that you can get an Alomar or a
Thomas in any type of pack you buy.''
	As we said in December, the 1993 Upper Deck collection is the best
the firm has ever done and will likely be named card of the year. Only
Leaf could derail it. However, with the new innovations the company has
once again proved it is willing to change what has worked and make it
better.
	ADD UPPER DECK: The NBA MVP Hologram set is the latest edition to the
company's line. An exquisite combination of hologram and card technology
the MVP boxed set is a must.
	PRICES: Teemu Selane is still hot, according to Beckett Hockey
Monthly. His Upper Deck rookie card jumped to $15. The Parkhurst
reprints may be causing a resurgence in the older sets. Among those
showing activity is the 1963-64 issue, which includes Terry Sawchuck's
rookie card. Pinnacle ``B'' is up to $500 as Mario Lemieux breaks the
$100 barrier. Bowman blasted to $175 for the set. The Upper Deck high
numbers are soaring with Alexandre Diagle jumping to $7.
	INVESTMENT: Beginning this week we're adding a non-sports segment.
Non-sports has become so strong most dealers must dabble in it. It is
only prudent to service this area. The River Group will soon debut
Plasm, which will take the hobby a notch farther. Created around the
planet Plasm comic book it features a new concept. The cards lay out in
nine-page sheets exactly like the comic book, allowing the collector to
create a giant magazine. The firm will also release a colorful Beatles
Collection and a Barbie card, which youngsters can mix and match to
change the doll's clothing. The much anticipated Upper Deck Valient will
be out soon while Comic Images will draw more women into the hobby with
a Norman Rockwell collection.
	CLASSIC: Team Pinnacle No. B11 is Score's mail in offer and is very
sharp but collectors still don't appreciate relief pitchers. Rick
Aguilera is on one side and Rob Dibble on the other.
	Q & A: What is a 1932 Sporting News with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig on
the cover worth?
	J. Diodonato, Van Nuys, Calif.
	Malloy's has a price guide for almost every kind of sports
memorabilia ever made. According to the latest issue the Sporting News
in question lists for $350.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 10969 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3u91215pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 93 9:17:52 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	Collectors who are spending big dollars chasing the hot cards of Troy
Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Brett Favre in high-priced packs may be missing
a less expensive option. Stadium Club, Upper Deck and the final Bowman
set are strong cards but collectors should not overlook another major
line.
	All card companies have cut back in 1993 and put a lot of stock in
high-priced chase cards but Score began cutting production drastically
last year while keeping the price low.
	``We've cut back significantly,'' said Score spokesman Dean
Golembeski. ``While we've kept fairly steady on our premium Pinnacle
product, which was low to begin with, the regular issue Score cards are
well below previous figures.''
	The company has been reducing by up to 80 percent in recent years.
The 1989 football series was very low by industry standards. In 1990-91
Score, like every other firm, overproduced. The 1992 production was
about 20 percent of 1991 and 1993 will be even less.
	Other changes include making the regular issue just one 440-card
series. Two series of a low end product is a tough sell.
	In three to five years collectors could be scrambling for Score if
the key players are there. There is much less of it than before and the
elimination of factory sets means few people will have hand collated
sets. While you may not be interested in Score at the moment, by 1998
those who bought and held onto boxes might be the talk of the hobby.
	Score has also eliminated Update Sets. Some would question this
especially after the 1992 Fleer Update baseball set rose to $140 on the
retail market. However, Score is sticking by its decision.
	``Right now we're not planning updates in any sport,'' said
Golembeski. ``That could change if there is a great demand for an update
or a significant number of players change teams.''
	Score continues to change after falling behind the past few years.
The regular issue will carry one Pinnacle card per pack in an effort to
draw youngsters into the premium card market. This follows the insertion
of one Select line card in each Score baseball pack.
	Collectors will also find 3-4 ``Franchise'' inserts per box. The set
features 28 players.
	Score has struggled over its Team Pinnacle cards. At first they were
so rare collectors and dealers complained they were too difficult to
get. Of course, the price went through the roof which everyone liked.
	In response Score made the Team Pinnacle cards much easier to get.
Collectors and dealers complained again saying they were so easy to find
they were ``worthless.'' Score has gone back to the first premise and
the inserts will be found in one of every three boxes. It is a good
move. 
	STADIUM: The 300-card Stadium Club Baseball Series 2 is loaded.
Dodger catcher Mike Piazza has a nice card and the series has many
rookies and stars. The third series will be only 150 cards.
	MILITARY: Card dealers will be contacting their friends in the
military soon. Topps will sell five card packs of its ``Commanders of
the Hill'' baseball cards at military bases. The set includes 30 major
league pitchers in a Desert Storm motif. Packs are 49 cents with the
purchase of a soft drink at the base exchange. The set includes Roger
Clemens and Mike Mussina.
	NO.100: The 100th Beckett Baseball monthly features ``Jackie
Robinson'' on the cover and is due this week. The cover has been kept a
secret for some time and will be a collector's item in itself. Among the
finalists for the anniversary issue were Babe Ruth, Roberto Clemente and
Mickey Mantle. The company will issue a special Nolan Ryan magazine.
	ACTION HOF: The Action Packed Hall of Fame basketball set is very
nice but we still like the baseball series better. The photos are dark
mainly because arenas were not well lit when most HOF players were in
uniform. Player selection is good but collectors are asking ``Where are
Wilt and Bill?'' The two big men are both missing. Chamberlain is
exclusive with Upper Deck and Russell doesn't get involved in
memorabilia. Boxes contain two sets. Series 2 debuts in September and
will likely include Julius Erving.
	INVESTMENT: Photo File has a super new Nolan Ryan collection. The set
features an oversized cover card plus an 8x10 for each of Ryan's seven
no-hitters. Game photos are used with the box score.
	NON-SPORTS: Boxes of Marvel Masterpiece have risen to $120 on the
secondary market and the Saturday morning TV crowd is picking up on X-
Men again. The River Group said it will keep the first printing of Plasm
to the original 15,000 but since demand has been so overwhelming it will
have a slightly different second printing. The original will carry the
words ``Premier Edition'' while the later version will carry an embossed
``Plasm Second Edition.''
	Q & A: Will the cards based on the summer movies be hot sellers?
	M. Manning, Valencia, Calif.
	Non-sports is the hottest trend in the hobby but it can fluctuate
with the box office. Super Mario Brothers may not do well after the film
failed to draw big crowds early. Topps is banking on what should be a
summer blockbuster, ``Jurassic Park.''
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 14359 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3uG1235pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Jun 93 9:38:11 PDT
ACategory: sports
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Priority: major
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	Steve Young is the featured player in what is certainly the best ever
regular issue football set Fleer has produced. Young will be a better
draw than last year's pick, the Redskins' Mark Rypien. Rypien was coming
off a good year but was not an established star and lacks the charisma
of the nimble-footed passing star of the San Francisco 49er's.
	Rypien also flopped on the field last season.
	``We pick the players in the Signature Series for their performance
during the previous season and their community standing,'' said Jeff
Massien, Vice president of marketing for Fleer. ``Rypien had come off a
Super Bowl season and certainly is a strong role model, but we can't
control what happened after that.''
	Young followed Rypien as league MVP, is a good role model and should
have more collector appeal.
	``We are not displeased with our choice of Rypien last year,''
Massian said. ``We were happy to use him when we could.''
	The one-series set has 500 cards with Young in the Performance
Highlights insert set. Covered in gold foil, the Young set is
attractive. He also signed 2,000 cards. Three more Young cards are
available by mail.
	The question remains whether collectors will return to football.
Massien feels they will because the NFL Players Association and NFL
Properties have settled their differences over who has the rights to
market players.
	``We're betting on collectors influencing demand for product and with
peace between the NFLPA and NFL Properties the collector will be
rejuvenated in terms of collecting football cards,'' he said.
	What sets this Fleer product apart are the colors which are deep yet
bright, true but surreal. Several changes were made:
	-- The raw quality of the slides and the color enhancement of the
shots are improved.
	-- The player's name on the front is larger, much like GameDay and Pro
Set. The difference is you can see through the name, which is outlined
in white so the action behind comes through.
	-- Inserts will include the All Pro set, Team Leaders, NFL Prospects
and of course Rookie Sensations, which are exclusive to cello packs.
	-- The most unique insert is NFL Prospects. Outlined in blue, the card
features the player in his college uniform encased in a gold picture
frame.
	Massien won't say if production will be cut.
	``We took a very hard look at not only our sales in the market last
year but also as much competitive data as we could to see what happened,
'' he said. ``We will use it to set production levels so there is no
perception of glut and so our cards are indeed collectible.''
	Fleer has done some exciting things. The only product the company has
consistently botched is Fleer Ultra Football and Massien knows they must
make Ultra work. The first year it was overproduced while year two a new
printer was selected and the cards suffered.
	``We are absolutely concentrating on Ultra because there is no sense
in making the same mistakes over again,'' he said.
	With the advances made in the regular football line, it remains to be
seen if Fleer's track record changes with the latest premium card.
	BECKETT 100: Kudos to Dr. James Beckett and the people who print the
monthly trading card price guide. The 100th issue is a real winner with
Jackie Robinson on the cover and an interview with Jim Beckett in which
he clears up a lot of questions collectors and especially dealers have
about any ties with card shops. He doesn't have any and on a personal
note is one of the most ethical people in this industry. May the next
100 be even stronger.
	MORE ULTRA: Fleer has decided to offer an Ultra Baseball set by mail
only. It won't be the traditional update featuring 100 or so cards but
will be 10 Ultra Performer cards. Only 150,000 sets will be made and can
be purchased for $9.95 plus five wrappers. Among the 10 are Barry Bonds,
J.T.Snow and David Nied.
	PRICES: Beckett Baseball Monthly reports the 1992 Bowman set jumped
to $325. Boxes are selling for about $320 with packs at $9. However, it
may have finally topped out as many dealers are starting to sell singles
at below the Beckett high price rather than ``double book.'' The new
Leaf Set debuted at $30 with hot rookie Mike Piazza at $5. The Frank
Thomas inserts are $6 each.
	NON-SPORTS: With the announcement of a slightly different second
series of Plasm you can expect some dealers to be upset. When he heard
the second printing featuring the phrase ``Plasm Second Edition'' was
going to be made one major West Coast wholesaler quickly responded, 
``They are going to ruin it.'' That may be, but we have seen Plasm and
are convinced. The full binder with all the cards, the promo and the
comic are sure hits.
	Q & A: Do you expect the Ted Williams cards to be hot?
	B. Berger, Thousand Oaks, Calif.
	The new Williams cards are unique. They have some of the same
features that Action Packed has, including several sepiatones. There is
variety, including black and white shots. The shot of Yogi Berra
catching is very nice. It will find a niche, although it won't be for
all collectors.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 11110 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3uN1210pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 93 9:09:19 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	The World Cup is coming to the United States and companies are
scrambling to jump on the soccer bandwagon with Upper Deck taking the
lead. The cardmaker has signed on as a World Cup Marketing Partner to
produce three separate soccer sets.
	``It is a very broad undertaking,'' said Upper Deck spokesman Rich
Bradley. ``We see it as three sets all linked because they are soccer
cards but at the same time they are distinctly different.''
	The World Cup is like the Super Bowl, World Series and NBA Finals
rolled into one and collectors are already asking for soccer cards at
shows.
	A preview of the Upper Deck card shows it is the same high quality
for which the company is famous.
	World Cup cards will be released in August, November and March.
	The initial 200-card set will be distributed in 20 countries. Each
card will be printed in two languages with five language combinations
overall. The set features 125 regular players, 25 regional players and
other sub-sets.
	The November set emphasizes players from the U.S. team. The 165 cards
are bilingual (English/Spanish) and sub-sets feature players from the
Canadian and Spanish teams.
	In March, 1994, the last set highlights teams which actually made the
tournament. These will be distributed worldwide.
	And will there be inserts?
	``All the sets will be very consistent with what Upper Deck has done
in the past,'' said Bradley.
	The bottom line is inserts work and inserts will very likely be a
part of the entire package as will Upper Deck sideboards at stadiums
where the soccer games will be played.
	This gives Upper Deck the showcase it has been waiting for to become
a worldwide distributor of trading cards.
	``A number of sports are becoming popular around the world so as far
as the future, yes, we are definitely eyeing the international market,''
said Bradley. ``There was the Dream Team, baseball sends players to
Japan, football's World League and in the NHL you see more of a European
and Russian influence than ever before. It's a matter of time before
everything we do is global.''
	Upper Deck is no stranger to the world market. Recently hockey cards
were developed for Czechoslovakia while basketball cards were released
in Spain and Italy. Basketball cards for Australia are next.
	``These are cards for specific regions but the World Cup is the
world's largest sporting event and we're going to do it justice with our
cards,'' Bradley said.
	After only five years the company has made great strides and looks to
expand even more.
	``We see ourselves as a sports company rather than just a trading
card company,'' said Bradley. ``Our emphasis will always be on trading
cards but with the expansion into Upper Deck Authenticated memorabilia
we are trying to become more a part of the overall sport scene instead
of just a card company.''
	TOPPS: The Beam Team is arriving at Wal-Mart. The giant chain had not
received all of its Stadium Club Series 2 Basketball so Topps shipped
Jumbo Packs. Spokesman Timm Boyle said Topps did not print more but
rather is finally sending the product to Wal-Mart. There are 23 cards
per pack and 20 packs per box. Chances of getting a Beam Team card are
one in 15 packs. Dealers will snap them up and charge about $15 per
pack. Topps also has 10,000 regular issue gold factory sets with 403
cards including seven Beam Teams. Meanwhile a Gold Archive Set is on
tap. The checklists will be replaced by Shaquille O'Neal and Rumeal
Robinson.
	PRICES: Beckett Basketball Monthly shows most new basketball cards
went into the dumper including inserts. The insert going up is Magic's
All-Rookie Team found in Hoops 2. The 10-card set is now $425. It has
driven Hoops 2 boxes to the $275 range. Even the Lottery Redemption set
dropped to $300 but should head back up again once collectors realize
how few there are. Now is a good time to buy as dealers panic. Fleer
Ultra dropped like a rock but dealers report brisk sales. Three key
player's cards on the rise are Alonzo Mourning, Michael Jordan and
Charles Barkley. The biggest jumps are in Star company cards. A 1984-85
Jordan rose to $4,200 with Barkley to $800.
	BASEBALL: Pinnacle 2 baseball debuted at about $55 a box and is
selling well. Series 2 Upper Deck boxes break well for inserts but not
for sets. You'll need two boxes to complete a set but you should get
about nine inserts per box. The Future Heroes are very nice as are the
fifth anniversary cards. Packs are selling for $1.50.
	NON-SPORTS: Jurassic Park is selling for about 75 cents per pack,
Marvel 4 opened at $1.25 per pack and there has been a lot of interest
in Classic Deathwatch 2,000. The addition of comic cards for O'Neal,
Manon Rheaume and Ken Griffey hasn't hurt Classic in its crossover into
non-sports.
	Q & A: Will Topps put Black Gold cards in football packs?
	J. Bisente, San Fernando, Calif.
	Despite the lack of respect shown by collectors to the Topps' Black
Gold baseball cards the insert will be in the football product. The
cards are among the best Topps has done but they just have not taken
off.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 11185 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillU3uU1215pe@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 93 9:18:35 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: major
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	The insert craze is driving the card collecting hobby and with the
race for chase cards in high gear, collectors are becoming more aware of
one negative element: pack searching.
	``Pack searching is ruining the hobby,'' said Steve Duso of Justin
Cards in Mission Hills, Calif. ``Customers complain they are buying
packs to pull a valuable insert card only to learn an unscrupulous
dealer has searched them and taken the good cards.''
	Duso is wary of dealers with dozens of expensive inserts in a
showcase because he too has been victimized.
	``I bought a box of Fleer cellos without a factory seal last year and
there were no Rookie Sensations inserts when there should have been
four,'' he said. 
	Chase cards are randomly inserted in packs at various rates. Topps
gold cards are one per pack while Hoops Lottery Exchange cards were one
in 10 boxes. The value of a chase card can range from 50 cents to $500.
	When Fleer Cellos sold for $5 a pack dealers found searching
profitable. By holding a pack with two hands and sliding the cards back
and forth the insert with the slick UV coating felt noticeably different
than the regular cards which were not coated. About four Rookie
Sensations were in each box and Frank Thomas sold for $60.
	In 1992 the factory packed Donruss Series 1 boxes so the Diamond King
inserts were evenly distributed. In a box of 36 packs there are four
rows with nine packs. A dealer would open packs in one row until he
reached a Diamond King. If the DK was found in the third pack it was
also in the third pack in each of the other rows. Unsuspecting
collectors often bought boxes without DKs because dealers had combined
36 insertless packs into one box.
	Donruss corrected the problem in Series 2. At the time spokesman John
Starke said such dealers were difficult to stop. ``If there is a scheme
out there someone is going to figure it out.''
	It's not only inserts.
	In 1991, Topps Stadium Club cards were packed in a pattern. The
bottom of the pack was clear so you could see the player's name. Dealers
would open a box, learn how far the high dollar cards were from a card
that could be seen and then searched for the stars. The Frank Thomas
card sells for $30. When dealers were buying boxes for $36, finding a
$30 card and selling the other 35 packs at $2 each was very profitable.
	Some dealers say they must search packs.
	``In this tough economy, in a difficult industry where it's hard to
make a dollar, it is necessary to search packs because the public isn't
paying what the cards are worth,'' said a dealer who spoke on the
condition his name not be used. ``To make a dollar dealers try to find
the higher value cards to sell.''
	He says more than half the show dealers he knows search packs
regularly.
	Dwight Temple of After the Anthem in Burbank, Calif., shuffles packs
before putting a box on the shelf and won't sell to kids who try to
search.
	``I can't allow him to reach into the box to select a pack,'' Temple
told the mother of a pre-teen youngster who tried to search the box
before the shopkeeper took it away. ``It's not fair to my other
customers.''
	Show dealers are apt to search packs more than shop owners who serve
a local clientele. Show dealers travel to various locations and may not
see the same collectors twice.
	Some have even purchased machines to reseal boxes in cellophane,
causing unsuspecting collectors to believe the boxes are factory sealed.
	This is not to say most dealers search because many take great pains
to ensure customers get an even break.
	The best rule is to know the dealer and if you are suspicious don't
buy from him. Also beware of dealers selling unsealed boxes for low
prices when those boxes should contain valuable chase cards.
	PRICES: Beckett Football Monthly indicates Stadium Club High Series
continues to rise with the 100 card set at $125. Brett Favre is $25.
Upper Deck Gold and the Wild Card inserts are still falling.
	FOOTBALL: Classic is the first football product to hit the market.
Packs are selling for about $1.
	CAMPANELLA: Several signed Roy Campanella items were on dealer tables
at a show in Pomona, Calif., the day after Campy died. Along with photos
there was a bat with a $4,000 price tag. The Hall of Fame catcher was
scheduled for the West Coast National this weekend.
	ROOKIES: The hottest rookie cards on the planet are any Mike Piazza
card, the 1987 Fleer Barry Bonds and John Olerud's 1990 Leaf card.
	PACIFIC: Pacific is offering a two card pack from the Nolan Ryan set
with each bottle of Advil pain medicine.
	NON-SPORTS: SkyCaps (collector milk bottle caps) from SkyBox have
reached the market. Six SkyCaps are in each pack retailing for $1.49 and
featuring DC comic characters such as Superman and Batman. They are
sharp and a game piece is randomly inserted. Comic Images has cards
picturing works of famous artists now hanging in the Louvre. Collect Van
Gogh, Picasso and six randomly inserted Chromium cards.
	Q & A: Is Upper Deck and Denny's restaurants giving out cards again?
	S. Tarsus, Bellflower, Calif.
	Yes, the 28 blue bordered cards will feature a photo of the player
and a hologram.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

>	Some dealers say they must search packs.
>	``In this tough economy, in a difficult industry where it's hard to
> make a dollar, it is necessary to search packs because the public isn't
> paying what the cards are worth,'' said a dealer who spoke on the
> condition his name not be used. ``To make a dollar dealers try to find
> the higher value cards to sell.''
    
    I nominate the above statement for The Convoluted Logic of the Year
    Award.  The public isn't paying what the cards are worth (take an
    Economics class, bud), so the public must be scammed (better add
    Ethics I, too).  What gall!
    
    glenn
    

Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	Does Bill Mazeroski belong in the Hall of Fame? Many fans attending
the West Coast National Sports Collector's Show in Anaheim, Calif.,
certainly think so.
	They'd get no argument here. Maz was my boyhood idol and I went to
the show especially to meet him. I brought along a bat, a ball and my
favorite trading card, a shot of his heroic blast to beat the New York
Yankees in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.
	Many of the fans in line to get Mazeroski's autograph voiced their
displeasure at Maz being left out of the Hall of Fame.
	``I must have heard that 50 times today,'' he said.
	He had committed to sign 1,000 articles and more than 500 people had
purchased autographs. With writers cramp in evidence, he diligently
signed a very legible ``Bill Mazeroski'' on 450 more photos.
	He spent time chatting about baseball and discussed Cooperstown and
agreed that offense is stressed too much while defense, especially
turning double plays -- at which Maz was the master -- is as important.
	Mazeroski set records for most double plays and games played at
second, while establishing league marks for fielding (.992 in 1966),
chances, putouts and assists. Only a broken foot in 1965 interrupted his
string of consecutive games.
	A clutch hitter, he drove in more than 80 runs in two seasons despite
hitting eighth in the lineup. In 17 seasons, he had 853 RBI and a .260
average.
	Unless the Hall of Fame changes its rules, however, he will never
gain admittance to Cooperstown. The Baseball Writers Association of
America bypassed him for 20 years and since he did not receive at least
60 percent of the votes cast in any election he is not eligible for
consideration by the Veterans Committee.
	ADD NATIONAL: If the West Coast event was an indication, the National
convention in Chicago will be great. Dealers reported brisk sales. Super
buys included boxes of Fleer Ultra 2 basketball cards at $64. Sandy
Koufax signatures were $50 and the line was long all day. Players
committed to sign a fixed amount with unsold extra photos available
through Field of Dreams.
	FANFEST: Upper Deck will have a booth in Baltimore, where you can
trade any sports cards for an Upper Deck card. They will be donated to
charity. The new Ted Williams company will debut a FanFest Set featuring
Roberto Clemente and Brooks Robinson. Former player Gene Locklear will
be at the Williams booth painting a mural.
	UPPER DECK: A $33 million dollar judgment against Upper Deck has been
overturned and the case by former company lawyer, Anthony Passante,
dismissed. The judge said the oral agreement between the two was 
``unenforceable.''
	PRICES: Beckett Hockey Monthly shows 1992-93 Bowman is sizzling. The
set jumped to $250 with the Sergei Fedorov and Jeremy Roenick foil cards
at $25 each.
	FOOTBALL: Topps has taken the chase card race to a new level with
Stadium Club. ``Super Team Cards'' will be randomly inserted in packs.
Collectors should follow the NFL closely because if the team on their
insert card wins a title, the collector could win big prizes.
	NON-SPORTS: Joe DeRita, the last of the Three Stooges, passed away.
Interest in Stooges memorabilia remains high. DeRita played one of the
many Curly Joe's.
	Q & A: In 1991 Topps inserted old Topps cards in packs. What happened
with that?
	P. Korp, Chatsworth, Calif.
	The promotion was somewhat succesful but collectors didn't think
enough cards were given away. Some cards went unclaimed and are among
the 150 vintage cards Topps will be raffle off at the National.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

                             Brill-iant Ideas:
    A Sports Collector's Guide
    
    	To no one's surprise Pro Set, trying to emerge from bankruptcy, is
    almost completely out of the picture.
    	``There has been nothing in the last two months that would lead me to
    believe that Pro Set will be making hockey cards this year,'' said Kit
    Kiefer of Professional Hobby Consultants, which handles public
    relations
    for Pro Set. ``There doesn't seem to be any chance Pro Set will be
    doing hockey.''
    	The downside is Pro Set had contracted with Dr. Brian Price to use
    the Parkhurst name and the revived Parkhurst has been well received.
    	``Price is trying extricate himself from Pro Set,'' Kiefer said.
    	Fleer and Leaf would seem to be the most logical firms to take the
    Parkhurst name with Leaf as the natural choice. Parkhurst has a long
    hockey tradition and Leaf is based in Canada. With Leaf entering the
    field for the first time it almost looks too easy.
    	Price could not be reached for comment.
    	When the NHL Players Association decided to issue only five licenses
    and to hold each licensee to just two brands it set a precedent that
    less is better.
    	While Fleer and Score were unaffected it meant that Upper Deck would
    consider adding a new hockey line while Leaf would be entering the
    field. Adversely affected were Topps, O-Pee-Chee, and Pro Set.
    	The NHLPA said Topps had five brands and needed to cut three of them.
    Topps printed a regular issue, Bowman, Stadium Club and sublicensed O-
    Pee-Chee and O-Pee-Chee Premiere. It looked as if the Canadian based O-
    Pee-Chee would be aced out after 25 consecutive years.
                                                                      	
        An agreemment was hammered out with the NHLPA to keep the Canadian
    firm. Topps dropped Bowman and its regular card line. Stadium Club, a
    money maker despite dealer and collector criticism, would stay.
    	Topps and O-Pee-Chee will both carry a ``Premier'' line. O-Pee-Chee
    Premier will be bilingual and distributed only in Canada while Topps
    will handle the same Premier product (English only) in the United
    States.
    	``I'm happy because Premier has been a success for us since its
    inception in 1991,'' said Malcom Bull, vice-president of O-Pee-Chee. 
    ``Premier will combine the best of the regular issue and the premium. We
    will marry the two and have a super series to build upon.''
    	The Canadian product should debut in the fall and unlike Topps it
    will be issued in 36 pack boxes. Topps has gone to 24 packs for premium
    cards.
    	Following on the heels of a short run (4,000 cases) of O-Pee-Chee
    Baseball production will be reduced.
    	``I do hope the manufacturers realize that there are too many people
    making cards and too many sets,'' Bull said. ``Everyone knows this and
    
    	The Canadian product should debut in the fall and unlike Topps it
    will be issued in 36 pack boxes. Topps has gone to 24 packs for premium
    cards.
    	Following on the heels of a short run (4,000 cases) of O-Pee-Chee
    Baseball production will be reduced.
    	``I do hope the manufacturers realize that there are too many people
    making cards and too many sets,'' Bull said. ``Everyone knows this and
    must react to it and address the situaion.''
    	DRYSDALE: Nabisco will fill orders for cards autographed by late
    Dodgers Hall of Famer Don Drysdale on a first-come, first-served basis.
    Drysdale, who died this month, was among six players to sign cards in
    the largest consumer product offer ever for autographed material.
    Drysdale signed 25,000 cards.
    	RYAN LITHO: Nolan Ryan has signed 500 lithographs of Arlington
    Stadium. The 18`` X 24'' ``Farewell To A Friend'' litho honors the final
    season for both Ryan and the ballpark which will be replaced in 1994.
Cost of the Mike Gustafson photo is $120. Order by calling 1-800-554-
    0153.
    	SCD: Sports Collector's Digest sent thousands of coupons to show
    promotors around the country. They are to be distributed to customers
    and offer $10 off the subscription price, bringing the annual price to
    $39.95. Ask your local promotor.
    	UPPER DECK: Fans of T-202 tobacco cards can receive a special three-
    card panel of a reprint from Upper Deck by sending in 15 Series 2
    baseball wrappers and $3.
    	PRICES: Beckett Baseball Monthly shows 1992 Bowman continues to go up
    as do two update sets. The 1992 Fleer Update is $160 with Mike Piazza at
    $40 while the 1992 Score Update is $50 with Tim Salmon at $12. Score
    Select inserts are up while most others are down. Older sets showing
    activity are 1958, 1959 and 1969 Topps and the 1963 Fleer set.
    	NON-SPORTS: Jurassic Park Gold boxes sell for $50, sets for $25.
    Boxes yield about 2 sets, 3 insert sets plus 2 holograms. Comics are
    Boxes yield about 2 sets, 3 insert sets plus 2 holograms. Comics are
    also available. First it was Plasm and now Tribe, as Press Pass issues
    cards that will read like a comic book when placed in nine-card plastic
    pages. Tribe features the work of several artists including Jae Lee and
    Nelson. Sets contain 90 cards.
    	Q & A: Are figurines worth collecting?
    	J.Hererra, Sylmar, Calif.
    	Limited edition figurines, both plastic and porcelain, are nice
    additions to any collection. Placed in a showcase, it will always be the
    topic of conversation in your home and many of the better ones will
    increase in value. I was disappointed in one aspect with the Hamilton
    Collections ``Legendary Hitters'' series. The certificate was numbered
    but there was not a corresponding number on the figurine.
    
                                                                     

Article 608 of clari.sports.features:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.local.illinois,clari.sports.features,clari.sports.top
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
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References: <brillU3lL1215pe@clarinet.com>
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	CHICAGO (UPI) -- The 14th National Sports Collector's Convention is
under way at McCormick Place in Chicago through Sunday and it is bigger
than ever. For the third time in 11 years the hobby's premier event is
being held here with a slew of past and present players ready to sign
autographs.
	``The list of players signing for free is impressive,'' said Pam
Stevens, who manages the show for Smith, Bucklin and Associates. ``That
really pushes my button because we need to keep the sentimentality of
the kid who is waiting at the ballpark for that special autograph.''
	Signing gratis are Mario Lemieux, Chris Webber, Manon Rheume and
Chicago stars Walter Payton and Frank Thomas.
	There is very much a Chicago flavor to the signers with Minnie
Minoso, Ron Kittle and Bill Melton expected. And don't forget Buffalo
Bob and Howdy Doody.
	Among those charging for autographs are members of the Big Red
Machine of the 1970s -- Johnny Bench, Pete Rose and Joe Morgan.
	About 75,000 people will pass through the turnstiles at the largest
convention site in the nation by closing time.
	Stevens has learned from last year's mistakes at the National in
Atlanta and this show should be the best ever.
	``Chicago is a different market in terms of its sports community and
its awareness of the National,'' said Stevens. ``Just the fervor for
this event and anything that is sports related helps market the show.''
	Among the dealers' criticisms of her firm last year was that there
wasn't enough advertising. Stevens says she ran ads all over the South
and the criticism is unfair.
	``Atlanta never had a National before so we were starting from square
one in terms of what the National is,'' she said. ``We were also dealing
with a widespread marketplace so we had to hope those people were
willing to drive to Atlanta.''
	When the accounting is complete, this should prove to be a very
positive showcase although the economy remains a problem.
	``We're still dealing with a recession and we wonder what effect it
will have but we're punching a lot of the same buttons we punched in
1989 (the last National in Chicago) to make this another successful
show,'' Stevens said.
	There are problems at every National because when you get 700
baseball card dealers in the same building the problems can't be
avoided. Sports card dealers are among the most negative people in the
world and they always have their hand out.
	Which brings us to promo bags. The frenzy for promo cards is at a
fever pitch. Collectors are receiving them at the door and in many cases
are selling them to dealers long before they walk out.
	Auctions are a big part of the event and among the selections are
Honus Wager and Babe Ruth items. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is in
charge.
	PARKHURST UPDATE: Following our last column Dr. Brian Price may get
his wish to be free of his Pro Set hockey contract. A Texas judge gave
Pro Set (coming out of bankruptcy) until Aug. 13 to win an NHL license
or Price can take the Parkhurst name wherever he wants. Pro Set doesn't
owe Price any money. ``I was one of the lucky ones,'' he said. Price is
also looking to Leaf, Fleer and Upper Deck. He does want more control
over what is done with Parkhurst. He may even produce an unlicensed
product.
	STUDIO: Collectors were wondering what Leaf could do next with Studio
cards. After two innovative series Leaf has come up with a third. The
full bleed, UV coated portraits feature gold signatures with a gold on
blue Studio stamp. The Heritage insert cards are back featuring current
players in uniforms from the past. There are three additional insert
sets including a Frank Thomas collection. Studio ships in August.
	OLD GOLD: Spectrum Holdings is printing 5,000 sets of Conlan-like
cards featuring five Hall of Famers drenched in gold. Included are Babe
Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, Dizzy Dean, Ty Cobb and Satchel Paige. Each card
is layered with 24 karat gold signatures and come in half inch lucite
holders with a letter of authenticity. Spectrum owns the exclusive
rights to the signatures. Call 1-800-800-5253 for details.
	PRICES: Beckett Basketball Monthly indicates basketball, especially
Hoops 2 and SkyBox 2, is still hot. All Hoops 2 inserts are up with the
Magic's All Rookie Team set jumping $125 to $550. Fleer Ultra continues
to drop but every Alonzo Mourning card is rising.
	NON-SPORTS: Metallic Images, the firm which brought you metal
football cards, is now delivering the ``Elvis Presley Gold Collection.''
The 20-card set of metal cards debuts next week and includes never-
before-seen photos from the archives of Graceland. ... Bettie Page, a
1950s pin-up girl, has emerged to take control of her name after
claiming others were illegally capitalizing on it. Page claims her
likeness was featured as Rocketeer's girlfriend in Rocketeer comics.
	Q & A: Is it true Topps is going to sell team sets?
	J. Berger, Whittier, Calif.
	That scream you heard from dealers is because Topps is selling pre-
packaged Stadium Club baseball team sets. Bad move because dealers who
break boxes hoping for the high dollar inserts put the balance of the
cards into sets and team sets hoping to make their money back.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

    I think Topps is only selling 16 team sets from Stadium Club.
    
    John

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (Bob Brill)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.local.california
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillURdca_3a3@clarinet.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 93 13:41:37 PDT
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	Mario Lemieux has selected Leaf as the hockey card he will represent
placing him in the spotlight as the cardmakers debut hockey spokesman.
The Canadian born superstar is accustomed to the attention having won
two Stanley Cups, nearly every award possible and having overpowered his
most frightening foe, Hodgkin's disease.
	``It was very difficult to go through the radiation treatments and to
learn you have cancer,'' said the Penguins star and MVP. ``It helped
that I was very positive from the start because you have to look at it
that way. Put it behind you and look toward the future.''
	Lemieux recently went through back surgery but is expected to be on
the ice in another month. All this has shown him the bottom line is not
hockey.
	``Your health is the most important thing,'' he said. ``It doesn't
matter if you have a big house, cars or money, if you don't have your
health.''
	The current king of the hockey world has always been associated with
quality and says that's why he chose Leaf.
	``We talked to many companies but in my opinion Leaf is the best and
I wanted my name associated with it,'' he said. ``Quality means a lot to
me.''
	Growing up in Montreal he collected hockey cards. His favorite was
Guy Lafleur of the Montreal Canadiens. Lemieux likes signing autographs
but won't sign for the many autograph dealers around the league.
	Super Mario is excited about the Penguins chances for a third Stanley
Cup. After winning two straight they fell short this year but the
addition of Lemieux's friend Eddie Johnston as coach should help.
	``When your expected to win the Cup but lose early it's tough on the
players and everybody in Pittsburgh, but you aren't going to win every
year, which is what we said after the loss,'' said Lemieux. ``I think we
have a very good chance to win back the Cup.''
	Leaf hockey cards mirror Leaf baseball in design and include six
random insert sets. There is a Lemieux Collection, Gold Leaf All Stars
and Painted Warriors (goalies) available in all packs. A Rookies insert
is in Series 1 plus Hat Trick Artists and Studio Signature inserts in
various packaging in Canada and the U.S.
	The 220 card first series includes a number of stars while the series
two should feature more rookies.
	Leaf remains in the running for the Parkhurst name which would be the
companies second brand. Brian Price, who owns the rights to Parkhurst,
spoke this week with both Leaf and Upper Deck. He'll be in a Texas
courtroom next week working out of his pact with Pro Set.
	``My talks with both Leaf and Upper Deck have been very, very
fruitful,'' said Price. ``Both seem to want it and neither seems to mind
my going forward with plans to market Parkhurst memoribilia.''
	Parkhurst would be a nice coup for Leaf.
	``We're talking to Brian to see if we can find something which is in
his interest and ours,'' said Leaf President Jim Hanlon. ``Maybe Leaf
and Parkhurst would be a good one-two but if not we're very confident we
can make a Donruss entry up to our standards.''
	The NHL liked Leaf for a number of reasons including its reputation
for quality, integrity and a sound financial base. Don't forget Leafs
plans for European expansion.
	``We'll test in hockey countries such as Finland, Sweden and Norway
right away,'' he said. ``It is difficult to get my Finnish stockholders
to get excited about baseball but they love hockey.''
                               ------
	PRICES: Beckett Hockey Monthly shows Bowman remains hot with boxes
now selling for more than $500. The set jumped $125 to $450 in one
month. Packs are selling for as high as $15.
	UPPER DECK: After having seen the entire set with all the inserts
I'll stand by what I said last December that Upper Deck is the baseball
card set of 1993. Leaf is very strong but overall Upper Deck takes the
cake. The ``On Deck'' insert (available in hobby jumbo packs) is easily
one of the all time best. The gold signatures make it a winner. The only
down side is many cards stick together. The abundance of UV coating
makes them difficult to seperate easily. Football ships before the end
of the month and is the one series, 530 card set has five insert series.
	RYAN: Nolan Ryan has signed with Spectrum Holdings Group to autograph
5,000 tribute sheets. Each signature will be in 24 karat gold. Ryan will
also be featured on limited edition card sets and holograms. Collectors
are buying anything Ryan is affiliated with now that he is in his 27th
and final season.
	NON-SPORTS: Upper Deck did a real nice job with Valiant. The cards
are of higher quality than most non-sports products and true to the
companies form the colors are rich. SkyBox has shipped both Milestone
and Ultraverse. Both are colorful and similar to NBA Hoops in card
quality. SkyBox continues to sell well. The firm has sold out eight
straight products.
	Q & A: Why are all the 1992 Bowman products priced so high?
	D. Erskine, Palmdale, Calif.
	Supply and demand. Topps only produced an estimated 2,000 cases of
Bowman hockey, 7,500 cases of baseball and a small number of football.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 15034 of clari.sports.top:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
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Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
	
                     United Press International
	The worst kept secret in the hobby is official as Score has merged
with Major League Marketing to form Pinnacle Brands, Inc.
	``We have taken the successes of Major League Marketing and the
successes of Score Group and formed a company with a focus to better
serve the customer,'' said Score Chairman Jerry Meyer. ``Our new
corporate name reflects our goals and philosophies.''
	The merger has been rumored for months and has been tough on people
at both ends. Major League Marketing has been headquartered in Westport,
Conn., while the new company will settle in Grand Prairie, Texas, the
home of Score. Some of the New England staff will not make the move in
the consolidation.
	Score entered the trading card field in 1988 and after a strong debut
has fallen to well back in the pack. The 1989 Score Football Set was
produced in small numbers and remains a hot product. However, the
debacle of 1990 has turned collectors sour to much of what Score has
produced.
	After producing nice cards, including a hot Eric Lindros item
featuring the hockey star in a baseball uniform, Score dumped loads of
factory sets on the market. These were sold at the large chain stores
for $15.90 each. They currently can be found for as low as $7. Dealers
and collectors were angered,so the firm quickly fell into disfavor with
many.
	The company was also slow to pick up on the super premium card trend.
Even though it produced a quality product in Pinnacle, it hasn't
regained the place it held in 1989.
	Pinnacle has been gaining ground and is more respected although
Score's medium priced card, Select, isn't as highly held nationwide.
	``Select does well in pockets around the country,'' said spokesman
Dean Golembeski. 
	The most valuable set Score produced was 1991-92 Pinnacle B hockey.
Guides list the 12 cards for $500. Next were Team Pinnacle cards which
did very well. The following year there were so many Team Pinnacles,
collectors were turned off.
	``That was a strange situation,'' said Golembeski. ``Collectors and
dealers told us the first Team Pinnacle cards were too difficult to find
so the following year we made them easier to get. Then they were upset
because they were too easy and the value kept dropping.''
	Whether Pinnacle Brands, Inc., can breathe new life into the product
remains to be seen. We would like to see it because Score has been a
major licensee of the three major sports and hopes to get an NBA
contract. That may not be forthcoming soon but Meyer and his group will
do all they can to join the NBA and move the company up a few notches.
 
	PRICES: Beckett Baseball Monthly shows 1992 Bowman soaring as is the
1991 set. Mike Piazza and Barry Bonds are still hot. Bonds' 1987 Fleer
rookie jumped to $30 while Piazza's 1992 Bowman rookie is up to $33. His
1992 Fleer Update is $65.
	ADD SCORE: Score hobby packs, both Select Chase Rookies and Score
Boys of Summer, are on the rise. Retail packs continue to flounder.
	RYAN: After Nolan Ryan's encounter with Robin Ventura in a game last
week between the Rangers and the White Sox do you think someone will ask
Ryan to appear on a boxing card? Ryan got in six solid rights to
Ventura's head after the Sox third baseman charged the mound. The
legendary Texas right-hander grabbed him around the head like a steer
and let fly. Topps executives must have been cringing in their boots.
Ventura is the spokesman for their new line, Topps Best cards, and
anyone who so much as gives Ryan a hard stare takes a chance with the
fans who have hearts bigger than Texas for Ryan.
	SKYBOX STRETCH: SkyBox new random insert in the 1993 Impact football
series is a stretch. Jim Kelly and Magic Johnson, both spokesmen for the
company, pick the best football players per position. Kelly is
understandable but having former NBA great Johnson select gridiron
players isn't.
	NON-SPORTS: From the ``they will never learn department'' comes a
comment from several collectors recently, ``There are too many non-
sports titles for me to keep up with.'' Cardmakers found in the early
1990s they were making too much product for collectors to absorb and are
now running the same risk with a new title every week. Classics like the
Beatles and Elvis will remain but how many comic feature titles can you
remember from the past few months?
	Q & A: Which is the best Mike Piazza card to buy?
	J. Frazer, Mission Hills, Calif.
	We were predicting Piazza would be the 1993 Rookie of the Year in
1992 so we aren't surprised at his card values. It looks as if his 1992
Fleer Update or his 1992 Bowman card are the best bets but don't
overlook his 1992 Donruss Rookies Phenom card which is an insert. In the
long run we think the Fleer Update will stand the test in value. Its
short supply and update status places it in the same category as the
1982 Cal Ripken card. The Topps Update version lists for more than three
times the regular rookie card.
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, Calif., 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.


    


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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: A Sports Collector's Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillURb90_3aI@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 93 14:59:50 PDT
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Slugword: brill
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                         Brill-iant Ideas:
                     United Press International
	The battle over superpremium trading cards is being waged by two of
the biggest companies which are going head to head with a higher priced
and advanced technological card.
	Topps struck first by unveiling Baseball's Finest. The cardmaker sold
out even before Upper Deck announced it would debut its SP collection.
Officials claim SP takes the premium card field to a higher level.
	``The SP line is not comparable in terms of quality to some of the
other premium baseball cards such as Ultra and Leaf,'' said Upper Deck
spokesman Rich Bradley. ``It is a superpremium card at a premium price
rather than a superpremium card at a superpremium price.''
	After revolutionizing the trading card industry in 1989 with the
first premium card, Upper Deck had fallen behind until 1993. Many
collectors were beginning to think Upper Deck was less than premium as
Fleer Ultra and Topps Stadium Club passed it by.
	The new Upper Deck line features high-grade embossing, multiple foil
stamping and full bleed photos. Of course there will be all the usual
bells and whistles, such as a 20-card Platinum Power insert set
featuring the elite power hitters.
	After years of placing special SP cards in packs, Bradley says the SP
brand name is significant. 
	``The SP name doesn't stand for short print or superpremium but
rather it's getting back to what we origionally had in mind with SP,''
he said. ``SP stands for something unique and different and we wanted to
tie it to all the cards in the set.''
	Suggested retail is $1.99 for a pack of 12 cards. There are 290 cards
in the set which will only be sold through hobby dealers.
	Topps Finest, on the other hand, is a much more expensive card and
quite different from any baseball card Topps has ever made. Similar to
the Topps Finest football set, it uses chromium technology. The latest
issue provides a full-metal look and is highly attractive.
	The card does scratch easily and collectors should be extra careful.
It's hoped Topps didn't make the same mistake it did with 1991 Stadium
Club which often separated in semi-rigid card holders. Holders and the
cards since have improved to avoid such disasters.
	The Topps card is unique and even before it hits the market,
collectors are clamoring for it. Suggested retail for a six pack of
cards (five regular cards plus one insert) is $3 but expect it to debut
near $5. There are 200 cards in the set and only 4,000 cases.
	We have entered the next phase of collecting. The hobby is heading
toward very limited and very expensive high tech cards.
	
	ADD UPPER DECK: Almost every company will have a draft pick
redemption card after last years success by Hoops and Upper Deck.
However, Upper Deck will be taking the idea a step farther. We hope to
be able to release details next week but suffice it to say more
redemption cards more often may be the battle cry of 1993-94. There will
only be one factory baseball set per case with gold holograms on the
cards while the other sets will feature silver holograms.
	
	PARKHURST: A Texas judge officially set Brian Price, owner of the
Parkhurst name, free from his contract with Pro Set. The judge gave Pro
Set the opportunity to extend the deadline a week if it could show it
had a chance for an NHL license. Company officials passed realizing they
were dead on the NHL ice. Price continues to negotiate with Upper Deck
and Leaf and is moving toward his Parkhurst Ice Authentics memoribilia
line.
	
	PRICES: Beckett Basketball Monthly indicates the hottest item in the
roundball corner is Hoops 2. The product is now selling for $240 a box
on the wholesale market. The Magic All Rookie Team insert set is up to
$600. SkyBox is also rising. Beckett has listed Topps Archive singles
although it may be a bit late to save the product. Michael Jordan is $5.
	SHIRTS, NOT POGS: While collectors in Hawaii are chasing POGS
(collectible milk caps) check this item in the San Francisco Examiner
Collectibles section: ``Wanted, old rayon Hawaian shirts.'' I tossed my
father's far too soon.
	
	NON-SPORTS: SkyBox has Cycle Celebrity Cards, Series 2. Other issues
from various companies include Guns causing non-sports dealer Julio
Berger to comment, ``There are far too many issues and before long we'll
have cards of kitchen sinks.'' The new Marilyn Monroe cards from Sports
Time Card Co., are the best we've seen of the Hollywood icon. Collectors
may do well to buy cases since there is one card per case containing a
genuine, handcrafted and registered diamond.
	
	Q: Will the new football cards be worth buying after last years
fiasco? --R. Vitto, Agoura, Calif.
 A: With the settlement between the NFLPA and NFL Properties all the
players should be in all the sets. There will still be too many football
sets but most cardmakers have gone to one series and scaled back
production. This could actually be a sleeper football season although
many dealers are not buying because they got burned last year. We think
the price may be lower on football sooner than later.
	
 Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.
--
This, and all articles in this news hierarchy are Copyright 1993 by the wire 
service or information provider and licensed to Clarinet Communications 
Corp.  for distribution.  Except for free samples, only paid subscribers 
may access these articles.  Any unauthorized access, reproduction or 
transmission is strictly prohibited.  We will reward the first provider of 
information that helps us stop violators of this copyright.  Send reports 
to reward@clarinet.com.  (Note that while we do like to know about people
who do the odd reposting to USENET without permission, rewards are not
always provided for reports on such postings, since they're usually obvious.)


    

Article 12233 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Fleer football is sold out, Fleer basketball will be and what gets returned will be shredded into little, tiny peices.
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillUR700_3aO@clarinet.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 93 7:49:35 PDT
ACategory: sports
Slugword: brill
Priority: advance
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Brill-iant Ideas: A Sports Collector's Guide
	Dealers and collectors have been waiting with bated breath for the
first basketball product of the 1993-94 season and Fleer is delivering
once again with a new, improved card.
	``I think it's a high-end product at a low-end price,'' said Fleer
spokesman Ted Taylor. ``This sold very quickly, there was a lot of
enthusiasm over it, people liked it and it's essentially a sellout.''
	All classes of packs in the 240-card first series will feature a
special random insert set of Portland star Clyde Drexler (Utah's Karl
Malone will be featured in Fleer Ultra). The cello packs will contain
the always-hot Rookie Sensation inserts.
	The card fronts have extremely large photos with bright, hot colors
highlighting the player's name and team. The card backs are different
but not great. The player's name takes up half the card but is drowned
out by the color. The player gets lost in the confusion and so does the
vertical chart of statistics.
	As is the new trend, Fleer will have a Lottery Exchange card randomly
inserted in Series 1 packs to be mailed in for the key draft picks.
	The 15-card wax packs have a suggested retail of 99 cents, the 29-
card cellos should sell for $1.99 and rack packs featuring 27 cards are
$1.89. Taylor says rack packs could be on their way out because
supermarkets find it easier to run cello packs through their checkout
scanners.
	That would be no great loss since dealers and collectors alike find
them a hassle to display and open.
	In what may be news to some collectors, for years Fleer has taken all
of the leftover product and destroyed it.
	``We don't repackage or resell anything,'' said Taylor. ``To keep the
integrity of the product, we run it through shredders.''
	Fleer has been dumping new product that was returned for a number of
years but learned trash haulers were selling it. People were even
digging the cards out of landfills to turn a quick and dirty buck.
	``For the past three years we've been shredding all of it with some
ending up in people's attics,'' he said. ``The standing joke has been
that Michael Jordan has been insulating attics.''
	On the football front, the regular issue is sold out which is good
news after last year's problems with nearly every company overproducing
and much of it still sitting. Fleer did cut production but Taylor says
it wasn't substantial.
	``This year we produced the right number and it is a nice-looking
card,'' he said. ``Guys were cautious but what they bought sold right
out and when they called back asking for more, we didn't have it to
sell.''
	
	FLEER FLAIR: Fleer joined Topps and Upper Deck in the superpremium
card race and will release Fleer Flair. With thick stock and super
photography, Flair should compete very well. The package is the best by
far. The gold and black wrapped packs look more like cigarette packages
than card holders.
	WILLIAMS: The new Ted Williams baseball cards ship this week and
should be in the hands of collectors next week. I have had more
collectors ask me about this set with two current players than any other
reprint set ever.
	PRICES: What happened to Score? The last time Score had a very hot
football product was 1989 but, according to Beckett Football Monthly,
1993 is right there. The regular-issue set debuted at $18 and Franchise
inserts (28 cards) opened at $100 with the Emmit Smith card at $25. 1993
Playoff is strong with guide prices reflecting collector demand. The set
is $60 and the five card Brett Favre insert set is $100.
	NON-SPORTS: SkyBox is delivering SkyCaps (POGS) tied to the film, 
``Jurassic Park.'' The set features 54 colorful disks. Dealers will
break many cases of the new Marilyn Monroe cards looking for the diamond
in the rough. Each case, sold by Sports Time Card Co., will contain a
handcrafted card with a genuine, registered diamond. Comic Images will
bring Boris Vallejo to Comicfest '93 in Philadelphia this October. The
Boris collection has been a major hit the past three years.
	UNDERWEAR: Packs of Hanes underwear feature magnets with Jordan's
picture while Fruit of the Loom packages for kids will contain Fleer
baseball cards.
	TOPPS: Topps is rolling along with hot products. The cast of
characters in the Traded Baseball Set includes another Mike Piazza card
as well as the Expos' Mike Lansing and scores of young players
unfamiliar to most non-collectors. It looks like a good set. Stadium
Club 3 includes two Barry Bonds' cards. Stadium Club 1 football features
many top-name rookies, including Garrison Hearst and Jerome Bettis.
	Q & A: There are so many different types of cards I am not sure what
to collect. Where should I begin? --R. Waters, Sacramento, Calif.
	Collect what you like and you cannot lose. If it becomes valuable,
you have a bonus. If not, you still have something you enjoy. 
	Send your questions to Bob Brill, Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California, 91340.
	Go to a show today, and have fun with your hobby.
	release at will.
	-upi-


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillUR9a0_3aV@clarinet.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 93 9:00:36 PDT
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                     United Press International
	It was a major week for goalie Tony Meola of the U.S. World Cup team.
He saw his own Upper Deck trading card, met his idol Reggie Jackson and
married Colleen Silver. What was his biggest thrill?
	``Definately meeting Reggie,'' said Meola. ``I could have seen the
card tomorrow.''
	We didn't pose the question of getting married. The interview took
place just three days before the wedding and putting such pressure on
the young man from New Jersey didn't seem fair.
	Meola is in the Upper Deck World Cup set scheduled for release soon
as the world's largest sporting event gets into full swing. Meola
appeared with the rest of the team at a kick-off event in Carlsbad,
Calif.
	Not bad for a kid who grew up hoping to follow his father into
business.
	``I always wanted to be a barber when I was a kid,'' he said.
	Somehow sitting in the stands watching Reggie Jackson hit three
homers in the World Series changed his mind. If things had worked out,
his own first card may have pictured him in Yankee pinstripes.
	He was drafted by New York in 1987 as an outfielder. He went on to
play third base at the University of Virginia. Now he hopes to start for
the U.S. World Cup soccer team.
	Meola thinks Upper Deck may make strides in Europe with its soccer
cards. But he knows it won't be easy.
	``We grow up with cards in America and the Europeans don't but Upper
Deck is hoping it translates into the European market,'' he said. ``I
still think the big market is here.''
	Meola's excitement is apparent when he talks soccer and cards. Asked
if Meola was being groomed as the spokesman, one Upper Deck official
confirmed Meola is a strong possibility.
	Another Upper Deck official says he thinks the world is ready for
soccer cards and while some might call this a one-time issue, Steve
Mitgang doesn't think so.
	``I don't think its a risk for Upper Deck because we firmly believe
this thing is going to be a monster next year,'' said the senior vice
president of Marketing and Sales. ``The World Cup is a big event and
this is a way to get involved with it.''
	Upper Deck is a major player when it comes to promotions and the
company will sponser programs to support the team. Don't forget those
all-important side boards at soccer stadiums. These will insure the
Upper Deck name will be seen by nearly 1 billion people worldwide on
international television.
	Many around the hobby feel that, like the Olympics, this is a one-
time card extravaganza. If any firm can pull it off, Upper Deck can.
	
	DEAD INSERTS: The end of the insert era may be coming. For three
years, chase cards (cards randomly inserted in packs) have been the
hottest thing in the hobby with most asking how long it will last.
Beginning in 1994, Upper Deck will scale back the number of inserts.
Mitgang told UPI the firm is looking to create the next trend but
wouldn't hint what it might be. He would only confirm a change was being
made. ``We absolutely want to cut down on the inserts,'' he said. ``Next
year we're reducing, in all of our products, the number of inserts we're
going to have.''
	
	PRICES: The first Fleer basketball packs hit shows last weekend and
sold for $2 per pack. Bowman baseball debuted at $2 per pack while O-
Pee-Chee Premiere baseball was selling for $1.50 to $2. With only 4,000
boxes of Premier and less than 2,000 for the regular issue, these could
very likely be the sleeper hits of the year. Dealers selling Premier for
$33 a box will be kicking themselves in a few months. 
	
	MINORS: Six months ago UPI reported the Upper Deck minor league set
was the one to watch. Packs are now selling for about $5 with lots of up
arrows in Beckett Future Stars.
	
	FLAIR: The trouble with the new Fleer Flair super premium cards is
they are so thick you want to try to seperate them. They are beautiful
cards as are Topps Finest but it remains to be seen if these thicker,
high tech products are a fad or the wave of the future. It very much
looks to be the latter.
	
	FLEER FINAL: Fleer is offering a 300 card update set called 1993
Final Edition. This is in addition to the first two series. The boxed
set contains 100 rookies plus gold foil inserts and is designed to sell
for $19.95. With Fleers regular issue at 720 cards plus 127 inserts the
total Fleer set is 1147 cards. C'mon guys.
	
	NON-SPORTS: Never a fan of POGS or collectible milk bottle caps, I
must admit I like the latest from SkyBox sold as SkyCaps. The company
inked Jim Lee, one of the hottest artists around. The new series named
after Lee is very sharp. The Deathblow insert, with its silver foil on a
black and purple background is especially attractive. The Batman:
Knightfall issue however is a bit too busy for POGs.
	
	Q & A: When will the new Ted Williams cards be available? --D.
Bronsan, North Hills, Calif.
	They should be on store shelves as you read this column. Shipping
began Friday August 27. I have seen the entire set and will only say it
is a winner. We'll have a full review in next weeks column.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillUR8c6_3S8@clarinet.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 93 8:02:41 PDT
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Slugword: brill
Priority: regular
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                     United Press International
	Trading cards are becoming like computers. Just when you think you've
seen the latest innovation, someone makes it obsolete by debuting the
next generation.
	``In the trading card industry we're going to see more embossing,
debossing, 3-D, texturizing, the use of heat-sensitive inks and all
kinds of stuff,'' said Victor Shaffer, President of Press Pass.
	Press Pass sold out its non-sports Tribe series with insert sets
using specialized high-technology Thermofoil printing. It features
thermographic printing.
	``Thermographic combines normal printing, UV coating and foil
stamping with a heat-sensitive process which raises off the card,'' he
said. ``Thermographic printing adds dimension and texture.''
	Ultraviolet coating and waterless inks really opened the doors the
past two years to make cards so much better.
	The first cards from the Ted Williams Card Co. are barely off the
presses and Chief Operating Officer, Tony Loiacono, is already talking
about revolutionizing the industry.
	``When it comes to the 1994 edition, we will have a product that has
not, and will not, be on the street in 1993,'' he said. ``The trading
card industry has not yet scratched the surface.''
	Loiacono comes from a family of printers and says that industry has a
lot of advanced technology which cardmakers haven't yet tried. Shaffer
agrees the best is yet to come.
	``Collectors and manufacturers alike are looking for the next hot
wave,'' he said. ``It was holograms, then prisms, foil stamping and now
we're all looking to initiate the next wave.''
	Comic Images may have hit paydirt with metal-based Chromium cards.
With the debut of the Conan set, Hank Rose feels a new trend is here. He
now has added hologram technology.
	``We took chromium a step farther to make a holochrome card,'' he
said. ``It combines all the properties of a hologram with chromium.''
	The difficult-to-damage holochrome is etched chemically.
	Now come full circle as Comic Images develops a wooden card.
	It can be argued since all cards start with paper and paper comes
from trees, all cards are therefore wooden. However, this is similar to
balsa wood and used in the Norman Rockwell collection to give the
paintings a woodgrain look.
	``You can get a splinter on the card or even pick your teeth,'' said
Rose.
	Sources indicate another cardmaker has taken the idea and will use it
in a basketball product.
	These aren't exactly 1955 Topps cards and purists aren't thrilled
with all the new stuff. If they could only combine tradition with high
tech.
	``When that happens, then we've got a product,'' said Loiacono.
	Shaffer agrees.
	``The challenge is to combine the new technologies and still not get
away from what this should be which is just the fun of collecting cards,
'' he said.
	
	CALLING CARDS: AmeriVox has a new collectible. Look for telephone
calling cards with Ken Griffey's picture with more players to come.
AmeriVox has also made cards of the Statue of Liberty and Felix the Cat.
Call Diane Polnow at 310-372-7938. Florida State is placing FSU players
on credit cards. Players appear on the front with the Seminoles' team
ensignia while the players statistics are on the back.
	
	PRICES: Fleer basketball cello packs debuted during the Labor Day
weekend and did well at $4 per pack. Will the Shaq rise again as
collectors search for Shaquille O'Neal's first Rookie Sensation insert?
If so, the Shaq and Alonzo Mourning Sensations should approach $50.
Topps 1992-93 hockey boxes are hot. This is the final year for regular
Topps hockey and collectors want those gold cards.
	ACTION ROOKIES: Action Packed has a new design for its Rookie Update
set. First-round picks are in gold, second-round in silver and third-
rounders are bronze. It ships in November with 24-karat gold inserts.
	UPPER DECK: Upper Deck basketball cards will feature two series and
gold as well as silver exchange cards. Series 1 ships this month, series
2 in December. Insert sets include a Michael Jordan/Wilt Chamberlain SP
card, Future Heroes (locker boxes), All NBA Team (jumbos), Jordan Flight
Team (hobby) and the All Rookie Team (retail). Lithograms, the SP card
and the Trade Upper Deck exchange cards will be in all pack categories.
	GOOD TIMES: Johnny Brown, who co-starred in the 1970s sitcom ``Good
Times,'' was a dealer at a Pasadena show. Brown (Nathan Bookman on the
show) is involved with Sportstar Publishing. The big item the big man is
hawking is signed, limited-edition lithographs of former L.A. Lakers.
	NON-SPORTS: ``Return of Superman'' boxes break very well. The box we
opened yielded two sets plus two inserts instead of the stated one
insert per box. The four inserts form a picture of the Man of Steel.
	Q & A: What should I pay for the new Topps Finest cards when they
come out as I am hearing very high prices? --T. King, Barstow, Calif.
	Topps Finest is pre-selling for about $150 per box. Even with only 4,
000 cases of this high tech product, it seems to be too much. Dealers
who have invested a lot may be willing to take older mint-condition star
cards in trade but otherwise expect to pay a lot. It's best to wait and
purchase complete sets from dealers which are usually cheaper.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    


Article 613 of clari.sports.features:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Message-ID: <brillURe2d_3SE@clarinet.com>
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                     United Press International
	Might Clyde ``The Glide'' Drexler become ``Mighty Spidey'' next
season? It's not likely but the smooth-as-silk Portland guard admits he
is a big fan of the man in blue-and-red tights and a big fan of comic
books in general.
	``I have other things but, by far, Spiderman is my favorite,'' said
Drexler, the marquee player on the new Fleer basketball trading cards. 
``I really collect because I like the character of Spiderman.''
	His teammates are unaware so they don't tease him about his love for
Spidey. And, no, he doesn't wear the famous Spider Webs underneath his
jersey.
	``I kind of keep it quiet,'' he said with a laugh. ``I really don't
want them to know.''
	Sorry Clyde, it's too late. You're collecting habits have been
unveiled.
	Always a sports fan, he collected autographs of his favorite player,
Willie Mays.
	``We met many times after the games and he was very gracious,'' said
Drexler. ``He would sign everything.''
	That's a trait Drexler carried over to his own career.
	``My philosophy is simple,'' he said. ``You work very hard to develop
a certain craft and when you finally reach the level of some
respectability and people acknowledge that by asking for your autogrpah,
it's an extreme honor. So I am happy to sign anytime, anywhere.''
	There are exceptions. He knows which ``fans'' are only getting
autographs to sell so he limits them to one signature per night.
	``This one guy has a million autographs and there is a kid who might
be at his only game and he has been waiting forever so you want to get
to him,'' he said.
	The Glide likes the new cards compared to the basketball cards he
collected as a youngster in Houston.
	``I saw too many guys with big afros and other guys who looked like
Elvis with the sideburns,'' laughed the nearly bald Drexler. ``It wasn't
a pretty sight. In fact it was gruesome.''
	When it comes to his own cards he is often amazed at the shots.
	``I think, 'I never thought I made that ugly face when I made that
move, Wow! Was that ugly!''' he said. ``I like to look at the other
guys' cards so I can tease them about their expressions.''
	He remains confident the Trail Blazers can take the whole thing in
the 1993-94 season. The keys, he says, are to stay healthy and get some
help in the middle. It might be one of the few remaining chances for the
31-year-old all star.
	``I would really like to win the championship and this is a dream
that I think could happen this year,'' said Drexler. ``The Blazers have
been so close in the last four years that I just think it's our turn. We
have been so good for so long and now it's our turn to get over the
hump.''
	All that remains is for the Trail Blazers to get the other NBA teams
caught in the spider's web.
	
	PINNACLE: In our recent story concerning new card technology we
failed to mention another player in the game. Pinnacle Brands' ``FX''
printing process, which results in a black-bordered card with great
clarity and a 3-D metal style appearance, is truly unique. Pinnacle is
releasing a boxed set of 48 top sluggers with FX technology. Among the
players are Rookie of the Year candidates Mike Piazza and Tim Salmon.
Only 200,000 sets will be made.
	
	UPPER DECK: Upper Deck's new SP baseball cards are disappointing. The
series is very much like a complete set of regular Upper Deck inserts.
We have come to expect more. The SP inserts are sharp and may be much
harder to get than previous inserts. The box we broke didn't have any.
	
	CLASSIC FLEER: Last year we said the 1963 Fleer baseball set was
undervalued and suggested collectors put the set together because it was
certain to increase in value soon. Then it was valued at $950 in Beckett
Baseball Monthly. The latest issue shows many arrows pointing upward
while the set lists for $1,550. Last weekend at a show in Grand Prairie,
Texas, a dealer had several 1963 Fleer cards in near-mint condition.
Commons were marked $12. He wouldn't budge when I offered to buy two for
my own set for $20.
	
	PRICES: While nearly all the 1993 inserts are dropping, the hot set
of the month is 1991 Fleer Ultra. A score of arrows show the increased
demand. Other issues showing strong activity include all 1992 sets, all
Score sets and last year``s Pinnacle.
	
	NON-SPORTS: Just six months ago, making card sets to fit in nine+page
holders that mirrored the pages of the comic book they were modeled
after was a new innovation. Now nearly every comic card set is designed
in the same way. In January, Press Pass will debut Nelson ``The
Eudaemon'' card set. It will follow the third and final issue of ``The
Eudaemon'' series. The Upper Deck ``Adventures in Toonworld'' set
follows the same pattern and is probably the company``s best effort in
mixing toons and sports.
	
	Q & A: Are the Nolan Ryan cards from Whataburger worth anything? -- W.
Serafini, Grand Prairie, Tex.
	If collectors don't get oversaturated with Ryan-mania during his
final season, every Ryan item has a value. We've seen the cards selling
for anywhere from $1 to $2 and likely more. There are 10 cards in the
set, given away during this fast food promotion.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

    SCD just started running a column by Bob Brill. Same title also.
    
    John

    
    Re: Brill   Different content or the same?

    Kind of the same content, but expanded somewhat with a few additional
    things. I'll have to compare the actual article to what Walt posts.
    
    John
    

Article 13295 of clari.sports.misc:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	The man who owns the rights to the Parkhurst hockey card name took it
to the limit before deciding to sign a five-year deal with Upper Deck
instead of Leaf. The pact ends the most-watched negotiations in recent
hobby history and allows the Parkhurst line to continue with a major
firm.
	``I am a happy guy,'' said Dr. Brian Price. ``It really did go right
down to the wire.''
	Among the most important factors in the decision was something Price
got from Upper Deck that he says he didn't get from Leaf.
	``I got the assurance that Parkhurst was the superpremium brand,
whereas with Leaf it would have been on a par with the Leaf brand or
maybe even their base brand,'' he said.
	Three other factors swung the pendulum in Upper Deck's favor. The
distribution network, hockey experience and the fact that Upper Deck's
plant is on site. This is Leaf's debut hockey season and the company
prints its product away from its headquarters.
	``I went there (to Upper Deck) and had a problem with some of the
insert and subsets so I had some ideas and they were immediately
implemented,'' said Price. ``Upper Deck's ability to do everything in-
house without delay was a big factor.''
	Both cardmakers wanted Parkhurst and both went after it for months,
courting Price at every turn. He praised both. The proof is he really
did not make his final decision until a few days before it was announced
and production deadlines neared.
	``We were greatly disappointed,'' said Leaf spokesman Vince Nauss. 
``Going into the final week there was every indication that likely it
was coming our way.''
	Nauss says Leaf laid out all its cards.
	``In negotiations it always comes down to a number of factors
including money and control and we are especially surprised we did not
get it,'' he said.
	Upper Deck brand manager Paul Sackman went at it tooth and nail.
	``It could have gone either way,'' he said. ``We talked with Brian
for a long time, anywhere from three to five in the morning. It was
something we really wanted so we proceeded hard.''
	Sackman says the key elements in the Parkhurst set will remain,
although gold foil will be added along with larger photographs. The
Emerald Ice inserts will continue.
	An important element is the Parkie reprint insert set which was
started when Pro Set had the rights. Under Upper Deck's control, the
reprints will pick up where Pro Set left off -- card No. 33 -- to keep the
continuity of the set. Along the same line, unless there are legal
entanglements, Parkhurst Parkies will become the first Upper Deck
product without the security hologram on the back. Sackman feels placing
the hologram on the Upper Deck version would upsetting to purists.
	One plus the company dangled in front of Price is Gordie Howe, who is
under contract to Upper Deck. Howe's rookie card (1951-52) will be
included in the reprints issued in Series 1.
	``Gordie Howe wasn't a factor but he was a bonus,'' said Price.
	The company is talking to coach Don Cherry, who was featured in the
Cherry Picks insert set. If he does continue, an insert will be in place
for Series 2. Leaf will issue a Donruss line as its second hockey brand
while Price will have creative input at Upper Deck although he won't
have creative veto.
	He also will continue with his Parkhurst Ice Authentics memorabilia
line.
	FINEST: The Topps Finest phenomenon continues with packs of the
latest superpremium card selling for $15. Collectors putting together a
set should be careful because the cards do scratch easily. Fleer Flair
also debuted last weekend.
	PRICES: Upper Deck inserts debuted strong according to Beckett
Football Monthly. America's Team featuring Dallas players opened at $75
while the Future Heroes set is $50. Emmitt Smith tops both. 1993 Playoff
looks strong while 1992 Bowman singles continue to rise. The big
surprise is the Stadium Club Team cards which could bring prizes to
those who hold them if those teams win big. Cards for the Cowboys and
the 49ers opened at $70 each.
	DONRUSS ELITE: Leaf has found a way to sell those leftover Donruss 1
baseball boxes by repackaging them with a new giant insert. Sealed in
hard plastic and designed to sell at Wal-Mart and other outlets, Donruss
1 boxes have been placed into another box which contains a large Elite
card. The Elite series mirrors the 18 regular Elite cards although Frank
Thomas and Nolan Ryan were added.
	NON-SPORTS: Despite the hobby's less-than-enthusiastic reaction to
Plasm, the follow up Splatterball 1 Preview Set has sold out. Jim
Shooter's Defiant comic company issued only 48,000 sets. Plasm was
expected to take the industry by storm and while it did well enough, it
didn't cause the expected excitement. SkyBox continues to pound out
quality non-sports sets with regularity. The latest are Snow White and
the Star Trek Master Series.
	Q & A: If you were to buy a set of 1993 baseball cards, which do
consider the best on the market? --L. Jackson, Kingsport, Tenn.
	The best-looking sets are the regular issue of Upper Deck and Leaf.
Both are upgrades from previous years. The most valuable sets will be
Topps Finest and Fleer Flair.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 617 of clari.sports.features:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
Message-ID: <brillUR7c_3O5@clarinet.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 93 6:53:31 PDT
ACategory: sports
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                     United Press International
	The advertisements read: ``The Bible & Jesus, The Best Double Play
Combination Available.'' The latest trading cards indeed answer to a
higher authority as Michael Ross, a consumer advocate from Sacramento,
Calif., has created ``The Bible Card Collection.''
	``The fastest-growing trend today in the hobby is adult (girlie)
cards and there is nothing on the other side,'' Ross said. ``If you have
a Rush Limbaugh you must have a Howard Stern.''
	Ross, who ran a Jewish newspaper called ``The Shofar,'' formed a
panel of Jews and Christians to write the text on each card.
	``It doesn't put a slant that you have to be Jewish to know about
Moses but rather it is educational so Christians can get a better
understanding and vice-versa,'' he said. ``A lot of Jewish people know a
little about Jesus but they don't understand.''
	The 36-year-old reform Jew says it has been educational for him.
	``I gained full understanding of what Christians are talking about
although I don't believe it,'' said Ross.
	He wanted to produce these cards for a long time but couldn't find
pictures he felt went with bible verses. A year ago someone came to him
with slides of paintings showing biblical themes. It was the fit he was
looking for.
	The cards will be sold in $1.50 packs. There will be 1200 cards
available but factory sets will only contain 800. The current plan calls
for eight series in five languages.
	There are 20 subsets such as ``Men of the Bible'' and holograms.
Randomly inserted ``10 Commandment'' cards could win collectors a trip
to the Holy Land.
	The time may be right for biblical trading cards. San Antonio Spurs
star David Robinson broached the idea in Chicago when he was introduced
as the spokesman for SkyBox. Most thought Robinson, a born-again
Christian, was joking but when approached later the Admiral insisted he
wasn't.
	``I don't know much about the card business but I am serious about
biblical cards,'' said Robinson. ``It would positive for kids.''
	Ross admits not all of his friends are thrilled.
	``My friends the rabbis, not my spiritual leader the rabbi, like the
concept but they don't like the Jesus aspect,'' he said. ``The first and
most important principle however is to educate.''
	He believes his association with the Christian members of the panel
has led him to a greater understanding.
	``I don't believe Jesus walked on water but I do believe he was a
person who had one of the most tremendous impacts in the history of the
world and I had better understand it because I live in the culture,'' he
said. ``If my friends the rabbis can't appreciate that, then they
shouldn't be rabbis.''
	Among those who back him are Bishop Francis Quinn of Sacramento and
Assembly of God minister Glen Cole.
	Like the ads say, ``Supervised by a higher authority, we are raising
card collecting to a new level.''
	Amen.
	
	HOT PACKS: Topps Finest is up to $16 per pack. Many dealers sell
commons for about $1 to collectors so make an offer on a bunch of
commons. With enough commons in hand, buying a few packs to corner the
stars could prove to be an economical way to complete a set. Fleer Flair
debuted at $5 per pack but was seen at $3.50. Direct cost is about $60
but boxes have gone as low as $80. Now is the time to buy because within
a few months this should take off. Upper Deck Basketball arrived and
sold well as did Leaf Hockey which opened at $2.50 a pack. Hoops 1 is
selling briskly at $1 per pack. Lottery Redemption cards should pop up
once in every 10 boxes. We had reports of some cases yielding four while
others had none. The one-per-pack gold insert cards are helping.
	PRICES: Beckett Hockey Monthly indicates Score hockey inserts are
hot. The 24-card Franchise set and the 24-card Dream Team insert set are
both at $200. 1992-93 Bowman is still rising while there seems to be
renewed interest in Eric Lindross cards. Older sets showing activity
include anything with the O-Pee-Chee name. Mario Lemieux's rookie card
is up to $450.
	TOPPS 1994: The quality of the 1994 baseball cards (preview cards) is
 certainly impressive. It is Topps best regular-issue yet. The one
drawback is the 1994 design places a border inside the standard white
border which cuts the size of the photo. It reduces some action shots,
including those of George Brett and Carlos Quintana. The photo on the
back is a nice touch.
	ADD TOPPS: Traded sets feature Mike Piazza who will be named NL
Rookie of the Year. He's even on the box.
	ULTRA FOOTBALL: For the first time, Fleer Ultra football may be a
winner. The previews look good. Ultra football has been the only less-
than-steller product Fleer produced the past two years.
	NON-SPORTS: Barbie Fashion Play cards have arrived. The flip-style
cards allow children to change Barbie's outfits and come with additional
cards and stickers. Sex sells. The latest Classic ads featuring
exclusive signee and female hockey player Manon Rheaume dress the
Canadian beauty in ``street'' clothes -- black leather and western boots.
The ads read, ``Hockey has never been this hot.'' Pinnacle meanwhile is
releasing a set of Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader cards.
	Q & A: Are 1990 Bowman baseball sets worth buying? --F. Inouye,
Riverside, Calif.
	With rookie cards featuring Frank Thomas, Juan Gonzalez and John
Olerud, this set is underpriced at $16.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 618 of clari.sports.features:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	Monday Night Football has brought a lot of joy and heartache to fans
over the years.
	It has become a part of Americana and indeed is a phrase unto itself
in the English language as spoken in the New World. Now Action Packed
has designed a card set specifically to help Americans, wherever they
are, enjoy the game which helped revolutionize prime time television.
	``We feel our ABC's Monday Night Football card really breaks new
ground,'' said Mel Ehrenreich, vice president of marketing for Action
Packed. ``It is a card the collector can refer to while watching to get
an instant frame of reference for the game in front of them.''
	For instance, this coming week, viewers will see the game between the
Raiders and the Broncos. The four cards designed for this game feature
Tim Brown and Howie Long of Los Angeles plus Denver's Steve Atwater and
Karl Mecklenburg. Each card back tells how the individual player has
done on previous Monday night games.
	The card fronts are in a horizontal format -- a first for Action
Packed. With black borders, the player looks like he is coming out of a
television from a solid gold background. The company has come up with a
very nice package.
	It is also nice to see cards developed for something other than the
monthly price guides. This set will not become a hot set but is rather
niche marketing at its finest. Action Packed has always filled a niche
but offering a niche within that niche is a good touch.
	``We think people will really get excited about the Monday Night
Football issue,'' said Ehrenreich. ``It compliments our 1993 football
series perfectly because of its new design and we hope it will bring
some of the Monday fans into the football card market.''
	It should bring the Gifford family into the fold. All three Monday
Night announcers have cards. Frank Gifford, whose regular Topps and
Bowman cards are very popular, is featured carrying the ball in his
familiar No. 16. Dan Dierdorf is in his Cardinal red and white wearing
No. 72 and non-player Al Michaels sits behind the Super Bowl trophy in a
business suit.
	Action Packed should not be blamed for the pitfalls of pro football.
Miami fans who tune into the Dec. 27 game against the Chargers may think
of what might have been. The card picturing Dan Marino is useless.
Marino is out for the year with an injury.
	The set is one of the first to show Joe Montana in a full-fledged
Kansas City uniform. The 81 cards are sold only in packs, not in sets.
	Now collectors have something else to enjoy with their chili and beer
while watching the masters of Monday Night do battle.
	PINNACLE: Dealers who opened the Pinnacle Home Run Club sets and sold
the singles quickly learned they could made some good money. The cards
are beautiful and half a dozen cards sell in the $10 to $15 range with
ease. Mike Piazza, Tim Salmon, Frank Thomas, Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey
and Juan Gonzalez make up just a few of the 48 cards in the set, which
sells for about $30.
	PRICES: Beckett Baseball Monthly made a lot of dealers and collectors
happy by adding O-Pee-Chee and O-Pee-Chee Premier to the latest issue.
While Premier debuted at $20 per set, the regular issue opened at a
whopping $90 which should send boxes upward. There were only 1900 cases
made and that is extremely low. Previous O-Pee-Chee issues were also
added. Topps Finest is $450 for the 200 cards and, as expected, commons
run $1. Frank Thomas and Mike Piazza top the list at $40 each.
Collectors have finally caught on to the idea that there won't be any
factory sets for Fleer, Donrus and Score so singles for those sets are
heading up as the search is on to complete hand-collated sets.
	HOOPS: After opening at about $24 a box, Hoops 1 is taking off.
Within a week after it debuted, it was selling for about $33 and should
hit near $50 by the end of the month. Collectors are chasing the gold
cards and the Lottery Redemption Card. Upper Deck also opened well and
is slowly climbing.
	UPPER DECK FOOTBALL: If you liked last year's Pro Bowl inserts, wait
until you see what is in store for this year. This is probably the best-
ever insert Upper Deck has produced. The company calls the process 
``Electric.'' We call it beautiful. It has surpassed full-color
holographic cards and a second photo of the player is inset in a box.
When collectors see this, the real chase will be on.
	NON-SPORTS: Demolition Man cards may have some success in the United
States but they should do very well overseas. The new SkyBox product is
based on the movie and features Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes.
Elvis fans unite. The River Group is releasing a boxed set of the Elvis
collection. It features all 660 cards. Long live the king!
	Q & A: How strong will the 1993 Fleer Update set be? --R. Vitto, Los
Angeles, Calif.
	It could be very strong considering there are 310 cards which are
mostly rookies. That number by itself indicates it could be a great
long-run set. Only a pair of good rookies are needed to drive a set up.
However, since it was designed for the mass retail market, chances are
there will be a lot of sets available.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

Article 621 of clari.sports.features:
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
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Date: Wed, 3 Nov 93 3:02:05 EST
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                     United Press International
	The day has finally arrived when two Elsie cards are worth one
Bossie, unless she goes free agent and signs with a New York team. Then
she could go up in value. After all, there's a lot more media exposure
in New York but Bossie might not perform so well under the pressue.
	If you haven't quite figured out what we're talking about yet, read
on. While kids around the country are scooping up Mike Piazza and Tim
Salmon cards, youngsters and adults at the recent World Dairy Expo in
Madison, Wis., were collecting cow cards. That's right -- cow cards.
	``I was sitting in my office before chores one day looking through
some old magazines and the thought just hit me,'' said Wayne Fuchs,
founder of Cattle-Lyne cards. ``I thought it would be a good way to
promote the dairy industry and give kids a new way of collecting animal
paraphernalia.''
	Slightly larger than traditional trading cards, cow cards sold like
hotcakes or should we say ``real creamery butter.''
	``People were putting sets together right in front of us,'' said
Fuchs. ``Kids were buying and trading for the cards they needed. It was
a dream come true.''
	Just like Topps Finest baseball, there are six cards per pack. There
are,however, only 28 cards per set and the packs sell for $2.
	Fuchs is a dairy farmer who owns 22 milk cows and 300 acres near the
small town of Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. He raises corn and alfalfa as
well as dairy cows.
	``I heard about the Serial Killer cards and was appalled,'' he said.
``Since I have two kids, I thought I'd do something typically Canadian
and make wholesome cow cards.''
	While kids did buy them, Fuchs was really pleased with the response
from adults.
	``We expected rural kids would be the most interested but we had the
greatest response from people in the 25-40 age group,'' he said. 
``Mainly people who grew up on the farm, left for economic reasons, and
still have a genuine love for the dairy animal.''
	His rookie card is a junior calf named M.E. Jackie who also has an
all-star card as a 3-year-old. There is a subset of all-stars, including
a dam and two daughters or a momma cow and her kids.
	As you might expect, each cardback has a dictionary of terms since
most of us, unless we were raised on a farm, don't understand the
terminology.
	In the future, Fuchs hopes to place his favorite cow on a card.
Cheryl-Lee is a 6-year-old Holstein who has a ``very good'' body score
and is home bred. Fuchs decided not to put her in the first series,
preferring instead to use neighborhood cows which were champions.
	Cattle receive the award at the World Dairy Expo. Nearly 75,000
people turned out for the event and with that many people it figures
there would be a few buyers.
	Only 10,000 sets were made of the first series. Fuchs and his
partner, Rick Derksen, a local printer, hope to have a second series out
by Christmas. Fuchs says he will never run out of material.
	``It is literally unlimited,'' he said. ``With hockey and football
there is always a limit. But with my girls there is always another sub-
set about to be produced. I'm the coach, the girls in the barn make up
my team and while this season is over there are more on the way.''
	He hopes to do other breeds including Gurnsey, Jersey and Brown
Swiss. Fuchs even wants to do a comic series with funny farm animals.
	``First it was a big joke but I was glad to hear that laughter
because it made me realize it could be fun,'' he said. ``Everyone
giggled but now they are all behind me.''
                               ------
	TED WILLIAMS: The Ted Williams Card Company is printing a football
set similar to its successful baseball series. It features Hall of
Famers as well as some other favorites. We cannot release the name of
the featured player at this time but we will say his nickname is the
same as a California baseball team. Expect the cards after the first of
the year.
	PRICES: Beckett Hockey Monthly shows a strong debut for all the Fleer
Ultra insert sets while Leaf Set came out at a strong $33. 1992-93
Bowman is finally dropping. The product went up to a price collectors
couldn't afford. Dealers who bought at a reasonable price decided to
drop the price to turn some cash. Thus, the price began dropping and now
collectors who want it can afford it. Older cards showing increased
activity include most 1987-89 sets.
	TOPPS: Topps basketball should hit this week. Expect to pay 75 cents
to $1 per pack at the start. If it is higher, pass. The cards are very
nice but they will come down. Stadium Club should be very hot this year.
	NON-SPORTS: The Federal Card Company has released its ``Wanted By
FBI'' cards featuring suspects in federal crimes. These are not serial
killer cards but more like Wanted Posters you would see at the U.S. Post
Office. Insert cards include a target similar to those used by the FBI.
	Q & A: Is the trading card industry still in a slump? --K. Levine,
Torrance, Calif.
	Some experts believe the hobby topped out in the late 1980s with the
slump beginning in 1990 with overproduction. The industry is coming out
of the slump although it has been a slow and painful process.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.
--
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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
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Date: Thu, 11 Nov 93 0:09:47 EST
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                     United Press International
	It might seem ironic but the company that started the premium card
trend is hoping to lead the surge back to less-expensive trading cards.
Upper Deck is putting lots of stock in Collector's Choice, with a
suggested retail of 99 cents per pack.
	``This will be the biggest promotion this company has ever done in
its history,'' said baseball brand manager Mark Christenson. ``We want
to put the fun back into the hobby and Collector's Choice is designed
for that purpose. It is our lead product for '94.''
	The new line will be the least-expensive Upper Deck product and will
incorporate some interesting ideas. The biggest allows one lucky winner
a chance to have his or her own Collector's Choice card in 1995. The
fortunate soul will appear with Mariners' outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. on
that card.
	Research has shown that while some collectors are chasing
superpremium cards such as Fleer Flair, Upper Deck SP and Topps Finest,
the industry is flat.
	``We need to improve retail performance and stop the erosion,'' said
Steve Mitgang, vice president in charge of sales and marketing. ``There
is still some softness in the market and we need to bring in new
consumers.''
	Collector's Choice targets the retail trade. The idea is to get more
kids involved by returning to the days of buying cards at the corner
grocery store. One challenge will be to stop the convenience stores from
charging more than suggested retail. Fleer found the 99-cent price point
isn't all that important and is raising the price on the base brand to
$1.29.
	``Our research showed there wasn't much of a difference between 99
cents and $1.29,'' said Ted Taylor, Director of Hobby Relations for
Fleer. ``The major retailers were charging $1.19 for products we had at
a suggested retail of 99 cents anyway.''
	It shows how far trading cards have come. When Upper Deck debuted in
1989 packs were selling for the unheard-of price of $1. Today that same
dollar is considered ``low end.''
	Collector's Choice is similar to the regular Upper Deck issue. It
becomes the company's fourth major league baseball line. Fun Packs will
continue and SP (super premium brand) will return in an improved form.
The question remains, do collectors really want another card?
	``It is just too much,'' said Tony Quinzio, who owns a small shop in
California. ``Someday these companies will wake up and realize there are
just too many choices and too many products.''
	The new brand should renew interest in opening packs for fun. Each of
the 1 million boxes will contain an instant-win card. The grand prize is
your own card with Griffey. But wait. There's more -- from clothing to
managing the Heroes of Baseball before the All-Star game in Pittsburgh
next summer.
	Series 1 (320) cards will be released later this month with Series 2
due next spring. One silver signature card will be included in each pack
unless a gold signature is inside. There will be one gold signature pack
per box.
	The plan calls for Collector's Choice to expand to the other sports
as well.
	FINEST BASKETBALL: The NBA approved Topps' request to produce Finest
basketball which will debut in April. Approval was expected but the
numbers were not. Reliable sources tell UPI up to 8,000 cases will be
made. Look for the same from Topps Finest football. Sources suggest
Topps' officials realized a limit of 4,000 cases, as with baseball, was
probably too low.
	FLAIR: Fleer did not seek to produce Flair basketball. Jam Session
basketball was already in the works. Jam Session is a taller card the
NBA likes very much.
	ARCHIVES: Topps will finally print the 1954 Archives set featuring
Hank Aaron's rookie card. Look for it in February.
	UDA LEMIEUX: If you tried to purchase a blow-up of the Upper Deck
card featuring Mario Lemieux and got a letter saying the order couldn't
be filled, here is why: The new management at Upper Deck Authenticated
says previous management ordered the catalogue offering the larger cards
before a deal with Lemieux was sealed. His agent wasn't happy and in the
closing days, the deal fell through. The cards won't be offered. Lemieux
is currently the spokesman for Leaf. Those who ordered the card were
offered a 10-percent discount on another item or their money back.
	PRICES: Beckett Baseball Monthly showed a disturbing trend. There
were many down arrows on older cards. Possible explanation: At most
neighborhood shows and shops, dealers sell below the Beckett price
because collectors don't usually buy at ``book.'' The guide reflects
actual transactions. So if the guide says an item is $20 and dealers
sell it for $18, then the following month's guide should record the
downward trend. If dealers held the line, eventually it would help
consumers and merchants. Economics 101.
	NON-SPORTS: SkyBox debuted ``The Nightmare Before Christmas'' cards
which are disappointing. The cards are bland. The pictures don't
translate well to trading cards.
	Q & A: How limited is Score Select Traded? --R. Green, Los Angeles,
Calif.
	With only 1,950 cases, it should do well. It was sold out before the
company's deadline
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

    
> actual transactions. So if the guide says an item is $20 and dealers
> sell it for $18, then the following month's guide should record the
> downward trend. If dealers held the line, eventually it would help
> consumers and merchants. Economics 101.
    
    What drugs is this guy on?   Heaven forbid the price guide reflect
    actual prices ... and how is it to my advantage as a COLLECTOR that
    prices remain artifically high!
    
    Greg (econmics 101, 102, 311, 312, 333, 512, and MBA)
                                    
                                            

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	If you want Utah Jazz great Karl Malone to sign a basketball card, it
better be a Fleer product. The new spokesman for Fleer Ultra trading
cards says now that he's on board, Malonee will sign only Fleer cards.
	``When I make a commitment with a company, I make a full commitment,''
said Malone. ``I tell everyone I won't sign anything but Fleer cards.''
	Malone has taken a hard look at the autograph industry and taken a
hard stance in response. He doesn't like signing photos and goes the
extra mile to make sure autograph seekers aren't autograph sellers.
	``It was an honor for me when a little kid would bring a paper bag
and ask me to sign it but now I only sign items to that person,'' said 
``the Mailman''. ``If I can't sign it 'to John' or 'to Rob', I won't
sign it.''
	Malone loves to autograph items he feels will be difficult to sell.
There are those who say multimillion-dollar players shouldn't begrudge
those who make requests. Often those seeking the signature are the most
rude.
	``Now they bring a special pen for me to sign, they tell you not to
touch the face on the card, you have to hold it on the side,'' he said.
``The fun has been taken away from it.''
	As for requests by mail, the Mailman delivers. However, if you send
something, be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. He
gets between 600 and 1,000 mail requests each week.
	``If you don't send a SASE you just added to the Karl Malone
collection and I even keep the pen,'' said Malone. ``Everyone who writes
asking for an autograph will get one, usually an item I sign for L.A.
Gear.''
	He's under contract with the shoemaker.
	He won't talk about the strangest thing he's been asked to sign.
	``Let's put it this way: I was in trouble when I was asked to hold
it,'' he laughed.
	His best autograph moment came at a Garth Brooks concert. Brooks is
his favorite singer and the two stars swapped signed jerseys. He flipped
when Brooks wore his number on stage.
	Opponents don't have much fun trying to stop the Malone on the court.
But off the job, he's a fun guy. The NBA all-star continues to play well
and figures the Jazz will be in the thick of things come playoff time.
Catching Houston may be a problem after the Rockets rolled off 14
straight wins to start the season.
	``They are in a zone, no doubt about it,'' he said. ``I just wish we
would get in that zone. Everyone wants to get into that zone.''
	Malone owns a trucking company. He's loved trucks since his childhood
and collects toy trucks. He drives as often as he gets the chance. That
is, when he's not tending to his cattle ranch. While he wants to get
involved in land development, his secret desire is to act.
	``I want to do an action picture with Clint Eastwood, Charles
Bronson, Robert Redford and Arnold Schwarzenegger,'' he laughs.
	He is as serious about that as he is about the new card set.
	Fleer Ultra is improved and there is more gold foil stamping. The
200-card basic set lists 14 first-round picks and a full line of insert
sets.
	DONRUSS: Leaf upgraded the 1994 Donruss line, which should be on the
streets within days. It will be a real hit since production has been cut
to about half of last year's run. Only 17,500 (20-box) cases are
available, which is the lowest Donruss run since 1985. Donruss Hockey
will be limited to just 10,000 cases.
	SELECT: Score Select Rookie and Traded opened at $10 a pack. There
were only 1,950 cases produced and Pinnacle CEO Jerry Meyer admits it
was a mistake. ``We put $4.5 million worth of profit in this deal into
the hobby. Not by design. I assure you we didn't make any money at 1,950
cases. I had no idea it would sell. It disturbs me greatly (dealers
charging $10 per pack) and yes I messed up. Would I do it differently
next time? You bet I would.''
	STADIUM BASKETBALL: Stadium Club Basketball continues to heat up,
reaching the $70-a-box range and difficult to find.
	PRICES: The latest Beckett Hockey Monthly showed most new products
going down with the exception of Score inserts which are rising. Upper
Deck debuted at $25 for the set but should drop since the price on
nearly all hockey boxes has fallen through the floor. Upper Deck boxes
are selling for as low as $25. Cost was $27. Topps Premier has been seen
at $17 and Stadium Club at $25. It is a great time to buy. Last year's
Topps remains strong and most older Parkhurst issues have gained ground.
	NON-SPORTS: Pacific reports a near sellout of its 500 cases of
Gunsmoke. The cards are sharp and follow other classic Pacific sets
featuring postwar television shows. ``I Love Lucy'' was a major hit. Top
man Marty Cramer reports a sellout in football while 27 percent of the
1994 bilingual baseball has been sold.
	Q & A: Are promo cards worth anything? --M. Lopez, Whittier, Calif.
	Promo cards are usually given out, as the name implies, to promote
the product. A company will produce a lot of them, which limits their
value. A few promotional cards are worth big money, especially if they
are stars. Generally promo cards are hot when they come out but not
afterwards. If you like them, collect them for fun. As an investment,
their value is limited.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	Class breeds class -- which is exactly what happened as Roger Staubach
joined Ted Williams for a new football card venture. Hall of Famer and
all-around good guy, the former Cowboys quarterback is the headliner in
the latest project by the Ted Williams Card Co.: ``Roger Staubach's NFL
Football.'' It is a legends-of-football set.
	``The idea of using me was a nice honor because I'm sure they talked
about a number of players,'' said Staubach. ``The only fear I had was I
didn't want to pick who was the best.''
	The Heisman trophy winner, who took Dallas to several Super Bowls,
now heads The Roger Staubach Co. His real estate firm has offices in 11
cities. Staubach was an outstanding baseball player during his college
days at Navy and is excited about the Williams' team.
	``I love baseball and Ted Williams is phenomenal,'' said Staubach. 
``I think this football set will be done in a class way. It will be a
special deal.''
	Staubach heads a nice array of players in the 130-card set. Similar
to what the company did with its debut baseball cards, it features
retired players and a couple of yet-to-be-named active players.
	The shots we've seen are magnificent. The card of linebacker Sam
Huff, mud splattering his face and turf lurching from his helmet, shows
the game in the trenches. A double shot of Vince Lombardi is touching
and the scowl of a toothless Jack Lambert shows the Steelers great at
his most tenacious.
	``This is special stuff because it smells like football,'' said TWCC
president Brian Interland. ``When it comes to Staubach, Roger stood for
what Ted Williams stood for. They were both heroes on and off the field.
''
	The cards will be distributed in much the same way as the baseball
product. There will be boxes going to retail and hobby outlets, each
with separate insert cards. Jumbos packs are also part of the plan and
will feature special Walter Payton cards. Chief Financial Officer Tony
Loiacono won't confirm it but autographed cards are expected.
	``There are always surprises in our packs,'' he said.
	One surprise is a randomly inserted card of an NBA great, yet to be
named. Another plus is the one-per-case Trade For Roger Set. A nine-card
package will be offered to those who find the special card.
	The checklist is still being finalized but this is something fathers
and sons can enjoy together. Look for it shortly before the Super Bowl.
	The baseball set was well received and this, too, should do well.
With the company pursuing both NHL and NBA licenses there is a good
chance we will see more of the same in the future. The 1994 baseball set
is due out in March. Dealing with all of this, Interland still looks at
the project in a loving way alongside his longtime friend and boyhood
idol, Ted Williams.
	``Our fantasy is be be known as total baseball,'' said Interland. 
``Our niche is set in stone in that we want to recognize the great
players who have played the game of baseball.''
	They have done that and more.
	COLLATION CORNER: It is very difficult to get a set from a box of
Topps Premier hockey. The average box seems to be yield 80-percent of a
set.
	STADIUM BASKETBALL: Stadium Club Basketball hit the streets at nearly
$50 a box and rising.
	PRICES: The latest Beckett Football Monthly showed Upper Deck
America's Team and Pro Bowl inserts are going up. The Stadium Club Super
Team cards remain hot. Dallas jumped to $90. Score products continue to
rise. Last year we said that due to a short run, 1992 Pro Set football
was a good buy and a possible bargain for the future. Currently 32 of
the singles are going up in price. An older set showing lots of activity
is 1955 Bowman.
	NOLAN: Topps did a nice job with Topps Magazine. The latest issue
features Nolan Ryan on the cover and a giant blowup of his 1968 rookie
card inside. The Hamilton Collection is offering a Ryan plate.
	FLEER: Fleer 1994 baseball will be on store shelves soon and the card
is sharp with a great team logo in one corner surrounded by gold foil.
The cardback has a huge photo. It is a throwback to better days although
the UV coating on both sides is a modern day must. This is a collectible
set. Twelve insert sets in the first series may be over doing it. AL
Rookie of the Year Tim Salmon is the featured Signature Series player.
	NON-SPORTS: A box of Dark Dominion will easily yield one set. Two
boxes may offer up four if you are fortunate. Look for two inserts per
box. This Defiant project looks better than Plasm. It too comes with an
album. The problem with the Dominion album is the buttons which hold the
card sheets. It seperates the album and if it is not centered could
slightly damage the cards. Comic Images is bringing back Japanese artist
Hajime Sorayama with Chromium Creatures II. The inserts are extremely
tight on this one. Look for one insert set per case plus uncut and mini-
sheets. This could be hot stuff.
	Q & A: I got more than one gold card per pack in Topps Premier
hockey. Is my box special? --T. Kelly, Santa Barbara, Calif.
	These boxes seem to be loaded. We've heard the same report
consistently. A box of 36 packs we broke gave up 46 gold cards instead
of the one-per-pack as expected.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	A new design, a huge cut in production and a full run of inserts has
brought Donruss back into the fold for 1994. Donruss, traditionally the
first baseball card out of the chute, is already causing quite a stir.
Boxes are being gobbled up by collectors, in turn is driving the product
on the secondary market. During the past week boxes rose from $42 to $49
at shows. Packs are selling for $1.50. Suggested retail is $1.49.
	``We've upgraded the product to more of what collectors seem to want,
'' said Vince Nauss, Director of Hobby Card Development for
Leaf/Donruss. ``We've gone to full-bleed photos, UV coating on both
sides and lots of gold foil.''
	The card design is very sharp but more importantly Donruss announced
the print run. Only 17,500 cases of each series, which is very low.
	``For several months we considered the issue of announcing print
runs,'' said Nauss. ``Dealers and collectors are confused by words such
as 'limited' and we believe it is time for a major card company to show
leadership and quantify the term.''
	A reliable source tells UPI the 17,500 cases is about half of what
was produced last year. Despite the large number of new baseball
products, the market can handle a lower print run like this. So far it
is popular.
	``It sold so fast I didn't even get a chance to open a pack,'' said
Dave Bronsan of Sweet Deal, a Southern California wholesale outlet. ``I
usually open a box of everything that comes in but not this stuff. It
flew out of here. I can't get enough of it.''
	There are 330 cards in Series 1 and inserts are plentiful. A special
treat is a 10-year anniversary insert which features selected reprints
of the popular 1984 Donruss cards. Diamond Kings return as do the Elite
and Spirit of the Game inserts. New, is a 100-card Special Edition set
featuring gold embossing. It has the top 100 players in the game.
	Several oversized cards are also inserted at the rate of one per box.
There are 10,000 of each Diamond King, Dominator and other large cards.
Diamond Kings will be in boxes designed for the retail trade while
Dominators (key players in the 1990s) will be inserted in boxes sent to
hobby dealers.
	This could be the year Donruss makes a major dent in the hobby.
	PRICES: It is finally happening, although it has taken a long time.
The latest Beckett Baseball Monthly shows 1992 Bowman dropping like a
rock. The set is down to $325 and there are scores of downward arrows
indicating falling prices. More than likely dealers who have been
sitting on the product have finally started blowing it out at discount
prices. The 1993 Bowman singles are starting to fall. Upper Deck Fun
Pack singles continue to rise while regular issue inserts are falling.
The only new cards consistently on the rise have been Topps Finest.
However, show dealers are beginning to discount them, which means during
the next month prices should begin to fall in the guides. Older sets
showing activity include 1985 Donruss, 1963 Fleer and 1960 Leaf. There
is little activity for anything from 1986-1991.
	SKYBOX BASKETBALL: I had a good look at the inserts from this really
great product and was impressed. The Center Stage insert set with its
silver-glitter embossing is hot but so are the Shaq Talk cards. It is
nice to see Shaquille O'Neal doing something besides dunking. There are
five cards in the set. Kudos to SkyBox for only using one shot of O'Neal
dunking the ball. While most of the DP (Draft Pick) cards are similar to
last year with photos of players on draft day, three are much better.
SkyBox used double-image shots with the players in uniform. Featured are
George Lynch, Rex Walters and Ervin Johnson. It is good stuff.
	SCORE: Pinnacle Brands reports a complete sell out of 1994 Score
baseball, hobby cases. The Series 1 sell-out was the quickest ever by a
mainstream Score product. Series 2 is expected to do as well. The retail
product, delivered primarily to chain store outlets, also is selling
well.
	STAUBACH: The Ted Williams Company ``Roger Staubach'' football series
looks great. We were impressed by the prototypes. The cards should be
out in about a month.
	NFL BIG: The NFL and the Players Association granted a license to
Press Pass to produce and market Photo Boards. The 10``x14'' cards begin
with shots of the 1994 Conference title games and go through the Super
Bowl.
	BLOOMINGDALE'S: If you have an extra $150 to spend this Christmas you
might try Bloomingdale's in South Florida. Purchasing $150 worth of
Upper Deck Authenticated merchandise affords you the chance to also buy
tickets to an exclusive party with Dolphin's QB Dan Marino. The party
takes place Dec. 21.
	Q & A: Will Topps feature BlackGold cards again in the 1994 baseball?
--J. Badger, Newberry Park, Calif.
	Topps returns with the BlackGold Series despite collectors' lack of
respect for the insert in 1993. The card has been redesigned and will
feature a special gold refractory foil exclusive to Topps.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	The greats of horse racing, both human and equine, are featured in a
new trading card set covering the first 100 years of the Daily Racing
Form. Horse Star Cards, Daily Racing Form and Caesars Atlantic City put
the project together. One hundred of the 110 cards show headlines and
photos highlighting the top event in the sport for each year. It will
sell well to a growing horse racing/collector group.
	``This is an area of growth since 56 million people go to the races
each year,'' said John Ball, president of Horse Star Cards. ``Racing is
underappreciated and undermarketed. It does have a fan base that exceeds
Major League Baseball.''
	Horse Star also is celebrating an anniversary. The company is
completing its fifth year in the trading card industry. Each year Ball's
firm makes packs, boxes and sets featuring jockeys. This ``100 Years of
Racing'' set, however, is a unique project.
	It is being sold only in a colorful collector tin for $25. The cards
were written by award-winning racing journalist Joe Hirsch whose column
has been a staple in the industry. He received the Eclipse Award for
outstanding turf writing in 1978.
	These cards fall into line with what Ball has tried to do from the
start. A long-time fan of the ponies, he's worked to educate both the
racing and the non-racing public. The extra 10 cards discuss racing's
key organizations. Included are the Breeders' Cup, the American Horse
Council, Jockey Club and the National Museum of Racing. 
	``Racing fans may be narrow in their exposure to trading cards but
they are being educated,'' he said. ``The 10-card subset dealing with
these organizations is a way for us to educate people as to what these
entities do.''
	Royalties benefit the Joe Hirsch Speaker's Forum at the University of
Arizona Racetrack Industry Program, in Tucson.
	PRICES: The latest Beckett Basketball Monthly features a sharp cover
which should be collectible. It offers a battle of the ages and asks who
would win. There is a colorful photo of Charles Barkley next to a black
and white shot of Julius Erving. A companion article compares players of
today with greats of yesteryear. The price guide says both Stadium Club
and SkyBox debuted on the high side. A set of Fleer Ultra, on the other
hand, started at only $20. Of the three, only Stadium Club inserts were
super strong. The Shaquille O'Neal Beam Team insert is $75 while
O'Neal's First Day Production card is $300. Boxes of SkyBox are selling
for about $40 at shows around the country while Stadium Club is about
$44. For some reason, an old set showing incredible upward movement is
the 1976-77 Topps series. It doesn't feature any significant rookie
cards. The Action Packed Series 2 Hall of Fame set is a good one. There
are a few ``less than great'' shots. Photos of Female Soviet star Uljana
Semjonova and coach Clarence Gaines were particularly unflattering. The
rest are very nice, especially the Dr. J subset.
	LATE ADDITION: Jim Jackson and Doug Christie did not sign NBA
contracts until late last season so they were not included in SkyBox
sets. Both are featured in SkyBox foil packs this year. Both are
pictured on cards under last year's format. It's nice to finally
complete the 1992-93 set.
	EXPOS: Topps named the Montreal Expos as the 1993 Organization of the
Year. The award was handed out at the winter meetings in Atlanta.
	NFL EXPANSION: From the ``Who's First Out of the Gate'' department
comes this tiny little gem: Nearly as soon as the name was announced,
the Jacksonville Jaguars had their first bit of memorabilia. Chicagoland
Processing Corp./Environment will issue 5,000 silver medallions and 93
pure gold medallions commemorating the two NFL expansion teams. Joining
the Jaguars are the Carolina Panthers. The silver coins are less than
$30 while the gold are $850.
	COLLATION CORNER: Boxes of 1994 Donruss baseball break very well. It
is not uncommon to get a complete set and about eight inserts out of one
box. Collector's Choice breaks like most Upper Deck products. It will
take two boxes and a few packs to complete a set. Both products are
loads of fun. Collector's Choice may be the fun hit of the season. With
a silver signature in every pack and one gold signature per box it
really is exciting. True to form, there is one instant win per 36 packs.
The first box we opened did not contain any winners. However, the second
box contained two. Donruss is also exciting to open. A gold card in
every pack plus some fun inserts such as Diamond Kings and Dominators.
With only 50 gold cards in each Donruss series, it is fairly easy to
complete the set.
	STAUBACH: The Ted Williams Card Company ``Roger Staubach'' football
series features four current players instead of the expected two. Along
with Brett Favre and Neil O'Donnell, quarterbacks Phil Simms and Jeff
Hostetler will appear in the innagural set. It is due soon and includes
about 100 retired players.
	Q & A: I have a Notre Dame-Purdue game program from September 30,
1978, with Joe Montana on the cover. What is its value? --S.Herman, South
Bend, Indiana.
	Mike Puzo of Leland's Auction House in New York tells us the program
is worth $20-$30 depending on condition.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91340.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.



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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1993 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	Press Pass is the latest cardmaker to beat a retreat in the shrinking
field of comic trading cards by placing a non-sports card project on the
back burner.
	``The Eudaemon--Future Visions'' card set is on hiatus because there
are too many titles and few takers. It proves the non-sports field is
undergoing the same growing pains the sportscard industry has been
suffering through.
	``We committed to this project at a time when the card side of the
industry was in the middle of a huge boom, but since then the card side
has taken a big downturn,'' said Victor Shaffer, president of Press
Pass. ``We put together an absolutely gorgeous product but the market
just isn't asking for it so we're not going to forcefeed it.''
	SkyBox, which officially surrenders the Marvel characters to Fleer
this weekend, previously held up two projects. Both Sandman and Star
Trek Deep Space 9 were delayed into January. There are too many non-
sports trading cards flooding on the market.
	``I think the comic card industry reached its zenith six months ago.
It's on a downward slide,'' said a Southern California wholesaler who
asked not to be identified. ``There are too many titles and the
manufacturers. Instead of stepping back and analyzing, just keep blindly
coming forth with more.''
	It must be noted that sportscard manufacturers have cut production.
But they, too, continue to make a large number of different card series.
	Another factor hurting smaller firms is the unveiling of the
Marvel/Fleer juggernaut. Marvel purchased Fleer but cannot release any
product to Fleer distributors until next week. The first project is
Ultra X-Men. Based on the successful cartoon series and featured on an
upgraded card, dealers around the country ordered all they could. They
don't have any money left for other non-sports cards.
	``We were up against a very successful introduction of Fleer's first
comic project and X-Men took a lot of money out of the market,'' said
Shaffer. ``In general, though, I think the shrinking market is related
to the number of comic book trading card projects recently.''
	Retailers can't keep up with the new titles. Collectors are confused
so they aren't buying and the cards remain on store shelves.
	The problem is the same in the comic book trade. A year ago comics
were hotter than cards. Seeing the boom, shop owners stocked up on
comics. By that time the speculator/investors who would buy up cases had
left the hobby. More books flowed in, causing a backlog. Now it is hard
to find a card store which doesn't proclaim, ``All Comics 40 Percent
Off.''
	It's not all bad, according to SkyBox spokesman George White. White
says he believes the industry has come a long way in the past several
years and it just couldn't keep growing.
	``It has grown by a factor of more than four in the last few years
but it could not continue,'' he said. ``When people talk about the soft
market I don't understand how they could think it could continue to grow
at that rate.''
	White believes the strong will survive and for the long-term the
future is good. The short-term isn't as bright for smaller firms. Press
Pass and others will re-evaluate the comic card business. ``Eudaemon,''
laden with talented, big-name artists such as Nelson, will be
resolicited but won't be released until the time is right. For Shaffer,
it is the responsible thing to do.
	The timing may not be right for any projects for a while. In April,
the two superstars of the comic world do battle. SkyBox releases its
strongest property, the Batman Comics series. At the same time, Marvel
will unveil Spiderman.
	The Caped Crusader and Spidey will draw collectors into the net but
whether it will rejuvinate a sagging industry is anybody's guess.
	ENQUIRER: Bill Wesslund, president of Sports Collectibles Association
International, claims the National Enquirer misquoted him. The December
14th issue proclaims ``Parents, tell your kids: Baseball cards are a
waste of money.'' Over Wesslund's photo the headline reads ``The market
has struck out, says expert.'' Wesslund's objections prompted one
hobbiest to write, ``Who did he think he was talking to? The Wall Street
Journal?''
	HEROES: The Upper Deck All-Time Heroes cards are impressive.
Patterned after the T-202 tobacco cards, the Triple Folders feature
retired stars.
	BASKETBALL: Stadium Club basketball continues to soar but the other
basketball cards are falling. Stadium Club is selling for up to $60 per
box while you can easily find SkyBox, Fleer Ultra and Topps basketball
at cost.
	NFLCD: Voice Signatures has a limited edition, signed CD featuring
Pittsburgh linebacker Greg Lloyd. Lloyd gives a positive message while
rappers carry the background. The company is planning more.
	NON-SPORTS: Kudos to Comic Images for cards honoring women. ``Our
Daughters: The Ms. Foundation'' is a good counter to the cards of half-
naked women which lie on dealer tables. The new cards feature ladies
from actress Queen Latifah to Texas Gov. Ann Richards. Congresswomen and
authors appear along the way. Good stuff.
	Q & A: Are the 5``x7'' and larger cards that companies are inserting
into boxes going to be valuable? --J. Herrera, Los Angeles
	Few insiders expect these large cards to be valuable in the long run
but they are nice and becoming easier to display. The size makes them
great for autographs.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91341.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.
--
This, and all articles in the clari.* news hierarchy, are Copyright 1993 
by the wire service or information provider, and licensed to ClariNet 
Communications Corp. for distribution. Except for articles in the 
biz.clarinet.sample newsgroup, only paid subscribers may access these 
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prohibited. 
   We offer a reward to the person who first provides us with information 
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    Christie and Jackson are in the Jam Session set.
    
    John

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1994 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	Now there is more than just popcorn and a soda at your local United
Artists movie theater. How about popcorn, a soda and a toy surprise all
served in a tiny cardboard shoe? One of the best things for moviegoers
at UA theaters is the toy surprise is also cardboard. Five specially
wrapped SkyBox trading cards are in each KidPack served at over 400 UA
theatres.
	``UA is offering a special treat which is similar to the Happy Meal
at McDonald's but also includes our cards,'' said SkyBox spokeswoman
Claire Rich. ``We are really excited about the future opportunities with
UA and doing the KidPacks is great for both of us. It is a new channel
for us to target our audience.''
	The KidPack is a sports shoe made of cardboard which contains a small
amount of popcorn (30 ounces), a 12-ounce soft drink plus the pack of
cards. It sells for $3.50. The cards are regular SkyBox Impack NFL cards
or DC Comic Cards distributed by SkyBox. It is the brainchild of Cathy
Kasberg, Director of Concessions at UA in Denver.
	``We were looking for a relatively inexpensive toy surprise that
would appeal to children and collectible cards have always been good,''
she said. ``I looked for a company which would give us sportscards but I
wanted variety because not everyone is into sports.''
	She searched the trade magazines and found SkyBox, a leading
manufacturer of NBA basketball cards. SkyBox also distributes DC Comic
Cards and Disney products. It was a perfect fit.
	The promotion began over the Thanksgiving holiday. It is just a
preview of coming attractions.
	``This summer we will do ''The Lion King`` which is an animated
Disney feature,'' said Rich. ``The film Blue Chips is also a possiblity
but that is UA's decision.''
	Kasberg designed the cardboard holder for ``The Lion King'' already.
It is a lion's head. The mouth opens to reveal the popcorn. She tried
several other toys including Hacky Sack but none was as popular as
trading cards. There are other problems not present with cards. Small
toys are a safety problem with children. Larger toys such as balloons
are not theater-friendly.
	``We even looked at water color paints but we didn't want a child
licking a toxic paint,'' she said. ``It is not how much you spend on the
toy but what appeals to the children. They just want something they
enjoy and collectible cards are inexpensive and enjoyable.''
	You can be certain the promotion has boosted sales, which is where
the theater itself makes money. After all, where would the moviehouse be
without the concession stand?
	``I am really excited about this because we have had great point of
sale and I can see a lot of things in the future we could do with this,''
Kasberg said. ``The nice thing with cards too is that in a theater we
don't have much space and the cards fit well.''
	SkyBox may eventually develop special cards for theaters. Currently
about half the cards distributed in the program are sports. Most
theaters are running short. Rich admits the program was put together
quickly. 
	``We've run out of product for the promotion and are going to make a
decision for the next product line,'' she said. ``Our first goal was to
get the product into the shoes.''
	Not all the UA theaters give cards out. The KidPacks at the UA
Westwood near UCLA in Los Angele contain a tiny plastic ball.
	Fortunately adults have left this one to the kids and have not been
ordering several KidPacks just to get the cards. They would probably
feel silly walking back to their seat carrying little cardboard shoes.
	AD SKYBOX: SkyBox did a good thing by making the 1993-94 rookie cards
of Jimmy Jackson (DP4) and Doug Christie (DP17) in the previous years
format. The pair signed so late in the season they weren't in the rookie
set. The cards look out of place this year but match perfectly the
previous series which is where they should be.
	LAST AD SKYBOX: If you want a good investment try SkyBox the company.
SkyBox has only been a public offering for a few months and is
reasonable at about $7 a share. SkyBox has been a slow but steady
climber whereas Marvel/Fleer has been up to the $30 range but has been
bouncing around.
	PRICES: Upper Deck hockey (hobby boxes) are going up after the latest
Beckett Hockey Monthly listed the Future Heroes set at $60. Future
Heroes are special inserts in boxes delivered to hobby dealers. Boxes
had been in the dumper for weeks.
	AMAZIN' METS: 25 years ago the New York Mets won their first
championship. Two companies are turning out commemorative sets in 1994
to honor the Miracle Mets. Capital Cards commissioned sports artist Ron
Lewis to create a 32-piece boxed set of postcards. Spectrum delivers a
set of 69 cards. Nolan Ryan is in both.
	BASKETBALL: Stadium Club continues to soar and is now selling in the
$60 range. The other basketball cards are trailing far behind.
	Q & A: Why are ``hobby'' boxes of 1994 Donruss selling for more than
the boxes marked ``retail?'' --S. Dowling, Glendale, Calif.
	Donruss baseball boxes delivered to hobby dealers are about $10 more
than boxes sent to retail stores because of one special insert. Hobby
boxes contain reprints of cards featured in the popular 1984 Donruss
set.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91341-0807.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1994 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	By the time Joe Namath flips the coin to start Super Bowl XXVIII in
Atlanta Sunday, 115,000 people will have visited the NFL Experience
according to event sponsors. The Experience, as much a ritual as the
game itself, is the interactive theme park and sportscard show. It runs
through Sunday at the World Congress Center. 
	``We've learned what the dealers, fans and corporate sponsors are
looking for at the card show and we've improved things from last year,''
said Bill Barron of NFL Properties which runs the Experience. ``The
biggest change is we don't have to worry about a tent, the rain or very
cold weather because we are inside.''
	Last year the show took place under a tent in the Rose Bowl parking
lot.
	One problem in Pasadena centered around who was going to be available
to sign autographs. While the final group wasn't determined until the
championship games were played last Sunday, Barron took great pains to
lock-in most players much earlier. All the autographs are free. Among
the 70 signers are Brett Farve and John Elway. Namath, being honored for
the Jets Super Bowl win 25 years ago, will not be signing.
	Fans will take part in the fastest man competition, field goal
kicking and a very safe tackling drill using an air mattress. 
	Of the 269 booths, 43 are corporate sponsors who paid upwards of
$100,000 for the privilege. There are 153 dealers from 32 states and 11
card companies. New is the Ted Williams Card Company showing off its
Roger Staubach card series. Upper Deck chose to skip this years show.
	Neither the company nor the NFL is saying why the largest cardmaker
passed. Many corporate sponsors are concerned with the rising cost of
events such as the Experience, the National and Major League Baseballs
FanFest. Some are rethinking plans to attend all shows. 
	Upper Deck previously produced the NFL Experience card set. Classic
picked up the option and chose to make packs instead of a boxed set.
	``It was a sell-out and based on the success of the product we'll
seriously entertain thoughts of repeating next year,'' said Classic
brand manager Mike Jerchower. ``It showed us, even at the end of the
season, that if you do a small case run, a high quality set and a solid
LP series it can work.''
	The LP (Limited Print) cards of key rookies are randomly inserted in
packs. The photos are not quite the quality of what Upper Deck had done
but dealers should do well with it. Only 1500 cases were made.
	Classic is giving away promo cards to fans who stop by a booth at the
show. With Troy Aikman returning for a second run Classic wins big. A
few Aikman promos will be handed out which should cause the value to
rise at the site. Other promos feature Super Bowlers Emmitt Smith and
Thurman Thomas.
	This is a showcase for Georgia based Classic. The Experience is
advertised nationally so the cardmaker is the recipient of lots of
publicity as an associate sponsor.
	``We're heavily involved with the sponsorship and of course with the
NFL Experience Card Collection,'' said Jerchower. ``Just having an
Aikman card as an LP makes it that much more sought after. He's
returning to the Super Bowl where he was the MVP.''
	Two big events are auctions conducted by Superior Galleries. A
thousand items are up for bid including the origional artwork for the
1953 Topps Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays cards. The pair could bring
nearly $300,000. Bids will also go out for the ball used at kick-off and
walk-on parts for the television series' ``Coach'' and ``Dave's World.''
	PRICES: If popularity is an indicator Dallas will win big Sunday. The
price of the two Stadium Club Super Team cards may tell the story.
According to Beckett Football Montly the Cowboys card is $100 while the
Bills card is $60.
	SURVEY: A SkyBox survey says sales industry wide topped $2 billion in
1993 with basketball and entertainment cards showing large increases.
Both are key in the SkyBox inventory. SkyBox also makes two lines of NFL
cards and the study showed a big drop in football sales.
	ACTION INSERTS: Racing fans will want the March issue of Tuff Stuff
magazine. Action Packed placed various gold racing cards inside. Racing
is a fast growing segment of the hobby.
	HOCKEY: Donruss hockey came back to earth. Dealers who had it early
tried to get $79 a box. A week later it is a reasonable $45.
	FLEER UP: Consumers will pay more for Fleer products soon. Fleer
raised the price to dealers by $5 per box for Ultra 2 basketball and
1994 Ultra Baseball. The price jump for the regular Fleer basketball
issue is nearly $7. Ultra baseball has lots of inserts including metal
based cards. The cards were redesigned and are the best we've seen from
Ultra. A gold foil bottom border replaces the standard marble border.
	NON-SPORTS: Fleer Ultra X-Men opened at $45 to $50 a box. The cards
are sharp. Comic Images signed twin brothers Greg and Tim Hildebrandt to
design the ``Brothers Hildebrandt Collector Cards'' expected in April.
The Highland Mint will make silver cards depicting Saturday Evening Post
covers by Norman Rockwell.
	Q & A: Is it difficult to make a set of Upper Deck Collector's Choice
gold cards? --M.Aluara, L.A., Calif.
	Very difficult. There is only one gold card per box and over 300
cards in the set. That works out to about 16 cases with perfect
collation.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91341-0807.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.
--
This, and all articles in the clari.* news hierarchy, are Copyright 1994 
by the wire service or information provider, and licensed to ClariNet 
Communications Corp. for distribution. Except for articles in the 
biz.clarinet.sample newsgroup, only paid subscribers may access these 
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   We offer a reward to the person who first provides us with information 
that helps stop those who distribute or receive our news feeds without 
authorization. Please send reports to reward@clarinet.com. 



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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1994 by UPI, R
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                     United Press International
	Auto racing fans take hold! It is one of the fastest growing segments
of the trading card industry. A half dozen firms are printing racing
cards and even the big boys are dabbling in the sport. Even more
surprising is knowing auto racing collectors are not just buried in the
Southeast.
	``It is an erroneous notion that stock car racing is only a regional
sport,'' said Jenni Stewart of MAXX Racing Cards. ``North Carolina is
first in sales but Pennsylvania has always been second and Wisconsin is
constantly in the top five. Connecticut and New Hampshire are also big.''
	MAXX started in 1988 and remains strong. Upper Deck, the world's
largest cardmaker, looked into purchasing MAXX but eventually backed
off. However, Upper Deck wants to sign driver Dale Earnhardt both for
cards and its memorabilia branch.
	Pro Set released several sets during its heydey and will produce a
Winston Cup Series. Others include Action Packed, Traks, Press Pass,
Wheels and Hi-tech. If you're in the Southeast, don't be alarmed. Racing
is still the biggest thing in the region along with SEC football. Just
ask this cardshop owner in Louisville.
	``Racing fans are much more rabid toward their sport than anyone
other than Kentucky basketball fans,'' said Jack Duglin of Baseball
Cards-N-More. ``Those fans of auto racing, especially stock cars, are
racing fanatics.''
	Race-used memorabilia is also on the rise. Most people are familiar
with game-used items such as bats and jerseys. Mention race-used
memorabilia to non-racing fans and you get a raised eyebrow.
	``I was at a flea market and a guy had a tire autographed by Richard
Petty,'' said Jack Minton of Superb Collectibles in Louisville. ``It was
one of those big old tires which came off a race car.''
	Press Pass offers race-used items to collectors. You can purchase
everything from large parts to the lug nut off a car used by driver
Rusty Wallace in a big race. A certificate of authenticity is included
and it is double sealed to preserve its stature.
	``Racing parts are true memorabilia when you consider there are only
eight pistons out of the car that won the Daytona 500,'' said Action
Packed President Tom Cotteleer. ``Someone paid $1,000 for the hood of
Earnhardt's car because it's like the stick used by Bobby Hull in a big
game.''
	``It has gotten kind of crazy lately with everything including race-
used tires,'' said Mark Lassman of Sports Card Heaven in Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida.`` There is a lot more race-used memorabilia than there is game-
used.''
	As in any sport, fans and non-fans will take advantage of the
situation. When driver Davey Allison was killed, his cards became very
popular with both. Magic Johnson's cards sold at a premium when he
announced he was HIV positive.
	With the boom comes concern. The same problem facing the rest of the
card industry may eventually plague racing -- too much of a good thing.
For all its growth, racing cards are still part of a smaller niche in
the card market.
	``I wonder how large the NASCAR niche really is?'' asks Stewart. ``Is
the golden goose going to get killed because of oversaturation?''
	Racing may be growing because the companies producing the cards are
relatively small. If larger cardmakers do jump in they'll have to hold
back desires to make a lot of product in a short amount of time.
	PRICES: The price is rising for Upper Deck Future Heroes of Hockey.
This year's 10-card set is $70. The inserts are found in boxes delivered
to U.S. hobby dealers. Stadium Club All-Stars are also up with the
Lemieux/Gretzky card at $50. The Parkhurst Gordie Howe Parkie insert is
$30.
	NFL EXPERIENCE: The NFL Experience at Super Bowl 28 in Atlanta was a
hit. Final figures weren't available at press time but going into the
final day 111,000 people had already attended. On Saturday, when 50,000
attended the event, the NFL stopped selling tickets for a time because
the place was so crowded.
	AUCTION: At the Superior Galleries Auction in Atlanta the ball used
at kick-off in Super Bowl 28 was expected to sell for $1,000. The high
bid was $2,800. The chains and down marker sold for $2,100. Proceeds
went the charity.
	HOOPS REDEEMED: The 1993-94 Hoops Redemption Set is great. Last
year's set will live on because it was the first and of course because
it had Shaquille O'Neal. The latest edition features better-looking
cards. The player's name is in gold at the top. The number indicating
where he was picked in the NBAs first round is huge and in gold foil.
Both sides are UV coated.
	MINORS: Classic minor league cards hit the market this week while
Upper Deck's minor league version is due in two weeks.
	MTV: Fleer will release Beavis and Butt-head cards in April.
	COLLATION CORNER: Hoops 2 boxes collate very well. You might get two
complete sets and about nine key inserts in a box. Stadium Club
basketball and Series 2 football are tougher. A set is possible but not
likely in either. Topps basketball is the same as most Topps products;
very difficult to get a set but at least one gold card per box.
	Q & A: What is the error on the 1990 Topps Frank Thomas rookie card?
--R. McFadden, New Glen, Colo.
	Thomas' name is missing from the front of the card.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91341-0807.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.


    

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From: clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB BRILL)
Newsgroups: clari.sports.misc,clari.sports.features
Subject: Brill-iant Ideas, A Sports Collectors Guide
Keywords: misc sports
Copyright: 1994 by UPI, R
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Date: Wed, 9 Feb 94 9:38:31 PST
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                     United Press International
	If you can't afford a Honus Wagner baseball card you may want the
next best thing. Legendary Foils has immortalized the Flying Dutchman
and 15 other greats of the sports world in gold foil plaques. The foils
are modeled somewhat after the player plaques which hang in the Hall of
Fame. If memorabilia dealers give this product a chance, it could become
very popular.
	``If the distributor network will give us a reasonable shot, we
believe the consumer will recognize the value they're getting,'' said
Jay Greenspan, president of Legendary Foils. ``Once collectors realize
the value of the players we're giving them, the rest will be kind of
easy.''
	The player list is impressive. Besides Wagner, the baseball series
includes Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Satchel Paige. Among the four
football stars are Terry Bradshaw, Sam Huff and Jim Thorpe while Earl
Monroe and Elvin Hayes highlight the hoop group. Frank Mahovlich and
Mike Bossy are part of the four-player hockey group.
	The limited-edition plaques feature a lifelike bust, career
highlights and a five-digit serial number layered in gold foil with a
dark background. Certificates of authenticity are included. There are
80,000 of each player. Each of the 4,000 cases contains four 24-karat
gold plaques.
	Greenspan said he wanted to create something to bring back some
intimacy to player-collector relations -- something fans could really
enjoy. The plaques retail for less than $10.
	``We tried to come up with something that had real value and had real
feel to it, so you could touch it, without worrying about whether it was
mint anymore,'' said Greenspan. ``This way you can put it up on your
desk, your shelf or anywhere and enjoy it.''
	The plaque comes in a foldable stand-up picture frame for easy
display. It can also be taken out and placed in another style frame.
Foils measure 5`` by 3 1/2,'' a size that has become very popular with
manufacturers and collectors.
	A really nice idea and something different from card collecting, this
item could do very well. Considering that a mint condition Wagner card
sold for over $450,000, Legendary Foils is a pretty good buy. Greenspan
is already making plans for the second series, which will include
Roberto Clemente.
	JORDAN: When the White Sox signed Michael Jordan to a minor league
baseball contract, it sent several cardmakers into action in a hurry. If
Jordan plays one minor league game, he is eligible to have a minor
league card. Five companies either make or are planning to produce minor
league cards and at least three plan to have Jordan. Classic, Action
Packed and Upper Deck should all make the Jordan cut. Fleer Excel is
already on the market while Signature Rookies doesn't look like a
possibility. The cards feature autographs signed through individual
contracts and Jordan has an exclusive with Upper Deck Authenticated.
	ADD JORDAN: Fleer issued a strong warning after fake 1986-87 Michael
Jordan cards turned up in Chicago. The cards are stamped 
``Forgery/Counterfeit.'' However, since both the NBA logo and Fleer
trademark are copyrighted this is an infringement and could bring
prosecutions. The real card has a value of $900.
	NANCY K: Right on the heels of the controversy, Photo File has
released its latest collectible featuring Nancy Kerrigan. The Kerrigan
photo features a nice action shot that is sharp although the color isn't
great.
	NFL EXPERIENCE: The final figures show a record 130,000 people
attended the NFL Experience at Super Bowl 28 in Atlanta.
	STADIUM RED: Stadium Club will see some major changes with 1994
baseball. Gone is the trademark gold foil on the front of the card. In
its place is Radical Red, a sort of candy apple red. The cards are
color-coded by division to emphasize the changes in major league
baseball. Each pack will contain a Golden Rainbow insert card. These
cards are part of a parallel set. Look for dealers to break boxes
because of this and the fact that the First Day Production and Super
Team inserts will make the product roar.
	FINEST: Topps will insert 12 Finest Hockey cards in Series 2 Premier
Hockey. The Finest cards use the metalized process exclusive to Topps.
Both Alexandre Daigle and Eric Lindros are in the Finest series.
	SKYBOX: SkyBox 2 hits this week and promises to sell better than
Series 1 which died on the vine. Series 2 has 33 rookies and six insert
sets. The hottest should be the USA Tip-Off Exchange Card, found one per
240 packs or one in seven boxes. It will be a preview to the USA
Basketball cards featuring Dream Team 2.
	SALMON: The Ted Williams Card Company has inked AL Rookie of the Year
Tim Salmon as one of the two players in the Dawning of a Legacy insert
set for 1994. The other player is yet to be named.
	SOCCER 2: Upper Deck is releasing a second soccer series in March.
1994 World Cup Contenders has 330 cards, including 60 insert cards.
Famed photographer Walter Iooss will also have an insert series.
	Q & A: How much is a Frank Thomas gold hologram from Arena worth? --B.
Gonzales, Los Angeles, Calif.
	After a long search, we learned your card is worth up to $5.
	Questions should be sent to Brill-iant Ideas, P.O. Box 807, San
Fernando, California 91341-0807.
	Go to a show today and have fun with your hobby.
--
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