President Obama Inaugural Edition

With the much-anticipated inauguration of the nation's 44th President less than a week away, Americans will now have the opportunity to treasure an extraordinary collection of presidential memorabilia. The Topps Company, Inc. today unveiled a Barack Obama commemorative trading card series which pays special tribute to President-Elect Barack Obama and his historic achievements.

Topps is renowned for producing baseball cards and other sports collectibles, yet the New York-based company also has recorded numerous non-sports milestones in American history. In the 1960's Topps marketed President Kennedy and 'Man on the Moon' cards and in the 1990's devoted a series based on the nation's Desert Storm initiative. Ultimately, the new collection will provide Americans of all ages and persuasions with an entertaining and educational opportunity to share in a unique and hopeful event in our country's history.

"The presidential election of Barack Obama is a milestone event destined to be written about and discussed for generations," said Topps CEO Scott Silverstein. "Through the medium of its familiar trading cards, Topps is proud and honored to offer consumers with a one-of-a-kind keepsake of this remarkable moment."

The Topps 90-card series documents, in nearly 200 color photos and fact-filled text, Obama's only-in-America life story, beginning with his humble childhood and culminating with his incredible rise to the White House.

Each of the 90 cards comprising the Barack Obama Inaugural Edition tell a different and compelling story of his life -- from his childhood in Hawaii to his college days at Columbia and Harvard ... from his job as a community organizer on Chicago's South Side to his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004...from his whirlwind presidential campaign to his rousing victory speech on election night. Poignant relationships with his parents, grandparents, wife, children and other family members are featured, as well as those with political figures and global leaders, in photos and words, many culled from Obama's own speeches and writings.

The series also includes:

    * Newsworthy appearances of influential public figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Caroline Kennedy and Bruce Springsteen
    * A "first dog" redemption card which entitles fans to receive a printed Topps card featuring the to-be-determined White House pup
    * A rare Obama card pictured in his Punahou High School basketball uniform -- within a vintage 1978 Topps basketball card design
    * Foil stamped inaugural parallel cards
    * Silver foil sticker parallels which include powerful slogans and quotes as well as photographic imagery

Each foil-wrapped pack contains six premium-quality cards, plus one sticker, at a suggested retail price of $1.99 per pack. Every box contains a free poster.

Topss also released 200 numbered, uncut sheets containing all 90 cards, measuring 40"x26" (SRP: $99.95).