Josh Gibson Estate Inks Exclusive Deal with Topps Baseball Cards
The Topps Company announces that it has signed an exclusive trading card deal with the estate
of legendary Negro League slugger Josh Gibson.
The deal grants New York City-based Topps exclusive rights within the MLB trading card category
for all trading cards including insert cards, cut autograph cards, memorabilia cards and Gibson's
image use on packaging and advertising.
"To this day, when fans and collectors talk homerun records, you rarely hear the name Josh Gibson,
but we want to help change that," said Warren Friss, Topps Vice President. "We plan to
spotlight this man's legendary accomplishments and pay tribute to his historic career."
Gibson, a catcher for the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Homestead Grays, hit close to 800 home runs
during his 17-year Hall of Fame career. Gibson slammed an astounding 84 home runs in a season and
is the only player to ever hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium.
"Topps has always been associated with the rich tradition of baseball. Our family is very honored
to have Topps Trading Cards highlight Josh Gibson as one of the greatest home run hitters in baseball
history," said Sean Gibson, grandson of the former Negro League great. "This exclusive
relationship for the next two years is not only meaningful for recognizing Josh's career but all
those Negro Leaguers who played during the 1920's-1940's."
Gibson joins Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez as Topps exclusives.
Founded in 1938 as Topps Chewing Gum, Topps issued its first baseball cards in 1951 and is an international
marketer of entertainment products, principally candy, collectible trading cards and sticker album collections.
Topps Internet business includes Topps.com, eTopps.com, TheToppsVault.com and thePit.com.
Source: The Topps Company, Inc.
Date: June 16, 2005
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