ST. MARTINS PRESS AND H.E. HARRIS SIGN AGREEMENT

ST. MARTINS PRESS AND H.E. HARRIS SIGN DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT FOR SALE OF WHITMAN COIN PRODUCTS

ST. MARTINS PRESS AND H.E. HARRIS SIGN DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT FOR SALE OF WHITMAN COIN PRODUCTS

New York, NY, January 27, 2003-- St. Martins Press and H.E. Harris announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement through which H.E. Harris will acquire the Whitman line of coin products. Whitman is the leading publisher of numismatic reference books and price guides and one of the leading providers of hobby supplies for coin collectors in the United States.

Steve Cohen, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for St. Martins Press said, We have considered strategic alternatives for our coin product line and believe the sale of Whitman to H.E. Harris presents the best long-term opportunity for the Whitman business. With H.E. Harris focus in the numismatic industry, the Whitman line will remain a leading choice for collectors for years to come.

Mary Counts, H.E. Harris President, said: The acquisition of Whitman fits well into our companys plans to offer collectors a full line of high quality numismatic products. Whitmans reputation for quality publishing is unmatched in numismatics. Published since the 1940s and edited by Kenneth Bressett, Whitmans Red and Blue Books are the collectors bibles, and there are few of us who didnt get our start in coin collecting with Whitman folders and other products. We are committed to continuing the Whitman legacy."

John McDowell, H.E. Harris Vice Chairman, noted, There is a feeling of strong enthusiasm in the numismatic field, and we are excited with our plans to support the hobbys growth by providing the necessary reference books, price guides, and quality accessories to satisfy the collector needs."

The acquisition is effective February 1, 2003 at which time the full Whitman line will be available through H.E Harris.

For more information, contact: John Appuhn, H.E. Harris 256-246-1167 or Steve Cohen, St. Martins Press at 212-674-5151 ext. 755.