Quick Look: 1991 Pro Set ‘Special Promotional Sample’ Stamped Promo Cards

My memory may be off but I am fairly certain that I was given one of these stamped 1991 Pro Set cards upon visiting their booth at the 1991 National Collector’s Convention in Anaheim. I want to say it was Randall Cunningham’s base card. Or maybe Jeff George. All I know is that I was disappointed it wasn’t Emmitt or something more “valuable.” In the years since I have only seen a handful of these cards pop up. The image below of Rocket Ismail’s card was one I found in a box of various early 90s “hot” cards in sleeves, picked up at a thrift store in Van Nuys, CA. As of now, it is impossible to say whether Pro Set stamped the entire series one set or just certain players and exactly how many of each were issued. I do not believe that any more than two copies of any player have been confirmed. Because of their non-descript fronts, I turn over every 1991 Pro Set single I find mixed with other promo/oddball/hot cards of the time.

1991 Pro Set Football Errors & Variations: Ongoing Checklist

* Key:

***** = rarest known variations

**** = very scarce variations

*** = tough to find variations due to early or late printings

** = slightly tougher than most variations

 

1D Mark Carrier ROY

1O Emmitt Smith ROY

1Op Emmitt Smith ROY promotional sample text on back (National) *****

2 Does Not Exist

4-26a LL Subset with cream-colored square/box around text

4-26b LL Subset with green tinted square/box around text **

5a Mike Singletary MOY Pack-issued type (gray square behind text)****

5b Mike Singletary MOY 3-D hologram prototype *****

5c Mike Singletary MOY Pack-issued type (cream-colored square behind text)

6a Bruce Smith LL light grey square behind text ****

6b Bruce Smith LL cream-colored or yellow square behind text

8a Jim Kelly LL NFLPA logo

8b Jim Kelly LL NFLPA logo removed, registration symbol present ****

8c Jim Kelly LL NFLPA logo removed, reg symbol removed, “ghost” of NFLPA logo partially visible ***

8d Jim Kelly LL NLFPA logo entirely removed, no trace remaining

12a Jay Novacek LL Stat headings partially obscured ****

12b Jay Novacek LL Stat headings printed correctly

19a Derrick Thomas LL Bills helmet on front ***

19b Derrick Thomas LL Chiefs helmet on front

Quick Look: 1991 Pro Set WLAF Mike Teeter #11 Text Variation

Here is an old image from the lone copy of this variation I have owned. No longer a part of my collection, I still flip over the backs of the World League inserts in 1991 Pro Set just in case there are other similar variations to be found. I do believe that there is much to still be discovered in 1991 Pro Set and the World League sets.

Although I have only found the one copy, it’s scarcity is yet to be determined as few collectors know of it’s existence and bother to check for it. Hopefully, with the word getting around on this variation, we’ll see more copies for sale and possibly new, similar variations in the World League subsets.

Quick Look: 1991 Pro Set Mike Prior #529A “Missing Text”

1991 Pro Set is not quite the variation wonderland that 1990 is, but there are a handful of tough error cards throughout the set worth spotlighting. One of the few known varieties from series 2, affects two Indianapolis Colts players: #523 Chip Banks and #529 Mike Prior, both can be found with or without their text or back.

Initially upon release, I recall finding a handful of these, however, they seem to have dried up  as they now show up only once or twice a year and usually command a high premium. Here is an example of the text-less variation:

Cards you’ve never seen: 1991 Pro Set Platinum James Brooks Prototype

Another mysterious Pro Set prototype issue. Meant to sample their up-and-coming, premium line of card, Platinum, this promo features former Cincinnati Bengals running back, James Brooks. This one looks like it was an in-hand sample, photocopied for use in the ad, rather than just an image on a sheet sent to the dealer:

Obviously, the backs of 1991 Pro Set Platinum went through a few design changes. What you see above, is the only reference for the card I have ever been able to find. Certainly, at least that copy must exist out there somewhere, but as of 2010, not a copy has surfaced on any of the usually channels.

PS: Check out those case prices. They are extremely limited!!

Cards you’ve never seen: 1991 Score Rocket Ismail #318A

Most of us collectors old enough to know who Rocket Ismail is, probably remember the controversy caused by his signing with a CFL team on draft day, 1991. He was a potential #1 pick, wide-receiver from Notre Dame, loaded with hobby potential. His decision had a ripple effect that was felt by a few of the card companies that year, who had already slotted Rocket into their checklists. Even sending a handful of samples (or printed materials showing a mock-up) out of what his card would look like.

Pictured above is Rocket’s unreleased 1991 Score card #318. In 19 years, I can’t say I’ve ever seen an actual copy for sale. So at this point, the above image is the best we’ve got.

Imagine though, had Rocket had the career that was expected of him, instead of the one he actually had – which wasn’t bad, by all means, an okay one, really…but if he had a Jerry Rice or Andre Reed type career, I wonder if any physical samples of this card would’ve surfaced by now?

Any additional info regarding this card would be greatly appreciated and posted with a credit to the source.

1991 Pacific Barry Sanders #144 and #1 Variations

1991 Pacific is loaded with variations. Many are well-known. However, one major variation that remains undocumented affects one of the set’s biggest stars: Barry Sanders. His card, usually #144 in the set, can also be found missing the 44 on back, making him #1 in the set. A couple of knowledgeable collectors have mentioned that the #1 variety was issued in a package that included a pin of Barry. Very unusual, and a cool addition to any E&V collection!