If you want a fun way to learn about the Gulf War, opening Desert Storm trading cards is a great way to do it. These trading cards cover subjects such as military personnel, vehicles, aircraft, ships, and other important moments.
We found the 1991 Topps Desert Storm set to be the largest release available, but the 1991 Pro Set doesn’t trail far behind. Both sets feature hundreds of cards and stickers, with some factory sets available to make releases more exciting. In this guide, we’ll explain what the trading card covers and the various ways to rip Desert Storm cards.
Desert Storm trading cards feature individuals and equipment used in the Gulf War. Instead of covering athletes and jerseys like digital sports trading cards, they focus on people, countries, equipment, and other events related to the war.
This means you can find cards on subjects like George Bush, missiles, tanks, helicopters, aircraft carriers, and other military-related topics. We also think these trading cards are useful for people who want to learn about the war, not just collect. In fact, the companies behind these cards claimed they were educational, with some of the proceeds benefiting children of soldiers in the Gulf War.
No single company creates all the trading cards, and that applies to those centered around Desert Storm. Each box usually has a different checklist count, and some companies offer more extensive sets than others. So far, the most common sets produced are the 1991 Topps Desert Storm set and the Pro Set 1991 Desert Storm Set. Let’s check out each one.
Topps produced one of the most recognized trading card releases covering Desert Storm. Its full checklist consists of 264 cards split into three series, broken down as follows:
Topps trading cards also include 44 stickers: 22 appeared in Series 1, while Series 2 and Series 3 each featured 11. We liked the inclusion of these stickers, as they make your collection even more unique. These stickers feature subjects like national flags, country maps, and combat medals.
In addition, Topps produced glossy factory sets that are even more valuable and, in our opinion, worth keeping an eye out for. Their finish and stock make them different from the other cards, and we recommend separating them from your regular collection if you come across any.
Pro Set did not take the same approach as Topps in releasing its trading cards. Its set consists of 253 cards, with the final 3 cards being factory-set exclusives. Like Topps trading cards, it covers various Gulf War subjects, including leaders, countries, military equipment, and more.
Instead of releasing in series, Pro Set released its entire 250-card checklist at once. Then it released three extra cards as a factory set, which includes:
If you are considering collecting the Pro Set trading cards, look for the factory set, which is unique and completes the checklist. Beyond the base checklist, there are also many other trading cards worth collecting, including the following:
| Trading card | What to expect | Why you should collect |
|---|---|---|
| Variations and errors | Topps developed numerous variations in the text, colors, and lettering that appear on cards. Others are also documented with factual errors. | These variations and errors make them unique from others and worth collecting. Still, check out the pricing first, as they are not automatically valuable |
| Promotional Cards | There are sometimes smaller promotional issues that can be more unique than the regular base cards | Rarity of these issues makes them more unique and sought after |
| Sealed products | Unopened boxes consisting of untouched trading cards | Unopened trading cards can appeal to collectors who prefer original packaging. They also tend to attract better value than opened cards. |
Desert Storm cards aren’t as popular or widely collected as some modern releases, so dedicated breaks can be harder to find on top card-breaking platforms. We noticed the difference when comparing them with One Piece card rips, where popular platforms can feature 24/7 queues and advanced break formats to keep you on your toes.
Still, there are many other ways to rip Desert Storm cards, and we’ve outlined some of the top options below.
Here, you buy a sealed card from a breaker and watch the box open during a live stream. Each card is identified on the live stream, then those picked from your spot are set aside and shipped to your location. This format is the closest to ripping a card yourself, without being physically present.
If you prefer ripping the card yourself, this is your best option. All you have to do is buy an unopened Desert Storm pack online, and every card inside is yours. There’s no breaker in this case, and it gives you the traditional card-ripping experience from the comfort of your home. The major downside is that you don’t know what is inside until the pack arrives.
These are also known as group breaks, since one sealed product is spread across multiple collectors. Instead of a single collector claiming ownership of all the cards in the box or pack, participants will purchase a spot and receive cards based on the break rules.
Now you know the most popular Desert Storm trading cards and how to rip them. If you are thinking of building your collection, the 1991 Topps and 1991 Pro Set releases are great starting points. From there, you can look for more cards, such as factory sets, variations, errors, promotional issues, and sealed products, to make your collection unique.
When it comes to ripping the cards themselves, you also have options, from entering a live rip to joining a group card break where cards are shared among numerous collectors. However, read the rules and regulations before buying so there are no surprises about how cards are opened, distributed, and shipped to your location. Take a look at the platforms featured on this page and see which one has the ripping experience you’re after.
Many companies have produced Desert Storm trading cards. The most popular are from Topps and Pro Set, with checklists of 264 and 253 cards, respectively.
Yes, Desert Storm box break cards exist, but they are not as common as breaks for modern trading-card releases. This type of card break involves opening a sealed product and sharing the cards among collectors according to the break rules.
Desert Storm cards generally have value. However, some factors can make them more valuable than others. For instance, the condition, scarcity, variations, and whether it is a factory set can all influence price and interest in a specific trading card.
