RELEASE PERIOD : LATE 1986 A giant sticker set was released by the Topps Ireland company in 1986 throughout Ireland and Great Britain. The 15-card Giant UK set is identical to the U.S. version, but with different copyright date information and matte finished backs. The U.S. version was also produced around that time with the due date of February 31st; the set was released after the U.S. 3rd Series in January and during the U.S. 4th Series release in May of that year. The release date in Ireland and Great Britain most likely occured later in 1986, since UK sets were released well after the U.S. sets. The UK Garbage Pail Kids were released after the initial hype and craze of the U.S. phenomenon. The cards were released in the UK (England, Ireland, Scotland) as well as distributed in Holland and parts of Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark), slapped with a clocal price tag.  Unlike the U.S. cards that measure 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches and are die-cut, the UK cards are smaller, measuring 2 1/8 x 3 inches and are non die-cut, peeling from the edges, and are sometimes referred to as 'mini' because of their cigarette-card size. The sticker cards come three to a plastic or cellophane pack with a slab of gum, except for the OS5 set that comes four cards to a pack. The price is marked on the box rather than on the packs. Fifteen original series U.S. sets were released by Topps compared to only eight UK series released by Topps Ireland; Topps International Limited established in November 1975. All international GPK are a direct reproduction of the U.S. version or sequential international release and are changed to accommodate each country that they are released in. This includes any nomenclature, numbering or header and logo changes—also, covering up card numbers with overlaying boxed numbers or old 'PEEL HERE' arrows with boxes or larger arrows pointing in the opposite direction. An unpublished OS7 UK set was also produced but never printed or released in the United Kingdom.

— The UK Wrapper is much thicker in comparison to the U.S. Giant Series wrapper. — Overall, the UK set has Card Images that are much sharper and brighter than the U.S. version. The card backs have a matte finish whereas the U.S. version has a gloss finish on the backside. Card example #10 GARBAGE PAIL CIRCUS! UK : '© 1986 TOPPS CHEWING GUM, INC.' + U.S. : '© TOPPS CHEWING GUM, INC. PRTD. IN U.S.A.' — The 15-card set contained original GPK artwork that was Poster-like in layout measuring slightly smaller than 5 x 7 inches.  Each pack cost 99 cents and came with 3 Giant stickers with award backs. — The Checklist is on back of card #14; the back of wrapper only states: 'Collect All 15 Stickers'. — For much more Funt Facts & Tidbits please visit the U.S. Giant Series page. An art gallery for the character images is also located on the U.S. Giant GPK Sereis page.

— Two Unpublished Concepts intended for the Giant 5x7 set or GPK Poster set were titled 'Miami Lice', a parody of the television show 'Miami Vice' and 'E Pluribus Garbage', a GPK coat of arms. An unpublished award back was titled 'Creative Writing Award' as per, art director, Mark Newgarden's notes. — For card back #1 LICENSE TO CHEW, a 'License to Kill' phrase parody, as well as with the remaining fourteen card backs, artist Howard Cruse completed the final art for all the card backs including the border around the card. The ribbon artwork in the bottom right hand corner was created and drawn by Mark Newgarden. — Card #3 Garbage Pail Kids RULE was completed by an In-House Staffer with the art department at Topps by the name of Mae Jeon. Topps liked the security of a staffer who could fill in at times of need. Only a handful of her artwork can be found including two pieces in the U.S. 3rd Series set. The rough and tight pencil for this piece was completed by Mark Newgarden. — For much more GPK History on the artwork itself please visit the U.S. Giant Series page.

#	NOMENCLATURE	ARTIST — FRONT	ARTIST — BACK	WRITER — BACK
1	BAZOOKA JERK and his Garbage	TOM Bunk	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
2	BONY JOANIE ... THIN LYNN ...	TOM Bunk	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
3	GARBAGE PAIL KIDS RULE!	MAE Jeon	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
4	GARBAGE PAILS ... FOUL BILL	TOM Bunk	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
5	HAVE A NICE DAY ... GPK	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
6	HOOKED ON GPKIDS	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
7	WHY FIGHT IT? COLLECT GPK	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
8	TAKE A GPK TO LUNCH!	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
9	GARBAGE PAIL NATIONAL PARK	TOM Bunk	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
10	GARBAGE PAIL CIRCUS!	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
11	HOW TO BE A GPK	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
12	IT TAKES GUTS TO BE A GPK	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
13	AND THE WINNER IS ... MISS GPK	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
14	BUSTED! GPK	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
15	GARBAGE PAIL SCHOOL	JOHN Pound	HOWARD Cruse	MARK Newgarden
#	NOMENCLATURE	ARTIST — FRONT	ARTIST — BACK	WRITER — BACK