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 changesalso, 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 An unpublished OS7 UK set was also produced but never printed or released in the United Kingdom. |
ITEM |
CODE |
REVISION |
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION |
Display
Poster | '#313' |
NA | Retailer Product
Box Insert |
Wrapper |
0-313-0-0 |
NA | Sealed
Plastic Pack |
Display Box |
1-313-0-0 | NA |
Cardboard Display Box |
Case
Box | #313 |
NA | Corrugated
Cardboard Shipping Carton |
Uncut Sheet |
#313 |
NA | Uncut
Production Sheet : Sticker Format |
UK
GIANT CARD PRODUCT 15 TOTAL = 15 CARDS + 0 VARIATIONS ![]() COUNTER DISPLAY BOX BOX CODE: 1-452-15-01-6 (?) NOTE: A U.S.-TYPE PACKAGING CODE IS USED FOR THE RELEASE NOTE: MADE IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - BY TOPPS IRELAND LTD, BALLINCOLLIG, CORK. ![]() ![]() TRADING CARD PACK WRAPPER CODE: 0-452-15-01-6 NOTE: A U.S.-TYPE PACKAGING CODE IS USED FOR THE RELEASE; CONTAINING 'CENTS' RATHER THAN 'PENCE' NOTE: MADE IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - BY TOPPS IRELAND LTD, BALLINCOLLIG, CORK. |
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 |