The two print
runs of the 1st Series Garbage Pail Kids were released throughout the UK and surrounding
territories and are almost identical to the U.S. 1st Series set. The numerical
card sequence and variations are the same as the U.S. version, but several name
changes occured to accomodate trending forenames that replaced the potentially
uncommon U.S. first names. There were several productions with at least two
print runs, having differnet wrapper codes, released in 1986 shortly after the
U.S. 1st Series set released in 1985. The first box and wrapper found without
a UPC code may have been part of a regional test release that seemed to have consisted
of only A-name cards; much like the similar French, German and Dutch ‘test set’
releases. Boxes of B-name cards were also produced with 48 packs and the later
production consisted of both A-name and B-name numbered cards combined. A large
overstock of cards was later sold to distributors.

The
UK Garbage Pail Kids were released after the initial hype and craze of the U.S.
GPK phenomenon. The cards were released in the UK (England, Ireland, Scotland)
as well as distributed in Holland and parts of Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark). 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 there cigarette-card size. The
sticker cards come 3 to a plastic or cellophane pack with a slab of gum, except
for the 5th Series that comes 4 cards to a pack. The price is marked on the
box rather than on the packs. Fifteen original 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 ‘foreign’ GPK are a direct reproduction
of the U.S. version and are changed to accommodate each country that they are
released in. This includes any name, number or header changes — and
also, the covering up card numbers with overlaying boxed-numbers or old ‘PEEL
HERE’ arrows with boxes or larger arrows pointing in the opposite direction.

A
15-card Giant set was also released in the UK which is same as the U.S. version,
but with different copyright date information and matte finished backs. An unpublished
7th Series was also produced but never printed or released in the United Kingdom.

COUNTER
DISPLAY — BOX CODE: 1-494-0-6 — NO UPC / TEST — A-NAME BOX OR B-NAME
BOX
COUNTER DISPLAY — BOX CODE: 1-494-1-6 — UPC: 5-011053-001628
— A+B-NAME BOXES
ARTWORK: JOHN POUND — BOX DESIGN: BRAD KAHLHAMER

PACK
CODE: 0-494-0-6 — NO UPC / TEST — PINK AND WHITE WRAPPER
RENDERED
ARTWORK: TOM BUNK — DESIGN: BRAD KAHLHAMER

PACK CODE: 0-494-1-6 — UPC — PINK AND WHITE WRAPPER
RENDERED ARTWORK:
TOM BUNK — DESIGN: BRAD KAHLHAMER

PACK CODE: 0-494-1-6 — UPC — PINK AND CLEAR WRAPPER
RENDERED ARTWORK
: TOM BUNK — DESIGN : BRAD KAHLHAMER

[NOT
PICTURED]
UNCUT SHEET — 132 CARD
SHEET (?) — 11 x 12 FORMAT
CODE ? — 44 SIZE SET (41 CARDS + 3 VARIATIONS)
x 3 SETS

CARDBOARD
CASE BOX — 24/48 ct. — PRODUCT #494
CODE ? — UPC ?

—
Sticker cards 18a Cranky FRANKIE & 18b Bad BOB
have a Red GPK Header with a contrasting yellow border
like the U.S. 1st Series set including the unregistered trademark (™) symbol.

—
To accomodate popular, trending first names a staggering
number of thirteen Nomenclature
Changes occured for the UK release that replaced the potentially uncommon
first names of the U.S. series set.

U.S. 5b JAY Decay	U.S. 6a ART Apart	U.S. 11a Itchy RICHIE
U.S. 12a Furry FRAN	U.S. 15a Ailin’ AL	U.S. 18b Bad BRAD
U.S. 19a Corroded CARL	U.S. 20b Dressy JESSE	U.S. 24a Nervous REX
U.S. 24b Nerdy NORM	U.S. 31a Run Down RHODA	U.S. 35a Wrinkly RANDY
	U.S. 41a Mean GENE

—
The only original UK GPK set, exactly as with the
original U.S. sets, that contains No Puzzle.