Two print runs
of the 2nd Series Garbage Pail Kids were released in 1986. One print run is identical
to the third print run of the U.S. 2nd Series set. Considering the UK Garbage
Pail Kids were released after the U.S. production, the last print run of the U.S.
2nd Series set was used for release in the UK. Hence, card 49b FRAN FRAN
nomenclature, the Live MIKE puzzle, and 42a and 42b card backs are used. The
wrapper is completely blue from top to bottom and the set has two card variations. The
potential, second print run has a blue wrapper where the sealed top and bottom
sections are clear and the set has thirteen card variations. A re-release of the
2nd Series occurred due to the rise in popularity of the cards with a large overstock
production by Topps Ireland; and, like with the U.S. wrappers, the wrapper codes
are the same with no differentiation to distinguish the cards inside.

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 ‘international’ 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 nomenclature, 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 An unpublished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 CODES: 1-494-1-6 & 1-495-0-6
BOX ARTWORK — JOHN POUND

PACK
CODE: 0-495-0-6 — BLUE AND WHITE WRAPPER
NOTE: CARD VARIATIONS —
42a, 42b
RENDERED ARTWORK — TOM BUNK

PACK
CODE: 0-495-0-6 — BLUE AND CLEAR WRAPPER
NOTE: CARD VARIATIONS —
42a, 42b, 43a, 44a, 46a, 47a, 48a, 49a, 50a, 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a
RENDERED ARTWORK
— TOM BUNK

DEALER
INSERT AD ARTWORK — JOHN POUND
IMAGE PROVIDED BY COLLECTOR ROBERT GRIFFIN

—
The third U.S. print run of the 2nd Series is used
for the U.K. release which includes the FRAN FRAN Nomenclature
Change and Live MIKE puzzle.

—
There are No Name Changes
for this UK series set.