The eighth and final installment
of the Original Series UK Garbage Pail Kids cards sets plus the continuation of
‘The Garbage Gang’ releases. The set basically consists of all of the ‘a’
character cards of the U.S. 11th Series set and all of the ‘a’ character cards
of the U.S. 12th Series set that sequentially number from 418a through 500a. The
set was produced in 1991, for packaging, and was manufactured, printed and released
in 1992. The UK won’t see another GPK release until the resurgence of the 80’s
nostalgic cards until 2004 in the form of an All-New Series (ANS) trading card
set as well as an ANS Album set that covers new characters and images previously
unpublished in the UK.

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. 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 An unpublished OS7 UK set was also produced
but never printed or released in the United Kingdom.

— Considering the card backs are exactly the
same as the U.S. release, the FLICK IT! section cannot
be properly displayed.

—
The set contains a very cool and unique black and white Graphic
Border that fits the release nicely.

—
Since only half of the U.S. 11th Series and the 12th Series sets are used for
the UK release, only one Puzzle per U.S. set can
be completed.

—
The Checklist contains only ‘a’ card numbers; no
‘b’ numbers.