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 An unpublished OS7 UK set was also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.

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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.’

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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.

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The Checklist is on
back of card #14; the back of wrapper only states: ‘Collect All 15 Stickers’.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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For much more GPK History
on the artwork itself please visit the U.S. Giant Series page.