The numerical sequence
of the Garbage Pail Kids were so unsequential by the UK 5th series that white
numbered boxes were implemented to cover the U.S. numbering system. Any card
numbers that were skipped over in the UK 3rd and 4th Series sets were used for
this release. The UK 5th Series set contains 58 card characters from the
U.S. 5th Series and 20 cards from the U.S. 6th Series added throughout the release
to replace the twenty missing 5th series characters used in the UK 4th Series
set. The set was released in 1987 and contains a staggering number of 54
variations. There is a difference between the two print runs … the checklists
in the first print run have two ‘black bars’ printed over two names in the checklist
and the wrapper has no ‘Topps’ branding or the contents line: ‘STICKERS
* 1 STICK BUBBLE GUM‘. The second print run does not have the black
bars on the checklists, the line items have been altogether deleted, and the wrapper
contains the ‘Topps’ branding and contents line.

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 An unpublished OS7 UK set was also produced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.

—
Card 190a Fluoride FLOYD has a Red
Nameplate exactly like its twin character, Dental DANIEL, within the UK
4th Series, but the U.S. cards 200a & 200b have a yellow nameplate.

—
Two characters have the Same
First Name, for cards 184b Radar RAY & 208a Sting RAY due to combining
U.S. sets.

—
The checklists are different for the two production
runs; the first print run has two Black Bars on the
checklist where the numbers and names for cards 159b Starchy ARCHIE & 186a
Doughy JOEY are blacked out. The second print run has the checklist without any
black bars where the lines have been completely deleted.

—
The U.S. 5th U.S. series cards Characters
Not Used in any set: 197a Doughy JOEY & 197b Starchy ARCHIE. These
are the two names that are black barred or missing on the UK 5th checklist—pictured
above.

—
The Puzzle Preview
for both card backs (ex. card 209a), with either a purple or orange border, state
the border is for puzzle ‘D’, but the purple puzzle border should be for puzzle
‘E’.

—
The set has a staggering number of 54 Card
Variations.