1985 Topps Garbage Pail Kids Stickers Nasty Nick #1a PSA 10 GEM MINT

After decades as the leading sports card manufacturer, Topps lifted the lid on an instant phenomenon in 1985—Garbage Pail Kids. But the satirical stickers also brought along plenty of controversy. As parodies of Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, Topps gave its characters unusual names and disgusting traits that boosted their popularity among children but also forced many schools across the country to ban the distracting cards—and eventually led Original Appalachian Artwork to file a lawsuit against Topps for copyright infringement because Garbage Pail Kids characters too closely resembled Cabbage Patch Kids. But even with those “setbacks,” GPK remained a strong brand, and stores struggled to keep packs in stock as Topps had trouble meeting consumer demand. “We’re working three shifts,” said Norman Liss, a Topps Chewing Gum Inc. spokesperson. “There’s always a shortage. We can’t supply enough.” Featuring artwork from John Pound, Nasty Nick led the original 1985 series of stickers as Card No. 1a. The card depicts a Dracula-esque vampire who has bitten into the neck of a Barbie doll, and the back continues the vampire theme by providing a faux certificate entitling the bearer permission to stay up late every night—just as any vampire would. “(Topps) said to make the kids gross, nasty, disgusting and rebellious, and I saw that shock value was a huge part of the idea,” Pound said in 2012. “But as I worked on the sketches, I realized I also wanted the kids and artwork to feel good to look at. Topps hadn’t asked for that, but I needed it, so I would enjoy making the art, and so people would enjoy seeing the stickers. … The GPK jokes were lowbrow humor for kids, gross and rebellious, something most parents wouldn’t like. And I believe the art was appealing, despite the subject matter.” Many collectors will find this PSA 10 example of Nasty Nick plenty appealing. Only 22 examples (2.4%) have earned PSA’s top designation, and collectors may consider staying up late every night of this month’s Pop Culture Premier Auction to ensure they remain the highest bidder.