You know what I haven’t talked about in a long time? Stickers. In the early days of this site I spent an inordinate amount of time discussing 80s era stickers and sticker collecting. I probably burnt myself out on the subject a bit, but that never stopped me from collecting and scanning more stickers. The other day while doing some digital spring cleaning, organizing some of my older files and backing up a bunch of stuff I stumbled on a folder of sticker scans that were meant to go straight up here on the site but were sadly neglected. So in order to right that wrong, I’m going to do my best to share the backlog of stuff in the coming weeks (months/years?)

Since we’re about a month away from the sweltering heat of summer, pool parties and a new season of outdoor grilling I thought it would be fun to share my mini collection of food stickers. Well, really this is just an excuse to share all of the Hot Dog-related stickers I had, which is more than I realized upon first inspection. Let’s start with this sheet of Hallmark “Property of” stickers from 1989…

I honestly have no idea where these stickers were destined to be stuck because they are so weirdly food-specific. I mean, I guess you could slap them on your Trapper Keeper or the bottom of your skateboard, but I think they’d be best served on paper lunch sacks. Of course, by the time a kid graduates to paper lunch sacks, stickers declaring ownership are sort of like asking to be punched in the face or kicked in the nards. That being said, I’m trying to find the perfect place to apply the Property Of Hot Dog sticker in my own home, right now…

Next up we have these terrifying anthropomorphic summery food stickers released by the American Greetings Corporation back in 1984. It’s the dead googly eyes that are really terring my soul apart right now. I’ve mentioned it before, but damn if anthropomorphic food doesn’t just give me the major creeps. And as much as I love Hot Dog stickers, did the artist/designed really have to add that single-hair line at the top? It’s so…wrong.

Next up are some slightly less disturbing anthropomorphic food stickers released by Paper Arts in the early 80s. I’m guessing somewhere between 1982-83 by the design, but I can’t be positive. This set is a little less summery, but there was a Hot Dog, so it totally belongs in this set for sure. Also, that celery sticker is…problematic.

Let’s swing this summer sticker extravaganza back into high gear with the above sticker sheet released by Hallmark back in 1983. Still scary, but I adore this art style, so it balances out in my book. Also, crock-of-beans Jacuzzi with lounging bacon is now my favorite non-Hot Dog thing in this article. I also dig the inclusion of sloppy joes and racks of ribs in this set. As for the Hot Dog on this sheet, well, it rubs the mustard on its skin or it gets the hose again…

What set of summery Hot-Doggy stickers would be complete without at least one sheet of puffy stickers to round out the fun? These are so cheeky and weird. I love them. Released by American Greetings Corporation in 1984 I love the wide range of Hot Dog styles we have on display here. I’m seeing so many weird toppings like celery, olives, baked beans, ham, lettuce, and what the hell ever is on the hot dog on the top left (pickles?) I think the hot dog in the middle is looking for a beat-down asking for ketchup like that though. Oh, and did I mention that these are scratch and sniff puffy stickers? That’s weird right?

Next up is this sheet of stickers from the mid 80s (there was no date on the sheet, but I’m guessing 84-85 by the artwork.) This is a more junk-food-y style sticker sheet as opposed to something strictly summery, but I really love this art and it’s food so it fits. This are reminds me of the sheets of scholastic book club stickers you could get while ordering books from those school club flyers.

Last, but certainly not least are these two scratch and sniff Hot Dog stickers released by Trend and Mello Smello respectively. The Trend sticker is a rare non-anthropomorphic rendering which is kind of refreshing, though the art style is still relatively intact.