Fantomen Pennant

The Fantomen Pennant was produced under license of Bulls Press in Sweden in 1958. Limited information is known about the pennant.

For a period spanning over 70 years, Bulls Press has maintained exclusive licensing rights in Sweden for the manufacturing of Phantom merchandise and collectibles.

Bulls Press – originally founded by Cornelius Bull, along with his nephew Einar Wyller and Bjarne Steinsvik in 1929 in Norway, subsequently relocated to Stockholm, Sweden, a year later. In 1931, the company underwent a name change to become Bulls Presstjänst AB. Beginning as a small-scale operation, Bulls gradually evolved into a highly successful publisher of comic books and associated merchandise.

Semic – Sweden’s prominent publishing house, holds the distinction of printing the Fantomen Comic Book series, boasting the longest-running European Phantom comic book series worldwide. Since its inception in 1950 and up to recent years, Semic has not only produced hundreds of comic books but has also offered a plethora of Phantom collectibles through its fan club and comic book publications.

The Fantomen Pennant is made of fabric and is triangular in shape measuring 29cm in length. Printed directly on the pennant is an image of the Phantom riding Hero with Devil running by their side, with the reverse side containing no print. The Phantoms Swedish title is also printed on the pennant ‘Fantomen’, in the same design as seen on Fantomen comic books published in Sweden.

Along the extended edge of the Fantomen Pennant, the inscription ‘TILLV.MED TILLST.AB BULL’S PRESS J’A’NST AB STOCKHOLM’ is displayed in black print, which translates to ‘COURTESY OF BULL’S PRESS SERVICE AB STOCKHOLM’. It’s highly probable that the pennant was distributed through purchase advertisements and/or served as a prize for contests featured in Fantomen comic publications.

The pennant is specifically designed for use as a type of flag, featuring a folded and stitched section along its long edge, which accommodates the insertion of a string for display by the owner as necessary.