The Phantom Iron-On transfer was produced in Mexico in 1952. It formed a part of a promotional campaign, with an Iron-On transfer provided in exchange for bottle caps found on Lulú Soda soft drink bottles.
If you’ve ever visited Mexico and noticed what appears to be Betty Boop on a drink bottle, you’re not mistaken. However, what you’ve observed is not actually Betty Boop, but rather a carbon copy named Lulú. Lulú serves as the official mascot of Refresco Lulú beverages by Pascual Boing, formerly known as Refrescos Pascual, and has been a fixture since the company’s inception. Pascual Boing offers a variety of drinks, with its fruit-flavored beverages being particularly popular.
The company experienced significant success upon its launch in the 1940s. However, labor disputes in the 1980s culminated in a strike that concluded in 1985, granting workers the right to take over the company, which has since operated as a cooperative. The majority of Pascual’s products are marketed under the Boing!, Pascual, and Lulú brands. While available throughout Mexico, distribution is primarily concentrated in the central and northeastern regions, with the Mexico City area contributing to sixty percent of sales.
Initially, Lulú closely resembled Betty Boop and maintained this appearance for several years. However, to preempt a potential lawsuit from King Features Syndicate, the Pascual Boing Company altered Lulú’s hairstyle between 1950 and 1951.
The Phantom Iron-On transfer was produced in a dark blue color printed on tissue paper measuring 5″ x 7.5″. It was one of an assortment of other character Iron-On transfers which include Mandrake, Popeye, Terry and The Pirates, and Betty Boop. The Phantom Iron-On transfer can be seen below.
The Phantom Iron-On transfer contains the words ‘Lulú Calcomanias’ above a profile image of the Phantom, with the title ‘El Fantasma’ at the base, which is the Phantoms title in Mexico. The transfer is designed to be transferred onto a fabric garment by simply placing the image face down, before applying a hot iron onto the back of the tissue paper. The heat then transfers the image onto the garment when the paper is lifted off.
The transfer could be obtained where Lulú Soda soft drink was sold for 2 bottle caps and 5 pesos.
The identical artwork is featured in the 2nd series of the Paquito El Fantasma Comic Book, specifically Issue #10003. Published by Editorial Panamericana in Mexico in 1952, the Paquito comics comprised two distinct series, with the Phantom released under the name ‘El Fantasma’, as recognized in Mexico. This edition can be seen below.
Thank you Christopher Smith for assisting with images and information.
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