The Phantom Baby Playing Cards were produced in India in the 1980s. The set is made up of a total of 53 cards, 52 regular playing cards plus a joker card, with one side of each card printed in the traditional style of a standard deck of playing cards. The cards are believed to of been produced for promotional purposes, unlicensed by King Features Syndicate.

The Phantom Baby Playing Cards are printed in full color on high-quality glossy stock paper and are smaller in size to a regular playing card, measuring 2” x 1.5”, hence for the ‘Baby Playing Cards’ title. The illustration of the Phantom riding Hero found on all the cards is by an unknown local Indian artist adopting the style of Wilson McCoy.

The cards come in a cardboard storage box, depicting the same Phantom illustrations as found on the playing cards.

Unfortunately, information about the manufacturer of the Phantom Baby Playing Cards is unknown. However, the opening flap of the card pack bears the inscription ‘Laxmi Playing Cards MFG. Co Bombay – 400 038,’ suggesting that the cards were produced in Mumbai, India. The Postal Index Number ‘400 038’ indicates that this district in Maharashtra is home to both commercial and residential buildings with Western influences. The name ‘Laxmi’ is a popular business name in India, representing the goddess of wealth and prosperity in Hinduism. Several buildings and businesses in Mumbai also bear this name. Neither the playing cards nor the packaging display any official copyright information.

The Phantom Baby Playing Cards were distributed in a carton housing 24 sets of playing cards, featuring the same graphics as the playing card pack.

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Thank you Christopher Smith for assisting with images and information.