The Phoenix Company commenced operating in Brooklyn, New York, USA in 1919. It changed it’s name to ‘Phoenix Candy Company’ in 1953, becoming highly successful and reputable for producing quality confectionary and chocolate snacks.
One of the companies well known creations is ‘Now & Later’ candies, initially released in 1962 and still in production today. The name ‘Now & Later’ was meant to suggest to customers that they are going to like them now and then want some more later.
The Phoenix Candy Company also sold several candy-and-a-toy themed boxed candy in the 1960s and 1970s, featuring a variety of themes and characters. In 1978, the Phoenix Candy Company was sold to Beatrice Foods.
In 1983, the company merged with Leaf, who then then sold it to Nabisco in 1992. Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company bought it in 2000 following the Kraft/Philip Morris’ acquisition of Nabisco in 2012.
Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company merged with Ferrara Pan Candy Company and the name of the company was changed to Ferrara Candy Company.
The Phoenix Candy Company produced a number of licensed confectionary products featuring the Phantom, often in-conjunction with other comic book characters also licensed to King Features Syndicate.
As no dates exist on packaging featuring the Phantom produced by the Phoenix Candy Company, a solid timeline of produced products can’t be established. The following products are assumed to of been produced in the 1960s or 1970s.
Phantom Candy
The Phantom Candy retail counter top box is produced from cardboard in full color with the ‘2 for 1 cent’ candies being sold in a wax paper wrapping.
Quiz Candy Kisses & Toy
The Phantom Quiz Candy Kisses & Toy box is produced from cardboard in full color and measures 2.5” x 4” x 1”.
Phantom comic strips illustrated by Wilson McCoy are found on the rear of the box, with at least 2 varying images used.
Comic Pic ‘n Mix
The Comic Pic ‘n Mix retail counter top box is produced from cardboard in full color.
Comic Slim Jims
The Comic Slim Jims bag is produced from plastic in full color and measures 13” x 6″, holding 100 pieces of candy.
Comic Pops
The Comic Pops are candies on a stick wrapped in full color see-through plastic.
The Phantom 