Post’s Toasties Corn Flakes Cereal Box

The Post’s Toasties Corn Flakes Cereal Box was released by General Foods in USA in 1949. The breakfast cereal box promoted a giveaway ring set titled ‘Comic Ring’, which also featured the Phantom, with the tin lithographed rings placed randomly within the cereal boxes.

The Postum Cereal Company was founded in the USA in 1895 by Charles William Post. In 1929, the company underwent a name change to General Foods following several corporate acquisitions by Marjorie Post, who inherited the thriving cereal business from her father. A significant development occurred in 1985 when General Foods was acquired by Philip Morris Companies, now known as the Altria Group, Inc., in a substantial $5.6 billion USD acquisition, marking one of the largest deals of its time. Further consolidating its position in the market, Philip Morris acquired Kraft Foods Inc. in 1988. Subsequently, in 1990, the two food giants were amalgamated to form the entity we recognize today as Kraft Foods.

The Post’s Toasties Corn Flakes Cereal Box is made from cardboard with the exterior printed in 3-tone print, blue, red and cream colors measuring 11.75” x 8.5” x 3.25”. The art found on the exterior of the cereal box is fully licensed by King Features Syndicate.

At least 2 different versions of the Post’s Toasties Corn Flakes Cereal Box were released containing the Comic Rings.

Version 1

The front and back of the Post’s Toasties Corn Flakes Cereal Box can be seen below, with the giveaway Comic Rings featured on the front and back of the cereal box.

A closer look at the back of the cereal box is seen below. An image of the Phantom ring isn’t present, however we see the Phantom noted amongst the ‘other comic characters’.

Version 2

The front and back of the Post’s Toasties Corn Flakes Cereal Box can be seen below, with the giveaway Comic Rings featured on the front and side of the cereal box.

A closer look at the side of the cereal box is seen below. An image of the Phantom ring isn’t present, however we see the Phantom noted amongst the ‘other comic characters’.

Part of a larger set of 24 rings, the Phantom ring was randomly inserted into the cereal boxes seen above as a free giveaway in 1949. The set featured various King Features Syndicate comic book characters, including Henry, Little King, Flash Gordon, Orphan Annie, Dick Tracy, and many more.

Each Phantom ring was sealed in a transparent plastic packet before being placed inside the cereal boxes. The rings were distributed flat, requiring the new owner to bend them to fit their finger, with instruction provided on the cereal box.