The Phantom Egg was produced by Ricci Remond Chocolate Co. Pty Ltd based in Ingleburn, New South Wales, Australia in 1992. The egg was released as an edible chocolate Easter Egg, sold in retail stores throughout Australia in stores such as Target and Kmart, a fully licensed item by King Features Syndicate.
Ricci Remond Chocolate Co. Pty Ltd was an Australian confectionery manufacturer that became a notable name in the local chocolate industry during the mid-to-late 20th century. Based in New South Wales, the company specialized in various cocoa-based products and was particularly recognized for its involvement in licensed merchandise and promotional items. Their production facility in Wyong became a hub for creating a wide range of sweets that catered to the Australian domestic market, often bridging the gap between high-volume commercial production and specialty confectionery.
The company gained significant traction through its partnerships with popular media franchises, producing themed chocolates that appealed to collectors and children alike. These products often featured collectible cards or specially designed packaging, making Ricci Remond a familiar brand for those interested in vintage Australian memorabilia and comic book history. Their ability to secure these licenses allowed them to maintain a unique niche against larger international competitors.
In later years, the business landscape shifted, leading to changes in the company’s corporate structure and ownership. Ricci Remond was eventually integrated into the broader operations of various food groups as the Australian manufacturing sector underwent consolidation. While the original entity is no longer the prominent independent force it once was, it remains a point of interest for historians of Australian industry and collectors of “Australiana” who remember the brand for its distinct contribution to the nation’s snack food heritage and its creative marketing tie-ins.
The Phantom Egg was packaged in a full color cardboard box featuring the iconic bold, red ‘The Phantom’ logo, printed on a variety of Phantom merchandise in Australia at the time, alongside a stylized close-up of the Phantom, with the eye holes cut out of the box to reveal the red foil-wrapped chocolate egg inside, a 300g milk chocolate Easter treat.
The hollow chocolate Easter egg is accessed through the upper portion of the packaging, which includes a lift-open flap showcasing the Phantom in his purple costume with arms crossed, secured in place by a piece of adhesive tape.
One of the most unique aspects of this release was the “Free Mask”, as boldly printed on the front of the package. Rather than being a separate plastic item inside, the mask was actually built into the box design itself. The back of the packaging provided instructions for kids to cut along the perforated edges of the character’s face, punch holes in the sides, and attach a piece of elastic. This play-value packaging was a common marketing strategy of the era, encouraging fans to interact with the brand beyond just eating the chocolate.
The reverse side of The Phantom Egg packaging also contains copyright information, details regarding the producer, and the year of manufacture. The instructions found in this same area on how to construct the Phantom mask reads:
MAKE YOUR OWN PHANTOM MASK
HEY KIDS NOT ONLY DID YOU GET A GREAT BIG YUMMY
EASTER EGG BUT YOU ALSO GOT YOUR VERY OWN
PHANTOM MASK.
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS:
- CUT A PIECE OF ELASTIC ABOUT 30CM LONG.
- CUT THE MASK OUT OF THE PACK ALONG THE PERFORATED EDGE.
- MAKE A SMALL HOLE ON EACH SIDE OF THE MASK AND SLIP THE ELASTIC THROUGH AND TIE A KNOT ON EACH END TO SECURE IT.
- NOW PUT ON YOUR MASK AND GO AND SHOW ALL YOUR FRIENDS.
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