Please help us complete this timeline. You can use the Contact page to tell us vital stuff. All information is useful — text on transfer sheets, titles, copyright dates, "also available" blurb, adverts, references in comics, etc.
Blue question marks — •?• — represent unanswered questions (unknown serials or titles, for example). Your input is valued with these.
Many thanks for your help, & good hunting!
Last updated: 27th February 2024 — currently 160 outstanding questions.
Sadly, the nature of the Internet compels me to add that this document, the information contained within it, & its arrangement are all © Tom Vinelott 2007-2024.
(TIP: use the "Titles Links" to find full set details for each title, e.g., "Letraset Super Action Transfers Red")
Letraset's monochrome transfers were printed on sheets of Crown (15" x 20") by a Kippax Pneuminor silkscreen press, purchased in 1961. You can visit H.G.Kippax & Sons Ltd if you'd like to get one yourself! Tell them SPLAT sent you…
Originally provided with monochrome transfers, these early Panoramas were later re-issued with 4-spot sheets (see below).
Each pack was printed at least twice, with a different serial number each time, demonstrating that silkscreen transfers could be easily reprinted with minor artwork alterations.
Early printings of these titles do not mention Waddingtons, but those after January 1966 do.
A typewritten note enclosed in 1965 (pre-Waddingtons) Lunar Base Panoramas refers to twelve Instant Picture Packs.
All the seventeen sets above (& ONLY the above sets) were designed by Patrick Tilley Associates.
UPDATE: Patrick Tilley's first effort used a Special Sheet; see S Series, below.
The back of Waddingtons Panoramas as of 1971 mention a range of twelve Busy Bees, so either six of the eighteen were no longer being reprinted by then — or this is a slip based on using the info printed on earlier Panoramas. At any rate, the above six were always titled "WADDINGTON/Letraset Instant Pictures".
The twelve 'Junior Panoramas' were essentially twelve of the Busy Bee Instant Picture Packs re-branded for the US market, with each slotted into a large piece of folded card, & with a nylon stick (for rubbing down the transfers) included in the cellophane wrapper. The first mention of this range is on the backs of the 1971 Panoramas. It goes without saying that their serial numbers are the same as the Busy Bees.
N.B.: there are other products with 'K' serial numbers, but they haven't been listed here because they are not related to Action Transfers or Instant Pictures. Mostly these are Instant Lettering products such as "Titles for Electronic Equipment", "Electronic Symbol Drafting Set" or "Lettering for All Scale Models". Some of these, rather than being monochrome, used two or three spot colours.
These are something of an anomaly: monochrome silkscreen transfers, but at least two years later than any of the others. They really don't fit into any obvious sequence…
The next few 'K' series transfers were still silkscreen printed at Waterloo Road, but on a new Svecia Semimatic press. Not many jobs were printed on this press; only about six different sheets of RA2 (430mm x 610mm).
Although the Batman Instant Pictures set is not explicitly called a Panorama, it is identical in format to all the larger WADDINGTON/Letraset Panoramas, & it is the elder brother of the Tarzan Panorama — the only other large-format transfer product by Patterson Blick.
This was the World's first colour Instant Picture/Action Transfer — as a Panorama (in all but name), but also offered as Free Gifts with Nabisco Welgar Shredded Wheat.
The Panorama was issued with the idea of cereal Free Gifts as 'spin-offs' from the start. In the UK the six different Free Gifts exactly correspond to the six sections on the 4-spot Panorama transfer sheet.
The artwork was re-done, with more transfers added to make twelve sheets, for Vita-Brits in Australia. These were printed in three spot colours, probably on the Kippax press.
For the Patterson Blick Tarzan Panorama, see below.
In 1964 & 1965 Letraset produced & distributed their own material; then they divided most of their output between Waddingtons and Patterson Blick. The first contract for Letraset 'toys' was with John Waddington Ltd, after negotiations with Lines Brothers fell through. Later self-directed product lines, such as the Action Transfers, were distributed by Patterson Blick.
Letraset's factory at Ashford in Kent was built around a new Rotary Gravure press, which allowed full process colour for the first time & allowed artwork to be mechanically separated rather than have colour laboriously simulated on separate sheets of spot colour.
"The work on the new factory proceeded well, and by the autumn of 1968 we had installed most of our production with very little disruption" — John Chudley, "Letraset: a Lesson in Growth"
John Chudley:
"We received from Italy the largest order for our toys (to be used as premiums with a specially prepared cheese for children) that we had ever taken and it proved to be so successful that it was reordered several times before it was eventually dropped. …Our large premium order had both required and virtually paid for the gravure printing press we needed…"
We don't know for certain what this order was. Bel (La Vache Qui Rit — see below) made cheese for children, of course, but are French rather than Italian, & Publiart who commissioned the Parein Cha-Cha-Rama transfers are Belgian. Our current best guess is that this Tintin promotion was the one John Chudley is referring to. It was advertised in April 1968.
The implication is that, despite earlier dates appearing on other colour transfers (as below), pre-dating is not uncommon & in fact these would have had to have been the first full colour dry rub-down transfers.
"Make your own GIANT action-packed Tarzan Panorama with magic Instant Pictures in colour"
Both the Panorama & the Free Gift transfers are marked "© 1966 Banner Productions Inc.", but of course this refers to the TV programme & is not the print date, which was considerably later. Furthermore, the Panorama is 4-spot, & could therefore have been Svecia silkscreen printed. We put it in this section for convenience.
Three different 'Panoramas' (backgrounds) were available on the back of packs of Shredded Wheat (12 biscuit, 18 biscuit, & Cubs Spoon Size). Whereas one of the Batman Panorama sheets was expressly designed to be re-used for the Batman Free Gifts, the Tarzan Free Gifts are entirely separate from the Tarzan Panorama; even the character depictions are completely dissimilar — despite Peter Archer being the artist in both cases.
"WADDINGTON/Letraset" Panoramas, but no longer in the three-foot wide size. The four-page Waddingtons 'magazine' insert in comics at the beginning of December 1967 specifically mentions & illustrates the twelve 1965/1966 Panoramas, but doesn't mention any of the Character Panoramas.
For completeness' sake, there are also several Character Panoramas GK232 from around 1976, with Letraset re-using the dimensions of the smaller Waddingtons Panoramas, & the 'Panorama' logo, under their own name. By 1971 at least two more titles had been added, & these were reprinted in the 1976 range.
We believe that although there are some details remaining to be nailed down, we do now have a complete list of Panoramas from 1965 to 1981.
Finally, see also the 1978 Letraset Walt Disney Panoramas & the 1978 Letraset Nature Panoramas.
Although "Monsters to Caveman" was 4-spot, we have an uncut sheet which clearly demonstrates that it was printed 'on-the-roll' — in other words, by Rotary Gravure. So not all Gravure printing was full colour.
See also: PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
FC: "Combat Bubble Gum Instant Picture Sheets Letraset Dry Transfers" — "Collect the Series of 80 Pictures"
BC: "Soldiers — Pirates — Normans — Gladiators — U.S.Troopers — Zulus" — "A Series of 20 Sheets totalling 80 Pictures" — "Ideas! Create your own battle scenes" — "Use for school projects — all figures authentic"
This set of 20 transfers was also used with Anglo Bell Boy Gum in packets of "Double Treat".
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
This is the first use of the term 'Action Transfers'. All earlier product lines were referred to as 'Instant Pictures', an expression which is not used after this — probably to avoid confusion (or legal difficulties) regarding Polaroid products.
See also: Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
"Create Your Own Zoo! Wild Animal Action Transfers and Full-Colour Zoo Picture Background"
Here's an interesting question. Two sheets of six un-numbered transfers, twelve in all, & each clearly labelled "1968", came with a background which is a Wall's promotion seemingly referred to in comics adverts of 1971.
The advert refers to eighteen transfers, & if there had been a third sheet of six which we're missing, that would fit.
But we've now seen these transfers as Mako Calcos, for which there were nine transfers per sheet; four sheets (the expected number) would make thirty-six transfers.
"Collectionnez les 32 decalcomanies offert par La Vache Qui Rit: 8 planches de 4 dessins "A La Conquete de l'Espace", de la Montgolfiere aux derniers satellites."
The earliest ad for this promotion ran in Pilote 507, 24th July 1969.
The 'G' probably stands for 'Gravure', referring to the new Ashford Factory's press…
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
Note: the transfer sheets are copyright 1969, but the packs are 1970.
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
TV21 & Joe 90 No.35, 23rd May 1970, back page:
"FREE from Kellogg's 2 Super Instant Picture Books Worth 7/10d You'll have lots of fun with these instant picture books. The author has finished all the words, but the artist has left some pictures incomplete so you'll be able to complete these yourself with the rub-on transfers we've provided. Choose your books from these four. Get your two FREE instant picture books by sending Kellogg's 6 packet tops from any of these Kellogg's favourites: Ricicles, Sugar Smacks, Coco Krispies, Sugar Stars or Puffa Puffa Rice. Start collecting the special packs now!"
The books are PBIPBs Nos. 17 to 20, GK23 to GK26 (above), & they contain a green paper leaflet loosely inserted branding them as Kellogg's:
"This Instant Picture Book is one of FOUR 'Special Editions' which have been published at the request of Kellogg's"
"These books are Dancing — Pond Life — Outer Space — Stories for Younger Children"
"For other Patterson Blick Instant Picture Books Visit your stationer, Bookseller or Toyshop."
(List of 1st 16 titles)
"Kellogg Company of Great Britain, Ltd."
Needless to say, apart from the insert, there is nothing distinctive about the "Kellogg's" PBIPBs!
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
Three of the next five items are Mini-Toons related; read on.
See also: Mini-Toons 13-24 — Groovy Doodles — Mini-Toons 25-48 — PR124 Mini-Toons — Magic Rub-Offs — L61 Mini-Toons — Smash Mini-Toons.
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
The first 24 Mini-Toons were distributed in Europe by PEZ (with German titles) as "PEZ Mini-Toons". A&BC also had a similar arrangement.
See also: Mini-Toons 1-12 — Groovy Doodles — Mini-Toons 25-48 — PR124 Mini-Toons — Magic Rub-Offs — L61 Mini-Toons — Smash Mini-Toons.
Mini-Toons re-purposed as Canadian cereal Free Gifts. "Collect All 12 Groovy-Doodles Stories" "This is just one story with Post Groovy-Doodles. There are 11 more to have fun with, and you can do the same story differently each time. Get your Groovy-Doodles FREE inside specially-marked boxes of Post Alpha-Bits, Honeycomb and Sugar Crisp." (The titles & numbers with question marks are just conjectures to aid further research.)
See also: Mini-Toons 1-12 — Mini-Toons 13-24 — Mini-Toons 25-48 — PR124 Mini-Toons — Magic Rub-Offs — L61 Mini-Toons — Smash Mini-Toons.
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
Chewing Gum Cards. "Peel off back and rub picture with ball point". These 72 transfers were issued with Series 2 and 3 of the 'Orange Backs', & feature the Football season 1970-1971.
Available in English & German as well as French. Later reprinted in a Kalkitos Album. An advert for this promotion first appeared in Pilote, 23rd December 1971.
The missing serial numbers above represent the period in 1970-1971 during which the practice of printing them on the individual transfer sheets apparently took a break. Consequently, chronological ordering is more difficult. When the numbering re-starts it may be just a gesture to indicate the hiatus, or it may mark the creation of Letraset's Consumer Products Division.
The serial numbers for these Mini-Toons fall in the range from GK81 to GK104, leaving four serials available for the preceding items.
See also: Mini-Toons 1-12 — Mini-Toons 13-24 — Groovy Doodles — PR124 Mini-Toons — Magic Rub-Offs — L61 Mini-Toons — Smash Mini-Toons.
Fun Doodles differ from most Letraset sets in that there is no background included.
See also: Fun Doodles 2nd run — Fun Doodles 3rd run — Fun Doodles 4th run — Magicrama — Fun Doodles 6th run — Fun Doodles 7th run — Fun Doodles 8th run — Storytime Doodles from Kellogg's.
Note that the 'Olympic Games Action Replay' series (below) is GK111 — following on immediately from the 'Olympic Games' PBIPB.
See also: PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
Adverts appear in various comics from 1st July 1972.
(Not to be confused with the much later Kellogg's Olympic Action Replay Free Gifts)
Letraset's address until now: "Letraset Consumer Products 195 Waterloo Road. London SE1 8XJ"
See also: Fun Doodles 1st run — Fun Doodles 3rd run — Fun Doodles 4th run — Magicrama — Fun Doodles 6th run — Fun Doodles 7th run — Fun Doodles 8th run — Storytime Doodles from Kellogg's.
"devised by Inge Ballhausen, Illustrated by Detlev Richter. ©1970 BSB-Aktiengesellschaft fur Mechanische Beschriftung und Dekoration"
The first four (price quoted on "Veteran Cars" packs at 40p) are dated 1970, & the next four 1972. Then in 1976 the "Spoon Size Cubs Shredded Wheat Create Your Own Safari Scene" promotion mentions four more mailaway titles: "World in Action Transfers 4 available — Marine Life, Children, Travel, Birds. Each one costs just 55p".
Only twelve in this run, featuring Scottish matches.
(see also PR146)
"Letraset (Industrial) Limited, London S.E.1 England" — Letraset's address now changes...
For the German edition of this series, Letraset changed some of the titles (IOW, the teams supposedly playing), & left off the Star Players.
B27: "Yes, they have gone with the 'naughty' option of using the same artwork, and in most cases the team colours didn't match. The most cringe-worthy example being the use of the Brazilian team (the artist having sterotyped every player with dark skin) to represent either Real Madrid or B. Monchengladbach!"
"Letraset Consumer Products Kingsnorth Industrial Estate, Wotton Road, Ashford, Kent"
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
We have the transfer sheets for this series, but not the packets; so we don't know what they were actually called. But clearly they "do what it says on the tin"! This is a job normally (& better) done by stickers.
The first four Peep Shows were followed in 1974 with three more, produced in conjunction with the RSPCA: the "Animals of British…" series, PR192.
All four of these first run Peep Shows are referred to as "PB Look", but "Trojan Horse" also has an alternate version: "PB Look → In".
The "→ In" has clearly been removed from the titles of all the other sets; there's a blank space where it would fit. This may simply be due to our copy of "Trojan Horse" being earlier than the others we've seen so far.
Perhaps there was a conflict of interest with "Look-In" magazine, which would have had the same target audience?
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
Unlike Fun Doodles, Storytime Doodles do include a background.
See also: Fun Doodles 1st run — Fun Doodles 2nd run — Fun Doodles 4th run — Magicrama — Fun Doodles 6th run — Fun Doodles 7th run — Fun Doodles 8th run — Storytime Doodles from Kellogg's.
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
One picture per pack; "The New Instant Rub-Down Decoration."
Missing from this series, but used as drawn illustrations on the back of the packets, are some more characters listed above. There are nine serials unaccounted for out of the twenty-eight between GK139 & GK166, at least three of which must have been Super Doodles, since three (so far unseen) appear on the pack illustration.
See also: SuperCalcoMagic — Super Doodles 2nd run — Super Doodles 3rd run — Super Doodles 4th run.
Temporary Tattoos (not dry rub-down transfers).
See also: Multi-coloured Skin Transfers — Space Monsters — Dandy Tattooze — Super Heroes Tattooze — Space Attack — 1000BC The Savage Age — Action Man.
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
See also: Fun Doodles 1st run — Fun Doodles 2nd run — Fun Doodles 3rd run — Magicrama — Fun Doodles 6th run — Fun Doodles 7th run — Fun Doodles 8th run — Storytime Doodles from Kellogg's.
Partially reprinted in L64.
See also: Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Super Heroes — Marvel Super Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Mini Marvels — Super Friends.
Temporary Tattoos (not dry rub-down transfers).
See also: Letraset Tattooze — Space Monsters — Dandy Tattooze — Super Heroes Tattooze — Space Attack — 1000BC The Savage Age — Action Man.
Magicrama are the French equivalent of Storytime Doodles; CalcoMagic are Fun Doodles. GK176/3 is a reprint of GK106, & GK176/4 is a reprint of GK109; both of those were in the original run of Fun Doodles.
See also: Fun Doodles 1st run — Fun Doodles 2nd run — Fun Doodles 3rd run — Fun Doodles 4th run — Fun Doodles 6th run — Fun Doodles 7th run — Fun Doodles 8th run — Storytime Doodles from Kellogg's.
SuperCalcoMagic are the French equivalent of Super Doodles.
See also: Super Doodles 1st run — Super Doodles 3rd run — Super Doodles 4th run — & the next item:
See also: Super Doodles 1st run — SuperCalcoMagic — Super Doodles 3rd run — Super Doodles 4th run.
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
See also: Fun Doodles 1st run — Fun Doodles 2nd run — Fun Doodles 3rd run — Fun Doodles 4th run — Magicrama — Fun Doodles 7th run — Fun Doodles 8th run — Storytime Doodles from Kellogg's.
© Topps Chewing Gum Inc. Distibutors, Duryea, P.A. 18642
In Canada Distributed by O-Pee-Chee Co. Ltd., London, Ontario
Under licence to Topps Chewing Gum Inc.
See also: Fun Doodles 1st run — Fun Doodles 2nd run — Fun Doodles 3rd run — Fun Doodles 4th run — Magicrama — Fun Doodles 6th run — Fun Doodles 8th run — Storytime Doodles from Kellogg's.
See also: Super Doodles 1st run — SuperCalcoMagic — Super Doodles 2nd run — Super Doodles 4th run.
See also: Super Doodles 1st run — SuperCalcoMagic — Super Doodles 2nd run — Super Doodles 3rd run.
See also Popstar Fingernail Transfers.
Also printed as "Birds" (omitting the "…of Britain").
John Hunt: "The very detailed artwork was by Peggy Chapman." See L68 for the Italian reprint.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Super Heroes — Marvel Super Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Mini Marvels — Super Friends.
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows.
The same format & logo as the 1968 Waddingtons Panoramas; Letraset have here reclaimed their 'Panorama' title after Waddingtons lost interest in it. All four of these sets are reprints of WADDINGTON/Letraset Panoramas.
See also the 1973 Bedknobs & Broomsticks Panorama, the 1978 Letraset Walt Disney Panoramas & the 1978 Nature Panoramas.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Super Heroes — Marvel Super Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Mini Marvels.
The first run of 6 titles had transfer sheets that were cut-down reprints of earlier Super Action Transfer sheets (with the bottom pair — including the serial number! — of the 6 sections on the sheet trimmed off), while the following 6 titles were original. The address on the 1st set is given as: "Remus Play-Kits, PO Box No. I6, Halifax, Yorks, England"; on the others, it is "Remus Play-Kits, P.O. Box 47, Slough, SL1 4LS, England".
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers.
See also: Remus Photorama.
This seems to be the title that marks the transition to Italian printing. After the Italian purchase, some products continued to be printed in England for a while; but not for much longer.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Super Heroes — Marvel Super Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Mini Marvels — Super Friends.
Probably more than one title in this range.
See also: Remus Picturama.
The first three of these are partially reprinted in L64.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — DC Super Heroes — Marvel Super Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Mini Marvels — Super Friends.
Several titles appear to have been printed in both Italy & England, including this one.
Make your own Disney stained glass windows.
So far (15th June 2023) there are only 55 different PR serials known. There were certainly fewer than the GK serials, but it seems that PR serial numbers were often assigned approximately according to whatever GK numbers happened to be current, giving rise to the initial appearance of there being far more than there actually were. It also results — often, but not always — in PR numbers 'clashing' with GK serials using the same number.
Although all currently-known PR serials are for gravure transfers, it's more than likely that earlier on, some silkscreen transfers whose serials are unknown would have had PR serials.
Incidentally, John Hunt (Letraset's Brand Manager from 1973) has confirmed our guess that "PR" stands for "promotional".
The MakoCalco & MakoCalorama ranges have a section of their own: Mako Series.
Not currently listed on Brooke Bond websites. A reconstruction of the uncut transfer sheet suggested there was probably a sixth title; sure enough, then we found "Golfing".
These two posters were produced by Craft Master, famous for their painting-by-numbers sets. The YS-1 serial number is intriguing…
Transfers to apply to panels on packet backs. Advertised in Treasure No.349, 20th September 1969.
Free with Kellogg's Sugar Stars and Coco Krispies. Advert appeared in Treasure No.351, October 4th 1969.
A set of six carded Free Gift transfers, to be displayed on a large World map. Raja was a Portuguese ice-cream company. The numbering on the transfer sheets implies at least sixteen images; probably not all were transfers.
Identical format to Action Transfers. "TM Bombardier Ltd ©1970 483-0176 Printed in Canada"
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Duckhams Grand Prix Super Action Transfers — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
A total of 50 cars were printed in the Montagu Motor Museum series. The full uncut sheet of 50 transfers makes a very impressive sight!
The original set of six packs was announced in Confectionery and Tobacco News, 11th February 1971.
The Italian comic Michelino ("Mickey") produced a series of albums in 1969, & then tried out the English market. There may have been at least seventeen albums containing Letraset Transfers!
"By Federico Santin. Fabbri & Partners Limited. 1971. 20p."
Adverts for this promotion started appearing in comics from 13th February 1971.
Set of five Free Gifts with 6-packs of Blue Riband biscuits in the UK, & with 3-packs of Smarties in Europe:
Un Magnifique Décor: ("l'Espace, le Monde Sous-marin, la Danse, le Cirque, la Ferme")
See also: PR128 BEA Trident Three — PR182 British Airways Trident Three — PR182 British Airways Tristar — British Airways Space Shuttle.
Free Gifts in packets of sausages. See also Bowyers Action Sport 75 below.
Mini-Toons were produced in a huge variety of formats and editions. It is not entirely clear which this one was; we only have the evidence of two transfer sheets without packets. This run is probably circa 1972.
See also: Mini-Toons 1-12 — Mini-Toons 13-24 — Groovy Doodles — Mini-Toons 25-48 — Magic Rub-Offs — L61 Mini-Toons — Smash Mini-Toons.
John Hunt says:
"The Scotts Porage Oats was an in-pack promotion. I remember it well as it was the first large sale that I made.
"The reason we went for a book… was that they were not subject to tax, whereas transfers on their own were classed as a toy. It was one of those gems of knowledge you bring from another industry — publishing. They were 8pp and stapled, but that in the eyes of Customs and Excise constituted a book!"
See also: PR101 BEA Trident Two — PR182 British Airways Trident Three — PR182 British Airways Tristar — British Airways Space Shuttle.
Twenty Free Gifts, featuring Goofy performing Olympic sports. The promotion appears to have been repeated for the next Olympics in 1976.
Advertised from 10th June 1972. Unusual for Letraset to print Iron-Ons, but what the client wants…
Probably by Letraset South Africa.
"Bobby Orr's Hockey Action Transfer Inside!"
"Make your own exciting Hockey Action scene by just rubbing the transfers on. There are 12 different action scenes: 1 in each specially marked box of Alpha-Bits, Honeycomb and Sugar-Crisp. Collect all 12!"
"EXTRA! On the back of each hockey scene are pictures and career facts of 2 famous hockey stars. When you collect all twelve scenes you have 24 of the best hockey players in the world."
(see also GK121)
See also the GK232 Panoramas, the 1978 Letraset Walt Disney Panoramas & the 1978 Nature Panoramas.
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
"Skicka efter den här fina affischen på Elefantpojken." Transfers of animals of India.
See also: PR101 BEA Trident Two — PR128 BEA Trident Three — British Airways Space Shuttle.
"There are eight sections to the map, one in every pack of Sanitarium Skippy Corn Flakes, Oven Popped Rice, Mini Weet-Bix, Honey Weets, Puffed Wheat & Weeta Puffs. Collect all eight sections. You can also use the Letraset characters to decorate your school books, projects, school cases etc."
Robspromos says: "I have 18 different Cowboys & Indians (Milky Bar?) 38mm x 56mm"
See also: PR219.
Available as a Free Gift with a new backing card, these are re-prints of GK106.
See also: Fun Doodles 1st run — Fun Doodles 2nd run — Fun Doodles 3rd run — Fun Doodles 4th run — Magicrama — Fun Doodles 6th run — Fun Doodles 7th run — Fun Doodles 8th run.
These are temporary tattoos — NOT dry rub-down transfers!
See also: Space Monsters — Tattooze Skin Transfers — Super Heroes Tattooze — Space Attack — 1000BC The Savage Age — Action Man.
These titles are inscribed "Compiled by the Education Department of the RSPCA", & were not part of the numbered series.
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
"Produced in conjunction with the RSPCA." As well as tying-in with the RSPCA Instant Picture Books immediately above, these three Peep Shows follow the first run of four Patterson Blick 'Look' 3D Peep Shows.
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 10th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
See also: Action Transfers Red — Action Transfers Yellow — Action Transfers Blue — Action Transfers Orange — Ski-Doo Mini Transfers — Super Action Transfers Red — Super Action Transfers Yellow — Super Action Transfers Blue — Super Action Transfers Orange — Mini Action Transfers — Remus Picturama Action Library.
Two more Bimborama albums are known, & shown on the same page; one featuring 'Circo Bony', the other 'Lucky Luke'.
("Volar y Saber" = "Fly & Learn".)
"Scanlens Magic Rub-Offs with Letraset's Funny Folk"
"Make your own Fun Pictures Bubble Gum".
"Topps Magic Rub-Offs" appear to have been Topps' implementation of Letraset Mini-Toons, & where Topps goes, Scanlens frequently follows.
See also: Mini-Toons 1-12 — Mini-Toons 13-24 — Groovy Doodles — Mini-Toons 25-48 — PR124 Mini-Toons — L61 Mini-Toons — Smash Mini-Toons.
See also: PBIPBs 1st run — PBIPBs 2nd run — PBIPBs 3rd run — PBIPBs 4th run — PBIPBs 5th run — PBIPBs 6th run — PBIPBs 7th run — PBIPBs 8th run — PBIPBs 9th run — PB 'Look' 3D Peep Shows — Dennis Knight Activity Books.
Reprinted in litho as Letraset Giant Panoramas from 1977.
See also: PR186.
Interestingly, another completely different promotion shared the serial number PR219; presumably for the same client (Nestlé Australia). Use the "VIEW RANGE" link above to see both.
"d'aprés MORRIS et GOSCINNY. Imprimé en Angleterre par Letraset pour BONUX"
Free Gifts in packets of sausages, but N.B.: these are NOT Letraset dry rub-down transfers. They are 'ink-smear' style transfers designed by Peter Archer & produced by Alan Lythgoe (ex-Letraset technical director) of Trans-Action Products, & practically contravene Letraset's patents. They are included here for consistency & completeness (pace Gödel). See also Bowyers Sport in Action above.
Seven other titles, obviously!
Another Canadian Free Gift of the same period (probably c.1976); not to be confused with the earlier Olympic Games Action Replays.
Based on Popstar Watchits.
"6 to collect" (See also World in Action Transfers)
Note that these are NOT dry rub-down transfers!
See also: Space Monsters — Dandy Tattooze — Tattooze Skin Transfers — Space Attack — 1000BC The Savage Age — Action Man.
The Wall's Sausages set was available as one per pack, & also given away in random pairs in "Look-In" No.11, w/e 11 Mar 1978. There was also a block of six included in the 'Star Wars Space Writing Set'.
This series is very much in keeping with Kellogg's other Canadian cereal promotions from Phase II Promotions of Toronto (see above).
4 numbered transfers with leaflets
Interestingly, despite the late date, these are gravure printed & not litho.
Comano marketed MakoCalco transfers, which, like Fun Doodles, came without backgrounds. Each subject was available in four different sheets; there was only one sheet per pack, so that meant four separate Calco packs per title — e.g., "Snow White No.1" up to "Snow White No.4".
For each title, you could also get all four sheets packaged together in a single box along with with a large background (92cm x 25cm), as per Panoramas, & these were called MakoCalcorama.
See what they did there?
The numbering system is logical but the use of hyphens a bit inconsistent; to start with the Calcoramas are all numbered "4400" & their individual Calco transfer sheets "440". So if you bought the Snow White Calcorama, you would get the box & background 4400-1, plus the four Calco sheets 4401-1, 4401-2, 4401-3, & 4401-4.
Note that as well as their own numbering system, some early Calco sheets are clearly marked with Letraset's PR Serials.
The switch from "440" prefixes to "441" (Calco sheets) & "442" (Calcorama), which seem to reflect a change of printing technology, follows the numbering pattern as before, with adjustments for those single sheets which didn't have a Calcorama home.
But at the same time, Calcoramas now came with only one Calco sheet (instead of four as previously), & the background was a much smaller 38cm x13cm, folded into the same size packet as Calcos would have been.
In other words, from now on "Calco" = "single sheet WITHOUT background" (as per Fun Doodles), & "Calcorama" = "single sheet PLUS background" (as per Storytime Doodles).
The 'L' Series transfer sheets came from Letraset's Italian printer, Linea Sodecor (purchased in 1976). Italian Offset Litho-printed transfer sheets use matte-surfaced plastic (as opposed to the English gloss-surfaced sheets). This doesn't affect the appearance of the applied transfer.
Rotary Gravure printing is very expensive to set up, so it is rare to see transfer sheets using this method reprinted with minor changes. But Offset Litho printing is relatively cheap, so from now on it becomes common to find transfer sheets with small alterations, or with varied (& sometimes multiple) serial numbers.
We have evidence of 'L' serials before L46, but it seems most likely that they were all Decor-Craft sheets of between four & eight transfers per sheet. I will include the ones we know about here just for completeness' sake:
Letraset litho printed the early DecorCraft at BKT in Tunbridge Wells, under the technical supervision of John Kingsland. This arrangement naturally ended once Letraset had bought Sodecor. It seems that some of the Wall's Star Wars promotional transfers were printed gravure at Ashford, some litho at BKT, & then the rest at Sodecor.
Several titles appear to have been printed in both Italy & England, including this one.
This range was also reprinted as L77.
See also: McDonald's PrestoMagiX Fall Fun 1979 — Ronald McDonald Rub-Down Scene 1981 — McDonald's Space Transfer Set 1985 — Ronald McDonald Rub-Down Scene 1986 — McDonald's Jungle Land 1991.
These are litho reprints of the Waddington's Panoramas from 1974.
This range was reprinted as part of L96, & as the Thomas Salter Walt Disney Panoramas.
See also the 1978 Nature Panoramas & the earlier 1976 Letraset Panoramas GK232.
The portmanteau serial number L61 was also used for Mini-Toons (L61/A9 to L61/A32):
StellarX: "The interior images and the front image are identical to the set originally produced in 1970. The difference is that the front has a white border and the transfers inside are totally new — even though the image on the front of the sets still shows the ORIGINAL transfer images." (The "Mini-Toons" logo is also completely revised.)
See also: Mini-Toons 1-12 — Mini-Toons 13-24 — Groovy Doodles — Mini-Toons 25-48 — PR124 Mini-Toons — Magic Rub-Offs — Smash Mini-Toons.
So far only two sheets found, both featuring Pinocchio. Obviously there were at least eight sheets in the range!
Combined reprints from earlier GK173 or GK245 "Super Action Heroes" sets &/or Super Heroes Rub-Ons. No series title. Re-issued with a new serial as L80; therefore included twice.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — Marvel Super Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Mini Marvels — Super Friends.
Also printed as "Birds" (omitting the "…of Britain").
John Hunt: "The very detailed artwork was by Peggy Chapman." See GK216 for the English version; also reprinted as L97.
L69/A3 Spider-Man was reprinted as L80/6, L100 & then as 090/024S.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Super Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Mini Marvels — Super Friends.
"Intergalactic Action" is a box containing vacuum-form plastic scenes & two sheets of transfers. L81/4 is Thelwell. See also L81 (second printing) & L91 (third printing). Similar to the Galactic Star Base kit (item after next).
All four sheets are included with the Playhouse. Re-issued as L90. Also see the next item:
Box containing a cardboard cut-out model & four sheets of transfers. Similar to the Sarah Kay Playhouse above. L72 was a portmanteau serial number.
See also the 1978 Letraset Walt Disney Panoramas, the Thomas Salter Walt Disney Panoramas & the earlier 1976 Letraset Panoramas GK232.
Okay, I admit I made up L73/4. Every catalogue is entitled to one deliberate mistake, right? It just seemed too good to pass up.
L74 was a portmanteau serial number consisting of several jobs, with its transfer sheets being re-used in various ways. For example, the Thelwell Fun Doodles & the Thelwell Pony Tales Prize Giving share the same serial (L74/8a), & the Pony Tales run was evidently reprinted as L111 & as Thomas Salter 090/079. Late transfer sheets often have more than one serial number printed on them, since adding a new serial for a reprint is quite straightforward with Litho printing.
See also: Fun Doodles 1st run — Fun Doodles 2nd run — Fun Doodles 3rd run — Fun Doodles 4th run — Magicrama — Fun Doodles 6th run — Fun Doodles 7th run — Storytime Doodles from Kellogg's.
Four packet panels: Scene 1: The Destruction of Caprica — (Ovion Planet) — Scene 3: Escape from Carillon — (Command Centre)
Several titles appear to have been printed in both Italy & England, including this one.
This range was also previously printed as L46.
"Il y a en tout 10 planches différentes de décalcomanies à sec Goldorak. Tu en trouveras une dans les boites de 8, 12 et 16 portions et 2 dans les boites de 24 portions."
"Attention: Prévois ta mise en scène avant de décalquer les sujets. Une fois transférés, il sera trop tard pour changer d'avis."
— Wise words!
Combined reprints from earlier GK173 or GK245 "Super Action Heroes" sets &/or Super Heroes Rub-Ons. No series title. Previously issued as L64; therefore included twice.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Super Heroes — Marvel Super Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Mini Marvels — Super Friends.
L81/4 is Thelwell (see below); L81/5 is TV Casting (above). This is the second printing of L71.
2 transfers on sheet. As with the Sarah Kay Playhouse, these transfers have been re-issued as L90/2. The transfers themselves are re-purposed from artwork printed in the Decor-Craft range. The address given (although possibly only on later printing) is "Letraset Consumer Products Ltd. Woodside Road, Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland." This is, of course, Thomas Salter's address; Letraset purchased Thomas Salter in September 1978.
"Back of box: 'Holly Hobbie Art miniatures are ©1977' leaflet: '©1979'."
The 1977 date probably refers to the product line (& not the transfers). The serial number is a Decor-Craft Design Reference Number, which indicates that this set re-used these, just as the Thelwell Pony Plaques (above) also did for their transfers.
Re-issued as part of L96.
Available as 'Action Adventure Playscenes', & also as 'Rub-Ons' (presumably for the US market) with the following info:
"Made and Printed in England by Letraset Consumer Products Ltd, Ashford, Kent."
"Distributed in the USA by International Playthings. Inc, Montclair, NJ, 07042."
"Rub-Ons a registered Trade Mark of Hasbro Industries, Inc."
Note that (as indicated by the shared serial numbers) these reprints were 'stuck on the end' of the Action Adventure series above!
2 transfers on sheet. As with the Sarah Kay Playhouse, these transfers have been issued earlier, as L81/4. (See that item for further details.)
All four sheets are included with the Playhouse. Issued earlier as L72.
This is the third printing of L71.
"Kalkitos Free with Ready Brek". Green Zard Aliens battling against Star Force Rangers, 48mm x 98mm.
See also: McDonald's McDonaldland 1978 — Ronald McDonald Rub-Down Scene 1981 — McDonald's Space Transfer Set 1985 — Ronald McDonald Rub-Down Scene 1986 — McDonald's Jungle Land 1991.
This range was reprinted from the 1978 Walt Disney Panoramas, & reprinted again as the Thomas Salter Walt Disney Panoramas.
See also the 1978 Nature Panoramas & the earlier 1976 Letraset Panoramas GK232.
The portmanteau serial number L96 was also used for Battlestar Galactica:
Re-issues of L83.
Also printed as "Birds" (omitting the "…of Britain").
John Hunt: "The very detailed artwork was by Peggy Chapman." See GK216 for the English version; also printed above as L68.
This is a reprint of the Spider-Man set above, & was reprinted again as 090/024S.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Super Heroes — Marvel Super Heroes — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Mini Marvels — Super Friends.
Artwork by Dave Gibbons.
"En cada 'doble pastelito' como éste, encontrarás un JUNGLORAMA, es decir, un paisaje de la jungla y una calcomania."
"Letraset Action Transfers", but by Thomas Salter. No "L" series serial numbers, unless you fancy an anagram: "10L9" on each sheet in yellow.
Reprinted as Thomas Salter 090/076.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Action Heroes — Marvel Action Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Super Friends.
"Collect all 5 exciting scenes from other Findus Crispy Pancakes": Ante-chamber — Central Control Room — Close to the Edge — Running Battle — Escape
Four different backgrounds provided on the back panels of packets of Braisor de Prior.
"Glow in the Dark" Action Transfers! The "Letraset Action Transfers" logo appears on some packs, but "Rub Down Action Transfers" on others. Reprinted as Thomas Salter 090/108 & 090/109.
Reprinted as Thomas Salter 090/102.
See also: Dandy Tattooze — Tattooze Skin Transfers — Super Heroes Tattooze — Space Attack — 1000BC The Savage Age — Action Man.
See also: PR101 BEA Trident Two — PR128 BEA Trident Three — PR182 British Airways Trident Three — PR182 British Airways Tristar.
The Dagobah Free Gift was given away with the first 'Empire Strikes Back' issue of Star Wars Weekly (No.118, May 29 1980). This featured a black-&-white circular 'scene' onto which to rub down your transfers; the same artwork as in the lids of the Dairylea Cheese Spread packs. The back page ad (in colour) also offers the Bumper Transfer Pack in return for pack lids!
"Printed in Italy by Letraset for Kraft Foods Ltd."
We've turned this into a game; use the Games link at the top of the page to try it out.
French cheese Free Gift.
Transfer set to commemorate the Radio Rentals Golden Jubilee, 1930-1980.
From Australia.
2 transfers on sheet. Same idea as the Thelwell Pony Plaques and the Holly Hobbie Art Miniature Plaques. Again, the transfers are re-purposed from artwork printed in the Decor-Craft range.
US calendar for the following year (1981), featuring all the American Kellogg's cereal mascots.
Eight in this series. Competition closing date: 30/4/81. "Letraset Action Transfers" logo. Reprinted as Thomas Salter 090/140.
Reprinted as Thomas Salter 090/145. See also the similar Dennis Lillee Action Transfers Poster LP168.
Reprinted as Thomas Salter 090/122 (& others). "Letraset Action Transfers" made in Italy. Printed in U.S.A. Distributed by Ideal. Also — view this range for the unreleased Galactic Task-Force!
Some sheets are marked "Printed in Italy by Letraset SP Ltd" whereas others with the same serial number & artwork have an "Action Transfer Products" logo. This reflects the transition from Letraset Consumer Products to Action Transfer Products. The transfer sheets were provided randomly, so the titles of the cereal packet backgrounds shown above do not necessarily correspond.
"Collect all 14 super transfers to complete your calendar."
These are temporary tattoos, & not dry rub-down transfers. N.B.: listed in numerical, not chronological, order!
34mm x 34mm. Note that the next item has the same serial, & was presumably printed simultaneously:
Same serial as above. "Created by Phase III Productions."
See also: McDonald's McDonaldland 1978 — McDonald's PrestoMagiX Fall Fun 1979 — McDonald's Space Transfer Set 1985 — Ronald McDonald Rub-Down Scene 1986 — McDonald's Jungle Land 1991.
Copyrighted 1980, but as usual this will refer to the licensed property rather than the date of publication.
"Dennis Lillee Testimonial Year 1981-82"
"Transfer Sheets Manufactured in Italy by Action Transfers ©"
"Action Transfer Products" logo. Published by John Sands Leisure; transfers to be applied to poster. See also the similar Kevin Keegan Action Transfers Poster L140.
"Action Transfer Products" logo. Canadian (bilingual); presumably others in series!
Robspromos says: "50mm x 35mm, set of 8 [1982] in Kellogg's cereal. This is a set of 8 to be used on a Calendar e.g. LP206/1 had 6 pictures, 2x New years day (picture of Coco the monkey with a party hat on), 2x Doctor (picture of a stethoscope), 2x Easter (picture of an Easter egg)"
"Action Transfer Products" logo. See also E.T. Rub Down Action Transfers
No logo. Text on sheet reads: "LYONS READY BREK 1983 - LP219/x".
Competition closing date: 30th June 1984
"Action Transfer Products" logo. "One inside this packet six to collect"
These are the last known "L" series. Action Transfer Products, a company which was part of Thomas Salter, obviously would not have survived the sale of Thomas Salter's assets to Peter Pan Playthings via the official receiver.
No serial; too late for serials by now, anyway! Note that this is an earlier date than the last two items, & the same date as next item:
See also: McDonald's McDonaldland 1978 — McDonald's PrestoMagiX Fall Fun 1979 — Ronald McDonald Rub-Down Scene 1981.
Letraset bought Linea Sodecor specifically to produce Kalkitos under contract from Gillette (the razor-blade company). The first ones were dated 1975, although the purchase was in 1976. As you will have seen from the above, other series were printed at the Italian factory as well.
On reading the above sentence, John Hunt confirmed that Gillette were more than a little bemused by his running both their own transfer series & Letraset's! Apparently they expected Sodecor's output to be reserved for their own use.
Throughout the rest of this Chronology, items are arranged according to the serial numbers on the transfer sheet. In this section it makes more sense to start with the serial numbers from the backgrounds, and the transfer sheet serials (where known) are listed after the title on the same line.
Kalkitos Serials are 6 digits starting with "05"; for the Sheet Serials that's all there is, but the Background Serials are followed by a batch number. Note that although Sheet & Background Serials follow the same sequence, they neither correlate nor overlap. It's unusual for Letraset products to print serial numbers on the backgrounds, & when it happens the corresponding number on the sheet is normally identical; not so with Kalkitos.
Being aimed at an International market, Kalkitos titles were usually printed in several languages. The English titles are given here (when available).
There were two basic sizes, referred to here as Large (670mm x 240mm unfolded) & Small (455mm x 125mm).
"Specials" feature custom artwork commissioned for individual clients:
(We have plenty of other 'Specials' serial numbers, but I think this is enough to give you an idea…! See more of the range from our archives on the Specials pages.)
The top pair of transfers from 27.01.154 are re-used as L81/4 (later L90/2) in the Thelwell Pony Plaques.
Decor-Craft were originally litho printed between 1974 & 1978 by BKT at Tunbridge Wells, on uncut sheets with "L" serial numbers. As you can see, there were 156 (cut) sheets.
The transfers marked "LARGE" are double size. The early ones marked "Italy" are later reprints (with the earlier print date still appearing). As so often happens, early dates on later transfers refer to the copyright of the original material rather than the print date. And 27.01.138 was printed as 27.01.38 by typo; easily done!
Thomas Salter was purchased by Letraset (for £1m) in 1978; however, the earliest set produced under their own name without reference to Letraset is circa 1982. This is because Letraset Consumer Products was broken up in early 1981, with Thomas Salter becoming independent again. "Action Transfer Products", a company run by John Hunt, was part of Thomas Salter, although he & Chas Issett left to form Acorn Printed Products after a short while. Action Transfer Products continued "with a new guy", as John puts it, for a little bit longer. The sets with Letraset transfers between 1978 & 1981 had Thomas Salter's address rather than Letraset's.
Thomas Salter serial numbers, when visible, start with "090/".
See also: Space Monsters — Dandy Tattooze — Tattooze Skin Transfers — Super Heroes Tattooze.
This is a reprint of the Spider-Man set above.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Super Heroes — Marvel Super Heroes — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Mini Marvels — Super Friends.
Reprints of the 1978 Letraset Walt Disney Panoramas. There were eight titles in this range; four serials are still missing — no doubt 090/032 S, U, W & X.
Reprints of L110.
See also: Super Action Heroes 1st run — Super Action Heroes 2nd run — Super Action Heroes 3rd run — DC Action Heroes — Marvel Action Heroes — Spider-Man Action Transfers — Super Heroes Rub-Ons — Super Friends.
Reprints of L74 & L111.
See also: Fun Doodles 1st run — Fun Doodles 2nd run — Fun Doodles 3rd run — Fun Doodles 4th run — Magicrama — Fun Doodles 6th run — Fun Doodles 7th run — Storytime Doodles from Kellogg's.
Reprints of L117.
"Glow in the Dark" Action Transfers! Reprints of L116.
Reprints of Letraset Universal Task Force. Printed in U.S.A. (apart from the transfers). Distributed by Ideal. Also — view this range for the unreleased Galactic Task-Force!
Competition closing date: 30/4/81. Reprints of L135.
Reprint of L140. See also the similar Dennis Lillee Action Transfers Poster LP168.
(There were probably two sets)
"© 1979 Waterhall Worzel Ltd, Southern Television" — "Rub-Down Action Transfers" emblem. The copyright date refers to the Television Production rather than the Action Transfers.
See also Shredded Wheat E.T.
Box set, stock no.9047. Comes with a red plastic "MagiX Stick™ made in Hong Kong" (presumably a PrestoMagiX crossover).
Joe says: "Box stock no.9042. Comes with a red plastic 'MagiX Stick ™ made in Hong Kong'."
From the 1983 A-Team Airport Raid set, here is a list of Salters Rub-Down Transfers:
• Cabbage Patch Kids
• Dune
• Fraggle Rock
• Masters of the Universe
• My Little Pony
• Mr Men and Little Miss
• Rainbow Brite
• Star Wars
• Roland Rat
• Secret Wars
• Spiderman
• Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
• The Transformers
• Walt Disney
Thomas Salter declared bankruptcy in 1983, but continued trading in a reduced form until 1985 when Peter Pan Playthings purchased their assets from the official receiver. Peter Pan had nothing to do with transfers in the few months before they, too, declared bankruptcy. However, Acorn (see below) had long since purchased the rights to Action Transfers.
Richard Highfield, of Rainbow Toys Ltd of Wimbledon, commissioned six sets from Acorn — all copyrighted 1984. As far as we know or can remember, these were the last sizeable transfer sets in the Letraset-Salters-Acorn line, although Acorn did produce many smaller sets subsequently.
Acorn Marketing / Acorn Printed Products (run by former employees of Letraset, & essentially running the same business from the same location) did not own Sodecor, which had been sold back to its manager Enrico de Fillipis, when the Gillette business ended early in 1981. However, they did still have an exclusive deal to print transfers after Thomas Salter (who had failed to obtain one earlier) went out of business.
These are rebranded reprints (in Italian) of the L61 Mini-Toons.
See also: Mini-Toons 1-12 — Mini-Toons 13-24 — Groovy Doodles — Mini-Toons 25-48 — PR124 Mini-Toons — Magic Rub-Offs.
The following ranges & titles are known to have existed, but their full details are still unresolved for now. Please supply any information you can uncover!
Note 1: never seen, & almost certainly never existed; probably an error when listing "other series".
Note 2: we have seen demonstration samples of these Japanese transfers printed for PEZ, but we have never seen them 'in the wild'.
Note 3: J.H.Butcher was (& still is) the UK's top printer of transfers, other than Letraset's dry rub-down technology which was patented. How they were legitimately able to print dry rub-down transfers in 1981 is slightly mysterious, not least because while they are clearly 'the real deal' they are also very poor at actually rubbing down (I know — I've tried)! Possibly this may have been a licensed experiment.
Each Title links to the relevant section (containing full set information) above:
I am obliged to state that this document, the information contained within it, & its arrangement are all © Tom Vinelott 2007-2024.