1959 Bazooka Joe in the Netherlands and Belgium

Bazooka introduces the first 50 textless gags. They are identical to the American and British series. The banner has the numbers 1-59 followed by a number. The numbering is illogical, some numbers exist twice, other numbers don’t exist. The comic artist was Wesley Morse (born in Chicago on June 17th 1897, died in New York on July 30th 1963, aged 66).

It was probably in 1959 already that the first vending machines were installed by Bazooka at groceries and other selling points. They weigh 10 kilogrammes and measure 47x25x19 centimeters. A lid on top seems to be designed against the Dutch rain. The text on the side says: double stick, 5 cent.

Bazooka opens a P.O. Box in The Hague, P.O. Box 1107. In November 1959 a gift list comes out (27×22 centimeters) on which among other items a hobby book is shown. All of a sudden Bazooka Joe has freckles. Most likely this cover was drawn by an unknown commercial artist, probably from The Netherlands. On the wrappers still the text Bazooka the Atom bubble gum.

Gags lettered/numbered P1 etc. are known as well. P could stand for pantomime.