Dickie (Our Gang) - U.S. Caramel Co. Boston - Einson Freeman Co. Paper Mask (1930s)

An extraordinarily scarce survivor from the early Our Gang (Little Rascals) era, this mask of Dickie Moore was produced in the 1930s as part of a short-run promotional campaign. Issued by the U.S. Caramel Company of Boston and printed by Einson Freeman Co., this piece bridged the worlds of Hollywood celebrity and product advertising at a time when movie tie-ins were still in their infancy.

Dickie Moore was one of the most recognizable child actors of the early 1930s, appearing in both Our Gang shorts and major Hollywood films, including Oliver Twist (1933). His cherubic looks and natural acting style made him a fan favorite, and his image was an obvious choice for promotional use. By offering a mask of Dickie’s face, the U.S. Caramel Company cleverly marketed its candy to Depression-era children, linking the simple pleasure of sweets with the excitement of Hollywood fame.

The mask itself is a realistic lithograph portrait, distinct from the more cartoonish advertising characters of the same era. Few of these masks were preserved, as they were meant to be cut, worn, and discarded. Surviving examples are rare enough on their own, but masks tied specifically to the Our Gang franchise elevate this piece into a prized crossover collectible — appealing equally to film historians, mask collectors, and advertising ephemera enthusiasts.

Date: Early 1930s
Maker/Advertiser: U.S. Caramel Co. (Boston), printed by Einson Freeman Co.
Series: Our Gang (Little Rascals) / Hal Roach Studios
Size: approx. 7" x 9"
Rarity: Extremely rare — few documented survivors outside private collections