Fritz - Wrigley's "Comic Club" King Features Syndicate - Einson Freeman Co. Mask (1933)

Made by Einson-Freeman Co. • Licensed by King Features Syndicate

Issued for Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Chewing Gum Promotion

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Here’s Fritz, one of the world’s very first comic-strip troublemakers, from The Katzenjammer Kids. Created by Rudolph Dirks in 1897 and later continued by Harold Knerr, the strip—distributed by King Features Syndicate—followed two mischievous German brothers, Hans and Fritz, whose endless pranks delighted Sunday readers for more than half a century.

In 1933, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. celebrated these icons by offering full-color character masks through its “Comic Club” premium. Children mailed in Juicy Fruit wrappers to receive masks printed by Einson-Freeman Co. of Long Island City, N.Y., each bearing the official King Features copyright.

(Newspaper ad shown for reference only — not included.)

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Character: Fritz (The Katzenjammer Kids)

Creator: Rudolph Dirks / Harold Knerr

Year: 1933

Maker: Einson-Freeman Co., Long Island City, N.Y.

License: King Features Syndicate

Material: Lithographed heavy paper with original strap tabs

Dimensions: Approx. 9 inches tall

Condition: Excellent color with moderate age wear and some surface soiling; “PAT. APPLIED FOR — EINSON-FREEMAN CO.” mark clearly visible on back.

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Rarity & Known Survivors

While Hans & Fritz were two of the most recognizable faces in the Comic Club promotion, genuine survivors are still few due to their paper fragility. They remain among the most sought-after comic duos in the entire set.

Character Est. Survivors Rarity Tier

Popeye < 30
Barney Google 25–35
Tillie the Toiler 35–50
Hans 50–75
Fritz 50–75

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The Katzenjammer Kids shaped the entire American humor strip tradition. This mask preserves a comic legacy spanning from the 1890s to the Depression era — and links Wrigley’s chewing gum to one of the earliest examples of character merchandising ever produced.