Gloria Stuart (The Invisible Man) - Universal Pictures Movie Promotional Giveaway mask (1933)

An exceptionally rare survivor from the Golden Age of Universal Pictures, this promotional mask was issued in 1933 to coincide with the release of James Whale’s legendary science-fiction horror film, The Invisible Man. It features the likeness of rising star Gloria Stuart, who played the female lead opposite Claude Rains in his unforgettable debut.

Gloria Stuart (1910–2010) went on to enjoy a remarkable Hollywood career spanning more than seven decades, later immortalized for her role as “Old Rose” in Titanic (1997). But in the early 1930s, she was a contract player for Universal, appearing in key productions like The Old Dark House (1932) and The Invisible Man (1933), both directed by Whale. These studio masks were distributed in limited numbers at theaters, giving audiences a way to bring a piece of the stars home — an innovative promotional idea during the Depression years when studios competed fiercely for ticket sales.

The mask is printed on thin lithographed cardstock with striking portrait detail that captures Stuart’s expressive eyes and classic Hollywood glamour. It retains its original string ties and measures approximately 7 inches by 5 inches. Masks from this Universal series are among the earliest examples of celebrity endorsement paper masks, and very few tied to major horror/sci-fi properties like The Invisible Man have survived.

For collectors, this is an extraordinary piece — combining Universal Monsters history, early Hollywood ephemera, and the enduring legacy of an Academy Award-nominated actress.

Date: 1933
Studio: Universal Pictures
Film Tie-In: The Invisible Man (dir. James Whale)
Actress: Gloria Stuart (1910–2010)
Size: approx. 7" x 5"
Rarity: Very High – few documented survivors, especially tied to Universal’s horror cycle