Goblin / Witch – Patent-Applied Paper Party Mask (Late 1930s–1940s)

A strange and wonderfully creepy survivor of early American novelty paper masks, this goblin-faced character comes with a buckle-top hat design and eerie red eye cutouts. The back carries the wording: “Patent Applied For. Made in the U.S.A.”, linking it to U.S. paper novelty manufacturers of the late 1930s–40s such as Denison or U.S. Paper Novelty Co.

Unlike flat cereal or advertising masks, this one is designed to sit across the forehead like a banded hat mask, making it a transitional oddity between advertising give-away masks and later commercial Halloween masks.

Date: c. late 1930s–1940s

Maker: Unknown (likely U.S. Paper Novelty or Denison)

Material: Lithographed card stock

Markings: “Patent Applied For. Made in U.S.A.”

Size: 11 inches by 8 inches

Condition: Original vintage mask with expected age wear