Hans - 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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From the longest-running comic strip in history, The Katzenjammer Kids, comes this rare 1933 Hans paper mask — part of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.’s “Comic Club” premium campaign.
The prank-loving German brothers Hans and Fritz were created by Rudolph Dirks and later continued by Harold Knerr, distributed by King Features Syndicate. These two boys brought slapstick chaos to Sunday funnies for decades, making them perfect faces for Wrigley’s playful promotion.

Kids mailed in gum wrappers for these full-color masks, printed by Einson-Freeman Co. of Long Island City, N.Y. Each bears factory markings and King Features’ official copyright.
(Newspaper ad shown for reference only — not included.)

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💀 The Mask

Character: Hans (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 slots

Dimensions: Approx. 9 inches tall

Condition: Very good color; mild age toning, light creasing; “PAT. APPLIED FOR – EINSON-FREEMAN CO.” stamp visible on reverse.

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Rarity & Known Survivors

Hans and Fritz are among the better-documented characters from the 1933 Comic Club campaign, though true survivors remain limited due to their fragile construction and child use. Estimated surviving examples: 50–75 worldwide.

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 are a cornerstone of early American comics, and Hans embodies the playful energy that defined 1930s newspaper humor. This mask represents one of the earliest licensed comic character premiums ever tied to a chewing gum promotion — a vibrant relic of Depression-era pop culture.