Little Jeff (Mutt and Jeff) - Super Shell Gasoline - Einson Freeman Co. (Par-T-Mask) Mask (1933)

This vintage paper mask features Little Jeff, one half of the legendary comic duo Mutt and Jeff. Created by cartoonist Bud Fisher in 1907, Mutt and Jeff was the first daily comic strip in American newspaper history, setting the standard for the comic strip format and becoming a cultural phenomenon through the early-to-mid 20th century.

Character Background
“Jeff” is the shorter, bearded sidekick to tall, lanky “Mutt.” The duo’s slapstick misadventures and humorous takes on everyday life made them national icons by the 1910s–30s, spawning not just newspaper fame but also animated shorts, stage performances, and a wide range of licensed merchandise.

Production & Advertising Tie-In
This mask was produced in 1933 by the Einson Freeman Company as part of their popular Par-T-Mask line, distributed as an advertising premium. In this case, it was tied to Super Shell Gasoline promotions, linking beloved comic characters with Depression-era consumer advertising. Masks like this were handed out at gas stations, stores, and children’s events to encourage brand loyalty in a playful way.

Measures 8 inches by 11 inches.

A rare survivor from the golden age of comic strips and advertising premiums, this Little Jeff mask connects two powerful threads of American culture: the rise of mass comics and the innovative marketing of Depression-era gasoline companies.