Pig - Merrell-Soule Company Advertising Paper Mask (July 3, 1904) - Boston Sunday Post

An extraordinary survivor from the earliest era of paper masks in America. This Pig mask was issued as a newspaper supplement in the Boston Sunday Post on July 3, 1904, lithographed by the Merrell-Soule Company of Syracuse, NY. The mask was part of a historic four-week summer promotion in July 1904, with a new animal mask given away each Sunday:

Pig – July 3

Dog – July 10

Donkey – July 17

Monkey – July 24

Each issue encouraged children to cut and wear the masks, making intact examples virtually impossible to find today. This Pig mask is presented here in its uncut form — exactly as it would have been pulled from the paper more than 120 years ago.

The Merrell-Soule Company, better known later for producing powdered milk (a predecessor to Carnation/Nestlé’s milk products), was also a significant lithographer of early 20th-century advertising premiums. Their bold use of color lithography and sturdy stock made these masks visually striking yet fragile when handled — which is why so few exist in their original state.

Historically, these masks represent one of the first documented series of newspaper giveaway masks in America, predating the flood of 1930s–40s cereal-box and candy tie-ins by decades.

This example, depicting the Pig, measures 10 ½ inches by 13 inches and still retains its brilliant color and printed instructions. A true museum-grade piece.