Tom Mix - Hot Ralston Whole Wheat Cereal - Package Printers Proof (September 1948)

Ralston Purina Company - St. Louis, Missouri

Uncut Pre-Production Sheet

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This is an original 1948 printer’s proof for the Hot Ralston Whole Wheat cereal package.

This sheet promotes the Tom Mix Trading Post program—one of Ralston’s largest and most recognizable late-1940s premium campaigns. Children could redeem Hot Ralston box tops for a variety of household goods, toys, tools, and Tom Mix–branded items. These catalogs changed periodically, making proof sheets historically important for documenting the exact lineup of premiums offered during a specific month.

The production code M-W 1801 9-48 confirms manufacturing and layout date: September 1948.

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Manufacturer: Ralston Purina Company, St. Louis, Missouri

Year: 1948

Type: Full Printer’s Proof / Pre-Production Flat

Stock: Thin proofing paper (not cereal boxboard)

Features:

Complete front, back, and side panel artwork

Tom Mix Trading Post premium catalog

Color and layout alignment marks

Mascot: Hot Ralston Cowboy Boy

Nutritional panel: 1948 whole wheat / added wheat germ formula

Size: Full flat sheet (untrimmed)
Measures: 13.5 inches x 9 inches

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Includes period-correct 1948 Tom Mix Trading Post items, such as:

Children’s toys & hobby tools
Household items
Camera & projector
Sporting goods
Tom Mix–themed novelties
All illustrated with original Hot Ralston Box Top redemption values.

Rarity:

Genuine printer’s proofs from the 1940s cereal era are rare, as these sheets were intended for internal use only and routinely destroyed after approval. Surviving examples from Ralston Purina are especially limited.

Condition:

Bright, strong colors
Clean surface
Light edge wear from handling
No folds or creases
Excellent for framing or archival storage