Ken Maynard (The Trail Drive) - Universal Pictures Movie Promotional Giveaway mask (1933)

This scarce paper mask was issued in 1933 as a promotional giveaway by Universal Pictures to advertise The Trail Drive, a Western starring legendary cowboy actor Ken Maynard.

Ken Maynard (1895–1973) was one of the earliest singing cowboys on film and a major Western star of the late silent and early sound era. Known for his horsemanship and for performing many of his own stunts, Maynard embodied the rugged frontier image that captivated Depression-era audiences. The Trail Drive (1933) was part of his long run of B-Western hits, cementing his reputation as one of the big screen’s most bankable cowboy heroes before Gene Autry and Roy Rogers came to dominate the genre.

Promotional masks like this were distributed to theatergoers, particularly children, as part of Universal’s innovative advertising campaigns. Printed on lithographed cardstock and featuring a realistic portrait of Maynard, the mask allowed young fans to “become” their favorite screen cowboy for an afternoon. Very few have survived, making them prized ephemera for collectors of both vintage movie memorabilia and Western Americana.

This example measures approximately 7 inches by 5 inches, with original string ties intact and a bold image that still captures the charm and charisma of Maynard in his prime.

Date: 1933
Studio: Universal Pictures
Film Tie-In: The Trail Drive (1933)
Star: Ken Maynard (1895–1973)
Size: approx. 7" x 5"
Rarity: High – very limited distribution, few survivors.