The Skipper (Toonerville Folks) - Super Shell Gasoline - Advertising Paper Mask (1930s)

This vintage advertising mask depicts The Skipper, the eccentric, white-bearded conductor of the Toonerville Trolley from Fontaine Fox’s legendary comic strip, “Toonerville Folks.” First appearing in 1908, the strip became a nationwide sensation, chronicling the chaotic adventures of a rickety trolley car and its colorful passengers. The Skipper, with his oversized spectacles and jolly grin, was the heart of the series — a symbol of small-town humor and resilience.

Promotional Tie-In
In the 1930s, Super Shell Gasoline partnered with the Einson Freeman Co., one of the era’s premier advertising novelty manufacturers, to produce this paper mask. Distributed at gas stations, these masks promoted Shell’s growing national brand while tapping into the widespread popularity of the Toonerville Trolley. The dual branding — beloved comic character plus major corporate sponsor — made them especially memorable giveaways.

Cultural Significance
By the Depression era, comic-based premiums like this mask had a dual appeal: they entertained children while quietly encouraging brand loyalty in parents. The Skipper’s image tied the reliability of Shell Gasoline to the steadfast, if comical, trolley operator — a clever marketing move in a competitive petroleum industry.

Measures 8 inches by 13 inches.

A rare advertising relic linking Fontaine Fox’s Toonerville world to Shell’s rise as a gasoline giant, this mask stands as both a playful artifact and a unique piece of American marketing history.