Uncle Willie (The Moon Mullins Family) - Wheaties Cereal mask (1940s-50s) - backside

This “Uncle Willie” mask, based on the character from the popular Moon Mullins newspaper comic strip, was issued by Wheaties in the late 1940s–50s. Uncle Willie was one of the beloved figures from the Mullins family, recognized for his bald head, bushy beard, and comical expressions that made him an ideal choice for children’s play masks.

Printed on the backside of Wheaties cereal boxes, these masks were intended to be cut out, worn, and then discarded—making complete, uncut panels like this one very scarce today. The use of licensed comic strip characters added an extra layer of appeal, as Wheaties capitalized on children’s fascination with popular culture of the era.

Measures: 11.5 x 10 inches
Date: 1940s–1950s
Origin: Wheaties cereal backside premium

Rarity: While not as scarce as some of the lesser-seen Wheaties animal or fantasy characters, Uncle Willie is significantly harder to find than the most common masks in the series.