Major Matt Mason 1967 Period Newspaper Ads

MMM Procter & Gamble Promotion

During 1967 most of the Major Matt Mason ads reflected the initial Mattel offering which was somewhat limited as Mattel tested the waters to see how the line would be received. The only figure sets available were the Major Matt Mason Flight Set and the Major Matt Mason with Moon Suit. Also available were the Space Station, the Space Crawler (and Deluxe combo of both) and three accessory cards. 

The suggested retail was a bit all over the place as the various retailers figured out the best way to market the items as was the sales pricing. Often the newspapers would also have accompanying articles, especially as the space program progressed and the holidays approached.

I've moved the Canadian Period Newspaper Ads to their own page here.

1967.06.05 Freeport TX Brazosport Facts Page 5 Bruno Drug Sweepstakes Ad

This is the earliest Major Matt Mason ad I've come across - from Freeport Texas, apparently Bruno Drug was heavily invested.

1967.06.11 Freeport TX Brazosport Facts Page 5 Bruno Drug Sweepstakes Ad 2

Follow-up ad from the week prior (above).

1967.08.23 Oakland CA Tribune Page 16 Capwell's School Sale Ad

Capwell's Finer Stores "Sale for School" ad in the Oakland Tribune August 23, 1967. This is the only I've I've managed to find promoting the Three-Ring Binder and Lunchbox.

1967.09.07 Napa Valley CA Register Page 5 Trade Fair Lay-Away Ad

Trade Fair promoted Major Matt Mason in the Napa Value Register on September 7, 1967 along with other toys. This is probably the most verbose ad I've ever seen that accompanied product images.

1967.09.18 Yonkers NY Herald Statesman E.J. Korvette Anniversary Sale

Early ad featuring Major Matt Mason Flight Card.

1967.09.27 Logan (UT) Herald Journal Page 7 State Hardware Layaway Sale Ad

State Hardware published this "Layaway Sale" ad in the Logan Herald Journal on September 27, 1967, one of the earliest ads I've managed to find with Major Matt Mason in it. It shows the Moon Suit Pak without any pricing info.

1967.10.06 Nashville Tennessean Page 51 Zayre Toyland Expansion! Ad

Fairly early Major Matt Mason ad, this time in the October 6, 1967 Nashville Tennessean by Zayre, a local department store from the era, promoting their Toyland Expansion.

1967.10.11 Niagara Falls NY Gazette Page 44 Sears Toy Town Layaway Sale

Early Sears ad preparing for the upcoming holiday season. Graphic of the "Major Matt Mason in Jet Space Suit."

1967.10.11 San Antonio TX Light Page 76 Globe Shopping City Anniversary Sale Ad

Globe Shopping City published this full-page ad in the San Antonio Light on October 11, 1967. It has the Major Matt Mason Flight Set on sale for 2.22 with accompanying clip-art.

1967.10.12 San Antonio TX Express Page 5 Globe Shopping City Anniversary Sale Ad

Globe Shopping City published this full-page ad in the San Antonio Express on October 12, 1967 (also different ad in another local paper - see above). It has the Major Matt Mason Flight Set on sale for $2.22 with accompanying clip art.

1967.10.18 Geneva Times MMM Proctor & Gamble Promotion

"It's A Child's World" Sweepstakes... winners can choose from these Mattel toys!
"Major MATT Mason, America's man in space."

1967.10.19 Big Spring TX Daily-Herald Page 6 Gibson's Discount Center Lay-Away Sale Ad

Gibson's Discount Center published this full-page ad in the Big Spring Daily-Herald on October 19, 1967. It features several Major Matt Mason items at discounted prices, along with clip-art for each.

1967.10.19 Greencastle (IN) Banner-Graphic Page 5 "Win a kid a Mattel toy" Procter & Gamble Promotion Ad

This same ad was published in several newspapers advertising Twiggy, Puppy Patter Pillow and Major MATT MASON through Procter & Gamble coupons for stuff like Head & Shoulders shampoo, Scope mouthwash and Crest toothpaste.

1967.10.19 Pulaski VA Southwest Times Page 7 "Win a kid a Mattel toy" Procter & Gamble Promotion Ad

This same ad was published in several newspapers advertising Twiggy, Puppy Patter Pillow and Major MATT MASON through Procter & Gamble coupons for stuff like Head & Shoulders shampoo, Scope mouthwash and Crest toothpaste.

1967.10.22 Independent Press Telegram Page W-14 Sav-on Halloween Ad

Halloween Goodies at Sav-on with a small image of MMM in the "Layaway Toys" section lower right.

1967.10.25 Amarillo TX Globe-Times Page 6 Kmart Pre-Christmas Toy Discounts Ad

Variations of this Kmart ad appeared in several Texas newspapers around October 25 or 26, 1967. It features a small vignette of Major Matt Mason atop the Space Sled, with the Space Crawler and Space Station in the background.

1967.10.25 El Paso TX Herald-Post Page 14 Kmart Pre-Christmas Toy Discounts Ad

Variations of this Kmart ad appeared in several Texas newspapers around October 25 or 26, 1967. It features a small vignette of Major Matt Mason atop the Space Sled, with the Space Crawler and Space Station in the background.

1967.10.25 Nashville Tennessean Page 9 Kmart Pre-Christmas Toy Discounts Ad

Great mostly Mattel ad from Kmart in the Nashville Tennessean on Octover 25, 1967. Particularly nice Major Matt Mason clip art with three items offered.

1967.10.26 Amarillo TX Daily-News Page 8 Kmart Pre-Christmas Toy Discounts Ad

Variations of this Kmart ad appeared in several Texas newspapers around October 25 or 26, 1967. It features a small vignette of Major Matt Mason atop the Space Sled, with the Space Crawler and Space Station in the background.

1967.10 Oswego-Palladium Montgomery Ward Sweep Sale Ad

Very wordy October sales ad for Montgomery Wards with a couple of MMM items at sale prices.

1967.11.02 Baytown TX Sun Page 11 Gibson's Discount Center Sales Ad

Gibson's Discount Center published this sales ad in the November 2, 1967 Baytown Sun. It has the Space Crawler for $4.88, the Major Matt Mason Flight Set for $2.78 and the Space Ship Case for $2.88.

1967.11.02 Binghamton NY Press Page 4-B Children's Super Mart Ad

Children's Super Mart "Week-End Special" ad with a small blurb on Major Matt Mason Flight Set at a sale price.

1967.11.03 Nashville Tennessean Page 35 Woolco Grand Opening Sale Ad

Full-page ad from Wolco for their Oaks Grand Opening published November 3, 1967 in the Nashville Tennessean.

1967.11.05 Nashville Tennessean Page 127 Star Discount Stores Toy Wonderland Ad

Spectacular full-page Star Discount Stores ad, turned sideways, promoting their "Toy Wonderland" 41 shopping days 'til Christmas, in the Nashville Tennessean November 5, 1967.

1967.11.10 Amarillo TX Daily-News Page 50 Skaggs Drug Centers TOYLAND Sale Ad

Skaggs Drug Centers published this full-page, eye-catching ad in the Amarillo Daily-News on November 10, 1067. It features small images and a sales price on the Space Crawler Action Set at $5.98.

1967.11.10 Corpus Christi TX Times Page 3 Atlantic Thrift Centers Toy Spectacular! Sale Ad

Atlantic Thrift Center published this full-page ad in the Corpus Christi Times on November 10, 1967. It features the Major Matt Mason Flight Set on sale for $2.00.

1967.11.10 Garland TX Daily News Page 5 Spartan-Atlantic Toy Spectacular! Sale Ad

Spartan Family Department Stores and Atlantic Thrift Center published this full-page ad in the Garland Daily News on November 10, 1967 (note that it's a duplicate of an ad published elsewhere).

1967.11.10 Nashville Tennessean Page 21 Spartan Toy Spectacular Ad

The Spartan store on Murphreesboro Rd put this full-page ad into the November 10, 1967 Nashville Tennessean. Pretty coll Major Matt Mason Flight Set clip art. Note it's basically the same ad for the Atlantic Thrift Center in other cities.

1967.11.10 San Antonio TX Light Page 48 Spartan-Atlantic Toy Spectacular! Sale Ad

Spartan Family Department Stores and Atlantic Thrift Center published this full-page ad in the San Antonio Light on November 10, 1967. It features the Major Matt Mason Flight Set on sale for $2.00.

1967.11.13 Knickerbocker News JC Penney Ad

Blast off with Major Matt Mason, Mattel's man in space! (also features a nice Johnny Astro illustration!)

1967.11.15 Kingston NY Daily Freeman Page 2 DISKAY Discount Stores Ad

The DISKAY Discount Stores "Pre-Holiday TOY SALE" includes a Major Matt Mason Flight Set for the discounted price of $2.77.

1967.11.17 Amarillo TX Daily News Page 53 Kmart Pre-Christmas Toy Discount Sale Ad

Kmart published this Pre-Christmas Toy Discount Sale full-page ad in the Amarillo Daily News and other papers on November 17, 1967. It prominently features several popular Mattel toys including Major Matt Mason with the Space Station and Space Crawler, all at sales prices.

1967.11.17 The Farmville (VA.) Herald Page 4B Rose's Pre-Holiday Values Sale Ad

Rose's published this half-page ad in the Farmville Herald on November 17, 1967. It features a Mattel section that shows the Major Matt Mason Space Crawler at a $4.94 sales price with clip art.

1967.11.17 Garland TX Daily News Page 5 Kmart Pre-Christmas Toy Discount Sale Ad

Kmart published this Pre-Christmas Toy Discount Sale full-page ad in the Garland Daily News and other papers on November 17, 1967. It prominently features several popular Mattel toys including Major Matt Mason with the Space Station and Space Crawler, all at sales prices.

1967.11.17 (UT) Hill Top Times Page 19 SAV-ON CLOSEOUT Sale! Ad

The SAV-ON store on Washington Blvd near Hill AFB posted this full-page ad in the base newspaper, the Hill Top Times on November 17, 1967.

1967.11.19 Brownfield TX News Herald Page 7 Welcome to GEBO'S TOYLAND Ad

GEBO'S published this half-page ad "Welcome to GEBO'S TOYLAND" in the Brownfield News Herald on November 19, 1967. It features the Major Matt Mason Flight Set for the sale price of $2.19.

1967.11.22 Amsterdam Recorder Hobby Center Ad

He Flies! Major Matt Mason - small graphic of Major Matt Mason on the Space Sled for a whopping $3.57 - such a deal!

1967.11.22 Mexia TX Daily News Page 4-5 Gibson's "Oh My Gosh!" Sale Ad

Gibson's Discount Center published this fairly large ad that spans across two pages in the Mexia Daily News on November 22, 1967.

1967.11.22 Troy NY Times Record Page 64 Jupiter Discount Store Toyland Opens Ad

Nearly a full-page ad of mostly toys from the Jupiter Discount Store.

1967.11.22 Troy NY Times Record Page 66 Topps Holiday Ad

The Troy Times Record gives us this Topps Holiday Ad with a second MMM sales appearance!

1967.11.23 Amarillo TX Daily News Page 55 Woolco "One-stop Christmas Giving" Ad

Woolco Department Stores published this one-page "one-stop Christmas giving" ad in the Amarillo Daily News on November 23, 1967. It features the Space Station Space Crawler Deluxe Action Set on sale for $13.97.

1967.11.23 Chula Vista CA Star-News Page 6 Walker Scott Toy Sale Ad

Walker Scott published this full-page toy sale ad in the Chula Vista Star-News on November 23, 1967. It shows images of the Major Matt Mason Flight Set and the box front of the Space Station, both at sale prices.

1967.11.23 San Antonio TX Light Page 101 T.G. & Y. Christmas Gift Sale Ad

T.G. & Y. published this Mattel-heavy half-page ad in the San Antonio Light on November 23, 1967. It features the Major Matt Mason Flight Set with clip art, on sale for $1.77.

1967.11.23 San Antonio TX Light Page 127 Woolco "One Stop A World of Toys" Sales Ad

Woolco Department Stores published this full-page "One Stop A World of Toys" sales ad in the San Antonio Light on November 23, 1967. It has a prominent section for Major Matt Mason toys right under the logo with the Space Crawler Action Set on sale for $15.97.

1967.11.24 Amarillo TX Daily-News Page 60 Montgomery Ward 2-Day Christmas Sale-a-thon Ad

Montgomery Ward during this era really produced some amazing ads - this full-page example was published in the Amarillo Daily News on November 24, 1967. It features many well-executed graphic elements, both eye-catching and pleasing, of the best toys of the season.

1967.11.26 Nashville Tennessean Page 134 Zayre Famous TV Toy Parade Sale Ad

November 26, 1967 Nashville Tennessean full-page Zayre ad, appears to promote toys that have corresponding TV commercials including the Major Matt Mason Flight Set for $1.99.

1967.11.27 Kingston NY Daily Freeman Page 18 Caldor Holiday Gifts! Ad

The Caldor store advertisement in the Kingston New York Daily Freeman shows a small image of the Major Matt Mason Space Station Space Crawler Deluxe Action Set.

1967.11.30 Anahuac TX Progress Page 35 Gibson's "Christmas Time is Savings Time at Gibson's" Ad

Gibson's produced this full-page "Christmas Time is Savings Time at Gibson's" ad for the November 30, 1967 edition of the Anahuac Progress. It features some of the season's most sought-after toys including the Major Matt Mason Flight Set and the Space Crawler, both at sale prices.

1967.12.01 Abilene TX Reporter page 71 Montgomery Ward Bellringer Toy Sale

Montgomery Ward published this 2-page (or single-page turned sideways) "Bellringer Toy Sale" ad in the Abilene Reporter on December 1, 1967. It features more of that Major Matt Mason clip art well arranged with other eye-catching toy graphics..

1967.12.01 Provo (UT) Daily Herald Page 2 State Hardware Toy Demonstration Ad

The State Hardware in Provo Utah published this small ad in the Provo Daily Herald on December 1, 1967. "Mattel Representative will demonstrate Major Matt Mason and his Space Station" - presumably this is similar to demonstrations in Texas where Mattel employees come dressed in Astronaut coveralls.

1967.12.01 San Antonio TX Express And News Page 24 Woolco "One Stop Christmas Giving" Ad

Woolco Department Stores published this half-page ad in the San Antonio Express and News on December 1, 1967. It has the Major Matt Mason Space Crawler Action Set sale priced at $15.97.

1967.12.03 Binghamton NY Press and Sun-Bulletin Page 9 Toys 'n' Decorations Sale Ad

Partial "Toys 'n' Decorations" Sales section from the Binghamton NY Press and Sun-Bulletin in December of 1967.

1967.12.03 Chula Vista CA Star-News Page 7 T.G. & Y. Toys Giant Discounts Sale Ad

The T.G. & Y. Ad gets rather buried on this very busy page in the December 3, 1967 Chula Vista Star-News.

1967.12.07 Lubbock TX Avalanche-Journal Page 42 Gibson's Toys! Toys! Toys! Sale Ad

Gibson's Discount Center published this nearly full-page ad in the December 7, 1967 Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Morning Edition. It includes an image and description of the Major Matt Mason Flight Set for $1.77.

1967.12.07 Lubbock TX Avalanche-Journal Page 104 Gibson's Toys! Toys! Toys! Sale Ad

Gibson's Discount Center published this nearly full-page ad in the December 7, 1967 Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Evening Edition (same ad as above, different page). It includes an image and description of the Major Matt Mason Flight Set for $1.77.

1967.12.07 CA National City Star-News Page A-7 Walker Scott Sales Ad

Walker Scott published this 6-column ad in the National City Star-News on December 7, 1967. It has the Major Matt Mason Space Crawler Action Set on sale for $5.37 with a small image.

1967.12.07 CA National City Star-News Page A-8 T. G. & Y. Toys Giant Discounts Sale Ad

T. G. ∓ Y. published this small ad in the National City Star-News on December 7, 1967.

1967.12.07 Nyssa (OR) Gate City Journal Page 12 Michael's Pharmacy Ad

Full- page ad brought to you by Michael's Pharmacy in Nyssa Oregon, published on December 7, 1967 in the Nyssa Gate City Journal.

1967.12.12 CA Hanford Sentinel Page 5 Iseman's Christmas Gift Buys Ad

Iseman's Department Store published this ad in the Hanford Sentinel on December 12, 1967. It has a rather wordy section describing Major Matt Mason with a graphic of Matt on the Space Sled.

1967.12.13 Madera CA Tribune, Page 9 Price's of Madera "Happiness is a Toy from Price's" Ad

Price's of Madera published this "Happiness is a Toy from Price's" ad in the December 13, 1967 Madera Tribune. It shows the Major Matt Mason Flight Set for $3.49.

1967.12.14 Kingston NY Daily Freeman Page 26 Sears Toy Bonanza Ad

Sears "Toy Bonanza" ad in preparation for the holidays, with small graphic of a Major Matt Mason Flight Card "in Jet Space Suit."

1967.12.14 Murray (UT) Eagle Page 13 Shoppers Discount Toys Ad

Sears "Toy Bonanza" ad in preparation for the holidays, with small graphic of a Major Matt Mason Flight Card "in Jet Space Suit."

1967.12.14 Silsbee TX Bee Page 14 Downtown Silsbee "Shop Late Thursday" for Jay's 5 & 10 Ad

Downtown Silsbee Texas promoted its retailers in this ad published in the November 14, 1967 Silsbee Bee. The Jay's 5 & 10 lists the Major Matt Mason Space Station Space Crawler Deluxe Action Set for $9.88 (amazing price!)

1967.12.15 CA Hanford Sentinel Page 14 Penneys Toyland New Low Prices! Ad

The Hanford Penneys (J.C. Penney) published this great "Toyland - New Lowe Prices!" full-page ad in the Hanford Sentinel on December 15, 1967. It features the detailed Major Matt Mason graphic with two items at sale prices.

1967.12.15 Nashville Tennessean Page 39 Kmart "Merry Christmas" Ad

Full-page Kmart ad from the December 15, 1967 Nashville Tennessean. No clip art, just a small mention of Major Matt Mason under "Gift Ideas."

1967.12.15 Provo (UT) Daily Herald Page 24 Penneys "Reduced! Clean-Up Savings!" Ad

The Provo Penneys (J.C. Penney) published this ad on December 15, 1967 in the Provo Daily Herald. It has the Major Matt Mason Space Crawler Action Set for $5.88.

1967.12.21 Chula Vista CA Star-News Page 8 T. G. & Y. Christmas Gifts Ad

T. G. & Y. published this "Christmas Gifts" Ad in the Chula Vista Star-News on December 21, 1967. It lists two Major Matt Mason items at sale prices.

1967.12.22 Binghamton NY Press Pg5-B Midland Holiday Sales Ad

So close to Christmas this seems to be a last minute attempt to entice parents with gift ideas

1967 Schenectady NY Gazette The Big N Anniversary Sale! Ad

This appears to be an insert for "The Big N" and includes the Major Matt Mason Flight Set at the special price of $1.97.

1967 Geneseo NY Livingston County Leader Harding's Family Center Ad 1

The first of two Harding's Family Center Ads - this one lists a sales price for the Space Station.

1967 Geneseo NY Livingston County Leader Harding's Family Center Ad 2

The second of two Harding's Family Center Ads - this one closer to Christmas.


All Mattel images and captions are copyright Mattel and used without permission. All other content, including images and editorial, is Copyright © 1997-2024 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton

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