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Burma Shave Contest
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Preface|
Top|
Map|
Card|
Surf|
Family|
Life|
Forestry|
Computers|
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Previous Page|
--LIFE-- TOUR|
Next Page|
Duane and Eva's Old Kentucky Book Store
We've selected books in ten departments that we think will appeal to our visitors.
Old Kentucky Video Store
Buy videos - recent releases, classics, cult.
If you are a repeat visitor to our web site, we would appreciate it if you
would look at our new feedback page and answer our
questionnaire.
Burma Shave
An Internet Contest
Current Signs
Past Submissions
War of the Minds - Another Internet Contest
People to People - How to be an active participant on this Internet site.
Starting about January 8, 1996, we noticed a greatly increased number of
visitors coming to our Internet site to load our
Burma Shave Roadside Ads text file
listed on our Humor Page.
We decided to take advantage of this and start a contest among our visitors
for Burma Shave verses.
Of several interesting and humorous verses received
lately the best was that submitted by
Brian Buckner.
See if you can do better. The idea is: You send us your original verse. We
will replace the one here with the best one we receive
periodically based on originality and imagination. We don't care about the
subject. It can be your pet cause, humor, politics, life, safety, or
whatever.
If you are not familiar with Burma Shave signs, look at the few we
have here or look at the
complete list.
Burma Shave Verses are usually 5 or 6 short lines. They are written to be
seen one at a time on red and white wooden signs as you drive along a winding
country two lane road. Usually the last sign says "Burma Shave".
Anyway, get cracking and
send us a great verse!.
The entire history of the Burma Shave signs and a complete listing is
available in a book titled "the verse by the side of the road" by Frank
Rowsome, Jr. It was published in 1965 by the Stephen Greene Press and
reprinted in 1990 in paperback by Penguin Books. The Penguin edition has a
foreword by Bob Dole. You can buy it and another Burma Shave book below:
Burma-Shave : The Rhymes, the Signs, the Times
Bill Vossler / Paperback / Published 1998
The Verse by the Side of the Road : The Story of the Burma-Shave
Signs and Jingles
Frank, Jr. Rowsome / Paperback / Published 1991
Here are a few web links for those interested in more information about
Burma Shave and their signs:
It was the rave, in those '50s days, it won't go away: Burma Shave
U.S. News 07/21/97: One Week: Burma-Shave--Without its wit, it's not a hit
Burma-Shave returns to the roadside poetry business
Goshen News Online
Third Age - News & Opinion - Archive - JUNE 18, 1997 - Burma Shave
"Jingle All The Way" by Bill Vossler
Burma Shave Slogans
Burma Shave
Burma Shave Rhymes
Road Signs
Advertising - Burma Shave
Burma Shave Slogans of the Fifties - Page One
A few notes from our visitors:
In Decatur, Indiana. there is a really good restaurant called "The Back
40". They have beam ceilings that have quite a lot of the old Burma Shave
signs on them. I remember the signs quite well from my childhood here in
Indiana.
Spring
Has sprung
The grass has riz
Where last year's
Careless drivers is
Burma-Shave
Sender: Marilyn Smith
Someone told me that back in 1997 Burma Shave actually had an ad on TV.
I've been trying to find it, but no luck. Does anybody remember it can know
where I can find it online?
Sender: Kenny
Thank you for a wonderful site thast brings back many memories. One of my
favorites that I remember from my youth some 40 years ago:
Never pass
on a slope
unless you have
a periscope
Burma Shave
There is another that unfortunately I can't remember the jingle correctly. I
was something about driving too fast, the car was wizin', drivng hizin',
funeral herin, or something like that. Any body know that one?
Sender: Joe Shaff Sr.
I discovered your directory of BS jingles after sending the last email.
'Had collected BS jingles on our way to the Seattle World's Fair--our
one big family trip. Thanks for posting the directory. You have all the
ones I was going to dig out of my notes from that trip from Missouri to
Washington State and back. What great memories.
Sender: JUDITH KING
I remember sometime during the 1960's Mad Magazine did a parody of Burma
Shave signs. I think it went:
Her guy's whiskers,
Just don't faze her,
He shaves with,
Electric razor.
Why bother with,
Burma Shave?
Sender: Martin J. Grumet
I am new to your site, finding it through links to putting in
Burma-Shave.
My interest is in finding more people interested in the old original
Burma-Shave products and signs.
I am linked to Burma-Shave through marriage in that my wifes grand-father
was a higher level person with the original company and as a result,
happen to have several interesting items & products they produced
including numerous road signs, dirt and all, un-used products in the
boxes, LP records with jingles with some I do not believe were used by the
company, letters to the company from advertising venues and the like.
It is fascinating to speak with my wifes grand-father about the company
and hear the stories about producing the products and the advertising
behind them.
I would like to chat with anyone having an interest or knowledge about the
products or the company
Sender: Jeff
Maybe you and other Burma-Shave enthusiasts would be interested in a
couple of nostalgic items I designed in '95 and have had in storage
since.
A hand towel, red design on white, that has the famous "Past
Schoolehouse drive real Slow" artwork on it.
A set of 6 yard or driveway signs with the signs:
WELCOME
FRIENDS
TO OUR HOME
NOW WE WON'T
BE ALL ALONE
BURMA-SHAVE
On reverse, set says
AS YOU LEAVE
PLAY THIS GAME
CONSTRUCT
A JINGLE
WITH THIS NAME
BURMA-SHAVE
24 in. X 6 in.
Foam board to mount on wire stakes.
Only made 30 sets. Not more than 10 sets out there in US.
Rest 4-sale.
Towels also.
PS -
I'm looking for steve soeulburg ???? who is a B-S collector I used to
write in the san diego area. Know him, his address or email?
Sender: Jack Hayslett
At lunch the other day, my boss mentioned that he'd like to put
up some Burma shave-type signs along the road he drives to work, telling
motorists NOT TO DUMP TRASH. We came up with a few suggestions, but would
like to hear from other "Shavers" with some catchy verse along these
lines:
The weather's warm,
The grass is green.
Your trash is spoiling
This beautiful scene.
Sender: Connie Sellitto
Our church is having a silent auction and while brainstorming on ways to
advertise I suggested a series of Burma Shave signs in the front lawn of the
church. Everyone howled at the recollection of these wonderful roadside
ditties. I hope to come up with a few clever ideas but if anyone has a
suggestion I would love to hear it. I'm not too creative! visiting your
website was such a pleasure! As a child I remember passing the time on visits
to my grandparents in northern Wisconsin by reading the Burma Shave signs - we
loved them!! Thanks!
Sender: Boog1975@aol.com
I enjoyed your Burma shave verses. So many people don't even remember them
anymore.
Around 1969, this one was posted near our firebase in Viet Nam, to be read
as patrols left. Of course, Burma Shave didn't post it, but we all liked it
anyway, and it may have saved a few of us.
Don't bunch up
As you patrol about
Or you'll be pickin'
The shrapnel out.
Burma Shave
Sender: Tom Buck
Back when the speed limit was 55 mph, the Pa. Turnpike Commission used a
set of burma type signs to remind motorists of the speed limit. Of course,
the limit is now 65 mph, so I don't know if the signs are still standing. I
can't remember exactly where they were located. Probably somewhere between
Breezewood and Harrisburg, as that's the stretch I travelled when I was going
to college.
You can do
A mile a minute
But there is
No future in it
Sender: chipp2269@aol.com
While goining out on search and destroy in Vietnam we passed a sign that
read:
Don't bunch up..........
As you move about..........
Or you will be picking...............
The Shrpanel out.............
Burma Shave
Sender: James Palestra
There was a Burma Shave verse on hwy. 67 in the small town of Keene,
Texas where I grew up. I looked for it on the complete list but didn't
find it. Probably just missed it. It read:
A man who
Drives when
He is drunk
Should haul
His coffin
In his trunk
Burma Shave
Enjoyed your page.
Sender: Renae Frase
I remember one that went:
If she could cook
he had his doubts
until she creamed
his brussells sprouts
Burma Shave
As a kid, I recalled the slogan as "...sprouts / with Burma Shave!", but my
parents said the "with" wasn't there. Do you know who was right? I didn't
see this particular slogan on your list. The timeframe had to have
beensome time between 1956 and 1962.
Sender: Nancy Canadian
Reply from Duane
Actually the 4th line is:
"his bristle sprouts with"
We use the Burma Shave type signs to see as you leave our plant.... some
examples:
Here lies Dave
Son of Dick
He didn't make
His seat belt click!
If your wife says those belts
Push her clothes helter skelter
Do her a favor
Reach over and belt her!
Don't stick your elbow
Out too far
It may go home
In another car
Sender: Bill Vanover
For some reason, Carnegie Mellon University seems to have a Burma shave
fetish. Lots of on-campus organizations use Burma-style signs to advertise
their events.
We have a staircase overlooking an eight-story drop on campus; it's called
Architect's Leap because legend has it that's where the architecture majors
go to die when they realize their final project is going to have them awake
for the next 4 months. One day a couple of years ago, a chalk outline was
drawn at the bottom and the following words placed on the edges of the
eight stories:
Go Ahead
And
Take The
Leap
Then you'll
Finally
Get Some
Sleep
The words "Burma Shave" were inscribed in the outline.
Sender: G. Sumner Hayes
This is in reference to your Burma-Shave web site. You can reach Route 66
Magazine Publishing House and Gift Shop by FAX at (520) 635-4470 or by mail
at 326 West Route 66, Williams AZ 86046. They sell the Burma-Shave
products, a Burma-Shave book and video, and the original signs. FYI: New
signs are being placed on the highway in select states.
Sender: Bob Hardy
I am looking for the dimensions of Burma Shave signs.
Sender: John Chilcote
I remember a Burma Shave sign that said,
If you don't know
whose signs these are,
you haven't driven
very far.
Burma Shave
Sender: les@cassnet.com
Actually used in Arctic ocean on ice flows for U.S. and Soviet
icebreakers to see. Signs were set by helicopter crew ahead of the ship
(in secrecy, by pilot and his crewman.) Signs were in Russian. When
first sighted, all science personnel on board rushed to bridge with
binoculars. The pilot was also there after landing and giving Captain
the direction of "open navigable water" (where the signs had been
placed.) When first sign sighted many guesses as to Identification were
forthcoming. Soviet ice station, polar bear research site, etc. until
second sign sighted etc. All signs were white on red and placed several
hundred yards apart along broken ice path. All hands could eventually
read all signs which were picked up by the ship for souvenir. Photos
available from helicopter pilot, ME.
The signs read: (in Russian)
1. Polar bears
2. Are Brave
3. But I'm in love
4. with BURMA SHAVE.
Sender: Joe Evette Tanguay.
This was one of the old ads, my favorite:
Riot at the drug store
Calling all cars
One hundred customers
Ninety-nine jars
Burma Shave
Sender: John Young.
I am the great grandson of the founder of the Burma Vita Corporation,
Clinton Odell. All of this renewed enthusiasm in Burma Shave is very
exciting to me.
Sender: Clinton Odell Robinson.
Clinton sent us a couple of verses also.
I remember the Burma Shave signs located 8 miles east of Henry, South
Dakota just before entering a curve. the signs were as follows
Around the curve
Lickety split
It was a
beautiful car
wasnt it
Burma-Shave
Sender: bobeday@icontrol.net
this is a set i saw along jackson highway (state highway.16) south of
rancho cordova california ca. 1959:
if daisies are
your favorite flower
just keep pushing up
those miles per hour
burma shave
i haven't seen a burma shave sign in ages out here. do they still do
them in other states?
Sender: John F. Sorenson
This was a much anticipated landmark as our family traveled North on "Old
Highway 99" in Oregon back in the early Fifties.
Ben met Anna
made a hit
neglected beard
Ben Anna split
Burma Shave
Thanks for bringing back the memories.
Sender: SGolden45@aol.com
I work for American Safety Razor in Staunton, VA. We re-introduced the
Burma Shave line of products in 1995. The razors and replacement cartridges
are available at all Wal-Mart stores. The mugs and soaps are available at
selected retailers, I think Drug Emporiums has them. We did vintage Christmas
Burma Shave Gift Tins with a mug, soap, and brush.
Burma Shave is alive and kicking and hopefully we'll get the message out.
I'll try to figure an e-mail address for you to refer questions to us. Our
phone number is (540) 248-8000.
Sender: SCoch72372@aol.com
Comment from Duane: It is interesting that the original Burma Shave was
a brushless shaving cream and the advertising made fun of those who still used
a brush and soap rather than getting a jar of Burma Shave. The product that
these folks have put on the market as Burma Shave is a mug, soap and brush.
AN UPDATE: I have received word from the American Safety Razor people
above that they are now selling a shaving cream as Burma Shave. They sent me
a sample. It is a well designed can and seems to be a good product. They
also have a matching can of after shave skin conditioner. I don't know what
the original Burma Shave can looked like so I don't know if this one was
patterned after it. If someone else does, please let us know.
Now if they'll just resurrect
the old Burma Shave Signs along the roadsides.
From: "scochran"
We have just re-introduced Burma Shave Shaving Cream and After Shave. Send
me your address again and I'll send you samples. June 24, 1997.
Thank you Mr. Cochran.
Water heater
Out of kilter
Try the brushless
Whisker
Wilter
Burma Shave
Beneath this stone
Lies Elmer Gush
Tickled to death
by his
Shaving Brush
Burma Shave
Jonah took
No brush
to mop his face
Where Jonah went
he needed space
Burma Shave
Mug and Brush
Old Adam
had 'em
Is your husband
like Adam, Madam?
Burma Shave
The answer to
a shaver's dream
A greaseless
No brush
Shaving Cream
Burma Shave
1880 A.D.
Straight razor and
Shaving soap
1930 A.D.
Safety razor and
Burma Shave
Shaving Brushes
You'll soon see 'em
on the shelf
in some
Museum
Burma Shave
Does anyone have the original Burma Shave script logo used on the
final sign of each set? I would appreciate an e-mail if you do.
Sender: Jerry Arnold - thermionic@juno.com
My personal favorite Burma Shave sign sequence I remember from when I was
about 15 years old. It goes:
Wild men pull
Their whiskers out
That's what makes them
Wild, no doubt
Burma Shave
I saw a Burma Shave sign for sale in or near Sherrard, Il.
It was at an antique dealer several miles west of that town.
I also know of a complete set of Burma Shave signs still standing, in
Southern California. They are at the south east entrance to the
Ontario, CA airport Freight terminal area.
The locals claim they are originals, but I don't think Allen Odell and
his bunch ever got this far west.
By the way, I'm looking for old Western Union stuff, so if you know where
I can get one of their signs let me know.
Sender: Gary Covington III - garyiii@gnn.com
Growing up in the midwest and driving to Minnesota and Wisconsin for
vacations each year, I saw a lot of these signs as a child.. Looking
back at the so called good old days, these signs brought a lot of
pleasure to those who read them. I'm a barber by trade so I do shaving
of faces a lot. Men who were around at the time always remember them in
conversation.
Sender: micheal l douglas, sr. - cheeky@netins.net
Hi, I am astounded at finding Burma Shave on the Internet! what I'm
trying to locate is the real company that made Burma Shaving products.
Is it still in existence? Can Burma shaving products be purchased
any place currently?
I am age 70 and those cute signs were along every highway in the old
days.
Sender: Margaret Herrick - maggie.herrick@worldnet.att.net
The Burma-Vita Company, makers of Burma Shave, was sold to
Phillip Morris, Inc. on February 7, 1963. It became an operating division of
a subsidiary, American Safety Razor Products.
during my childhood, we used to visit my mother's full
sister and her family. my mother came from a family of 11
or 12 but only had one full blood sister and brother. my
aunt lived at lake delavan, wisconsin, with her husband, two
sons and a daughter. near lake geneva, before our turn off
to get to delavan, was the jingle about "lit a match, to
check the tank ...".
besides spending a week or two at our aunt's home on the
lake, besides swimming about as often as we wanted, besides
sleeping on couches on the front porch, besides playing
parlor games so late we could hardly keep our eyes open, was
the burma shave signs on the trip up there. we did see one
other set but this one sticks out in my mind.
near where i work, someone had set up a typical burma shave
set of signs to celebrate some lady's birthday. it brought
back a flood of good memories.
Sender: Lar Hanley - larh@col.hp.com
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Last revised December 21, 2002.
URL: http://webcom.com/~duane1/bscontst.html
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Duane Bristow (oldky@webcom.com)
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All contents copyright (C) 2001, Duane Bristow. All rights reserved.
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