Burma-Shave Signs

edited by David Barth, 13 February 2010.

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

In 1925 Allan Odell pitched the sales idea to his father, Clinton, owner of the Burma-Vita company, to use small, wooden roadside signs to advertise their product, Burma-Shave, a brushless shaving cream. Clinton gave Allan $200 to try out his idea.

As the signs went up along the roads, sales went up, too, and Burma-Shave became the second highest selling brushless shaving cream in the U.S. The early signs were a sales pitch, but later signage had a sense of humor and safety tips.

At their height of popularity, there were 7,000 Burma-Shave signs across the United States. The signs were white on red, grouped by four, five, or six, depending on the length of the message. Signs were located in most states with the exception of New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada (deemed to have insufficient road traffic), and Massachusetts (eliminated due to that state's high land rentals and roadside foliage).

The signs were originally produced in two color combinations: red-and-white and orange-and-black, though the latter was eliminated after a few years. A special white-on-blue set of signs was developed for South Dakota, which restricted the color red on roadside signs to official warning notices. Generally the signs were printed with all capital letters. From 1925 to 1930, only two new sets of signs were made each year. In 1930, 19 new sign sets were made.

In the late 1950's the U.S. Interstate Highway System was built, with higher speed limits, and the small signs were replaced by huge billboards set off the highways. In 1963 Burma-Shave was sold to Phillip Morris and this was the last year for the signs, however, some were found in the Oregon wine country as late as 1986. Eventually, the brand became property of the American Safety Razor Company which reintroduced Burma-Shave in 1997.

Re-creations of Burma-Shave advertisements are at The House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin, on Arizona Highway 66, part of the original U.S. Route 66, between Seligman and Kingman, Arizona (though they weren't installed there by Burma-Shave during its original campaigns), and on Old U.S. Highway 30 near Ogden, Iowa.

The Forney Museum of Transportation in Denver has several Burma-Shave signs on display.

Note that the exact verbiage may vary from the original signs. Some sign text has been invented by writers and is not authentic, but which ones these are is not known.

Below the following list of signs is another list sorted by the year they were created by Burma-Shave.

DON'T STICK YOUR ELBOW
OUT SO FAR
IT MAY GO HOME
IN ANOTHER CAR
Burma-Shave

TRAINS DON'T WANDER
ALL OVER THE MAP
'CAUSE NOBODY SITS
IN THE ENGINEER'S LAP
Burma-Shave

SHE KISSED THE HAIRBRUSH
BY MISTAKE
SHE THOUGHT IT WAS
HER HUSBAND JAKE
Burma-Shave

DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD
TO GAIN A MINUTE
YOU NEED YOUR HEAD
YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT
Burma-Shave

DROVE TOO LONG
DRIVER SNOOZING
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
IS NOT AMUSING
Burma-Shave

BROTHER SPEEDER
LET'S REHEARSE
ALL TOGETHER
GOOD MORNING, NURSE
Burma-Shave

CAUTIOUS RIDER
TO HER RECKLESS DEAR
LET'S HAVE LESS BULL
AND A LITTLE MORE STEER
Burma-Shave

SPEED WAS HIGH
WEATHER WAS NOT
TIRES WERE THIN
X MARKS THE SPOT
Burma-Shave

THE MIDNIGHT RIDE
OF PAUL FOR BEER
LED TO A WARMER
HEMISPHERE
Burma-Shave

AROUND THE CURVE
LICKETY-SPLIT
BEAUTIFUL CAR
WASN'T IT?
Burma-Shave

NO MATTER THE PRICE
NO MATTER HOW NEW
THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE
IN THE CAR IS YOU
Burma-Shave

A GUY WHO DRIVES
A CAR WIDE OPEN
IS NOT THINKIN'
HE'S JUST HOPIN'
Burma-Shave

AT INTERSECTIONS
LOOK EACH WAY
A HARP SOUNDS NICE
BUT IT'S HARD TO PLAY
Burma-Shave

BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL
EYES ON THE ROAD
THAT'S THE SKILLFUL
DRIVER'S CODE
Burma-Shave

THE ONE WHO DRIVES
WHEN HE'S BEEN DRINKING
DEPENDS ON YOU
TO DO HIS THINKING
Burma-Shave

CAR IN DITCH
DRIVER IN TREE
THE MOON WAS FULL
AND SO WAS HE
Burma-Shave

PASSING SCHOOL ZONE
TAKE IT SLOW
LET OUR LITTLE
SHAVERS GROW
Burma-Shave

HIS CHEEK
WAS ROUGH
HIS CHICK VAMOOSED
AND NOW SHE WON'T
COME HOME TO ROOST
Burma-Shave

TWINKLE, TWINKLE
ONE-EYED CAR
WE ALL WONDER
WHERE YOU ARE
Burma-Shave

A WHISKERY KISS
FOR THE ONE
YOU ADORE
MAY NOT MAKE HER MAD
BUT HER FACE WILL BE SORE
Burma-Shave

WHEN SUPER-SHAVED
REMEMBER, PARD
YOU'LL STILL GET SLAPPED
BUT NOT SO HARD
Burma-Shave

THE WHALE
PUT JONAH
DOWN THE HATCH
BUT COUGHED HIM UP
BECAUSE HE SCRATCHED
Burma-Shave

MY JOB IS
KEEPING FACES CLEAN
AND NOBODY KNOWS
DE STUBBLE
I'VE SEEN
Burma-Shave

HE TRIED
TO CROSS
AS FAST TRAIN NEARED
DEATH DIDN'T DRAFT HIM
HE VOLUNTEERED
Burma-Shave

USE Burma-Shave

IN TUBE
OR JAR
THEN FOLLOW UP
WITH OUR NEW STAR
Burma-Shave

Lotion FOR EARLY
MORNING
PEP AND BOUNCE
A BRAND NEW PRODUCT
WE ANNOUNCE
Burma-Shave

Lotion I'D HEARD IT PRAISED
BY DRUG STORE CLERKS
I TRIED THE STUFF
HOT DOG!
IT WORKS
Burma-Shave

THE PLACE TO PASS
ON CURVES
YOU KNOW
IS ONLY AT
A BEAUTY SHOW
Burma-Shave

THESE SIGNS
WE GLADLY
DEDICATE
TO MEN WHO'VE HAD
NO DATE OF LATE
Burma-Shave

Burma-Shave

WAS SUCH A BOOM
THEY PASSED
THE BRIDE
AND KISSED THE GROOM
Burma-Shave

VIOLETS ARE BLUE
ROSES ARE PINK
ON GRAVES
OF THOSE
WHO DRIVE AND DRINK
Burma-Shave

DOESN'T
KISS YOU
LIKE SHE USETER?
PERHAPS SHE'S SEEN
A SMOOTHER ROOSTER!!
Burma-Shave

HER CHARIOT
RACED 80 PER
THEY HAULED AWAY
WHAT HAD
BEN HER
Burma-Shave

IT HAS A TINGLE
AND A TANG
THAT STARTS
THE DAY OFF
WITH A BANG
Burma-Shave

Lotion THE LADIES
TAKE ONE WHIFF
AND PURR--
IT'S NO WONDER
MEN PREFER
Burma-Shave

Lotion TRAIN WRECKS FEW
REASON CLEAR
FIREMAN
NEVER HUGS
ENGINEER
Burma-Shave

ON CURVES AHEAD
REMEMBER, SONNY
THAT RABBIT'S FOOT
DIDN'T SAVE
THE BUNNY
Burma-Shave

A GUY
WHO DRIVES
A CAR WIDE OPEN
IS NOT THINKIN'
HE'S JUST HOPIN'
Burma-Shave

IF YOUR PEACH
KEEPS OUT
OF REACH
BETTER PRACTICE
WHAT WE PREACH
Burma-Shave

TO KISS
A MUG
THAT'S LIKE A CACTUS
TAKES MORE NERVE
THAN IT DOES PRACTICE
Burma-Shave

CANDIDATE SAYS
CAMPAIGN
CONFUSING
BABIES KISS ME
SINCE I'VE BEEN USING
Burma-Shave

NO USE
KNOWING
HOW TO PICK 'EM
IF YOUR HALF-SHAVED
WHISKERS STICK 'EM
Burma-Shave

SHE WILL
FLOOD YOUR FACE
WITH KISSES 'CAUSE YOU
SMELL
SO DARN DELICIOUS
Burma-Shave

Lotion BRACING AS
AN OCEAN BREEZE
FOR AFTER SHAVING
IT'S SURE
TO PLEASE
Burma-Shave

Lotion HIS FACE
WAS SMOOTH
AND COOL AS ICE
AND OH! LOUISE!
HE SMELLED SO NICE
Burma-Shave

Lotion ALTHO INSURED
REMEMBER, KIDDO
THEY DON'T PAY YOU
THEY PAY
YOUR WIDOW
Burma-Shave

TRAIN APPROACHING
WHISTLE SQEALING
PAUSE!
AVOID THAT
RUNDOWN FEELING!
Burma-Shave

CAUTIOUS RIDER
TO HER
RECLKESS DEAR
LET'S HAVE LESS BULL
AND LOTS MORE STEER
Burma-Shave

SOAP
MAY DO
FOR LADS WITH FUZZ
BUT SIR, YOU AIN'T
THE KID YOU WUZ
Burma-Shave

BIG BLUE TUBE
IT'S A HONEY
BEST SQEEZE PLAY
FOR LOVE
OR MONEY
Burma-Shave

MY CHEEK
SAID SHE
FEELS SMOOTH AS SATIN
HA! HA! SAYS HE
THAT'S MINE YOU'RE PATTIN'
Burma-Shave

ANOTHER
RED SKIN
BIT THE DUST
WHEN PA TRIED
WHAT THESE SIGNS DISCUSSED
Burma-Shave

PAT'S BRISTLES
SCRATCHED
BRIDGET'S NOSE
THAT'S WHEN
HER WILD IRISH ROSE
Burma-Shave

DRINKING DRIVERS
DON'T YOU KNOW
GREAT BANGS
FROM LITTLE
BINGES GROW!
Burma-Shave

IS HE
LONESOME
OR JUST BLIND--
THIS GUY WHO DRIVES
SO CLOSE BEHIND?
Burma-Shave

CLANCY'S WHISKERS
TICKLE NANCY
NANCY LOWERED THE BOOM
ON CLANCY!
Burma-Shave

WE CAN'T
PROVIDE YOU
WITH A DATE
BUT WE DO SUPPLY
THE BEST DARN BAIT
Burma-Shave

HIS WAS THE
MUSHY TYPE
UNTIL HIS BEARD
GREW OVER-RIPE
Burma-Shave

TO STEAL
A KISS
HE HAD THE KNACK
BUT LACKED THE CHEEK
TO GET ONE BACK
Burma-Shave

HIS ROSE
IS WED
HIS VIOLET BLEW
BUT HIS SUGAR IS SWEET
SINCE HE TOOK THIS CUE
Burma-Shave

wHEN YOU LAY
THOSE FEW CENTS DOWN
YOU'VE BOUGHT
THE SMOOTHEST
SHAVE IN TOWN
Burma-Shave

MEN WHO
HAVE TO
TRAVEL LIGHT
FIND THE 35 CENT TUBE
JUST RIGHT
Burma-Shave

FEEL YOUR FACE
AS YOU RIDE BY
NOW DON'T
YOU THINK
IT'S TIME TO TRY
Burma-Shave

IF HARMONY
IS WHAT
YOU CRAVE
THEN GET
A TUBA
Burma-Shave

NO MATTER
THE PRICE
NO MATTER HOW NEW
THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE
IN YOUR CAR IS YOU
Burma-Shave

TOUGHEST
WHISKERS
IN THE TOWN
WE HOLD 'EM UP
YOU MOW 'EM DOWN
Burma-Shave

THE SAFEST RULE
NO IFS OR BUTS
JUST DRIVE
LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE
IS NUTS!
Burma-Shave

SHE EYED
HIS BEARD
AND SAID NO DICE
THE WEDDING'S OFF--
I'LL COOK THE RICE
Burma-Shave

THE BRAND
FOR WHICH
THE GRAND STAND ROOTS
IS NOT MADE UP OF
SUBSTI-TOOTS!
Burma-Shave

A BEARD
THAT'S ROUGH
AND OVERGROWN
IS BETTER THAN
A CHAPERONE
Burma-Shave

I KNOW
HE'S A WOLF
SAID RIDING HOOD
BUT GRANDMA DEAR
HE SMELLS SO GOOD
Burma-Shave

PEDRO
WALKED
BACK HOME BY GOLLY
HIS BRISTLY CHIN
WAS HOT-TO-MOLLY
Burma-Shave

A CHIN
WHERE BARBED WIRE
BRISTLES STAND
IS BOUND TO BE
A NO MA'AMS LAND
Burma-Shave

THE WOLF
IS SHAVED
SO NEAT AND TRIM
RED RIDING HOOD
IS CHASING HIM
Burma-Shave

HEAVEN'S
LATEST
NEOPHYTE
SIGNALLED LEFT
THEN TURNED RIGHT
Burma-Shave

WE'VE MADE
GRANDPA
LOOK SO TRIM
THE LOCAL
DRAFT BOARD'S AFTER HIM
Burma-Shave

SHE PUT
A BULLET
THRU HIS HAT
BUT HE'S HAD
CLOSER SHAVES THAN THAT
Burma-Shave

SUBSTITUTES
ARE LIKE A GIRDLE
THEY FIND SOME JOBS
THEY JUST
CAN'T HURDLE
Burma-Shave

IT GAVE
McDonald
THAT NEEDED CHARM
HELLO HOLLYWOOD
GOOD-BYE FARM
Burma-Shave

OUR FORTUNE
IS YOUR
SHAVEN FACE
IT'S OUR BEST
ADVERTISING SPACE
Burma-Shave

IF ANYTHING
WILL PLEASE
YOUR JILL
A LITTLE JACK
FOR THIS JAR WILL
Burma-Shave

THE BEARDED DEVIL
IS FORCED
TO DWELL
IN THE ONLY PLACE
WHERE THEY DON'T SELL
Burma-Shave

HE ASKED
HIS KITTEN
TO PET AND PURR
SHE EYED HIS PUSS
AND SCREAMED
"WHAT FUR!"
Burma-Shave

THESE SIGNS
ARE NOT
FOR LAUGHS ALONE
THE FACE THEY SAVE
MAY BE YOUR OWN
Burma-Shave

DINAH DOESN'T
TREAT HIM RIGHT
BUT IF HE'D
SHAVE
DYNA-MITE!
Burma-Shave

SPRING HAS SPRUNG
THE GRASS HAS RIZ
WHERE LAST YEAR'S
CARELESS DRIVERS
IS
Burma-Shave

PROPER DISTANCE
TO HIM WAS BUNK
THEY PULLED HIM OUT
OF SOME GUY'S
TRUNK
Burma-Shave

UNLESS
YOUR FACE
IS STINGER FREE
YOU'D BETTER LET
YOUR HONEY BE
Burma-Shave

SUBSTITUTES
CAN DO
MORE HARM
THAN CITY
FELLERS
ON A FARM
Burma-Shave

THE HOBO
LETS HIS
WHISKERS SPROUT
IT'S TRAINS--
NOT GIRLS
THAT HE TAKES OUT
Burma-Shave

THE WIFE
WHO KEEPS ON
BEING KISSED
ALWAYS HEADS
HER SHOPPING LIST
Burma-Shave

MISSIN' KISSIN'?
PERHAPS YOUR THRUSH
CAN'T GET THRU
THE UNDERBURSH--
TRY
Burma-Shave

LEAVES FACE SOFT
AS WOMAN'S TOUCH
YET DOESN'T COST
YOU
NEAR AS MUCH
Burma-Shave

RELIEF
FOR FACES
CHAPPED AND
SORE
KEEPS 'EM
COMIN'
BACK FOR MORE
Burma-Shave

BETTER TRY
LESS SPEED PER MILE
THAT CAR
MAY HAVE TO
LAST A WHILE
Burma-Shave

WHY IS IT
WHEN YOU
TRY TO PASS
THE GUY IN FRONT
GOES TWICE AS FAST?
Burma-Shave

5-STAR GENERALS
PRIVATES FIRST CLASS
SHOW EQUAL RANK
IN THE LOOKING-GLASS
Burma-Shave

WE'RE WIDELY READ
AND OFTEN QUOTED
BUT IT'S SHAVES
NOT SIGNS
FOR WHICH WE'RE NOTED
Burma-Shave

A SHAVE
THAT'S REAL
NO CUTS TO HEAL
A SOOTHING
VELVET AFTER-FEEL
Burma-Shave

IF CRUSOE'D
KEPT HIS CHIN
MORE TIDY
HE MIGHT HAVE FOUND
A LADY FRIDAY
Burma-Shave

THAT BAREFOOT CHAP
WITH CHEEKS OF TAN
WON'T LET 'EM CHAP
WHEN HE'S A MAN
Burma-Shave

"NO, NO,"
SHE SAID
TO HER BRISTLY BEAU
"I'D RATHER EAT
THE MISTLETOE"
Burma-Shave

THIS CREAM MAKES
THE GARDENER'S
DAUGHTER
PLANT HER TU-LIPS
WHERE SHE OUGHTER
Burma-Shave

THE HERO
WAS BRAVE AND
STRONG AND WILLIN'
SHE FELT HIS CHIN--
THEN WED THE VILLAN
Burma-Shave

TO CHANGE THAT
SHAVING JOB
TO JOY
YOU GOTTA USE
THE REAL MCCOY
Burma-Shave

THE BLACKENED FOREST
SMOLDERS YET
BECAUSE
HE FLIPPED
A CIGARETTE
Burma-Shave

FREE-FREE
A TRIP
TO MARS
FOR 900
EMPTY JARS
Burma-Shave

THE MONKEY TOOK
ONE LOOK AT JIM
AND THREW THE PEANUTS
BACK AT HIM
HE NEEDED
Burma-Shave

ONE SHAVE LASTS
ALL DAY THROUGH
FACE FEELS COOL AND
SMOOTHER TOO
Burma-Shave

CATTLE CROSSING
MEANS GO SLOW
THAT OLD BULL
IS SOME
COW'S BEAU
Burma-Shave

THO STIFF
THE BEARD
THAT NATURE GAVE
IT SHAVES
LIKE DOWN WITH
Burma-Shave

DRINKING DRIVERS-
NOTHING WORSE
THEY PUT
THE QUART
BEFORE THE HEARSE
Burma-Shave

DON'T
TRY PASSING
ON A SLOPE
UNLESS YOU HAVE
A PERISCOPE
Burma-Shave

AT A QUIZ
PA AIN'T
NO WHIZ
BUT HE KNOWS HOW
TO KEEP MA HIS
Burma-Shave

USE THIS CREAM
A DAY
OR TWO
THEN DON'T CALL HER-
SHE'LL CALL YOU
Burma-Shave

THE POOREST GUY
IN THE
HUMAN RACE
CAN HAVE A
MILLION DOLLAR FACE
Burma-Shave

THE MIDNIGHT
RIDE OF PAUL
FOR BEER
LED TO A WARMER
HEMISPHERE
Burma-Shave

WHEN PASSING
THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES
PLEASE DRIVE SLOW
LET'S LET OUR
LITTLE SHAVERS
GROW
Burma-Shave

LISTEN BIRDS
THESE SIGNS COST
MONEY
YOU CAN REST AWHILE
BUT DON'T GET FUNNY
Burma-Shave

THE BEARDED LADY
TRIED A JAR
NOW SHE'S A FAMOUS
MOVIE STAR
Burma-Shave

AROUND THE CORNER
LICKETY-SPLIT
BEAUTIFUL CAR
WASN'T IT?
Burma-Shave

ANGLES WHO GUARD YOU
WHEN YOU DRIVE
USUALLY RETIRE
AT SIXTY-FIVE
Burma-Shave

YOU CAN DRIVE
A MILE A MINUTE
BUT THERE IS NO
FUTURE IN IT
Burma-Shave

DINAH DOESN'T
TREAT HIM RIGHT
BUT IF HE'D SHAVE
DINAH-MIGHT!
Burma-Shave

IN THIS VALE
OF TOIL AND SIN
YOUR HEAD GROWS BALD
BUT NOT YOUR CHIN
Burma-Shave

SHE KISSED THE
HAIRBRUSH
BY MISTAKE
SHE THOUGHT IT WAS
HER HUSBAND, JAKE
Burma-Shave

HENRY THE 8TH
SURE HAD TROUBLE
SHORT TERM WIVES
LONG TERM STUBBLE
Burma-Shave

SLOW DOWN, PA
SAKES ALIVE
MA MISSED SIGNS
FOUR AND FIVE
Burma-Shave

A CHRISTMAS HUG
A BIRTHDAY KISS
AWAITS
THE WOMAN
WHO GIVES THIS
Burma-Shave

SUBSTITUTES
CAN LET YOU DOWN
QUICKER
THAN A
STRAPLESS GOWN
Burma-Shave

JAR SO BIG
COST SO SMALL
COOLEST
SMOOTHEST
SHAVE OF ALL
Burma-Shave

DOES YOUR HUSBAND
MISBEHAVE
GUNT AND GRUMBLE
RANT AND RAVE?
SHOOT THE BRUTE SOME
Burma-Shave

HIS CROP OF WHISKERS
NEEDED REAPING
THAT'S WHAT KEPT
HIS LENA LEAPING
Burma-Shave

SAID FARMER BROWN
WHO'S BALD
ON TOP
WISH I COULD
ROTATE THE CROP
Burma-Shave

PASSING CARS
WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE
MAY GET YOU
A GLIMPSE
OF ETERNITY
Burma-Shave

MANY A FOREST
USED TO STAND
WHERE A
LIGHTED MATCH
GOT OUT OF HAND
Burma-Shave

IF DAISIES
ARE YOUR
FAVORITE FLOWER
KEEP PUSHIN' UP THOSE
MILES-PER-HOUR
Burma-Shave

THE ONE WHO
DRIVES WHEN
HE'S BEEN DRINKING
DEPENDS ON YOU
TO DO HIS THIINKING
Burma-Shave

THIRTY DAYS
HATH SEPTEMBER,
APRIL, JUNE,
AND THE SPEED
OFFENDER
Burma-Shave

IF YOU DON'T KNOW
WHOSE SIGNS
THESE ARE
YOU HAVEN'T DRIVEN
VERY FAR!
Burma-Shave

COLLEGE BOYS
YOUR COURAGE MUSTER
SHAVE OFF
THAT FUZZ
AND COOKIE DUSTER
Burma-Shave

IF HUGGING ON
HIGHWAYS
IS YOUR SPORT
TRADE IN YOUR CAR
FOR A DAVENPORT
Burma-Shave

FAMOUS WORDS
ABOUT LIGHTS THAT SHINE
IF HE WON'T DIM HIS
I WON'T DIM MINE
Burma-Shave

THE SALESMAN
TAUGHT THE
FARMER'S DAUGHTER
TO PLANT
HER TU-LIPS
WHERE SHE OTTER
Burma-Shave

IF YOU MUST TEST
HER PUCKER PAINT
BE SURE TO DRIVE
WHERE TRAFFIC AIN'T
Burma-Shave

HIS TENOR VOICE
SHE THOUGHT DIVINE
'TIL WHISKERS SCRATCHED
SWEET ADELINE
Burma-Shave

A PEACH
LOOKS GOOD
WITH LOTS OF FUZZ
MAN'S NO PEACH
AND NEVER WAS
Burma-Shave

I PROPOSED TO IDA
IDA REFUSED
I'DA WON MY IDA
IF I'DA USED
Burma-Shave

A MAN WHO DRIVES
WHEN HE'S DRUNK
SHOULD HAUL HIS
COFFIN
IN HIS TRUNK
Burma-Shave

GRANDPA KNOWS
IT AIN'T TOO LATE
HE'S GONE
TO GIT
SOME WIDDER BAIT
Burma-Shave

THE BIG BLUE TUBE'S
JUST LIKE LOUISE
YOU GET
A THRILL
FROM EVERY SQUEEZE
Burma-Shave

FOR SHAVING COMFORT
WITHOUT
A STING
THAT BIG BLUE TUBE
HAS EVERYTHING
Burma-Shave

TRY A TUBE
ITS COOLING
POWER
REFRESHES LIKE
AN APRIL SHOWER
Burma-Shave

THE DRAFTEE
TRIED A TUBE
AND PURRED
WELL WHADDYA KNOW
I'VE BEEN DEFURRED
Burma-Shave

THIS COOLING SHAVE
WILL NEVER FAIL
TO STAMP
IT USER
FIRST CLASS MALE
Burma-Shave

MEN
WITH WHISKERS
'NEATH THEIR NOSES
OUGHTA HAVE TO KISS
LIKE ESKIMOSES
Burma-Shave

DON'T LEAVE SAFETY
TO MERE CHANCE
THAT'S WHY
BELTS ARE
SOLD WITH PANTS
Burma-Shave

BABY YOUR SKIN
KEEP IT FITTER
OR "BABY"
WILL GET
ANOTHER SITTER
Burma-Shave

HE LIT A MATCH
TO CHECK GAS TANK
THAT'S WHY
THEY CALL HIM
SKINLESS FRANK
Burma-Shave

HARDY MEN
WERE THE CAESARS
INSTEAD OF RAZORS
THEY USED TWEEZERS
Burma-Shave

PRICKLEY PEARS
ARE PICKED FOR PICKLES
BUT NO PEACH PICKS
A FACE THAT PRICKLES
Burma-Shave

DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD
TO SAVE A MINUTE
YOU NEED YOUR HEAD
YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT
Burma-Shave

DIM YOUR LIGHTS
BEHIND A CAR
LET FOLKS SEE
HOW BRIGHT YOU ARE
Burma-Shave

BEN MET ANNA
MADE A HIT
NEGLECTED BEARD
BEN-ANNA SPLIT
Burma-Shave

A NUT AT THE WHEEL
A PEACH ON HIS RIGHT
A CURVE IN THE ROAD
FRUIT SALAD THAT NIGHT
Burma-Shave

BRISLY BEAR OR
SILKY FUZZ
SHAVE 'EM BACK
TO WHERE THEY WAS
Burma-Shave

FAREWELL O VERSE
ALONG THE ROAD
HOW SAD TO SEE
YOU'RE OUT OF MODE
Burma-Shave

CAR IN DITCH
MAN IN TREE
MOON WAS FULL
SO WAS HE!
Burma-Shave

DON'T TAKE
A CURVE AT
SIXTY PER
WE HATE TO LOSE
A CUSTOMER
Burma-Shave

PROPER DISTANCE
TO HIM WAS BUNK
HE ENDED UP
IN SOME GUY'S TRUNK
Burma-Shave

ARE YOUR WHISKERS
WHEN YOU WAKE
TOUGHER THAN
A TWO BIT STEAK?
Burma-Shave

TO SHAVE IT DRY
YOU SHOULDN'T RISK IT
USE BURMA SHAVE
ON YOUR WISKA
Burma-Shave

HE'S THE GUY
THE GIRLS FORGOT
THO' HE WAS SMOOTH
HIS FACE WAS NOT
Burma-Shave

THE SUN DOES RIZ
THE SUN DOES SET
AND WE AIN'T OUT
OF TEXAS YET
Burma-Shave

OUR BEST
ADVERTISING SPACE
IS YOUR SMOOTH
SHAVEN FACE
Burma-Shave

TO GET AWAY
FROM HAIRY APES
LADIES JUMP
FROM FIRE ESCAPES
Burma-Shave

THE ANSWER TO
A MAIDEN'S PRAYER
IS NOT A CHIN
OF STUBBY HAIR
Burma-Shave

A MAN
A MISS
HE KISSED THE MISS
AND MISSED THE CURVE
Burma-Shave

WHOOO THE
SCHOOL BY CRIED
AT LEAST
I SMELL AS
IF I TRIED
Burma-Shave

Burma-Shave Signs by Year

1929:

EVERY SHAVER
NOW CAN SNORE
SIX MORE MINUTES
THAN BEFORE
BY USING
Burma-Shave

YOUR SHAVING BRUSH
HAD ITS DAY
SO WHY NOT
SHAVE THE MODERN WAY
WITH
Burma-Shave

1930:

CHEER UP FACE
THE WAR IS PAST
THE "H" IS OUT
OF SHAVE
AT LAST
Burma-Shave

SHAVING BRUSHES
YOU'LL SOON SEE 'EM
ON THE SHELF
IN SOME
MUSEUM
Burma-Shave

DOES YOUR HUSBAND
MISBEHAVE
GRUNT AND GRUMBLE
RANT AND RAVE
SHOOT THE BRUTE SOME
Burma-Shave

1931:

NO MATTER
HOW YOU SLICE IT
IT'S STILL YOUR FACE
BE HUMANE
USE
Burma-Shave

1932:

FREE
ILLUSTRATED
JINGLE BOOK
IN EVERY
PACKAGE
Burma-Shave

A SHAVE
THAT'S REAL
NO CUTS TO HEAL
A SOOTHING
VELVET AFTER-FEEL
Burma-Shave

1933:

WITHIN THIS VALE
OF TOIL
AND SIN
YOUR HEAD GROWS BALD
BUT NOT YOUR CHIN - USE
Burma-Shave

HIT 'EM HIGH
HIT 'EM LOW
FOLLOW YOUR TEAM
OVER WCCO
AND WIN A PRIZE
Burma-Shave

1935: THE FIRST KNOWN APPEARANCE OF A ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE APPEARED:

TRAIN APPROACHING
WHISTLE SQUEALING
STOP
AVOID THAT RUN-DOWN FEELING
Burma-Shave

KEEP WELL
TO THE RIGHT
OF THE ONCOMING CAR
GET YOUR CLOSE SHAVES
FROM THE HALF POUND JAR
Burma-Shave

1936:

RIOT AT
DRUG STORE
CALLING ALL CARS
100 CUSTOMERS
99 JARS
Burma-Shave

SMITH BROTHERS
WOULD LOOK IMMENSE
IF THEY'D JUST
COUGH UP 50 CENTS
FOR HALF POUND JAR
Burma-Shave

FREE! FREE!
A TRIP
TO MARS
FOR 900
EMPTY JARS
Burma-Shave

1937: SELF-REFERENCING SIGNS CONTINUED, ALONG WITH PUNS:

YOU'VE LAUGHED
AT OUR SIGNS
FOR MANY A MILE
BE A SPORT
GIVE US A TRIAL
Burma-Shave

IF HARMONY
IS WHAT
YOU CRAVE
THEN GET
A TUBA
Burma-Shave

1938: ANOTHER SAFETY MESSAGE FROM:

DON'T TAKE A CURVE
AT 60 PER
WE HATE TO LOSE
A CUSTOMER
Burma-Shave

1939: SAFETY MESSAGES BEGAN TO INCREASE:

HARDLY A DRIVER
IS NOW ALIVE
WHO PASSED
ON HILLS
AT 75
Burma-Shave

PAST
SCHOOLHOUSES
TAKE IT SLOW
LET THE LITTLE
SHAVERS GROW
Burma-Shave

IF YOU DISLIKE
BIG TRAFFIC FINES
SLOW DOWN
TILL YOU
CAN READ THESE SIGNS
Burma-Shave

1939: ALSO SAW MORE PUNS FOR THE PRODUCT:

A PEACH
LOOKS GOOD
WITH LOTS OF FUZZ
BUT MAN'S NO PEACH
AND NEVER WUZ
Burma-Shave

I PROPOSED
TO IDA
IDA REFUSED
IDA WON MY IDA
IF IDA USED
Burma-Shave

1939: AND IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, DEMISE OF THE SIGNS WAS FORESHADOWED, AS BUSY ROADWAYS APPROACHING LARGER CITIES FEATURED SHORTENED VERSIONS OF THE SLOGANS ON ONE, TWO, OR THREE SIGNS - THE EXACT COUNT IS NOT RECORDED. THE PUNS INCLUDE A PLAY ON THE MAXWELL HOUSE COFFEE SLOGAN, STANDARD PUNS, AND YET ANOTHER REFERENCE TO THE "H" JOKE:

GOOD TO THE LAST STROP
COVERS A MULTITUDE OF CHINS
TAKES THE "H" OUT OF SHAVING

1940: SAW AN EARLY REFERENCE TO THE IDEA OF A DESIGNATED DRIVER:

IT'S BEST FOR
ONE WHO HITS
THE BOTTLE
TO LET ANOTHER
USE THE THROTTLE
Burma-Shave

1941: MORE SAFETY SLOGANS, ALONG WITH ADS:

DON'T STICK
YOUR ELBOW
OUT SO FAR
IT MIGHT GO HOME
IN ANOTHER CAR
Burma-Shave

AT INTERSECTIONS
LOOK EACH WAY
A HARP SOUNDS NICE
BUT IT'S
HARD TO PLAY
Burma-Shave

FROM
BAR
TO CAR
TO GATES
AJAR
Burma-Shave

BROKEN ROMANCE
STATED FULLY
SHE WENT WILD
WHEN HE
WENT WOOLY
Burma-Shave

POSSIBLY THE ULTIMATE IN SELF-REFERENCING SIGNS, LEAVING OUT THE PRODUCT NAME:

IF YOU
DON'T KNOW
WHOSE SIGNS
THESE ARE
YOU CAN'T HAVE
DRIVEN VERY FAR

THE WAR YEARS FOUND THE COMPANY RECYCLING A LOT OF THEIR OLD SIGNS, WITH NEW ONES MOSTLY FOCUSING ON WORLD WAR II "PROPAGANDA":

LET'S MAKE HITLER
AND HIROHITO
LOOK AS SICK AS
OLD BENITO
BUY DEFENSE BONDS
Burma-Shave

SLAP
THE JAP
WITH
IRON
SCRAP
Burma-Shave

1947:

DON'T LOSE
YOUR HEAD
TO GAIN A MINUTE
YOU NEED YOUR HEAD
YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT
Burma-Shave
(REPEATED IN 1963)

CAR IN DITCH
DRIVER IN TREE
MOON WAS FULL
AND SO
WAS HE
Burma-Shave

I USE IT TOO
THE BALD MAN SAID
IT KEEPS MY FACE
JUST LIKE
MY HEAD
Burma-Shave

IN CUPID'S LITTLE
BAG OF TRIX
HERE'S THE ONE
THAT CLIX
WITH CHIX
Burma-Shave

1950:

HE TRIED
TO CROSS
AS FAST TRAIN NEARED
DEATH DIDN'T DRAFT HIM
HE VOLUNTEERED
Burma-Shave

MY JOB IS
KEEPING FACES CLEAN
AND NOBODY KNOWS
DE STUBBLE
I'VE SEEN
Burma-Shave

HER CHARIOT
RACE 80 PER
THEY HAULED AWAY
WHAT HAD
BEN HUR
Burma-Shave

1951:

DRINKING DRIVERS
DON'T YOU KNOW
GREAT BANGS
FROM LITTLE
BINGES GROW?
Burma-Shave

PROPER
DISTANCE
TO HIM WAS BUNK
THEY PULLED HIM OUT
OF SOME GUY'S TRUNK
Burma-Shave

1952:

PEDRO
WALKED
BACK HOME, BY GOLLY
HIS BRISTLY CHIN
WAS HOT-TO-MOLLY
Burma-Shave
(REPEATED IN 1963)

THE WOLF
IS SHAVED
SO NEAT AND TRIM
RED RIDING HOOD
IS CHASING HIM
Burma-Shave

MISSIN'
KISSIN'?
PERHAPS YOUR THRUSH
CAN'T GET THRU
THE UNDERBRUSH - TRY
Burma-Shave

A CHIN
WHERE BARBED WIRE
BRISTLES STAND
IS BOUND TO BE
A NO MA'AMS LAND
Burma-Shave

1953:

AROUND
THE CURVE
LICKETY-SPLIT
LOVELY CAR
WASN'T IT?
Burma-Shave

1955:

DINAH DOESN'T
TREAT HIM RIGHT
BUT IF HE'D
SHAVE
DYNA-MITE!
Burma-Shave

THE BIG BLUE TUBE'S
JUST LIKE LOUISE
YOU GET
A THRILL
FROM EVERY SQUEEZE
Burma-Shave

TO CHANGE THAT
SHAVING JOB
TO JOY
YOU GOTTA USE
THE REAL MCCOY
Burma-Shave

THE MONKEY TOOK
ONE LOOK AT JIM
AND THREW THE PEANUTS
BACK AT HIM
HE NEEDED
Burma-Shave

SLOW DOWN, PA
SAKES ALIVE
MA MISSED SIGNS
FOUR
AND FIVE
Burma-Shave

1959:

SAID FARMER BROWN
WHO'S BALD
ON TOP
WISH I COULD
ROTATE THE CROP
Burma-Shave

THIS COOLING SHAVE
WILL NEVER FAIL
TO STAMP
ITS USER
FIRST-CLASS MALE
Burma-Shave

DON'T
TRY PASSING
ON A SLOPE
UNLESS YOU HAVE
A PERISCOPE
Burma-Shave

IF DAISIES
ARE YOUR
FAVORITE FLOWER
KEEP PUSHIN' UP THOSE
MILES PER HOUR
Burma-Shave

HE LIT A MATCH
TO CHECK GAS TANK
THAT'S WHY
THEY CALL HIM
SKINLESS FRANK
Burma-Shave

1960: THIS YEAR SAW THE LAST GROUP OF ORIGINAL SIGNS UNTIL 1963:

HENRY THE EIGHTH
SURE HAD
TROUBLE
SHORT TERM WIVES
LONG TERM STUBBLE
Burma-Shave

BEN
MET ANNA
MADE A HIT
NEGLECTED BEARD
BEN-ANNA SPLIT
Burma-Shave

DIM YOUR LIGHTS
BEHIND A CAR
LET FOLKS SEE
HOW BRIGHT
YOU ARE
Burma-Shave

ANGELS
WHO GUARD YOU
WHEN YOU DRIVE
USUALLY
RETIRE AT 65
Burma-Shave

1963: THIS WAS THE LAST YEAR FOR THE SIGNS, MOST OF WHICH WERE REPEATS, INCLUDING THE FINAL SLOGAN, WHICH HAD FIRST APPEARED IN 1953:

OUR FORTUNE
IS YOUR
SHAVEN FACE
IT'S OUR BEST
ADVERTISING SPACE
Burma-Shave

ONE SIGN CONSIDERED, BUT NEVER USED:

LISTEN BIRDS
THESE SIGNS COST
MONEY
SO ROOST A WHILE
BUT DON'T GET FUNNY
Burma-Shave

(YEAR UNKNOWN)

HERE LIES
HEAVEN'S NEOPHYTE
SIGNALED LEFT
THEN TURNED RIGHT
Burma-Shave

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