Burma Shave Jar Value Guide

Vintage Burma Shave Ribbed Glass Jars w/ Lids - 1 lb and 7 oz Jars | eBay
Burma Shave Jar
Estimated Value
$30 – $40
Period
1930s
Origin
United States
Materials
Glass, Metal
Category
Burma shave

The Burma Shave Jar is a quintessential piece of 1930s Americana, representing the brushless shaving cream brand famous for its iconic roadside rhyming billboards. Produced by the Burma-Vita company in Minneapolis, these glass containers are highly collectible due to their unique place in mid-century marketing history.

What Is Burma Shave Jar Worth?

The typical price range for Burma Shave Jar is $30 - $40 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

  • The condition of the metal lid, specifically the legibility of the printed instructions and lack of rust.
  • Presence of original labels or embossed glass markings that confirm the 1930s era.
  • Overall glass clarity and the absence of chips or cracks from decades of bathroom use.
  • Historical provenance, such as jars that still retain their original scent or partial contents.

How to Identify Burma Shave Jar?

  • Look for the distinct metal lid featuring printed application instructions for the brushless cream.
  • Verify the heavy clear glass construction typical of 1930s United States manufacturing.
  • Check for the Burma-Vita company branding or Minneapolis, Minnesota origin marks on the packaging.
  • Inspect the lid for a slot, as many were designed or modified to be repurposed as razor blade banks.

History of Burma Shave Jar

Burma-Shave was an American brand of brushless shaving cream, famous for its rhyming jingle billboards placed along highways from 1925 to 1963. The product was first marketed by the Burma-Vita company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These jars served as the packaging for the shaving cream, and many were repurposed by consumers as banks for razor blades after the cream was used, or as general storage containers. They are a nostalgic reminder of a unique marketing era in American history.

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