Bazooka Geschiedenis.nl (Bazooka history)

1961 Bazooka Joe in the Netherlands and Belgium

39 images from the collection

1961 was the most interesting year in the Dutch Bazooka Joe-history. The Dutch Bazooka Club was founded, and an immediate success! Membership cards were issued. The translator all of a sudden names Henkie (Pesty in the USA) Sjors! Or did a new translator start?

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 1: 17 x 27 cm
    17 x 27 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 2: 17 x 27 cm
    17 x 27 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 3: 17 x 27 cm
    17 x 27 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 4: 12,5 x 15,5 cm
    12,5 x 15,5 cm

It was probably 1961 when the Dutch H-1 series was issued. The series matches the American 1-59 series, though not all American gags seem to be used. H stands most likely for Holland. The H1-series has 42 gags, perhaps more.

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 5 – It was probably 1961 when the Dutch H-1 series was issued. The series matches…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 6 – It was probably 1961 when the Dutch H-1 series was issued. The series matches…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 7 – It was probably 1961 when the Dutch H-1 series was issued. The series matches…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 8 – It was probably 1961 when the Dutch H-1 series was issued. The series matches…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 9 – It was probably 1961 when the Dutch H-1 series was issued. The series matches…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 10 – It was probably 1961 when the Dutch H-1 series was issued. The series matches…

In 1961 I came across the first mention of a Belgian P.O. Box, P.O. Box 416 in Antwerp. Also the wrappers seem to be changed: No more Atom Bubble gum, but Young America’s favorite! (see examples of various wrappers used).

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 11 – In 1961 I came across the first mention of a Belgian P.O. Box, P.O. Box 416 in…

1961 was a year full of promotion to stimulate both shop owners and youngsters to buy Bazooka Joe chewing gum. A selection: Danish tableware for shop owners. Boxes of Bazooka chewing gum contained 360 pieces, the so-called Formal 360-boxes. There were 50-cent coupons as well for shop owners, so they could get a discount buying Bazooka chewing gum wholesale. The Bazooka club was very very active: window posters, become-a-member leaflets et cetera. See the scans and enjoy!

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 12: 12,5 x 15,5 cm. 9,5 x 13 cm
    12,5 x 15,5 cm. 9,5 x 13 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 13: 28 x 21 cm
    28 x 21 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 14: 21 x 38 cm
    21 x 38 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 15: 62 x 35 cm
    62 x 35 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 16: 24 x 15 cm
    24 x 15 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 17: 24 x 15 cm
    24 x 15 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 18: 10 x 15 cm
    10 x 15 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 19: 30 x 12 cm
    30 x 12 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 20: 33 x 15 cm
    33 x 15 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 21: 36 x 30 cm
    36 x 30 cm
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 22: 15,5 x 12 cm
    15,5 x 12 cm

Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted by the little girl Bella Blony. Enjoy the promo!

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 23 – Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 24 – Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 25 – Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 26 – Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 27 – Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 28 – Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 29 – Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 30 – Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 31 – Bazooka Blony liquorice gum was already on the Dutch market in 1958, promoted…

In 1961 Bazooka made a great move: they offered airline pins no one else offered. They could only be obtained by sending in Bazooka Joe wrappers!

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 32 – In 1961 Bazooka made a great move: they offered airline pins no one else…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 33: Aluminium pin display holder
    Aluminium pin display holder

Joop Geesink studio’s made a Mistair jigsaw puzzle in 5 colours (30×40 cm) and a Mistair poster (5 colours, 70×100 cm) as well. Mistair was an air freshener from the Airwick Company.

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 34 – Joop Geesink studio’s made a Mistair jigsaw puzzle in 5 colours (30×40 cm) and…

2 colour variations, orange and red letters. Anodized aluminium

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 35 – 2 colour variations, orange and red letters. Anodized aluminium

Recent discoveries in Robbedoes magazine 1961 (numbers 1222, 1224, 1226, 1228, 1230 and 1232) showed that Bazooka chewing gum was on the Belgian market, already with gadgets, and their own P.O. Box 416 in Antwerp!

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 36 – Recent discoveries in Robbedoes magazine 1961 (numbers 1222, 1224, 1226, 1228…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 37 – Recent discoveries in Robbedoes magazine 1961 (numbers 1222, 1224, 1226, 1228…
  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 38 – Recent discoveries in Robbedoes magazine 1961 (numbers 1222, 1224, 1226, 1228…

Thank-you letter for putting up the promo window poster (21 x 27,5 centimeters)

  • Bazooka Joe 1961, image 39 – Thank-you letter for putting up the promo window poster (21 x 27,5 centimeters)