Collecting PEZ Dispensers

In existence since 1927, PEZ are known today as being little candy dispensers with different heads and they are a very popular collectible.

PEZ started out as a Austrian peppermint marketed to adults, in a little flip-top dispenser, a design now know as a "Regular." It was sort of an after-dinner mint, for after a cigarette, or to help you quit smoking.

Success was limited but in 1952 the candy was made into fruit flavors and the dispensers were given character heads. Now marketed to children, the entire situation changed. Today, both kids and their parents can share in the PEZ passion. Classic dispensers are hot on eBay and current movie releases are often have tie-in dispensers of leading characters.

1. PEZ dispensers didn't get feet until 1978. Anything without feet is more desirable than with feet. People who refer to footed dispensers as "vintage" are trying to rip you off.

2. The variations in character heads are what collectors look for first, then stem variations. Dispensers produced in non-standard colors (a yellow skull or a Santa that's not red and white) are called "misfits" and have become popular collectibles as well.

3. "Fantasy" dispensers are ones that have been hand-crafted by PEZ fans to make characters that don't exist. Examples include KISS dispensers and the Elvis dispenser seen in the movie THE CLIENT.

4. Dispensers kept in their original packaging tend to retain more resale value than those that are opened. If keeping your dispensers in their packaging isn't that fun for you, consider buying two of each design and opening one of them to display.

• MOC = Mint on card

• MIB = Mint in bag

• NIB = New in bag

If you want to display your PEZ collection, the question often arises of just how that is best done?

Before PEZ started putting feet on dispensers (late 1970s), they were extremely prone to falling over at the slightest vibration and rows of PEZ could be make to fall down almost as efficiently as a row of dominos.

Now that they have feet they are a bit more stable but free-standing rows are still in danger of sudden and total loss of PEZ verticality. Shelves or display cases that are enclosed or have doors can help. Some people build special holders that have edges that catch the feet, and these hold the PEZ by having the dispensers slide into them like long slotted tracks. The only time this style of display is problematic is if you like to rearrange the dispensers a lot. You can also invest in some "museum wax" which is a special putty which holds items in place. This is easy to use, won't damage the dispensers and is invaluable if you live in earthquake country.