To subscribe to the following PEZ newsletter, write to:
PEZ Collector's News
c/o Mr. Richard Belyski
PO Box 14956
Surfside Beach, SC 29587
Email: info@pezcollectorsnews.com
or visit: www.pezcollectorsnews.com
NOTE: The above individual and organization is not affiliated or associated in any way with PEZ Candy, Inc. PEZ Candy is not responsible and has no control over the operation of the aforementioned organization. To the best of our knowledge the listed organization is reputable and legitimate.
Hello everyone,
If you are reading this, you must be either bored and have nothing else to do, OR you are a fellow PEZ collector! Now that I have your attention; the first thing to do is thank PEZ® Candy for giving me the opportunity to welcome you all to the new, improved PEZ.com web site and the wonderful world of PEZ® collecting.
Just so you know who I am, here is a quick run down. I have been collecting PEZ® for over 16 years. I am the editor of PEZ® Collectors News (newsletter for PEZ® collectors which is over 11 years old), I host two PEZ® Collector conventions on the East Coast and I also hosted two PEZ® Cruises. Don't ask me how many PEZ® dispensers I own, there are just too many to count. Now that I have told a little about me, lets move onto to the reason you are here, PEZ® collecting.
By the way, it's ok to tell people that you collect PEZ®. They may look a little weird at you at first. Just ask them if they ever owned a PEZ® dispenser or bought a dispenser for a loved one. There is a good chance they will answer "YES" to that question. Most people you ask have owned a PEZ® dispenser or at least know what a PEZ® dispenser is. Then a smile will come to their face and they will say "Oh yea". PEZ® does seem to bring smiles to even the grumpiest of people. PEZ® has been bring smiles for over 50 years!
PEZ® collectors come from all walks of life, all ages. They are the nicest people you will ever meet. One thing people that people want to know about PEZ® is where can you find out more about collecting. You can go to your nearest book store and look in the collectible section. Pick up any book on collecting and PEZ® will be listed in it. There are several books written specifically about PEZ® collecting. There also is a 32 page newsletter just about PEZ® collecting. There are several major collector conventions across the country and a ton of collector web sites all dedicated to the hobby of PEZ collecting.
Here are some of the most often asked questions about PEZ® collecting;
How can you tell the dispenser is old?
One of the easiest ways is to look at the base of the stem. If the base is square, then it is what collectors call, non-footed and is old. Feet are plastic protrusions that were added to the base of the stem to help the dispenser stand. Feet were added around 1987. Another way is to look at the patent number on the stem. The older patent numbers range from 2,620,061 to 3,942,683. Then the two current patent numbers are 4,966,305 and 5,984,285. The date on a dispenser head only refers to the character; it has nothing to do with the age of that dispenser.
Should you remove PEZ® from the package?
If it's really old or vintage, don't. The newer stuff in bags I would take it out and display the dispenser. Enjoy it! If you're worried about investment value, then the best thing to do is buy one to open and one to keep in the package. Dispensers are available in a cello bag or on a blister cards. The cards are good because they are colorful, they protect the dispenser and they do change graphics from time to time.
What is the best way to display my PEZ?
There are many different ways to display PEZ®. There are professionally made stands and display boards. There are also several different type of displays that can be made with wood. Simple ones that even I could make with no woodworking experience.
What is a "Fantasy PEZ® dispenser?
The term "Fantasy dispenser" refers to a dispenser that is not made by PEZ® Candy Inc. It could be a dispenser where an artist sculpts a head and made it look like a real person that PEZ® never manufactured. It could be a dispenser that is painted to resemble someone totally different, such as a Wonderwoman that is repainted to resemble a rock star or maybe even a dispenser that is all chrome plated.
Is a mis-packaged PEZ® dispenser or a PEZ® dispenser with missing pieces worth any more money?
The answer is a big "YES"!!! It's very hard to find "errors" like those. The important thing to remember is to keep it in the original package.
Should I buy all of the different stem colors? What about the different "Made in" countries? Should I collect them all?
The most important thing to remember is; buy what you like and have fun doing it. Wait until other people in your family find out that you collect PEZ®. They will be out searching for PEZ® to add to your collection. But you know, that's what's great about PEZ® collecting. It helps bond families together and gives everyone good, wholesome fun for people of all ages.
Oh, one more thing before I go. Do you know why I started to collect PEZ® dispensers? It brings back memories of when I was young and my Mother used to buy me PEZ® dispensers from a vending machine in the early '60s. Its memories like that make your collection truly priceless!
Hopefully this information will help guide you in the right direction. I hope that your PEZ® collection will bring you many years of happiness.
Happy Collecting!
Richie Belyski
richie@pezcollectorsnews.com
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