PEZ started out in 1927 Austria as a brick shaped peppermint (
Pfeff
Ermin
Z) adult candy marketed as an alternative for smoking. It was carried about in pocket tins (similar to present day Altoids). An “easy, hygenic dispenser” was created in 1948 which are referred to by collectors today as “
Regulars”. A few years later character heads were placed on the dispenser to make the product appeal to Americans and to market to children. Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse and Spacetrooper were among the first characters. Four fruit flavored Pez were also introduced. The flavor list has grown to more than 18, plus 3 sugar-free and 4 kosher. Today PEZ are made Austria, Czeck Republic, China, Hungry, Hong Kong, and Yugoslavia including a plant in Orange Ct. which alone produces over 3 billion candies a year.
In 1987 PEZ began to put “feet” on the dispensers - tabs at the bottom of the sleeve to help it stand up. Older Pez are identified as “NF” - No Feet. The age/value of a PEZ can be determined by patent numbers molded on the side of the stem
Patent 2.620.061 1952
Patent 3.410.455 1968
Patent 3.845.882 1974
Patent 3.942.683 1976
Patent 4.966.305 1990
There are over 450 unique character heads with thousands of variations
The Cornwall Collection includes 2 sets of Bride & Groom (one light skinned and one dark skinned) The set on the right is in the Museum on the west coast. The light skinned set is on the East Coast - where it has been since last fall when it was presented to MB for her accomplishment of getting the PEZ collector Robbie to be a REAL groom.
As you can see. PEZ can be quite valuable. The above are "original" Bride & Groom" PEZ Pals. And as in real life a good bride is far more valuable than a groom.
