Blagojevich PEZ?

So I saw this logo and swore that it was a Blagojevich PEZ dispenser. Am I crazy??

I wonder if it's worth more money now that Blago is no longer among us. Us being the governors of the states, which of course I am not one. But I think I have digressed far too far already.

What do you think?

PEZ Characters

Toy character head dispensers were introduced in 1955, after the candy was introduced in the United States. There are over 450 unique dispenser heads with thousands of variations.

The company formerly had a general rule against creating likenesses of real people. In the 1970s, three historical figures were created: Betsy Ross, Daniel Boone, and Paul Revere which were released as part of the Bicentennial series. These dispenser heads were not made to actually look like the people they represented, but instead used generic faces with different accessories. 

In 2006 a limited edition series of three PEZ dispensers were made to look like the Teutul family from Orange County Choppers. These are the first dispensers to have been made in the actual likeness of living people. The NASCAR-themed dispensers are based on the helmets of famous drivers, rather than their actual likenesses.

In 2007 a limited edition Elvis set was released featuring 3 dispensers from different time periods in Presley's life. In 2008 the first Star Trek dispensers will be released in a gift set with the 7 original series crew and the Starship Enterprise.

There are many books and websites which catalog all PEZ dispensers which have been manufactured.

PEZ Myths

Much to my surprise, my professor in class today brought up PEZ dispensers. My surprise was partially due to the fact that it is a digital products class.

He brought up that eBay was founded by a guy who wanted to buy and sell PEZ dispensers. I did some digging and it turns out that this is nothing more than an urban legend.

The site eBay was originally founded as AuctionWeb and the first item sold was a broken laser pointer for $14.83. The founder was surprised that it sold for so much and contacted the buyer to make sure he knew that it was in fact broken. The buyer acknowledged that and noted he was a collector of broken laser pointers. And thus eBay was born.

In 1997, an eBay PR manager came up with a story that the site was started to help the founder's fiancée trade PEZ dispensers for generate media buzz. And thus the PEZ myth was born.

Refill 8: 7:27 pm EST, Jan. 25, 2009, Atlanta, GA

My Apartment

Go! Go! Go!

PEZ Conventions: Pezcific

Star Trek conventions be damned! PEZ conventions are where it's at.

The PEZ collecting hobby has grown to the point where several conventions are held annually around the world. The oldest convention is PEZ-A-MANIA, which has been held in Ohio since 1991. Conventions are also annually held in Missouri, California, Minnesota, Connecticut, South Carolina, Austria, Finland and Sweden. PEZ conventions are a place where collectors and dealers can meet to buy and sell PEZ merchandise. There are also typically auctions for charity and games and contests with PEZ items as prizes.

The first one coming up is the Pezcific Coast Convention held in Los Angeles on Feb. 12-14 at the Manhattan Beach Marriott. Events include a PEZ scavenger hunt, bingo, seminars and an auction.

For more information, check out their web site by clicking here!

By total coincidence, I will be in the area then. I may have to check it out.

Refill 7: 6:37 pm EST, Jan. 21, 2009, Atlanta, GA

My Apartment

Lucky number 7 from the set of the hottest music video around.

PEZ Music Videos

Famous PEZ Heads

Sprague Grayden is tackling the role of First Daughter in this, the 7th season of 24 on FOX. She has appeared in Six Feet Under, Joan of Arcadia, Weeds and Private Practice.

But more importantly, she's a PEZ Head. She buys new ones whenever she can, but has not gone so far as paying top dollar for older dispensers. Maybe those will come with more fame. 

She a self-confessed geek who loves science fiction and fantasy, including Star Trek.

Not a bad looker either...

Refill 6: 1:45 pm CST, Jan. 18, 2009, Biloxi, MS

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Had a great getaway weekend with my aunt and uncle in a place I used to spend a lot of my youth (Biloxi, not the Hard Rock). I made some $$$ and we had some PEZ along the way.

PEZ Cam

Refill 5: 12:21 pm EST, Jan. 16, 2009, Atlanta, GA

My Apartment

Back home and back for more PEZ!

Value of PEZ

I was flipping through this book today and came across this insane info about the value of some PEZ memorabilia. I found this one pineapple PEZ dispenser valued at $3,200! That's just crazy talk. So I dug up some other info.

Some PEZ dispensers can sell for large amounts as collectibles. The highest verifiable sale of PEZ dispenser was a private sale of a Mickey Mouse softhead at $7,000 between an Austrian dealer and a California collector. This dispenser was never available for sale to the public, and was a factory prototype. The high prices which some PEZ items fetch has led to the manufacturing of fake PEZ items as well. The 2006 EBAY sale of a clear 50s Space Gun for $11,000 took place but according to noted PEZ author, David Welch, the dispenser was later proven by chemical testing to be a well made fake.

So basically there is a market for counterfeit PEZ dispensers. Adam Smith would be so proud...

PEZ in Pop Culture

What? You want more Seinfeld PEZ? You got it!

This clip appears courtesy of Sony Pictures Television. All rights reserved.

Mr. PEZ Goes to Washington

Quite so scaredy cat enjoyed his time in DC. Here are some highlights of his trip.

He went to the White House to offer Bush some PEZ. He figured the president would like some candy. The Secret Service wouldn't let him in.

He tried to find his congressman on Capitol Hill, but realized he is simply a constituent of the world.

He downed a martini at Off the Record, the bar in the Hay-Adams Hotel where the Obamas are staying. Of course he didn't vote in the last election because he's an inanimate object.

At the Treasury Department, he asked for a bailout. They said no.

Dino-mite! This was his favorite part of the Smithsonian. His favorite dinosaur? The stegosaurus.

On the last day, he heard Bay Buchanan speak. She was a fiery pistol!

Refill 4: 6:48 pm EST, Jan. 9, 2009, Washington, DC

Doubletree Hotel Washington DC

One last refill in the nation's capital!

How to Eat PEZ

Refill 3: 9:07 pm EST, Jan. 7, 2009, Washington, DC

The White House

In a most historic place, in a most historic time, we hit refill 3.

PEZ Pics

Refill 2: 10:23 pm EST, Jan. 5 2009, Washington, DC

Doubletree Hotel Washington DC

It took six days to unload refill numero uno. Pathetic! That averages just 2 PEZ pieces per day. That's gotta change. Time to step it up!

PEZ in Pop Culture

The Seinfeld episode offers up some more PEZ goodness.

This clip appears courtesy of Sony Pictures Television. All rights reserved.

Refill 1: 7:13 pm CST, Dec. 31, 2008, Chicago, IL

Eli's Apartment

It has begun! We are off and running with the first PEZ refilling ringing out 2008 and help me start truly wacky adventure. The instigator himself was on hand to make this whole tomfoolery a reality.