So was there ever a Charlie Chan PEZ dispenser?

Could it be? Was there really one? That is a question I can answer for you unequivocally, “No, there was never a Charlie Chan PEZ dispenser.” But why not? Let’s take a look at some of the PEZ dispensers over the years. Some within my own (sorry to admit this) bygone collection of 450+ dispensers (I sold out.) Perhaps that will give us a clue as to “Why Not?”

But first, if you are not familiar with this popular confectionary, it was created by Eduard Hass III of Austria in 1927. Mr. Hass was very anti-smoking, and the first PEZ were not candies, but peppermints (in German that’s spelled, PfeffErmintZ.) Originally round mints, one could offer a lady or gentleman a PEZ as an alternative to a cigarette. Ed’s PEZ were introduced to the United States in 1952 (Hey! Isn’t that the year I was born?) The original dispensers were not toys, but fashionable avant-garde cases and purposely designed as an alternative to a cigarette lighter. There’s a lot more, read all about it on the manufacturer’s slideshow at: https://us.pez.com/pages/history.

Eventually PEZ became an international phenomenon and the very first PEZ convention in the U.S. was held in Mentor, Ohio, June 15, 1991 (June 15th, hmm, now who’s birth date could that be?)

So about some of those dispensers, should you happen across a PEZ Candy Shooter blister pack (sealed packet), please don’t open it. You can probably get around $1500-$2000 for it. In my youth I would buy one; Oh say, every couple of months. Then I’d happily shoot PEZ candies into my mouth and throw away the gun. Heck, I could always get another one right? The gun without packaging will sell for around $300 to $500 depending on the style, color and date.

Now, the closest PEZ I ever came across to a Detective was the Green Hornet dispenser, which was introduce in 1967. You can get one from $190 – $360 depending on color, style and condition. And of course, Batman of D.C. Comic Books was a sort of detective. So I guess he’d count, too. An original Blue Batman, circa 1966 and made in Austria, would pull in around $80. Oh, and there was the complete Dick Tracy set, which would go for around $135 dollars. But these are more superheroes or comic book characters, most created in Sunday comics strips or radio programs. I have never seen a detective of literary fame, like: Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Phillip Marlow, Mrs. Marple, Father Brown, Lew Archer, Mike Hammer, or Charlie Chan memorialized in a PEZ dispenser.

But I’ll let you in on a little secret–there almost was one–A Charlie Chan dispenser. There exists an underground network where pirated PEZ dispensers can be produce for a steep price. I have seen a few of these at conventions and the seller usually shows them to trusted PEZHEADS (that’s what they call us) on the sly. The probably false rumor goes that PEZ Candy Inc. will turn it’s head the other way (no pun intended,) as long as these unauthorized treasures are never put up for resale and kept inside of private collections. So once upon a time being able to talk-the-talk and knowing a thing or two about such matters, I was introduced to a producer of these rare gems. And I entered into negotiations for the production of 10 each, Charlie Chan PEZ dispensers. After about three months of back-n-forth chatter the quantity was too small and the price way out of my range. I bowed out never to realize the fulfillment of my dream, but saving myself from a life of crime in the world of Dark PEZ.

Now you may be wondering what is the most rare PEZ dispenser? If you can ever find one it would probably be the Super Spiel or the Makeaface (Mr. Potato Head type) dispensers in the original packaging. And it would most likely bring upward of $5000 depending on who’s bidding! While drafting this post I happened across a Makeaface in mint condition. It listed for “$12K or Best offer” and sold April 2, 2024 on Ebay (click for pics.)

In case I’ve wet your appetite, the 2024 National PEZ Convention PEZAMANIA XXXIII will be held July 17-20, 2024 at the Holiday Inn, Independence Ohio (9 minutes from my house!) The Convention has been going strong for 30+ years and hosts some 1000+ participant, annually. You can find out more about about the convention and register at: http://pezamania.com/, or https://www.facebook.com/groups/361787007801/. Hope to see you there!

“He who rides on tiger can not dismount”

The Chinese Parrot, 1926, Chapter 9