Meet Shawn Peterson: Inside the Collection

1. Make-A-Face PEZ Dispenser

This is a PEZ version of Mr. Potato Head from 1973.

It was called Make-A-Face. The original idea was to use the little pieces to build and rearrange Mr. Potato Head’s face—a face anyone could love.

Shawn found these at a collector convention. It was one of his first big PEZ purchases. Two of them are missing pieces, but the other has all 17. 

It was a very short-lived product, which adds to its scarcity. You could create a whopping 158 different faces with the Make-A-Face set.

According to our expert, it’s a holy grail piece for PEZ collectors because the small pieces are easy to lose—and there aren’t many sets left out there.

He valued the full set at $4,500! Now that’s a price worthy of making a face at!

2. Colonel Sanders PEZ Prototype

This Colonel Sanders PEZ dispenser was never released, which is what makes the prototype so special to Shawn!

It’s a handmade mock-up. According to the paperwork Shawn found, eight prototypes were mentioned, but only two are known to be out there.

This KFC global project would have been a potential promotional item for the store. This hand-sculpted item was originally sent to a KFC exec. Years later, it appeared on eBay. Shawn paid $600, and today it’s worth $20,000!

He did good... "finger lickin' good." Now, how much would we have to pay for KFC fried chicken-flavored PEZ?

3. 1950s PEZ Space Guns

These PEZ projectiles are from the 1950s and represent the first version of PEZ guns ever made.

They weren't as popular as the regular PEZ dispensers, but they were arguably a more fun way to enjoy the tiny candies.

These PEZ guns would shoot the tablets out—perfect for a quick snack or as a fictional weapon to use on your family members.

They sold for 49 cents at the time, which was quite a bit of money for the 1950s. As a collector, he appreciated the colors and variations, though their prices vary widely.

According to our expert, the full set is worth around $5,000! He took a shot in the dark, and it paid off. 

4. Eerie Spectres

These Monster PEZ are called Eerie Spectres and are from around 1979.

They’re meant to be ugly, but attention-grabbing. We think they do the job well.

What makes these special is that they are part of a series made with a rubber head, whereas most PEZ dispensers are made of hard plastic.

They were made in Hong Kong but are marked in two different ways: "Made in Hong Kong" and just "Hong Kong." All of the stems say "Made in USA."

He acquired these separately over the years. Some are more valuable than others, and the paint is what makes them particularly valuable.

According to our expert, they’re worth around $4,500. Now, that price is a scream!

5. 1950s PEZ Uniform

Sometimes, PEZ is much more than the dispenser itself!

The PEZ uniform has changed and evolved over the years. PEZ was kind of a grassroots brand, so instead of major marketing campaigns, they would have brand mascots wear these costumes and go out to introduce families to the candy. They would jam their pockets full of candy and give it to kids.

There may be other full, complete outfits, but he thinks he has the only one. It was made in the 1950s, but they go from the '30s to the '70s.

According to our expert, after the uniforms were worn, they were often thrown away, making them highly desirable for PEZ collectors.

He said it would be worth $5,000.

6. Giant Candy Tablet

This is a Giant PEZ candy. It’s a real piece, just giant-sized, and it’s aged between 20 to 25 years.

It was a gift to him when he had the opportunity to tour the PEZ manufacturing plant. The man giving the tour handed it to him while it was still warm.

The only way to get one of these is through some kind of connection, and there aren’t many of them.

If he were ever to sell it (which he wouldn’t), it would be worth around $1,200.

7. The total value of Shawn Peterson's PEZ collection: