É com orgulho que PEZILLA coloca aqui algumas respostas, de um pequeno inquérito a um dos grandes coleccionadores PEZ americano - Eric Thorell
It is with pride that the PEZILLA put some answers here, from a small inquiry of one of the greatest american PEZ collectors - Eric Thorell
What's your name, where are you from?
My name is Eric Thorell. I live in North Dakota, USA.
How it was born this passion? When and why did you start collecting? You remember your first PEZ dispenser?
My son, Nathan, got us both started. I think in 1990. First it was for him then as I saw the fun he was having with it, then I remembered back when I was a child and the PEZ I used to have. I remember very well my mother buying me PEZ at the Woolworth's 5 & 10 store when I was small. I also remember destroying most of those PEZ with firecrackers or BB guns!
How many PEZ dispensers you have?
At present time, maybe 450+ I have changed my collecting styles over the years. I always bought all new releases and as many non-US as I could. One day I felt a little overwhelmed, so I started selling all non vintage (or PEZ with feet) and have since focused only on vintage (or no feet) dispensers. With only a very few exceptions.
Which is your favorite PEZ dispenser?
Vintage Psychedelic Eye.
Click to enlarge
How did your family and friends react to your hobby and your collection?
In the beginning it was innocent enough, it was a hobby for my son so they thought my involment was great. It didn't take to long for them to realize *I* really liked this stuff and I suppose it struck them a bit odd. Over the years most of them have realized that this is a legitimate hobby with real money involved. Now I have people from all over telling me about PEZ they have and asking me "what is it worth" to people at work gifting me PEZ. It is fun. :-)
Do you have some rules for collecting? You collects only PEZ dispensers or any PEZ products?
Well, the number one rule is there are no rules for collecting PEZ! Some of the higher echelon in the hobby take it so seriously that I knew right away that would never be me. That said I do have some personal rules. I never buy current or any footed PEZ dispenser. They do not carry any meaning to me and to be blunt, I think the majority of them are pretty ugly. I don't buy PEZ because it is PEZ.
Click to enlarge
Where do you buy them? You sell too?
I buy online from places like eBay, Etsy, Craigslist, a couple of FB groups, PEZ conventions & gatherings and personal friends and other PEZ dealers. But I would say the bulk of my PEZ are got on eBay. I do sell on occasion. On eBay I am "luvpez", and now and then on Facebook groups.
Generally, you have a maximum value of money to give for a PEZ dispenser? (optional)
Well, I am not wealthy, so whatever my budget will allow. There have been occasions where I have paid over $1200 US dollars for a PEZ. I would be willing to pay much more if it is something I have wanted a long time. There are a few of those. :-) Just waiting for the time.
What is the maximum amount you offered for a PEZ object? (optional)
$1250
How can you manage the various dispensers that come out only in some countries?
I do not collect them.
Of the PEZ dispensers that already exist and you do not have, which would you like to have?
Vintage Alpine Man, Bride, Asterix series.
Which characters would you like to be made as a PEZ dispenser?
Ones that will never happen. :-) Such as Mystery Science Theater 3000, The Regular Show, Speed Racer.
Do you think PEZ factory could be more innovative in some dispensers? Why?
Yes. I think they went along with current standards of making their dispensers with torsos which I never understood. To me a PEZ dispenser is a head on a stick. It seems more natural, almost like the stem is the neck. Once they put them on torsos, I lost interest in most of them. I am sure it was a financial decision and me not liking it means nothing, but still, it turned a PEZ into a clone of every other candy related thing.
How do you store them? The dust, is a problem to you?
I use glass cabinets from IKEA, the Detolf model. I have custom fitted stands installed, made by Showtime Displays. They are not sealed tight, so dust can be an issue, but not bad. I take them all out every 6 mos. to dust.
Do you have any project related to the hobby?
Not sure I understand, but I will say no.
There is currently a lot of desire in social networks, that PEZ Candy in the USA, could be more participatory in the Conventions/Gatherings, as happens in Europe, Middle East or now in Asia. How do you see this situation?
In my opinion, PEZ USA continues its long held belief that collectors are such a small part of the hobby that we matter little in the overall picture of their company. PEZ in Europe will make up a dispenser for a small convention, say in Sweden or Finland, but can not do it for a gathering of equal of greater size in the US? All that tells me is that they can not be bothered. I do think things have got a bit better since the inception of the PEZ Visitor Center, but even that is not for collectors, it is to attract people to the brand.
What advice would give to a new PEZ collector?
You have to do it because it is fun. If you become so immersed in the hobby that it becomes all you think about, or you start using credit cards that you can not pay off right away, or you do not eat as well as you did, then it is too much and you need to back away a little. I know, because it happened to me and many people in my collecting circle. My attitude now is that I love the product, but I love the people I have made friends with more because of the product. Maybe that is a reasoning that has come with age, not sure. But by far the friends I have made have defined what PEZ collecting means to me.
In addition to PEZ, collect anything else? What?
Really, no. But I do have one other weird infatuation. I call them "Psycho Pig Banks" and I am always looking for them. Many of my PEZ friends look for them for me as well. :-) I have included a picture. :-)
Can you spend a day without thinking in PEZ?
No. I either am thinking or admiring my collection. I mean I do not dwell on it, but I do admire it daily. What sense is there to collect if you do not enjoy what you have? :-)
Thanks Eric! :-)
I do not collect them.
Of the PEZ dispensers that already exist and you do not have, which would you like to have?
Vintage Alpine Man, Bride, Asterix series.
Which characters would you like to be made as a PEZ dispenser?
Ones that will never happen. :-) Such as Mystery Science Theater 3000, The Regular Show, Speed Racer.
Do you think PEZ factory could be more innovative in some dispensers? Why?
Yes. I think they went along with current standards of making their dispensers with torsos which I never understood. To me a PEZ dispenser is a head on a stick. It seems more natural, almost like the stem is the neck. Once they put them on torsos, I lost interest in most of them. I am sure it was a financial decision and me not liking it means nothing, but still, it turned a PEZ into a clone of every other candy related thing.
How do you store them? The dust, is a problem to you?
I use glass cabinets from IKEA, the Detolf model. I have custom fitted stands installed, made by Showtime Displays. They are not sealed tight, so dust can be an issue, but not bad. I take them all out every 6 mos. to dust.
Do you have any project related to the hobby?
Not sure I understand, but I will say no.
There is currently a lot of desire in social networks, that PEZ Candy in the USA, could be more participatory in the Conventions/Gatherings, as happens in Europe, Middle East or now in Asia. How do you see this situation?
In my opinion, PEZ USA continues its long held belief that collectors are such a small part of the hobby that we matter little in the overall picture of their company. PEZ in Europe will make up a dispenser for a small convention, say in Sweden or Finland, but can not do it for a gathering of equal of greater size in the US? All that tells me is that they can not be bothered. I do think things have got a bit better since the inception of the PEZ Visitor Center, but even that is not for collectors, it is to attract people to the brand.
What advice would give to a new PEZ collector?
You have to do it because it is fun. If you become so immersed in the hobby that it becomes all you think about, or you start using credit cards that you can not pay off right away, or you do not eat as well as you did, then it is too much and you need to back away a little. I know, because it happened to me and many people in my collecting circle. My attitude now is that I love the product, but I love the people I have made friends with more because of the product. Maybe that is a reasoning that has come with age, not sure. But by far the friends I have made have defined what PEZ collecting means to me.
In addition to PEZ, collect anything else? What?
Really, no. But I do have one other weird infatuation. I call them "Psycho Pig Banks" and I am always looking for them. Many of my PEZ friends look for them for me as well. :-) I have included a picture. :-)
Click to enlarge
Can you spend a day without thinking in PEZ?
No. I either am thinking or admiring my collection. I mean I do not dwell on it, but I do admire it daily. What sense is there to collect if you do not enjoy what you have? :-)
Thanks Eric! :-)
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