Thousands - more than 1,000 less than 10,000. Somewhere in between. I usually just answer with how many I need and that is 2. I need 2 more dispensers to have at least one example of every dispenser PEZ ever sold at retail. (The two I need as of June 2008 are an owl whistle and Alpine Man from the 1972 winter Olympics). I just thought they were fun. I like the colors, the way they work, the characters, etc. It's candy and a toy all in one. What's not to like? At the time it was just something to look for at flea markets, little information was known about the history of PEZ when I got started. So I had no idea what to even look for.

Correct. This is my THIRD full size book! I would have never guessed I would be writing books about PEZ dispensers! This book just builds on my previous two editions. Each time I put a new book out, I try to add as much vintage items as I do the new releases. My intent is to include enough vintage items that people will be interested in buying a new book. If I can't do that there would really be no reason for somebody to spend $25 on a book to look at a bunch of new release items that people probably have recently added to their collection. I want it to be a reference that both new and seasoned collectors will enjoy. So far, I think I have done that. The positive comments I continue to receive and the fact book sales are good are strong indications there is a lot of interest in PEZ collecting.

Anybody that has a spark of passion about their collection. After almost 20 years now of collecting PEZ, I still get excited about this and I really enjoy talking to other collectors that have that same passion. If I had to mention names, Maryann Kennedy, she was into all of this and had the passion for PEZ long before anybody else even thought to collect these things. The information she was able to gather and the amount of knowledge she has shared over the years is for sure inspiring. David Welch, he really opened the door to this whole thing for me. Once his first book came out in '91 or '92 showing all of the known dispensers I was hooked! Credit to him. John LaSpina, when I got started he was pretty well established already and has amassed a fantastic collection, he is one of the friendliest people and always has a great selection of vintage items for sale. There are other people, actually a pretty good list of people who have made a genuine difference in the hobby but those were 3 people I was introduced to early on, all are still actively collecting. I think that speaks for their passion & enjoyment of the hobby.