Pez One-Eyed Monster

When I found this footless Pez this past year, I thought maybe he was a gorilla and was missing an eye.  As it turns out, he's actually known as "The One-Eyed Monster".

Flavour Candy Witch Treat Bag

 Ten (!) Years ago, I posted this Flavour Candy Treat Bag.  Today I have another.

Wax On, Wax Off

I'm not sure of the age of this Glenn Confections Fun Gum.  It has a 9-digit zip code.  Zip+4 was introduced in 1983 in the United States.  Glenn confections went out of business in 1994.  At any rate, it's a survivor.  The original recipient resisted the urge to chew it.

Halloween by Brach's

Technically, I'm not cheating on "Mondays are to Die(cut) For" as these aren't die cuts.

I found these cardboard store displays at an estate sale laying on the floor of a bedroom, unnoticed by the throngs of people passing through.  I recognized them immediately as Halloween store displays, but wasn't sure what display or company they belonged to, although I had a hunch they were Brach's as the art looked familiar.

Candy Containers

I've previously found an orange version of this candy container.  I found this green version at the big Halloween collector estate sale this past year.  It's possible these are made by Rosbro, but I'm not positive.  They probably date from the 1970's.

Boba Fett Candy

I'm sure someone can explain to me, but I honestly never understood the popularity of Boba Fett (perhaps I should have issued a nerd alert prior to opening with that remark).

I remember even before "Empire Strikes Back" was released, he had been issued as a 12" figure action figure joining the ranks of the main stream characters of Luke, Leia, Han, Darth Vader et al.  Sure, in the movie he captures Han Solo, but he has a screen time of just six minutes and 32 seconds and 4 lines of dialogue. And of course, he would go on to have perhaps the lamest demise (or so we thought) in screen history when the unfrozen (and temporarily blinded) Han, accidentally knocks him into the sarlacc pit where he would be "digested for over a thousand years" (again, or so we thought).  Despite everything going against him, Boba Fett had a following.  He even ranked his own candy. This was another find at the collector's estate sale. Sadly, no candy remained.

Jaws (Breakers)

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the candy aisle...

Continuing yesterday's theme of candy containers, I present this 1981 "Jawz" (not "Jaws" so don't sue us) candy container, complete with original candy. I found this at the same sale as the "Chug-a-Can".

Be A Schlepper

The late '70's and early '80's were the golden years of gimmick candy, and I was a sucker for them.

From Pop Rocks to licensed candy bars like the Reggie bar to sweet tarts packed in every variety of container (coffin, sarcophagus, lunchbox, trash can, fire hydrant, locker, you name it) I eagerly handed over my quarters and gobbled them down.

I found this empty (sadly) container at an estate sale among a miscellaneous box of smalls.  I instantly recognized the Wacky Package-esque parody, but not the container.  

Saving Life Savers

I'll be the first to admit I've come across some weird things at sales.  I'll even admit to buying some of those weird things.  This is one of them.

Candy Stoppers

These two candy stoppers (or toppers if you prefer) likely came stuck into one of those clear tubes filled with the knock-off M&M candies.  These date from the 1970's.

That's What You Get From Cracker Jack...Checkers

A few years back, I posted some students' Valentines sent to a teacher named Peter Blank in the 30's and 40's. Included in the box were some sheets of paper with little poems and illustrations.  They appeared to have been tied to Cracker Jack, possibly as prizes.  Only one is Valentine appropriate, but I've included the rest below.

The first is a criticism of "spooning" in public. 

Are you too stupid and senseless to know

That this sort of thing makes a sickening show?

About spooning in private I've nothing to say,

But to do it in public proclaims you a jay.

Snirkles

This brochure promoting the use of "Snirkles" candies in recipes as well as fund-raising was a find from today.

Waxing Nostalgic for Halloween

I found this set of 3 smiling wax Jack O' Lanterns at an estate sale a couple weeks ago.

Halloween -- It's My Bag, Baby Part 2

Vintage Halloween collectibles are soaring in price every year, so I consider myself fortunate whenever I manage to find one.

This Flavour Candy Co. candy bag/puppet was a find from this past summer.  It was inside a bag of other random holiday decorations.  He kind of has a T-Rex thing going with his arms.

Halloween -- It's My Bag, Baby

For several years, I've followed other blogs as they covered the great "Countdown to Halloween", watching from afar, always an outsider.  I thought, "I'm not worthy to belong to their exclusive club." But this year, I decided, darn it, I *AM* worthy!  I like Halloween as much as the next guy, in fact, I'd wager I like it a bit more than most.  So without hesitation, I boldly made my case with the blogmaster at countdowntohalloween.com,  demonstrating how I can contribute significantly to this splendid annual event.  Okay, actually all I had to do was send an email to him with my blog address.  All right, maybe it's not *that* exclusive.

A Devil of a Sale

I was at an estate sale on the hunt for a banjo (more on that later), when I came across a box of Halloween decorations.  Most were fairly new, run of the mill pumpkin candles, etc, but this caught my eye: