Retro Candy Memoir: Fleer Giant Pumpkin-Face Bubble Gum

You know what I love about the internet? You can head off on a whim like "Hmm... I wonder if there are any pictures of that Willy Wonka candy from the 80s called "Punky's" or "Punkys" or hmmmmm..."
65 Google searches later you've found something you weren't looking for.
Like this.
This was one of those things I saw and went "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh YEAH! I REMEMBER THOSE!"

Back in the 80s Fleer put out a line of gum called Giant Pumpkin-Face Bubble Gum.
I can only assume this was put out around Halloween, but damned if I don't remember eating it in the summer. Maybe my mind is slipping.
Orrrrrr maybe the little convenience grocery in my home town left them on the counter FAR BEYOND when they should have.
Remember: this was a time before expiration dates were printed on everything, like today.
Then again I don't believe the Fleer gum, which you could find in packs of baseball cards, had an expiration date. It's the only gum I know of that could actually shatter in your mouth.

So take that same gum and make it into a smiling jack o' lantern the size of your palm.
Poof.
Fleer Giant Pumpkin Face Bubble Gum.

What was it like to eat? Well Retrojunk.com has, what I consider to be, the most perfect description:

"When you bit into it though, it didn't immediately have the texture of the gum you were used to. Rather, it kind of slowly crumbled in your mouth with each bite. The best way I can describe it is it was like biting into one of those big, soft, chewy Sweet Tarts."

Yep. Nailed it. That was it.
I can remember eating this ONCE as a kid.
Never more than that.
I can't remember if I just never found it again, or if the experience of chewing pink glass scarred me... both emotionally and in my mouth.

Still want to check it out for yourself? Well the pics come from current eBay listings which you can check out HERE and HERE. If you're the winning bidder, give it a chew.
I'll bet you it still shatters with flavor.
Now if you'll excuse me, I still need to find a picture of Willy Wonka's 80s candy "Punky's" or "Punkys" or hmmmmmmmmmmm...