Flying with the Smurfs

Imagine how cool it would be to get Smurf themed reuseable lunchbox when you on board a flight. Brussels Airlines has just done that, by partnering up with the Smurfs to engage children on their flights and to ‘promote the best of Belgium’. Included with the cool lunchbox, there are colouring books, memory games and finger puppets.

As part of the campaign two new smurf characters have been created, Capatin Smurf and Cabin Crew Smurfette. As yet I have not seen any pictures of them, so the mind can only think what they may look like.

However this is not first time that airline smurf characters have been produced. Back in 1985 Stewardess (Ref# 20222) and Papa Pilot (Ref# 20223) were released in the USA as part of their Limited Editions series. When the announcement was first made, Stewardess and Papa Pilot were scheduled for release in August 1985. This was around the time that the demand for smurfs especially in the USA had dropped significantly.

Stewardess can be found wearing white shoes, dress and has two yellow wings on the hat while carrying a red tray with a brown glass with a blue straw. Stewardess was made by Schleich between the years 1985 to 1996.

Papa Pilot can be found with black shoes, brown pilot’s suit, yellow scarf, red helmet with brown and black glasses on helmet, while giving the thumbs up. Papa Pilot was made by Schleich between 1985 to 1998.

Both smurfs are one of only handful of smurfs that was made both in Hong Kong and Macau.

In 2001 Aircraft Pilot was produced by Schleich. It was part of the last ‘Golden 100’ smurfs that were released by Schleich. This was when between 1992 to 2001 Schleich would release 100 smurfs each year. The majority of the smurfs were old smurfs reproduced but also did include a small number of new smurfs. Aircraft Pilot was only made by Schleich until 2004.

I would like to wish Brussels Airlines all their best with their smurf campaign. What excellent way to promote Belgium as the majority people think smurfs were originally produced by BP as part of a marketing campaign.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Smurf themed sets

Wow, I can’t imagine any smurf collector who has not been able to resist buying smurf themed sets since they were introduced in 2002.

In the late 1990’s Schleich started introducing a pair of smurfs based on a theme such as Inline Skater Smurf and Inline Smurfette released 1997 or Caveman and Cavewoman released in 1994. But it wasn’t until 2002 that Schleich released their 12 new smurfs as part of the Marching Band set that it really made an impact. So what makes some themed sets more collectible and valuable than others? I have to say I am no expert on this, but what is interesting to reflect back on these sets.

In 2002 a 12 member Marching Band set was released and was also again in 2003. Each member was wearing a navy blue & red uniform with gold frogging while playing their preferred instrument.

In 2003, the New Generation set was released. This consisted of eight different smurfs. Some of the smurfs such as Cyber were only available two years where as others like New Basketball was available until the end of 2009.

In 2004, eight smurfs were released as part of a soccer set. The soccer consisted of players, coaches and fans. In 2011 when Schleich their special decade box sets, five of these smurfs were also included in the decade box set for 2000 to 2009.

In 2005, a set of eight Classic themed smurfs were produced. At the time this created some discussion amongst collectors as what is the definition of ‘classic’ smurfs. In particular Grumpy Smurf and Baby White.

In 2006, a set of eight Halloween themed smurfs were produced. Once again there was much discussion about the new smurfs produced as some felt these were not really keeping with the smurf theme. The entire eight Halloween smurfs were only sold by Schleich until the end of 2008.

In 2007 a Native American Indian set was produced by Schleich. All eight were only available until 2009. Once again some collectors felt these were not really keeping with a smurf theme but instead trying to appeal to an American market.

2008 was a big year for Schleich as they were celebrating 50 years of the smurfs. The Jubilee celebration included eight new smurfs that are still extremely popular today.

With talk of a new smurf movie about to be released, Schleich produced eight new smurfs as part of the Movie set in 2009. Unfortunately the first Smurf movie was not released until 2011.

In 2010 Schleich produced 12 Zodiac set with each smurf representing a star sign. It is fair to say that some felt that this was a strange theme but others found the smurfs to be a great birthday present to give family and friends. I know I did!

In 2011, The Smurfs 3D smurfs were released to coincide with the release of the new movie. The six smurfs produced were also sold in a special box set by Schleich.

With London hosting the Olympics in 2012, Schleich produced ten new smurfs representing different sporting disciplines. The Sprinter Smurf produced was definitely a highlight as was painted in the Jamaican colours of green and yellow to celebrate the achievements of Ulsan Bolt.

In 2013, ten new smurfs were produced as part of the Celebration set. Some are saying that there is a possibility that after 2016 Schleich will no longer make this set. But this is yet to be confirmed.

From celebrating smurfs in 2013, Schleich went with eight pirate themed smurfs in 2014. The good thing is that none of these look like the original Pirate Smurf that was produced by Bully then Schleich back in the 1970’s.

In 2015 Schleich decided to produced eight Job Smurfs. An usual choice considered by some collectors but not possibly an odd choice for children who play with smurfs.

In 2016 a Jungle theme was released. Eight different themed Jungle smurfs with some well known smurf characters such as Papa Smurf, Smurfette and Brainy.

It is always interesting to see how things go and I hope you enjoyed looking back on the themed smurf sets.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Pumpkin Smurf a tribute to Halloween

At first I had no idea why a smurf would carry a pumpkin with an evil looking face painted on it. The pumpkin face has black triangle shaped eyes, a triangle for a nose and a mouth that only has three teeth. Then it finally dawned onto me, this smurf was a tribute to Halloween.

Apart from being a tribute to Halloween, Pumpkin Smurf, Schleich Ref# 20136 is one of only a few smurfs that were originally produced for the USA market back in around 1982. It was not released into the European market until 1987. It was then only sold by Schleich up until 1991.

The other thing about Pumpkin Smurf is that the same mould was used for other smurf figurines released around the same time of 1981 to 1984. This really should not be surprising considering the high demand for smurfs in both Europe and United States of America at the time. The other smurf figurines were Apple, Schleich Ref# 20160 both the green apple and #1 Teacher red apple and Super Smurf – Jokey with Present, Schleich Ref# 20247.

When Pumpkin was first produced it was made in Hong Kong and then just sold for the USA. Like a lot of smurfs made in Hong Kong these smurfs tend to have a darker blue skin. It was also sold as seasonal smurf by Wallace Berrie.

Though when Pumpkin Smurf was produced for European market, it was no longer being made in Hong Kong and instead was made in Portugal. The Portugal made ones tend to have brighter blue skin. There is also slight variations to be found with the pumpkin especially with the texture. Some are smooth and same are not!

Like any popular smurfs, there are questionable variations to be found. Pumpkin Smurf can also be found with a pumpkin without a face painted on it. I have seen several pictures on the web like this but I have never seen one close up, so I know it exists but I am unsure if it genuine variation. Trick or Treat! – I will let you decide.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

We’re All Smurfs exhibition

Today I was on a mission to go to Smurf Village. Yes, that’s right I caught a tram to Smurf Village which has set itself up in Melbourne ‘s Harbour Town Docklands complex as part of an Australian exhibition called We’re All Smurfs

The exhibition includes 35 different smurfs including Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Clumsy Smurf, Lazy Smurf, Brainy Smurf and others. Each smurf stands approximately one metre which makes it ideal for little people to interact and have their photo taken with their favourite smurf.

Luckily for the smurfs on display, a security guard was on site, keeping the smurfs inline and eye open up for Gargamel and Azrael.

Now, for the more serious smurf fan, the exhibition also includes a small history wall dedicated to Peyo. While I was at the exhibition I did enquire about merchandise though was told there wasn’t anything, which was a little disappointing.

The free exhibition is taking place between 8th October right through to 24th December 2016. On the weekends the kids have an opportunity to take part in some craft activity like colouring pencil cases or watching one of the more recent smurf movies.

The highlight for me was the large four metre smurf that has been erected within the complex. This is quite a sight and I imagine would be extra special at night, with the Observation wheel in the background.

This is not to be missed by smurf fans and children. Actually to be honest this is aimed more for parents who are wanting to introduce their children to the smurfs. Parents who recall watching the smurf cartoon on Saturday mornings or reading their smurf comics when they were young.

Long live the smurfs!

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B