Fun Fact: If you collect figurines marked with different country markings you will find more than 60% of the time that there will be a paint variation. There are plenty of smurfs that fall into this category, but today I would like to discuss the Indian Smurf wearing a traditional feather head-dress and moccasins. Indian Smurf was sold by Schleich between 1982 to 1989 and then again from 1991 to 2000. Wallace Berrie only sold Indian in 1983 and 1984.
Left: W.Germany with green paint dot Centre: W.Germany with black paint dot Right: Sri Lanka with black paint dot
We first see the Indian Smurf in the 1982 Schleich catalogue, wearing red, yellow and green feathers head-dress, light red shoes and dark brown pants. On his face there is a single red line of paint on each cheek. On the back of his head it is painted white.
This was also sold by National in the UK and can be found with a mustard paint dot. This tells us it was painted in Portugal around 1982.
This can be found also with a green paint dot. This tells us it was painted in Tunisia around 1982.
There is also one that can be found with a black paint dot. This tells it was painted in Sri Lanka in around 1984/85. It can be found with dark brown or mustard coloured pants.
The Indian Smurf was also made in Hong Kong, with black feathers head-piece, brown shoes and mustard pants. On his face there is two red lines on each cheek. On the back of his head it is painted blue.
The last version of Indian was made in China, with red, yellow and green feathers head-dress, light red shoes and dark brown pants. On his face there is a single red line of paint on each cheek. On the back of his head it is painted white.
Left: Hong Kong. Centre: Germany Ce. Right: China Ce
If you like to know when a particular version of an Indian Smurf was produced, one just needs to look through old Schleich catalogues to give you some idea.
Indian with with red, yellow & green on feathers, light red shoes and dark brown pants was pictured in the 1982 to 1985 Schleich catalogues.
In the 1986 Schleich catalogue we see the Indian Smurf with black on the feathers, dark brown shoes and mustard pants. On his face there is two red lines of paint on each cheek.
Though back in the 1987 Schleich catalogue it is changed back to the Indian with the coloured head-dress. This is continued in the 1988 through to 1995.
In the 1996 Schleich catalogue we see the Indian Smurf with red, yellow & green on feathers, red shoes and mustard pants. On his face there is a single red line of paint on each cheek. This is continued through from 1996 to 2000.
More than likely I have missed some other variations but that is the thing about collecting smurfs you never know what you will find under their feet.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath
