Who was Nanny Smurf?

When I started collecting smurf figurines there were some really odd figurines that made no sense to me, some examples of this included Puppy, Smoogle, Chitter and Nanny. For someone who never read the comics or watched the NBC cartoon series I was really miffed on who these characters were.

For today, I would like to just discuss Nanny or as others sometime refer to her as Oma, Granny or Grandma first released in 1990, article #20408. The Nanny figure wears a pink nightgown and scarf around her neck. Nanny has grey hair and wears glasses on a chain. Upon its release there were some who felt that Nanny should be holding a knitting bag as she does in the cartoon.

The character of Nanny first appeared in the cartoon series in season 8, first aired in 1988 to 1989. Later on Nanny would also appear in smurf comics and books. Similar to Grandpa Smurf she would love to tell stories to the younger smurfs especially the Smurflings. She was also very fond of a pink rabbit like marsupial pet called Smoogle.

China Applause ™ Peyo © CE markings

In 1990 Applause attempted to relaunch the smurfs to the US market in conjunction of the screening of the cartoon series which was later canceled. Nanny was one of eleven smurfs that were manufactured by Applause out of China. Nanny was also later sold by Irwin Toys in 1995/96 in the USA and Canada. This version of Nanny has a more of mauve coloured nightgown.

W.Germany Schleich S © 88 Peyo CE markings

Nanny was also manufactured by Schleich around the reunification of Germany so it is possible to find with W.Germany or Germany markings. Around 1991 the W in front of Germany was blocked out on existing moulds. From 1991 smurfs were now showing the country Germany. It is also possible to find with or without CE marking. The CE marking was added to smurfs around 1990/91.

The Schleich version has more of light pink nightgown compared to the mauve Applause version. Schleich continued to sell Nanny right through to 2000.

If I was honest Nanny is not one of may favourite figurines as I never watched the cartoon series. But for someone who likes to smurfs with different markings, Nanny is one of the more interesting ones. This is because you can workout out the chronological order they were released just by the markings.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Fishing for Smurfs

It’s been one of those weeks, so when it came to the weekend I was wanting to immerse myself in my smurfs. My sister in law refers to my smurf collecting as my ‘yoga’ as it is my way to switch off from everything else and get totally absorbed by my smurfs. Another way, some people switch off from everything around them is by fishing.

Fisherman Smurf #20101

Fisherman was one of the last smurfs produced by Bully in 1979. After 1979 it was sold by Schleich but continued to be sold with Bully markings until around 1984. It was only sold by Schleich with Schleich markings between 1984 to 1986.

Fisherman was also produced out of Hong Kong, it was sold in Australia and New Zealand by BP and also in the US by Wallace Berrie. Wallace Berrie sold Fisherman from 1981 to 1984.

In the Smurf Collectors Club International Newsletters Issue 14 and 15 from 1989 they list that there are two mould variations to be found.

One piece mould. Pole is part of the Smurf mould!

Dark brown rod, yellow/gold line black hook

Light brown rod, yellow line, black hook

Rust rod, yellow/gold line, black hook

Special Note: The hook should be attached to the foot!

Two piece mould!!

Fishing rod is a separate plastic piece. Hook is not attached to foot

Yellow plastic rod and line with hook

Rod has bumps in plastic as would appear as a tree branch

Brown plastic rod and line with hook

Same bumpy appearance

It is thought Schleich had problems with the one piece mould and at some stage changed the rod to a seperate plastic rod. This may have been around 1983 when Schleich started selling Combi Sets. Schleich ceased making Fisherman after 1986 and has not been reproduced since.

Angler Super Smurf #40207

Angler comes with a yellow fishing rod with a detachable red fish on it, a dark brown log and sometimes with or without a yellow tub. Angler was first produced by Schleich in 1979 and was sold up until 1986. It was later sold as a bonus figurine with the French magazine Je Collectionne les Schtroumpfs in 2007.

It was also produced out of Hong Kong around 1980 and sold in Australia by BP and the US by Wallace Berrie. I don’t believe this version was ever sold with a yellow tub.

There is also a very rare version with a brown fishing rod that came without a yellow tub. I am not sure of it’s origins or when it was produced but I know of two other collectors who has this one.

The Angler was also used by Schleich as part of their Smurf Office Series, released between 1983 to 1986. Angler was part of Smurf Office Series 1 #53101 which included a tray for paper clips with Angler holding a magnet fishing-rod.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about the different fishing smurfs there are available to collect. There are some variations of both Fisherman and Angler that I would like to add to my collection, along with many other smurfs.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Greedy Smurf

Did you know that Greedy is one of the few smurfs that was regularly shown in the comics and also throughout the entire run of the cartoon series? This is most likely due to his good nature and love of food.

Schleich first released Greedy in 1984, wearing a chef’s hat and white apron while sitting on a red stool eating a dessert with a spoon. In the beginning Schleich only released Greedy until 1986, then 1990 to 1994. It was given article number #20165. However, in the 2000’s Greedy had a revival being sold with various magazines and DVD’s in different countries.

Greedy was also produced out of Hong Kong for Wallace Berrie in late 1983 and 1984. It appears that the same mould was used as the Schleich one but it was painted with slightly different paint colours. The most obvious difference between the two, is the brown paint used for the spoon & plate and the pink paint used for the dessert.

Bonus figurine – Greedy Smurf

At various times Greedy has been sold as a bonus figurine with either magazines or DVD’s. Each time, the same figurine was used and can be found with matte paint colours and is made out of a harder pvc material compared to the ones released in the 1980s. The markings can be located underneath: Made in China Schleich S Germany © 1983 Peyo CE.

Here is a list I have compiled, that was sold using Greedy Smurf as a bonus figurine. Please let me know if there is something not quite right or if there any others I have missed.

In France between 2004 to 2006, the magazine Je Collectionne les Schtroumpfs was sold with a bonus smurf figurine. Greedy was sold with their second edition of the magazine.

In Germany in 2008, the magazine 3-D Schlumpf Mag was sold with a Greedy figurine. This issue was released around June.

In the Netherlands in 2010, the magazine De Smurfen was sold with Greedy in their first edition.

In Australia also in 2010, the cartoon series was repackaged and resold as Just Smurfy 2 DVD Box set with bonus figurine. This was first released around November.

Overall, Greedy Smurf is a great one to add to your collection as most people recognise this smurf whether it be from the comics, cartoon series or even from the Smurfs Village mini game. What’s not to like about someone who makes a cake and then eats all for themselves?

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Super Smurfs from 1999

Back in 1999 Schleich released six new Smurf figurines and five new Super Smurfs. Some of these are now considered highly collectible by collectors due to their short period they were sold and their unique designs.

This week I have decided to discuss the five Super Smurfs that were produced. If you are wanting to read about the regular smurfs, please click on HERE

Super Smurfs from 1999

#40252 BMX Smurf

#40253 Motor Scooter Smurf

#40254 Motor Scooter Smurfette

#40255 Racing Driver (in a red car)

#40256 Racing Driver (in a silver car)

(Please note that #20451 was not used)

Regular Smurfs from 1999

#20455 Tourist

#20456 Sportsman

#20457 Aerobic Smurfette

#20458 Newspaper

#20459 Smurf with Nameplate

#20460 Golf Smurf

Snippets of Information

BMX Smurf: Out of all the smurfs first released in 1999, BMX Smurf was sold for the longest period from 1999 to 2015.

Wearing light purple pants, with lighter green colours, riding a light red bike, with lighter yellow colours on the bike

Motor Scooter Smurf: Only sold for five years from 1999 to 2004, though possible to find with either shiny or matte blue skin. The number plate on the scooter has S1.

Markings under feet, Made in China Germany 98. Ce marking under smurf’s bottom. There are no markings on the scooter.

Motor Scooter Smurfette: Strangely this was only sold for three years, from 1999 to 2002. The number plate on the scooter has S2. Smurfette can also be found with a blue paint dot under her foot.

Some consider this one, the hardest one to find out of all five Super smurfs produced in 1999.

40255 Racing Driver (in a red car): Was produced between 1999 to 2005. The markings can be found under the feet, Schleich S Germany Made in China © Peyo 98. Ce marking under bottom. There are no markings on the racing car.

Racing Driver (in a silver car): Just like the Motor Scooter Smurfette it was only produced for three years, 1999 to 2002. Exact same smurf and car as Red Racing Car.

All of the five Super Smurfs from 1999 were made and painted out of China. They were all originally sold with a Circular Smurf logo with dancing smurfs pattern box.

I hope you have all enjoyed looking back 20 years to see what smurfs were produced. These were the days when Schleich created smurfs with a fresh, colourful, modern look to great effect. It’s unfortunate in my opinion this is no longer the case.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Super Smurf Scooter Smurfette, is my favourite from 1999 because of the beautiful design of the scooter and paint colours used.

Smurf Figurines from 1999

Did you know that in 1999, Schleich released six new smurf figurines and five new Super Smurfs? Some of these smurfs are now considered highly collectible as they were only produced for a very short period and also because their association with other smurf merchandise.

For this week’s post I will only discuss the regular smurfs and next week I will discuss the Super Smurfs.

Schleich’s Smurf Figures for 1999

#20455 Tourist

#20456 Sportsman

#20457 Aerobic Smurfette

#20458 Newspaper

#20459 Smurf with Nameplate

#20460 Golf Smurf

Five new Super Smurfs

#40252 BMX Smurf

#40253 Motor Scooter Smurf

#40254 Motor Scooter Smurfette

#40255 Racing Driver (in a red car)

#40256 Racing Driver (in a silver car)

For some reason #20451 was not used and remains a mystery why it was not used. This was not the first or last time Schleich would miss a number when giving smurfs their article number.

Did you know………..

Tourist Smurf: We first saw Tourist Smurf in 1996 when it was sold as a candy topper. The figurine was produced using the same exact design and colours as the candy topper. Tourist was only made by Schleich for three years, 1999 to 2002. It was also the only regular smurf made out of China, whereas the others were made out of Germany.

Tourist Smurf is carrying a satchel full of brochures over his shoulder while holding onto a black camera. He is wearing a light red/orange shouts with white details and his sunglasses rest on his white hat.

Sportsman: No actual markings can be found on the smurf itself, as they located under the base. It was only produced for two years, 1999 and 2000.

Sportsman is running along on a large green grass pattern base, tongue hanging out, with a stopwatch over one shoulder and a towel over the other. He is wearing yellow shorts and a white singlet.

Aerobic Smurfette: Was first released between 1999 and 2001 then later used as part of the 1990 to 1999 Decade Box Set. So possible to find with two different markings.

Lying her back, Smurfette has one leg in the air while wearing a pink leotard with matching leg-warmers.

Newspaper: Commonly found with a bent right arm holding the newspaper upwards. An extremely rare version was also produced where the right arm is positioned more diagognial. Only sold for two years, 1999 and 2000.

Carrying a satchel full of newspapers swung over one of his shoulders, while holding up a copy of the Smurfs News in his right hand. Has a hole in the bottom of the left foot.

Smurf with Nameplate: Can be found with or without a hole in the white removable sign. The one with the hole, is considered more rarer. Was only sold for two years, 1999 and 2000.

Wearing a yellow shirt, black pants and a white baseball style cap while pointing to a blank white removable sign.

Golf Smurf: Just like Aerobics Smurfette it was first released between 1999 and 2001 then later used as part of the 1990 to 1999 Decade Box Set. So possible to find with two different markings.

Golf Smurf carries his golf bag over his left shoulder while carrying a white golf ball in his right hand. Wearing a yellow shirt, orange checkered pants and brown shoes.

If you would like to share any other information you may have on 1999 smurfs, please feel free to leave a comment.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B