September 2019

Let me tell you about my experience I have had with collecting Alchemist Smurf (#20116).

As most of you may already know Alchemist Smurf can be found with either white or green smoke protruding from his test tube. Wearing a dark blue robe with a half moon on the front and his white Smurf hat is decorated with stars. In one hand he is holding a red genie like bottle and in the other a test tube with smoke coming out of it.

In the beginning I was only aware of the Alchemist with green smoke coming from his test tube. This may have something to do with the Alchemist being made out of Hong Kong was sold like this. But then I started noticing the thickness of the smoke also varied. Like a lot of varainces with Smurfs, nothing big but still a point of difference.

As times went by ……

It took me a while to collect an Alchemist Smurf with white smoke. Actually come to think of it, the white smoke was partially damaged but I still didn’t care as by this stage I had ten green smoke ones to one white smoke variation.

A little while later, I was able to obtain another Alchemist Smurf with white smoke but this one was different to my existing one. Firstly, it wasn’t damaged but it had a gold half moon on his robe. Up until then I always thought the half moon was yellow. I was desperate to know if it was genuine or if the previous owner had added their own paint work to the half moon.

When I started to get more serious about collecting Smurfs with different markings, I quickly discovered that Smurfs made and painted in different countries could lead to different colour variations. This time it was discovering the Alchemist Smurf with green smoke when painted in Sri Lanka (red paint dot) has green stars not gold on his white hat. Also they tend to have the thicker smoke than others.

Key points:

Alchemist was first produced by Bully in 1979. Can be found with white or green smoke. Yellow or gold crest of the moon on the robe.
Was produced by Schleich in 1980 until 1989. Can only be found with green smoke and yellow crest of the moon on the robe.
Wallace Berrie sold Alchemist between 1982 to 1984. Can only be found with green smoke and yellow crest of the moon on the robe. Typically found with a darker blue robe.

In my opinion this is what makes Smurf collecting unique and worthwhile. It is finding these little differences whether it is done with the different paint colours used or markings that can be found, it is never boring. Please let me know if I have forgotten another variance, as always happy to discover something new.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Back in September 1979 the Smurfs were introduced to Australia. But it wasn’t just BP Australia that was selling Smurf goodies. The Smurfs were everywhere. If you grew up in Australia in the late 1970s or early 1980s you more than likely had some kind of Smurf or Star Wars piece of merchandise.

In the beginning BP Australia promoted the Smurfs through advertisements in the Women’s Weekly, TV Week, in newspapers and also on the radio. BP Australia didn’t just sell smurf figurines, they sold colouring books/pads, barbecue aprons, placemats, plush toys, plush hand puppets, catch hand puppets, magnets, squeakers, porcelain dishes, photo albums, plastic musical instruments, door signs, stickers, pocketeers etc etc etc

The Supermarkets were also selling a variety Smurf merchandise. For example in Woolworths they were selling cotton sheet single bed sheet sets for $15.98 in December 1981. I recall receiving this for Christmas and my brother got the Star Wars sheet set. The funny thing is that I must have loved these sheets to bits, as my mum had to join the two sheets together as I had worn both sheets out in the middle. The even funnier thing is that I still have the sheet.

There are other notable pieces of Smurf merchandise that deserve a mention. Possibly the most well known is the Smurfee Ice Lollipops made by Peter’s Ice-cream. One side blue ice pole the other side white ice-cream. At New World supermarket (now known as Coles) if you were lucky you could buy a multi pack of 10 for just $1.85. Another is Decor also produced a variety of kitchenware everything from bowls, plates, cups to food storage containers.

To celebrate 40 years

I wanted to see if anyone recalls owning a ceramic smurf money bank? These were originally sold in Big W around 1980 for $4.98 each. The hand etched markings on the money bank is © Peyo SEPP BP Australia 80. I am lucky that I have been able to collect three so far but I am struggling to find out more information on the pieces. Such as who made them?

Remember when – Your say

If you would like to share any childhood memories of the Smurfs with us please add a comment to this post. It still amazes me that with all the toys and merchandise that is produced, the Smurfs are still completely unique. There is nothing like them or ever will be.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B