Clown Smurf wants you

When the Smurfs were introduced to the UK back in 1978 they teamed up with Pierre the Clown to teach children about road safety. This campaign was known as ‘For a safety with a Smurf’. Pierre the Clown also known as Mr Chitty Chitty Bang Bang allowed National Petroleum to campaign not only to children but politicians. Via his school visits and popularity National Petroleum was able to promote children welfare issues of the day.

Because of this, I have often wondered if this was the idea behind creating the Clown figurine (#20033) first produced back in 1978. Wearing big yellow pants with red stripes and suspenders, a big red bow tie, large big clown shoes and make up around his face. The Clown Smurf figurine was one that was not just popular in the UK but throughout much of the world.

Schleich – 1978 to 1986.

Schleich sold the Clown from 1978 to 1986 and then again from 1991 to 2000. No major changes appear to have been made but slight colour variances can be found with the pants, the stripes, bow ties.

Due to the high demand for Smurfs especially in the early 1980s the Clown Smurf was produced in West Germany, Portugal and Sri Lanka. For example I have a Clown that was made in Portugal and painted in Sri Lanka (red paint dot)

It was also used on a number of triangle pedestals both in Europe and the United States of America.

Hong Kong – 1979 to 1984

In Hong Kong the Clown was made for both BP and Wallace Berrie. It was first released into the USA by Wallace Berrie in 1979 until 1984. BP Australia started selling the Clown possibly in early 1980. Not sure if it was ever sold in New Zealand.

It was in Hong Kong that they started to experiment with spray painting the Smurfs. I have a few Clown Smurfs that you can see they used spray paint on the eyes and sometimes the white paint around its mouth.

Brazil and Argentina

Both Hering in Brazil and Minimodels in Argentina produced a Clown Smurf. These are extremely rare, especially in a good condition.

Schleich – 1991 to 2000

With the reunification of Germany and the opening up of Europe, the Smurfs were in demand again. This time the Clown Smurf was made both in Germany and China. No major changes to be found!

This is one of my favourite Smurfs and it was one I remember fondly from my childhood. If you looking for something to cheer up your day add a Clown Smurf to your collection.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Piano Super Smurf

Considered rare, this Smurf can be found playing the piano with his eyes closed. Like many of the Smurfs produced in the 1980’s this one is based on a popular activity rather than a personality trait. First produced in 1983 by both Schleich and Wallace Berrie, the Piano Super Smurf (#4.0229) is still popular as ever. It was also produced as one of the most wanted promotional Smurfs.

There are two possibly three variations of the Piano Super Smurf that can be found. The Schleich version is a dark brown piano, a dull dark piano stool, with a sheet music stand. The Wallace Berrie version made out of Hong Kong has a lighter brown piano, a light brown piano stool, without a sheet music stand.

If you are keen to find the markings for the piano, you may require a good pocket torch to see them. Basically you need to turn the piano upside down and look inside the empty part of the piano.

The Piano Super Smurf was also used by Schimmel Pianos. The piano sheet music displayed and features a red and white ‘Schimmel Pianos’ sign. The box also has a ‘Schimmel Pianos sticker on it. This considered extremely rare and the price can vary greatly depending if it comes with its box.

Piano Variations

Without sheet music stand, the sheet music slots into the piano from the base of the sheet music.

With sheet music stand, is triangular in shape and sits on top of the piano where the sheet music locks into the stand.

Boxes

I only have two versions of the Piano Super Smurf and both of mine came with our their prospective box. I also think that one of mine, has been mixed up as a Smurf figurine with W.Germany markings and a piano with Hong Kong markings. Not quite right, but still nice to have on display.

Schleich version – On the front of the box it is in German and English and on the back it is in French.

Front: Super Schlumpf Smurf.

Back: Schtroumpfs A Schtroumpfs

Wallace Berrie – On the front and back had the words Super Smurf!! It also displayed the Wallace Berrie article number on the bottom of the box 6737.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my thoughts on the Piano Super Smurf. If you have anything that you would add and share please feel free to add a comment. I am also always constantly looking for new ideas!

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Watch out for Lantern Smurf

Was it a ghost or figure of his imagination that caused the look on this Smurf’s face? Carrying a lantern in his right hand, while taking a tentative step forward. Made between 1977 to 1992 and then again 1999/2000, this is a Smurf that may not have many markings but has been given some interesting names in its time.

The top of the lantern can be found painted in three different colours; red, yellow or black.

The most common one is the red lantern. The red paint on the roof on the lantern can vary depending where the Smurf was painted. For example the Hong Kong version can be found with glossy red paint whereas Portugal painted one (mustard paint dot) has more matte, dull red paint.

It is thought the yellow lantern was produced for National Benzole in the UK. In most cases this Smurf have much duller colours than the normal Schleich Smurfs. Most of these can be found with a mustard paint dot, indicating it was painted in Portugal by Maia & Borges.

Strangely in the UK, this Smurf was referred to as Caroling. This may have something to do it with being released before Christmas 1979. It was also before any of Christmas themed Smurfs were in production.

The rarest one is the black lantern. I don’t have this one and I am a little cautious when looking at buying online just incase it is repainted.

Made in Hong Kong

The Smurf with the red lantern was also produced out of Hong Kong between 1979 to 1981. Back then typically the Smurfs made out of Hong Kong were distributed to BP both in Australia and New Zealand and Wallace Berrie for the US market.

Lantern Smurf was one of the first ten Smurfs released by BP in 1979 in Australia. It was referred to as Watchman. It was also sold by BP New Zealand also referring to it as Watchman. BP New Zealand started selling Smurfs in the beginning of 1981.

Depending what catalogues you come across Wallace Berrie referred to this Smurf as both Lantern and Watchman. It was only sold by Wallace Berrie between 1979 to 1981. It was never sold with W. Berrie markings.

One of my most recent finds, has been a ceramic money box disguised as a lighthouse with a Smurf holding a lantern next to it. These were sold around 1980 in Big W stores for $4.98. Was the concept that the Smurf was watching over your pocket money? Who knows …….

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Valentine Smurfette

One of the many interesting things about collecting Smurfs is all the little variances that can be found. It’s a bit like comparing apples to apples. Two Smurfs can be alike but look a little closer and differences can be found. Today, I wanted to share with you the differences I have found with Valentine Smurfette (#2.0156) first released in 1983 by Schleich.

Valentine Smurfette can be found firing her cupid’s bow and arrow. Wearing a short white with wings on her back and little red hearts decorated around her white hat.

In the beginning, Valentine Smurfette was referred to as Love Schlumpfine in the Schleich catalogues. Back then the Schleich catalogues were written only in German. It wasn’t until 1986 when Schleich started to use both German and English names that it was shown as Valentine Smurfette.

Valentine Smurfette was sold by Schleich up until 1989 and has not been released ever since. Valentine Smurf was also sold as a pair with Amour Smurf (#2.0128) by both Schleich and Applause (formerly known as Wallace Berrie). I don’t think it was ever sold individually in the US.

Know what you’re buying

Valentine Smurfette can be found with a longer or shorter arrow. The difference might determine the price you end up paying. So if you are unsure of the length of the arrow, don’t be afraid to ask.

Typically the longer arrow is 3.5cm long and is considered rare by some collectors. The bow is also painted a darker brown colour compared to the shorter arrow version.

The shorter arrow is around 2.7cm long and can be found with a slight curve. I have some that have curve of the arrow facing down, up or straight ahead. It’s hard to tell if this was intentional or not.

Also due to design of the mould, the markings can be found on different parts of Smurfette. It was only ever made out of Portugal and W.Germany. So if you come across one with Hong Kong or China markings it is more than likely a fake.

In conclusion, Valentine Smurfette is worthy addition for any smurf collection, as she reminds you of your first love.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Gymnast Smurf

Life imitates the Smurfs. If you were to name a Smurf that best suits this saying, which Smurf first comes to mind? For me, it would have to be Gymnast Smurf (#20020), first released by Schleich in 1973. This Smurf can be found lifting a dumbbell with just one hand while attempting to flex his muscles. However, this Smurf has no muscles whatsoever which I have always found amusing.

No singlet, no eyebrows, no muscles

In the beginning Gymnast wore his customary white trousers but no singlet. It was also like many early Smurfs, he had no painted eyebrows. I believe the early ones should also have the dumbbell connected onto the head. Not all Gymnasts were produced like this.

When Schleich lost the licence to produce the Smurfs and Bully took over, they produced the Gymnast with different coloured singlets. Red, green, yellow and white singlets are confirmed to be genuine releases. If you find a Gymnast with a different coloured singlet more than likely it is hand-painted by a collector. Bully made the Gymnast between 1975 to 1977.

Around 1977/78 Schleich started producing Smurfs again and continued to make Gymnast until 1984. It is hard to see if any major changes were made to the mould during the years it was produced. Oddly enough, the Gymnast made out of Portugal can be found with a red or black mouth.

Australia’s Gymnast Smurf

Gymnast was first released in Australia by Bp Australia in 1979. This was made in Hong Kong and can be found with unusually large cavity number under its foot. This happened to a number of Smurfs that were released into Australia made out Hong Kong.

It is also unclear why they only produced the red singlet version out of Hong Kong. Was this a request made by Schleich or Wallace Berrie? The Gymnast Smurf made out of Hong Kong was popular not only in Australia, but in New Zealand and America as it sold right through until 1984. It was also used on a variety of triangle pedestals and other Smurf items.

Is Gymnast a classic?

In my opinion Gymnast Smurf is a classic on so many levels. It was one of the early Smurfs produced by Schleich before Bully had the rights. Any Smurfs produced with unpainted eyebrows is an instant classic for me. Gymnast was also one that was popular not just in Europe but across the globe. Simple design but highly effective like many classic Smurfs.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B