OMO mini blue figurines

With Smurf collecting, there are many unanswered questions. Everything from article numbers that never saw the light of a day to promotional Smurfs. One that has always intrigued me is the sixteen OMO blue Smurfs. Eachone has the markings © Peyo 1983 and is approximately 3cm high.

For those who don’t know, OMO is a global company that produres washing powder.

There has always been a mystery on how OMO gave away these mini blue Smurfs. One theory is that in 1984 OMO produced these little blue Smurfs that came free inside a box of washing powder. Similar to how Kinder Surprise manage their promotional toys. Others doubted this due to safety concerns. But one must remember this promotion was back in the 1980s.

In the Smurf Collector’s Club newsletter, edition 1 published in 1986 in the For Sale section, someone has listed all sixteen mini blue Smurfs in an attractive container. Is it possible that potentially OMO sold the mini blue Smurfs as a complete set and not individually? If someone knows about how OMO sold the mini blue Smurfs, please let me know.

Within my Smurf collection, I have all sixteen of the mini blue Smurfs. The previous owner did not elaborate on how they had obtained them. Another mystery is unsolved.

List of mini blue Smurfs

Guitarist
Teacher
Footballer
Pointing
Mallet
Papa Captain
Oboist
Telephone
Hiker
Rollerskater Smurfette
Mermaid Smurfette
Tennis Player
Policeman
Postman
Courting
Secretary

Different take on the mini smurfs

During last year I was able to purchase some repainted OMO mini Smurfs. I adore these Smurfs as not only is the paintwork of a high standard but also because they mimic the Schleich variations. For example, Mermaid Smurfette with a green tail and the Policeman with a black jacket, white trousers and a brown baton.

Lastly did not know the markings can be found on different parts of the mini blue Smurf. For instance the Oboist can be found with the markings on his head or trousers. Which makes me think that they made more than one set of these Smurfs. What do you think?

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Smurf with a yellow present

Who out there has the Smurf with a yellow present? In my opinion, this is one of the harder to find Schleich variations. Just like the French Fries with orange fries. Mine may not be in the best condition but I still adore and value my Smurf with a yellow present #20086.

For this reason, I wanted to share some key points of what to look for when considering adding Smurf with a yellow present to your collection.

Around 1988, Schleich started painting the present yellow with a red ribbon. At the same time Schleich also added a black paint dot to their Smurfs. Some say this was to show that a new pvc formula was used to make the Smurf. In 1990 Schleich also added a CE marking to their Smurfs.

Tip 1

The markings to look out for are: West Germany Schleich © Peyo 1975 CE with a black paint dot.

The CE mark can be on the back or under the foot.

McDonald’s version

The McDonald’s version with the yellow present is very common and often confused with the Schleich version. That’s until you check the back of the head. Who else would have embossed the M on the back of a Smurf’s head.

Despite the complaints from some collectors, many still refer to the Der Schlumpf Katalog IV by Frank Oswald, published in 2003 for variations. In the guide, it mentions that the Smurf with a yellow present has the markings Schleich S 1975 (no West Germany) and a Hong Kong version. Can anyone confirm these versions exist?

I have also seen a photograph of a white present with a yellow ribbon. But there is always another rare Smurf somewhere out there to still collect.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Feels like Winter

Today feels like Winter, so what better Smurf to talk about than Australian Rules Football Smurf #20150. This Smurf shows the importance of the skill of taking a ‘mark’. With both arms outstretched in front of him and his body behind the ball.

The Australian Rules Footballer Smurf is wearing a navy blue top with the letter V on the front, with white shorts and navy blue socks. Exclusively released only in Australia and only sold for two years, 1980 to 1982. The colours used represented the Victorian Football League in a football carnival carnival known as the State of Origin. The V on the front of the top stands for Victoria. In addition there are no markings on the Smurf only underneath the grass pattern base.

Best of all this Smurf reminds me most of my childhood. I still have one from my childhood without a base. Being an exclusively made for Australia, probably Victoria, Australian Rules Footballer is easy to find locally. However not so easy if you live in Europe or America. However, most are not in mint condition because they were ppoular with the kids.

Red top version

In 1983 Wallace Berrie released their version calling this Touch Football. Wearing a red top with the number 7 hand painted on the back of his top and white shorts. The football is a dark brown colour with white lines representing the stiching on the ball. Finally the Australian Rules Footballer with the red top was never sold in Australia.

Typically the Wallace Berrie version will have markings on the figurine and the base. It is also painted in darker paint colours compared to the navy blue top version. It was never sold with a smooth oval green base, always grass pattern base.

Most importantly, for local collectors the red top isn’t representing the South Australian team. The South Australian State of Origin team whs a red top with a yellow and blue V on the chest with navy blue shorts. I first thought it was representing the ‘crow eaters’ South Australia but I was wrong.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

This Smurf is on fire

It’s amazing how many times you can look at something but you don’t really see it. In the 1981 Schleich catalogue shows the Fireman Super Smurf #40216. We are all familour with this Smurf with a water drum and hose. But if look closer you will notice that the hose is coiled around a wooden spool. Just like the ones, that were on the back of fire engines. The fireman’s helmet is also a shiny silver colour and the hose looks more brass. Must be one of those rare prototypes that Schleich made just for their catalogues!

Sold from 1981 to 1988 and 1992 to 1994 Schleich sold the Fireman. Wearing a grey dove helmet, black jacket and brown shoes. The Smurf is holding a black hose connected to a water drum. Some say there are at least six variations of the water drum. Not sure if I would buy a Fireman because it had a different water drum compared to the others I already had. From the outside the drums look all the same except for the markings inside.

Another Fireman discovery

When Wallace Berrie sold the Fireman they included assembly instructions. If it wasn’t for Maureen’s site Hidden in the Woods, I would have not known this. http://www.hiddeninthewoods.com/40216Fireman.html

The Hong Kong variant has the Fireman wearing a red helmet, yellow jacket and black trousers. The Smurf is holding a black hose connected to a water drum. There was never box that shows the Hong Kong variant just the Schleich version. This was quite common for Super Smurfs sold in the early 1980s. Wallace Berrie sold the Fireman from 1982 to 1984.

Both Fireman Super Smurfs are a worthy addition to any collection. The fact that the water hose can squirt out water is another reason to add this to your collection.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B