Carpenter was one of the last Smurfs produced by Bully in 1979. The Smurf is holding a large piece of yellow timber with a silver saw with a red handle in the other hand. Out of the different markings found with Carpenter, I would say this is the most common. Schleich made this with Bully markings from 1980 to 1984. It is thought this was part of an agreement made when Schleich won the licence to produce Smurfs globally.
It is also possible to find different paint dots with Bully markings. For example, a mustard paint dot indicates it was painted in Portugal or a green paint indicates it was painted in Tunisia.
Between 1981 to 1984, Carpenter was also made in Hong Kong. The paint colours on this version of Carpenter are darker compared to the Bully ones. But apart from this, there are very few differences. Typically the Hong Kong made ones were sold by BP in Australia and New Zealand. These are still fairly easy to find amongst stashed away childhood collections.
If you enjoy flicking through old Schleich catalogues as I do, you should check out the one from 1991. Several Smurfs have the tag Neu Heit 91 above their picture. These were not new Smurfs made by Schleich but re-released ones from the past. Perhaps it had something to do with the reunification of Germany in 1991.
In the Der Schlumpf Katalog IV published in 2003, there is a listing of Carpenter with a brown piece of timber. Up until recently I always this was fake from Poland. However recently I found a photograph of a Carpenter with a brown piece of timber with a yellow saw handle. It was unclear if this was prototype or if it was someone who painted Smurfs for Schleich created their own version.
Years
1979 – 1986/1991 – 1992/1998 – 1999
List of markings
- W.Germany Bully Peyo
- Made in Hong Kong Schleich S Peyo 1979
- Made in Hong Kong W. Berrie &Co. Schleich S Peyo 1979
- W.Germany Schleich S Peyo
- Made in China Schleich S Germany Peyo CE 79
If you something is not correct, please let me know. I always love to hear the thoughts and opinions from other collectors.
In summing up, Carpenter may not have the razzle dazzle of other Smurfs such as Carnival or Alchemist but with it’s broad smile it’s hard to resist its charm.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B