April 2022

There were 2 posts published in April 2022 (this is page 1 of 1).

Flautist Smurf

Can anyone tell me why we call this Flautist Smurf? This Smurf wears a red shirt and white ttrousers and plays the flute larger than itself. But the flute looks more like a recorder.

In the 1979 Schleich catalogue, it refers to #20048 as Flöten Schlumpf. Using Google translate in German to English Flöte becomes flute. Even in the Wallace Berrie catalogues they called the figurine Flute Smurf. This oversized instrument looks nothing like a flute!

When I first started collecting, I had never heard of the movie The Smurfs and the Magic Flute. An animated film that was first released in Belgium in 1976, the United Kingdom in 1979 and the USA in 1983. In my opinion, this figurine was the connection between the film and Schleich.

Production Years

Schleich: 1979 to 1992
Wallace Berrie: 1981 to 1983

I am not sure if Flautist Smurf was ever sold by BP in Australia or New Zealand. There is a good chance it was because it was made in Hong Kong. If you happen to know, please leave a comment for us.

Markings

  1. W.Germany Schleich S Peyo
  2. Made in Hong Kong Schleich S Peyo 1978
  3. Made in Hong Kong Schleich S Peyo 1980 (Blocked out 1979 on the foot and added 1980 to the hand – very strange!)
  4. W.Germany Schleich S Peyo 1978 CE
  5. M.China Schleich S Peyo 1978 CE

In my opinion, Flautist is a simple designed figurine, nothing flashy or ordinary. The oversized instrument is the standout because it’s ridiculous but adorable.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

What do you like about Flautist Smurf? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

How many variants of Harp Smurf exist?

The Smurf Collector’s Club International (SCCI) tells me there are only three variations of Harp Smurf #20070. However, a friend of mine tells me there are six different variations. What do you think?

The first question one must ask oneself is how you determine your different variations. Some of us will look at colour difference, whereas others look at markings. But others will look at both.

Sometimes understanding who produced a particular Smurf can help you. Harp Smurf was first made by Bully between 1976 to 1979 then Schleich from 1980 to 1986. Along with Wallace Berrie/Applause in 1983 and 1984.

The Smurfs must be one of the few figurines that have the markings of one company but are made by another. For example, a Smurf with Bully markings was also sold by Schleich between 1980 to 1984. Fortunately, there were other details that Schleich adopted for Harp Smurf to differentiate it from earlier ones made by Bully. Such as a wider face and darker blue skin. Also, the early ones had no eyebrows.

One could say that Wallace Berrie used the same technique because they painted Harp Smurf with shiny dark colours.

SCCI Harp Variations

Here are the three different versions listed by SCCI in newsletter 10 published in Fall 1986.

  1. Yellow harp
  2. Yellow/gold harp
  3. Red harp

Note the SCCI rarely talks about marking variations only colour differences. In some cases, I find this is odd because I would have thought this to be an easy way to explain variations pre-internet.

My friend’s Harp Variations

  1. Peyo on the back of the harp
  2. Bully under the foot (hand etched) and Peyo on the arm (hand etched)
  3. Peyo on the arm (hand etched). W.Germany Bully under the foot (printed).
    without/with eyebrows
  4. W.Germany Bully Peyo under the feet (printed). Peyo on arm (hand etched) is blocked out.
    with eyebrows
  5. W.Germany Schleich S Peyo. (Schleich S covers Bully marking).
    The other markings are the same as version 4
  6. Hong Kong W. Berrie &Co. Schleich S 1974 (totally new markings)
    Peyo on the arm (hand etched)

In my opinion, there are five variations of Harp Smurf based on the five different markings. I like to collect Smurfs with different markings and will look at this first when considering adding a Smurf to my collection.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

What do you think of Harp Smurf? Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments!