May 2022

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

Review: Flower Smurf

I was so excited when I first collected Flower Smurf. Up until then, I had only found a Flower Smurf without its flower. Like many Smurfs from the early 1970s, Flower Smurf is simple in design with a touch of colour. The colour is the Smurf’s flower that sits in the corner of its mouth.

The other standout feature of the early Smurfs us they were hand-painted, compared to Smurfs made today. It’s hard to explain to someone who doesn’t collect Smurfs that adding eyebrows to a figurine can make a big difference. For example, early Flower Smurfs had no eyebrows like many Smurfs produced in the early 1970’s. It is hard to know if Bully or Schleich painters added the eyebrows.

Another point of difference was the flower. In Germany (then known as West Germany) the flower was attached to pin that was inserted into the side of the Smurf’s mouth. Whereas in Hong Kong, a nylon flower was glued to the side of the mouth.

Different coloured flowers

Do you think the different flowers found with Flower Smurf are genuine? To be honest I am not sure because the catalogues only showed a red flower. However some of the collector’s guide books show different coloured flowers. And what about red plastic flower often referred to as a ‘test version?’

Markings

I like to list the markings on my Smurfs because I find it easier to compare them with each other.

  1. W.Germany Schleich emblem Peyo
  2. W.Germany Peyo (emblem removed by Bully)
  3. Made in Hong Kong Schleich S Peyo 1972
  4. Made in Portugal Peyo (emblem removed)
  5. Made in Portugal Peyo 1972 (no reference to Schleich in the markings)

Finally did you know that Flower Smurf was one of nine Smurfs first sold by BP Australia in 1979? No wonder why there are so many Flower Smurfs in Australia missing their flowers. If their original owners were like me, the flower probably ended up at the bottom of the sand pit.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy Flower Smurf as much as I do. What do you of Flower Smurf? Do you think it has the same appeal today as it did back in the 1970’s?

Smurf Review: Bricklayer Smurf

Both Schleich and Wallace Berrie created their version of Bricklayer Smurf using the same mould. Schleich made their Smurfs in Germany (formerly known as West Germany in the 1980s’), typically to be sold in Europe. Schleich also made their Smurfs in Hong Kong, typically to be sold in Australia and USA.

But things changed in 1982 in Hong Kong when Wallace Berrie started to add their marking to Smurfs. This is most likely because BP Australia stopped selling Smurfs.

Here’s a quick review of the Bricklayer Smurfs made by Schleich and Wallace Berrie. Starting with the Wallace Berrie version as I first collected this one.

W. Berrie Bricklyer
Schleich Bricklayer
Painted tail!

Wallace Berrie version of Bricklayer

I first saw Bricklayer in the 1982 Wallace Berrie Fall Smurf Collectables Booklet. The Bricklayer is wearing white trousers and is holding a brown brick in one hand and a trowel in the other. While resting his leg on a pile of bricks.

Markings
  1. Made in Hong Kong Schleich S 1981 Peyo
  2. Made in Hong Kong W. Berrie Co. Schleich S 1981 Peyo

Depending how closely you examine the markings their own two different style of Hong Kong markings.

There is also one with a CE hand etched marking. Most likely as it was sold in Europe between 1985 to 1990.

Schleich version of Bricklayer

I prefer the Schleich version, since their are colour variations. Bricklayer Smurf is wearing blue overalls with a white shirt, holding a brick in one hand and trowel in the other hand. Also he is resting his leg on a pile of bricks.

There are two colour variations of the bricks, red or brown. The cement colour can also vary from light to a darker grey. Not so obvious in photographs, the blue overalls can vary from a pale to brighter blue.

Markings and paint dots
  1. W.Germany Schleich S 1982 Peyo
  2. W.Germany Schleich S 1982 Peyo, mustard paint dot
  3. W.Germany Schleich S 1982 Peyo, green paint dot
  4. W.Germany Schleich S 1982 Peyo, red paint dot

Summing up Bricklayer

More than 40 years on, both Bricklayers are still easy to find. However, the prices can vary depending on what version you want. For example, the Schleich version is more expensive in Australia than the Wallace Berrie one but don’t let that put you off.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

P.S Check out the painted tail on the Bricklayer with a mustard paint dot!