Elusive Cheerleader Smurfette

Do you have an elusive smurf, that you have always wanted but can never find? For some this is Cheerleader Smurfette (#20149). 

Cheerleader – Wallace Berrie version. 

This version of Cheerleader is wearing a white dress with reddish ‘S’ on the front, light blue collar and cuffs and waving her reddish orange pom poms. She is standing on a round grass pattern base with one leg slightly raised.  

It is thought that Cheerleader was first released by Wallace Berrie at the end of 1982 or early 1983 and was produced out of Hong Kong. The first one released has a W.B.CO marking and then this was later changed W. Berrie Co under its base. Some collectors have noted a difference of the green paint used for the base; light green to dark green. However all of mine, seem to have a dark green base. 

Wallace Berrie must have produced a lot of these Cheerleader Smurfette’s as they were also sold as key-rings and on variety of triangle pedestals. 

Cheerleader – Schleich version. 

There is very little difference between the Schleich version and the Wallace Berrie version. The most notable difference is that the Schleich one has no ‘S’ on the front of her white dress. 

Some collector books such as the Der Schlumpf Katalog IV states it was first sold in 1989. Which is not correct. If you have a look through old Schleich catalogues you can see it was first sold in 1987 and only available until 1989.

The Schleich version is considered harder to find compared to the Wallace Berrie version. For example I have 2 Schleich ones compared to my 6 Wallace Berrie ones. 

Cheerleader – McDonald’s

McDonald’s also have their version of the Cheerleader. Her white dress has gold spots on it to match with her gold boots and she is waving orange pom poms. M embossed into the back of the head.

It was first used in 1996 to help celebrate McDonald’s 25th anniversary in Germany and the Netherlands. And then again 1998 McDonalds used her to help celebrate their 40th anniversary in England, Ireland. I have also read somewhere that Iceland was included in the promotion in 1998.

Markings

1. Made in Hong Kong W.B.CO. Schleich S © 1981 Peyo 
2. Made in Hong Kong W. Berrie Co. Schleich S © 1981 Peyo
3. W.Germany Schleich S © 1981 Peyo
4. © Peyo 96 (M embossed on the back of the head)

Elusive as she maybe is for some, Cheerleader Smurfette is worth collecting. In most cases, it is not exspensive and just requires pataince to find one in good condition. 

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B