Which Smurfs do you always mix up? I often find myself mixing up the Laughing Smurf with Jolly Smurf. I don’t know why they don’t look anything alike.
Laughing Smurf #20011 can be found with one hand pointing out sideways and the other hand covering his red mouth trying to contain his laughter. Both of his eyes are also closed. First released by Schleich in 1970 to 1973. Then by Bully from 1974 to 1977. Then again Schleich 1977/78 to 1985.
Due to the popularity of Laughing Smurf it was also made out of Hong Kong. This allowed it to be sold by BP and Wallace Berrie from 1980 to 1982. There appears to be no real difference between the ones made of West Germany and Hong Kong.
If anything, sometimes you may find a small difference in the height of the Smurf or the blue paint used. Generally the older ones can be found with lighter paint colours. Compared to the ones made out of Hong Kong that have darker paint colours.
Like many of older Smurfs that can be found, you will notice on the back of their heads that they appear quite scaled. This is quite common and is nothing to be concerned with. I have a few Laughing Smurfs like this and most appear to be painted out of Portugal. I can tell this by the mustard paint dot found under the foot.
However my favourite Laughing Smurf, is one made out of red pvc material. These are also sometimes referred to as Rohling (blank) Smurfs. In the Der Schlumpf Katalog IV book, they list there are three different coloured Laughing Rohlinge Smurfs; red, blue and lilac.
I have no idea where I picked it up but I do adore it. Which sounds just like the story of my entire Smurf collection.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B
P.S Don’t you think this would make a great Christmas tree decoration!