At first I had no idea why a smurf would carry a pumpkin with an evil looking face painted on it. The pumpkin face has black triangle shaped eyes, a triangle for a nose and a mouth that only has three teeth. Then it finally dawned onto me, this smurf was a tribute to Halloween.
Apart from being a tribute to Halloween, Pumpkin Smurf, Schleich Ref# 20136 is one of only a few smurfs that were originally produced for the USA market back in around 1982. It was not released into the European market until 1987. It was then only sold by Schleich up until 1991.
The other thing about Pumpkin Smurf is that the same mould was used for other smurf figurines released around the same time of 1981 to 1984. This really should not be surprising considering the high demand for smurfs in both Europe and United States of America at the time. The other smurf figurines were Apple, Schleich Ref# 20160 both the green apple and #1 Teacher red apple and Super Smurf – Jokey with Present, Schleich Ref# 20247.
When Pumpkin was first produced it was made in Hong Kong and then just sold for the USA. Like a lot of smurfs made in Hong Kong these smurfs tend to have a darker blue skin. It was also sold as seasonal smurf by Wallace Berrie.
Though when Pumpkin Smurf was produced for European market, it was no longer being made in Hong Kong and instead was made in Portugal. The Portugal made ones tend to have brighter blue skin. There is also slight variations to be found with the pumpkin especially with the texture. Some are smooth and same are not!
Like any popular smurfs, there are questionable variations to be found. Pumpkin Smurf can also be found with a pumpkin without a face painted on it. I have seen several pictures on the web like this but I have never seen one close up, so I know it exists but I am unsure if it genuine variation. Trick or Treat! – I will let you decide.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B