We first see the School Patrol Smurf in the 1983 Schleich catalogue. Wearing his customary white trousers & hat, with a white plastic stop sign inserted into the hands. Schleich gave School Patrol, 20154 article number and this smurf is also sometimes referred to as Patrol Crossing. It is quite likely that they released Traffic Crossing (#20155) around the same time. Traffic crossing can be found holding a plastic triangle crosswalk sign with both hands.
The School Patrol smurf was first released by Schleich from 1983 to 1986 the 1992 to 1993 and 1999 to 2000. I do not believe this smurf was ever released by Wallace Berrie into the USA. Perhaps they thought that the stop sign was a child hazard.
The first version produced can be found with the markings West Germany Schleich S © Peyo under its feet. West Germany in circle. Schleich S © Peyo printed markings. The old Bully marking has been blocked out with a white stripe.
The figurine used for School Patrol was also the same one used on Fisherman (#20101) . So sometimes School Patrol can be found with West Germany Bully © Peyo markings. Though this is mentioned as a variation in the Der Schlumpf Katalog IV, I do not believe this is technically correct.
Later the markings, possibly after 1984 were changed to just W.Germany Schleich S © Peyo. This version was only sold until 1986.
In the early 1990s new child safety laws forced the discontinuation of many smurf figurines which included a seperate or removable parts. So this meant when School Patrol was re-released in 1992 by Schleich the stop sign had to be redesigned to make sure it meant new child safety laws. This was achieved by adding in a thicker handle with a stopper at the end.
There are two different marking versions that can be found with this new stop sign. The first one is Made in Germany Schleich S Germany © 79 Peyo CE and the last one produced Made in China Schleich S Germany © 79 Peyo CE.
For some of you, School Patrol smurf is a little plain and lacks imagination. For others, it can really complement their display by showing it with their car driving super smurfs. Both versions can be still be found today, though can be a little harder in places like the USA where it was never originally sold.
I have a soft spot for both School Patrol and Traffic Crossing smurfs as I believe they could be a great tool to teach children about road safety.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B