There is always at least one or two smurfs that create a debate among collectors and Skipping Rope Smurfette is one of those ones. Is the version with a blue skipping rope genuine or not?
Skipping Rope Smurfette was first released by Wallace Berrie in 1983 and was only sold for two years. This version of Skipping Rope Smurfette can be found wearing a white dress with yellow underwear, with a thin white skipping rope with red handles rotated over hear head. The markings can be found under the feet: Made in Hong Kong W. Berrie Co Schleich S © 1983 Peyo.
Schleich released their version of Skipping Rope Smurfette in 1984 and continued to sell it through to 1989. This version of Skipping Rope Smurfette can be found wearing a white dress with white underwear, with a thick white skipping rope with red handles rotated over hear head. The other small difference is under the feet is two small rubber stops under the feet. My guess these were added to stop Smurfette tipping over when displayed. The markings can be found under the feet: Made in Germany Schleich S © 1982 Peyo.
Blue Skipping Rope Smurfette
I just want to point out the that the actual Smurfette is genuine, and it is the blue skipping rope part that is debated whether this is fake or authentic. Most collectors feel that the skipping rope is not genuine as it feels more like copper wire and it is nothing like the material used for the white skipping rope. Even so, this doesn’t stop people buying this version or paying major bucks for it!
However it is unclear where this version of Skipping Rope Smurfette originated from. The Smurfette used was made in Germany and also has white underwear. In the Der Schlumpf Katalog IV they list as a Spanish variant but in other collector books they don’t even mention it!
Both versions of Skipping Rope Smurfette are worth collecting and being on display. Like a lot of Smurfette figurines made in 1980’s they all appear to show Smurfette having fun and being portrayed in a slightly flirty way. Sadly in more recent times, Smurfette is still being portrayed as still having fun but less flirty.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B