They are there to make sure everyone is playing within the rules of the game. The sports referee is someone I have always admire as not only do they have to deal with the players but also their fans.
Over the years Schleich has been producing smurfs there have been at least three different sports referees. These include: #20191 Brainy Referee released in 1985, #20472 Referee released in 2001 and most recently #20809 Football Smurf Referee in 2018.
Today I just wanted to concentrate on one, Brainy Referee as in my opinion this is the most interesting one out of the three. Not only because of it’s markings but also on the different bases that can be found. By knowing something about each of the different bases used can help you roughly determine when it was released.
When Brainy Referee was first made in Hong Kong around 1984, the figurine was glued to the base and not attached to the base with a plug like the others. The oval shaped base used appeared to be half the thickness of the standard base. It is thought that this base was only produced like this for a short period of time as it was deemed unstable.
This was later changed to a thicker base with a grass pattern oval base. If you are lucky enough to have both, you can clearly see this when inspecting both bases.
There was also a Hong Kong version of Brainy Referee that was released that had no markings except for a cavity number. This is typically found with a more green mound base.
In Europe, a smooth light green oval base was used and duller paint colours were used. Markings can be found on both the figurine and the base: W.Germany Schleich S © 84 Peyo.
Brainy Referee was sold by Schleich between 1985 to 1989 and then again from 1993 to 1996, so it is possible to find it with a CE marking. There was also version made in China that was sold with the French magazine Je Collectionne les Schtroumpfs. This magazine was sold between 2004 to 2006.
I hope this has helped resolve some of the unknowns of Brainy Referee that you may have come across. By having a little bit of information about your smurfs, will not only help your collection grow but also allow you to have an appreciation of those who make the smurfs.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B