20088 Archives

When was the last time you went on a wander? (not to be confused with wonder) Regardless what you call this smurf, Traveller, Wanderer, Tracker, Smurf with Knapsack (#20088) etc, this smurf is one for the ages. A simple design that has stood the test of time. We find this smurf, wearing his customary white trousers and hat while carrying a stick with a knapsack over his shoulder.

The Smurf with Knapsack was first produced by Bully in 1975. Back then Bully would produce posters with hand drawn sketches of their smurfs they were selling at the time. The Smurf with Knapsack was first shown in 1976 with a brown stick with white knapsack with red spots and was referred to as Wanderer. I don’t think they never produced a figurine like this, which is a shame.

The figurine was only ever produced with an orange stick and knapsack. In the beginning the length stick was about 7cm and this was later reduced to 5.5cm. The other small difference that can be found is with the knapsack. Some of the earlier knapsacks appeared to be flatter on the bottom and the later ones were more rounded. Both small but notable differences!

You may also come across with Wanderer with a yellow, white or green stick and knapsack. This is accessory is from the Jerry figurine (Tom & Jerry).

After Bully lost the licence to manufacture smurfs at the beginning of 1980, Schleich continued to make and sell Wanderer right up until 1986. A version was also made out of Hong Kong but oddly it was never sold by Wallace Berrie or BP Australia. Perhaps it was sold in New Zealand?

Markings

For those who like to collect smurfs with different markings, there are not many to be found with this one. It can also be found with a mustard or red paint dot.

Bully © Peyo (hand etched markings)
W.Germany Bully © Peyo
West Germany Bully © Peyo
West Germany Schleich S © Peyo
Made in Hong Kong Schleich S © 1975 Peyo

Collector’s Tip

When looking to add Wanderer to your smurf collection, ensure that his mouth is closed and that he is holding the stick with his right hand. Butterfly Catcher (#40209) holds his net over his left shoulder and has his mouth open.

Perhaps we all should take a leaf out of this smurf’s book and go for a wander (or should that be wonder?)

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Today, we find the Butterfly Catcher walking along with a butterfly in his net. What a way to spend your day catching butterflies. If only we could find the time to do such a thing.

The Butterfly Catcher is wearing his customary white pants and hat. The butterfly net & stick and butterfly are made from a yellow plastic. The yellow plastic used can vary from a really light to a dark yellow shade. Sometimes the net can be found painted brown. The butterfly’s wings can be found painted with tinges of red or not at all. The butterfly’s eyes can be found painted in red, black or not at all. It is also quite common to find only one side of the butterfly’s eyes painted. Not sure why they did this!

The Butterfly Catcher was only sold by Schleich between 1979 to 1984 and was given the article 40209. The Butterfly Catcher was never sold in Australia or the USA. So I do not believe this Super Smurf was ever made in Hong Kong. Perhaps there was concern that it posed a safety risk with the net & stick being removable.

The differences you will find with this one is to do with the net and the butterfly. It appears little changed with the actual smurf. When looking around at other sites I have found at least four colour variations.

1. Light brown net, unpainted eyes, red painted wings
2. Light brown net, butterfly with black eyes, wings unpainted
3. Dark brown net, butterfly with black eyes, red painted wings
4. Brown net, unpainted eyes on one side, red eyes on the other side, red painted wings

So far I have only come across three different marking variations. I have never really understood why they positioned the markings Schleich S © Peyo between it’s legs and the W.Germany under it’s right foot. Very strange!

#40209 Butterfly Catcher – note holding his stick in his left hand & his mouth is open

#20088 Traveller – note holding his stick in his right hand & his mouth is closed

Sometimes the Butterfly Catcher can get mixed up with Traveller #20088. The big difference between the two smurfs is that Butterfly Catcher holds his net in his left hand and has his mouth open. Traveller holds his stick in his right hand and has his mouth closed.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B