20124

There are 2 posts tagged 20124 (this is page 1 of 1).

Christmas Smurfs

As we gradually head towards Christmas I wanted to share with you the different Christmas themed smurfs Schleich released. These were originally sold as a counter display carton, with the article number 20833. What is interesting is to see the number of smurfs increase each year, which goes to show how popular they were.

In the first year – 1983 only two smurfs were released, Santa #20124 and Santa Smurfette #20153. Santa is wearing a red jacket with a yellow belt, white pants, a red hat with a white pom pom while carrying  a sack of toys including a doll. Depending where Santa was painted will determine the colour of the pom pom on the hat and also the colour of the doll’s face. Santa Smurfette is wearing a long hooded red coat with a white trim, while holding a large rectangle shaped present with a red ribbon around it.

In the second year – 1984 two more smurfs added. This included Christmas Smurf #20207 and Christmas Smurfette #20208. Christmas Smurf is also referred to as Christmas Candy & Gift which really isn’t surprising as the smurf is carrying a big candy cane and a green present wrapped in a red ribbon. Christmas Smurfette is wearing a short red coat with a white trim while holding a square shaped present with a red ribbon around it. In my opinion out of all the Christmas themed smurfs these two are the hardest to find.

 

By the third and the fourth year – 1985/1986 Schleich introduced two other Christmas themed smurfs, Christmas Smurfette #20200 and Christmas with Lantern #20201. This Christmas Smurfette is wearing a long green coat while holding out in front of her a white rectangle shaped present with a thin red ribbon. Christmas with Lantern can be found wearing a light brown jacket with a white trim and matching brown hat with Christmas Holly attached to the side. In his right hand he is holding a green square shaped present with a red ribbon and a red & yellow lantern in his left hand. 

The next time we see the six Christmas themed smurfs is in the 1990 Schleich catalogue. This may have something to do with Schleich declaring bankruptcy in the beginning of 1987. 

When thinking of Christmas smurfs most people think only of the ones with a gold cord. Most collector’s sites will display these Christmas smurfs in their own section, where as the Schleich Christmas smurfs are just listed with their other smurfs. This may explain why some of these Christmas themed smurfs are considered rarer and are harder to find. 

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Santa Smurf

Once again it’s Christmas, and I thought it would be interesting to share some interesting information about Santa, Schleich Ref# 20124, first released back in 1981. 

Back in 1981 both Schleich and Wallace Berrie released their own variations of Santa. It appears the same mould may have been used, but slight paint variations were made. The main differences were with the blue paint, the red paint, bag shades vary and doll face shades can also vary. The horn is the biggest difference; Schleich has a yellow horn and Wallace Berrie has a white horn.

In the same year, BP Australia started selling six different Greeting Smurfs (sockel/pedestal) which included Santa Smurf. Back in 1981, BP Australia were selling normal smurfs for 99 cents, Super Smurfs $1.75, Playsets $3.99 and Greeting Smurfs $1.99. 

Santa Smurf was produced  as a regular smurf by Schleich from 1981 to 1986 then again from 1990 to 1999. During this time many different sockels/pedestals were produced which included Santa Smurf.

Santa Smurf was also made in Hong Kong back in 1981 for both the Australian and USA markets. So its possible to find Santa with just Made in Hong Kong markings. Later on when Hong Kong was just making smurfs for Wallace Berrie around 1982/83 they included W.Berrie Co to the Hong Kong markings. 

When Wallace Berrie first released Santa Smurf, they sold it with Santa Smurfette (Schleich Ref# 20153) as a pair. 

After 1983 Wallace Berrie replaced Santa Smurf and Santa Smurfette with two new Christmas themed smurfs; Christmas Smurf (Schleich Ref# 20207) and Christmas Smurfette (Schleich Ref# 20208)

Schleich also sold Santa Smurf and Santa Smurfette as a pair in 1983. The pair was given the reference number 20833 by Schleich and was sold in its own special display box. By 1984 the pair had grown to four and now also included Christmas Smurf and Christmas Smurfette. By 1985 the four Christmas themed smurfs grew to six and now also included Christmas Smurfette (Schleich Ref# 20200) and Christmas with Lantern (Schleich Ref# 20201).

The Christmas Smurfs were also sold as a six in 1986 and then rested until 1990 when they re-released by Schleich. 

Seasons Greetings to you all!

Keep Smurfin

Kath B