A common thought is that because a Smurf is old, it must be valuable. Sadly that isn’t true. Those new to collecting struggle to understand that older Smurfs are worth less than those produced in the 1990s. One needs to keep in mind that the demand for Smurfs in the late 1970s was global. Smurfs mass produced, meant millions being available. A good example of this is Caveman Smurf #20427 from 1994.
Brief history of Caveman Smurf
Caveman Smurf is clothed in animal skins and carries a large wooden club. The wooden club has a brown or a red brown club. Small variances but nothing major. In addition it can be found with one marking – Germany Schleich S © 1994 Peyo CE.
Back in 1994 Schleich released six new Smurfs. The Smurf Collectors Club International would refer to these as ‘1994 New Generation Series Figurines’ As well they referred to Caveman as Stone Age Smurf. To complement Caveman a Cavewoman was also released. Only sold until for three years. The character Caveman also appeared in the Smurf Village Game a free social gaming app.
Smurfs from the 1990s
When one looks back the Smurfs from the 1990s most were typically only available for two to five years. The high demand was not on the same scale as Smurfs from the late 1970s. In the book by Schleich – Anywhere’s a Playground they comment that at the peak Schleich was producing more than ‘250 different Smurf characters in various locations in South America, Europe and Asia’.
But this is what makes Smurfs like Caveman extra special, knowing they were not mass produced like others. Knowing that when you have the opportunity to add a rare Smurf to your collection it has the ability to set your collection apart from others.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B
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