Pointing Smurf – 20050

I never understood the point of this Smurf. No pun intended. Schleich sold Pointing Smurf from 1979 to 1986 and 1999 to 2000. Pointing Smurf just like Normal Smurf is rather ordinary. White trousers and hat while pointing at something in the distance. Perhaps the point of him was to remind people what Smurfs were.

Like many toys, the Smurfs would mimic activities that we enjoyed so children could create make-belief stories. From soccer to singing to cooking and many others, the Smurfs portrayed our lives. Pointing Smurf was the exception to this rule, just like Normal Smurf was.

Oddly it was never sold by National Benzole in the UK or by BP in Australia and New Zealand. Perhaps there was no point selling him those countries because they knew what Smurfs were.

Wallace Berrie version

In addition Wallace Berrie also sold Pointing Smurf for two years, made in Hong Kong. I cannot see any point of difference between Schleich and the Wallace Berrie versions.

Between 1983 to 1985 an assortment of ten different Smurf magnets were sold by Wallace Berrie, including Pointing. The magnet was made out of plastic and looks like the Smurf has been cut in half. No doubt this was for the figurine to sit flat onto the surface, e.g fridge. Schleich used the half figurines but inserted a clip on the back instead.

Made in China Schleich S Germany © Peyo 79 CE

In 1999 they released a China-made version of Pointing Smurf, painted in a brighter blue. As a result, there is no need for me to point out the difference because it is obvious.

OMO Promotion

Lastly, a series of 16 mini blue figurines were produced for OMO washing powder company. Each one had Peyo 1983 embossed onto the back of their head. It has not been verified if the figurines were included in a single box of washing powder. Another mystery to be solved.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

OMO smurfs

I have to admit, I have never actually brought OMO washing powder/laundry detergent. However if they were sell them again with the offer of a free smurf I surely would be tempted.

In one promotion by OMO 16 mini light blue smurfs were produced with the markings OMO © Peyo 1983. It is thought that these were given away with a box of washing powder. Each mini blue smurf measuring about 2.5 cm to 3 cm represents an actual smurf figurine. These included #20023 Guitarist, 20031 Postman, 20039 Mallet, 20041 Hiker, 20044 Lover, 20049 Tennis, 20050 Pointing, 20059 Teacher, 20062 Telephone, 20068 Football Player, 20095 Oboist, 20123 Policeman, 20126 Rollerskater, 20140 Secretary, 20141 Papa Captain and 20142 Mermaid.

OMO also sold smurfs that displayed the word OMO in black text on the smurf’s shirt. These were typically sold in a plastic sealed bag. These included #20065 Rugby, #20068 Football Player, #20093 Tennis Player. There was also one released holding a box of OMO washing powder and one holding an OMO box with the words ‘Have a Heart’ on it. It appears that the figurine used for these two are the same one as #20160 Apple smurf. The ‘Have a Heart’ one is also an interesting one as it appears to be the same heart used for #20125 Heart.

It is a little unclear exactly when this promotion occurred and in which countries. As the mini smurfs have the year 1983 on them it is thought that the promotion was around 1984 and possibly only in France. Though as yet I have not been able to confirm this for sure.

It has not only been OMO that has sold mini smurfs. Others include may Kinder Surprise, JouJoux, Chupa Chumps to just name a few.

In 1998 the JouJoux/Zwiefel promotion sold 10 mini Christmas smurfs representing Christmas smurf figurines. These were originally sold in Switzerland, upon where a mini smurf was included with a packet of potato chips. This sounds like my kind of promotion, that would have costed me dearly.

In 2008 the Dutch supermarket Albert Heijn sold 15 minismurfs to coincide with the smurfs 50th anniversary. There was also a nice simple display cardboard box that cames with these smurfs.

Like any promotional smurfs, it always help to have some idea of what to look out for. Whether this be any markings, colour variations or just the actual company using a smurf as a promotion. For example OMO smurfs should be found with their whites keeping white and colours vibrant.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath

P.S I would love to your thoughts on today's post by leaving us with a comment.

Papa Captain – sailor’s warning

We first see Papa Captain # 20141 in the 1982 Schleich catalogue wearing red trousers, white jacket with gold buttons, a white cap with a red trim and black brim. He is holding a gold telescope to his eye. Also in the same year Papa Captain was produced out of Hong Kong and was sold in the USA by Wallace Berrie.

In the catalogues there are no versions of the Papa Captain with white trousers and a navy blue jacket with yellow buttons and holding a yellow telescope or a Papa Captain with red trousers with a navy blue jacket with gold buttons and holding a gold telescope. Both of these Papa Captain’s are considered quite rare and can often be found to be repaints.

When considering adding these rare Papa Captain’s to your collection there are a couple of things to keep an eye open for before making your purchase.

The navy blue jacket, should be painted both on the inside and outside.
The navy blue paint is dull not shiny
If holding a yellow telescope, the navy blue jacket should have yellow buttons
The markings are W.Germany Schleich S © Peyo 1981

Papa Captain has also be used as a promotional smurf by different companies in it’s time. Two of these companies used the more common version of Papa Captain, the one with the red trousers and white jacket. The first one was used to promote the German bank – Merkur and has the MB emblem (a balanced scale with wings and the letters M and B stamped in black ink on the back of the head. The second one was used to promote the diary company Petit Gervais – and has Petit Gervais CE printed in white under the feet.

The other company that used Papa Captain was OMO, that produced washing powder. In 1983 OMO produced little mini blue smurfs that came free inside a box of washing powder. A total of 16 were produced and each one has the markings OMO © 1983 Peyo.

Papa Captain was sold by Schleich between 1982 to 1994 and then in 1998 to 1999. During this time different gold paint was used for the telescope and the buttons on the white jacket. I have at least one that was made in Hong Kong that has more of a bronze coloured telescope and tarnished coloured buttons, making them look green in colour.

Papa Captain is also commonly referred to as Sea Captain and is worth adding to your collection. If you are looking to add the rarer version of Papa Captain, the ones with the navy blue jacket to your collection and would like a second opinion first – just let me know – happy to help

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Policeman Smurf

An Austrian man faces a €160 fine for describing police officers as “smurfs” in a warning about speed checks posted on Facebook. The man maintains the term “smurfs” was meant as a harmless joke rather than an insult, and plans to defend the charge.

So if you like to collect different colour and marking variations then Policeman smurf is one to look out for. First released by Schleich in 1981 until 1989 and then from 1993 to 1998. Policeman was also released in the USA from 1982 to 1984 by Wallace Berrie.

The first version of the Policeman can be found wearing a white jacket and helmet, black pants and blowing a red whistle and waving his brown baton in the left hand. This one typically can be found with the markings: W.Germany Schleich S © 1981 Peyo. It is also possible to find this one with a mustard paint dot which indicates that it was painted in Portugal. Most likely this one was originally sold in the UK.

Around 1985 Schleich decided to change the colour of the baton from brown to white. Most likely around the same time the Policeman was also being made out of Portugal as well W.Germany.

The Policeman smurf was also made out of Hong Kong and was sold in Australia & New Zealand by BP and also in the USA by Wallace Berrie. Wearing a shiny black jacket and helmet, white pants while blowing a silver whistle and waving a brown baton in the left hand. This can be found with three different Hong Kong markings. First with just Hong Kong markings then after 1982 W.B.CO. were added and then the markings were changed completely with the W.Berrie Co markings.

In the beginning I only ever thought that the black jacket and helmet version of the Policeman was only ever made out of Hong Kong. This appears not to be the case, as only more recently I discovered this was also made out of Portugal. I don’t have this version but have seen pictures of this. Most collectors considered this Policeman as extremely rare.

In 1985 Schleich released their Jubilee smurfs celebrating 20 years association with producing the smurfs. Both the white and black jacket versions of the Policeman can be found stamped in gold on the back of it’s head with a design consisting of leaves, date of issue (1981) and Peyo’s signature.

In 1993 when the Policeman was re-introduced it was made wearing a white jacket and helmet, black pants and blowing a red whistle and waving a thicker white baton in the left hand. The blue paint that was used is also a brighter blue than previously used. This was made out of Portugal and can be found with a CE marking on the side of his foot.

The Policeman smurf was also used as a promotion for OMO, made out of blue pvc material and measuring about 2cm tall. A total of sixteen smurfs were made like this and were included in a packet of OMO washing powder.

Obviously the man who called the police officers ‘smurfs’ didn’t really know his Policeman smurfs afterall. https://www.standard.co.uk/news

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B