Review: #20137 Surfer Smurf

I like to display as many of my Smurfs as possible. That way each Smurf can represent something special to the person who visits my house. Come Summertime, Surfer Smurf always gets a great reaction. First sold in 1982 until 1994 then 1998 to 2000.

Carrying a yellow surfboard under one arm while wearing red bathers. Some collectors mention the length of the surfboard as a point of difference. For example, if made in Hong Kong or China the surfboard is 7cm long, W.Germany is 6.2cm and Germany 6.5cm. Others mention the colour of the mould being blue or white.

Oddly when Schleich made Surfer Smurf instead of having the markings under his feet. Only W.Germany Peyo © 81 were added between his legs. Making it tricky to read or photograph even in the best of light. I have also found the Schleich made one has a more pointy surfboard.

However Wallace Berrie wasn’t much better with it’s markings. Hong Kong on the front of the arm and then markings on his back. Being either W.B.CO. or W. Berrie Co. I find the markings on the back are hard to read because of the dark blue paint. However their surfboard has a more rounded tip and its own markings on the outside. (Thank goodness)

Though my favourite Surfer Smurf has no markings on the figurine only on the surfboard. What makes it extra special is the sky blue paint used on the figurine. Such a beautiful bright blue colour. It’s like a clear blue sky that reminds of a cool Summer day.

But why is Surfer Smurf is a normal Smurf and not a Super Smurf? Or Butterfly Catcher is a Super Smurf not a normal Smurf.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Rarity Guide

For Surfer Smurf – I am going to give this 2 Papa Smurfs.

1 Papa Smurf	Not really rare but still worth collecting
2 Papa Smurfs	Rare – but not too difficult to find
3 Papa Smurfs	Extremely Rare – you’re lucky if you have this one
4 Papa Smurfs	Ultra Rare – requires skill to collect
5 Papa Smurfs	Very Rare – a legendary Smurf

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Smurf Review: #20143 CB Smurf

What’s the difference with CB Smurf? The Smurf might be the same, but the differences are with the radio, speaker microphone, headphones and aerial.

Firstly a CB Radio is a short distance communication system. Though it has lost its popularity in the 21st century. CB stands for Citizen Band Radio.

Back in 1982 Schleich sold CB Smurf with a black radio with a long silver detachable aerial. The headphones and speaker microphone was also black. The speaker microphone has silver buttons and a cable linking back to the radio. There was no such thing as Bluetooth technology or WIFI back in 1982.

In 1983 Wallace Berrie sold their version of CB Radio. Silver radio with an attached black aerial. The headphones are silver and the speaker microphone is dark brown. The cable linking back to the radio is also silver. Only sold for a couple of years.

Around 1984 Schleich made changes to the aerial. Gone was the long silver aerial to a short thin, silver one with a tip on the end added to the mould. Later the tip on the aerial was removed.

By the early 1990’s the short silver aerial was thicker in size. But apart from that not too much had changed.

Like many Smurfs produced in 1980’s, this one has aged due to the advancements in the world. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not popular. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Whether it is nostalgic or newbie collectors, CB Smurf is becoming harder to find.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Thank you for sharing your Smurfs

As I recall back in May 2012 news of new promo Smurfs for the London Olympics Games was first announced. No photographs on the Blue Cavern Forum at this stage. But just a note added, send me a private message if interested.

Five special Smurfs each with an Olympic emblem and Belgium flag on the back of their hat. Along with a Super Smurf box. A few days later, photographs were beginning to appear online.

Some wanted to know why Belgium? Simple answer is that the Smurfs originated in Belgium.

It was also confirmed, only 6000 of each Smurf would be produced. And that Schleich produced the five Belgium Olympic Smurfs for IMPS in association with the Belgium Olympic Team.

Early on, these Smurfs were very hard to find outside of Belgium. However, a passionate collector from Belgium who was a member of the Blue Cavern Forum assisted many of us to get a complete set. Her name was Christy.

Upon receiving our Belgium Olympic Smurfs, someone would comment on a new discovery. For example, the Cyclist Smurf had 1 on the bib instead of 6. Or Baton Smurfette has the number 28 on the picture on the box though the figurine has the number 18.

Recently I read Christy has decided to sell her Smurf collection. I have never met her, though like many of us we adore her website – http://www.christysbluevillage.com

This is my way of saying thank you to Christy and wishing her all the best

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Smurf Review: #20517 Hippie Smurf

Nostalgia plays a big part in my collecting of Smurfs. A Smurf doesn’t even have to resonate from my childhood for it to be special. I started seriously collecting Smurfs around 2003. Hippy Smurf was from a new generation of Smurfs, first sold in 2003.

Wearing orange – red vest light, green bell bottoms with a peace symbol belt buckle. Along with a pink bandanna with yellow spots wrapped around his head. Hippie Smurf also has a flower tattoo on his left arm. A gold earring in the right ear while giving the thumbs up. Lastly an acoustic guitar slung on his back. Hippie Smurf is unlike any Smurfs made before or afterwards.

**Markings: Made in China Schleich S Germany c. 2002 Peyo CE**

But the funny thing about nostalgia and collecting Smurfs, is that it is personal. I adore Hiker Smurf from my childhood era. So much so I have over 100 Hiker Smurfs. Whereas I also adore Hippie Smurf just as much, though it’s from my beginnings of collecting Smurfs. However I only have 5 Hippie Smurfs.

If you feel nostalgic about particular Smurfs, this can only be a good thing. We all have our favourites.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Rarity Guide

For Hippie Smurf – I am going to give this 3 Papa Smurf.

1 Papa Smurf	Not really rare but still worth collecting
2 Papa Smurfs	Rare – but not too difficult to find
3 Papa Smurfs	Extremely Rare – you’re lucky if you have this one
4 Papa Smurfs	Ultra Rare – requires skill to collect
5 Papa Smurfs	Very Rare – a legendary Smurf

Smurf Review #20100 Cake Smurf

I love browsing through old Smurf catalogues. I especially love the names used for some of the Smurfs. Along with the colour variations. For example Cake Smurf, first sold in 1978 until 1992. Then in 2013.

Firstly, to avoid any confusion Cake Smurf is the one that holds a yellow plate with a red or orange cake and white icing. On the white icing are red and green smarties. The Smurf is also licking his lips.

Back in 1981, National Benzole called this Smurf – Greedy.

However BP Australia called this Smurf Happy Birthday. Just like Wallace Berrie did in the USA. Not sure why they used different names.

Like many Smurfs painted in different countries, paint colours are bound to be found. Anything from a light to a dark yellow plate. Or a light orange to a dark red cake. Matte to shiny paint colours.

Many years ago by pure chance, I came across a Cake Smurf from Spain. The plate was orange and the cake was yellow with white icing and orange smarties. I didn’t know it’s origins at the time, though I knew it was special.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Rarity Guide

For Cake Smurf – I am going to give this 1 Papa Smurf.

1 Papa Smurf	Not really rare but still worth collecting
2 Papa Smurfs	Rare – but not too difficult to find
3 Papa Smurfs	Extremely Rare – you’re lucky if you have this one
4 Papa Smurfs	Ultra Rare – requires skill to collect
5 Papa Smurfs	Very Rare – a legendary Smurf

#20104 Pirate Smurf

Did you know there are two paint variants of Pirate Smurf? First sold in 1979 by Bully and last sold in 2005 by Schleich.

The most obvious difference with the Pirate Smurf is with the belt. The yellow belt with a black buckle has only Bully markings. The red belt with a black buckle with Schleich markings.

Back around 1981 BP Australia only sold the Pirate Smurf wearing a red belt with a black buckle. Like Wallace Berrie did in the United States. Possible to find both with Schleich and W. Berrie markings.

However, the Pirate Smurf with a yellow belt also has an unpainted skull on his white hat. This appears to be intentional. Whereas the Pirate Smurf with a red belt, always his skull painted black.

Little Things

Like many Smurfs produced over time, slight variations are possible. In my opinion, there are two different things that can make this happen.

Changes to the mould, resulting in different thickness of the sword. Some swords may also have more of a curve than others. It is impossible to know if this was intentional or something to do with the cooling process of the mould.

Or paint specifications at manufacturing. Resulting in different tones of red for the belt or yellow for the hand protection shield. Then there is also paint shading which can vary due to age. For example UV rays can cause fading of darker colours.

Lastly, remember Smurfs don’t tan and wear sunscreen in the sun. If you want to enjoy the most of your Smurfs don’t place them near a window. NO SUNLIGHT!

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Rarity Guide

For Pirate Smurf with a red belt, I am going to give this 2 Papa Smurfs.

For Pirate Smurf a yellow belt, I am going to give this 3 Papa Smurfs.

1 Papa Smurf	Not really rare but still worth collecting
2 Papa Smurfs	Rare – but not too difficult to find
3 Papa Smurfs	Extremely Rare – you’re lucky if you have this one
4 Papa Smurfs	Ultra Rare – requires skill to collect
5 Papa Smurfs	Very Rare – a legendary Smurf

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Review: #20140 Secretary Smurfette

Is there such a thing of a Secretary Smurfette with a green pencil? Or a Secretary Smurfette wearing a pink dress with flat white shoes and a dark brown pencil? Are they fakes or prototypes? I ask this because I saw the one with the green pencil in the Der Schlumpf Katalog IV. Along with the one wearing a pink dress with flat white shoes in the 1982 Schleich catalogue.

Firstly, I should confirm that I am no expert when it comes to variations. I am constantly discovering new things, like I did recently with Secretary Smurfette.

Secretary Smurfette is wearing a pink or white dress and white high heeled shoes. Holding a pencil up to her lips and a notepad in the other hand. Typically the version with the white dress has black scribble on the notepad. But someone told me, silver or black scribble is also possible.

However, I have only discovered the one wearing a pink dress, can have different notepads. Mostly the notepads are blank, though some have black or silver scribble on it. Then there are variations of the pencils. From dark brown to orange to light brown.

In summing up, there are so many variations that can be found with the one Smurf. Secretary Smurfette is just one example. Then there is the markings and paint dots for another day.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Smurf Review: #20765 Look-Out Pirate Smurf

Everyone likes a good old pirate story. Today, I wanted to revisit Look-Out Pirate Smurf, one of eight pirate themed Smurfs by Schleich. Only sold between 2014 to 2016 and made in Germany.

Depending on your imagination, Look-Out Pirate Smurf could be on the bow of a ship peering through his gold spyglass (telescope) while pointing his finger to something in the distance.

Wearing a pair of short maroon baggy pants held up by a brown belt with a large silver buckle. Along with a pair of big brown boots. Look-Out Pirate Smurf also wears a blue and white tricorn hat, with a skull engraved on the front of it.

One might think it’s unusual for him not to wear a shirt. Though this was probably done intentionally by Schleich. Otherwise you would not recognise it to be a Smurf. In fact, all the pirate themed Smurfs do not wear a shirt except for Smurfette.

All things considered, Look-Out Pirate Smurf has not aged like other Smurfs produced in the last ten years. I prefer this kind of make believe theme compared to another football theme. ARGHHH! – what do you think?

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

If you want to view through the spyglass at Look-Out Pirate Smurf

Smurf Review: #20091 Skier Smurf

Skier Smurf is holding onto two short ski poles, one in each hand, while wearing a pair of red skis. First sold by Bully in 1977. Back then Smurfs always wore their white trousers and hat. On this occasion Skier Smurf also wore a yellow scarf.

Back in 1977 it was unusual for a Smurf to have plastic add on like skis. Where the Smurf was held onto the skis by two clips on each foot. This was before Super Smurfs existed. The other odd thing was that the markings were on the skis not the figurine. Some say that Bully first made the Skier Smurf with rubber skis. In my opinion this more than likely a prototype because it is extremely rare. I have only seen photographs.

Due to the popularity of Skier Smurf, Schleich continued to sell Skier Smurf until 1990. Though between 1980 to 1984 it had the Bully markings. Check the front for the Bully marking and W.Germany Peyo at the back of the skis. I also find these tend to have thinner ski poles.

Wallace Berrie

At some stage, Wallace Berrie produced their version of the Skier Smurf. Like many of the Smurfs painted in Hong Kong, dark shiny paint colours were used. For example the yellow scarf and the red round disc located at the bottom of the ski poles. The markings are under the skis, not the figurine.

If anyone has information on this version of Skier Smurf, please let me know.

Between 1992 to 1994 Schleich made a new version of Skier Smurf. With thicker ski poles and the Schleich CE markings below the Smurf’s tail. W.Germany Peyo markings are on both sides of the skis.

In summing up, I would like to see more Smurfs made like Skier Smurf. Any Smurf that portrays a sport is a good thing. The last thing, we want is a gaming Smurf.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Rarity Guide

For Skier Smurf – I am going to give this 2 Papa Smurfs. Rare – but not too difficult to find.

1 Papa Smurf	Not really rare but still worth collecting
2 Papa Smurfs	Rare – but not too difficult to find
3 Papa Smurfs	Extremely Rare – you’re lucky if you have this one
4 Papa Smurfs	Ultra Rare – requires skill to collect
5 Papa Smurfs	Very Rare – a legendary Smurf

Classic Smurf Review: #20002 Normal Smurf

From one mould, Schleich created five different Smurfs with small differences. Starting with Normal Smurf in 1965. Painted blue, with white trousers and hat. His arms are out to the side.

To complement Normal Smurf, two other Smurfs were born in 1965. One painted gold, that we know as Gold Smurf. Instead of white trousers and hat, it had gold trousers and hat. Along with Prisoner Smurf wearing a black and white striped outfit. But instead of a smile, Prisoner Smurf has a frown.

It wasn’t until 1969 when Schleich made two more Smurfs using the Normal Smurf mould. Brainy Smurf wearing black glasses and his mouth more like a round donut than a smile. Lastly Papa Smurf was made. Same body but with a thick white beard added to the face.

Every collection deserves at least one Normal Smurf. It’s a way to say thank you to the makers from Schleich. And of course to Peyo, (Pierre Culliford) the creator of the Smurfs.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B