A new thing to collect!

For a smurf collector who thinks they have everything collecting sockels could just be the next big thing.

greet20040aSockels are sometimes also called smurf-a-grams, pedestals or stands and are smurf figurines mounted onto a stand that displays a simple saying. First released in 1981, sockels come in a range of colours and number of different languages.

The most common sockels, are the triangle base stand ones that have also been used to promote organisations or companies. Originally when these were released they came in their own special mailing box.

When BP Australia released these in 1981, they were called Greeting Smurfs and were sold only for $1.99. Though in Australia these were not released with its own special mailing box. The advertising blurb described them as “Smurfy greetings for any occasion”.

greetsantaAlong with the triangle base stands, you can find sockels that play music by turning a handle. These are highly collectable and can be quite expensive.

More recently you can find smurfs on a rectangle podium with a message card on it or a smurf figurine mounted on a green cloud shaped base.

Like the regular smurfs, sockels are a great addition to any collection as the number of different variations that can be found is endless.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

 

 

 

 

What’s your currency?

sm20029aIt’s always interesting to see what dignitries are on a country’s currency. This is no different to the smurfs. We see this with Coin Smurf as he holds a coin in his hand, with Papa Smurf’s head displayed on one side and the number 1 decorated by laurel on the other side.

Coin Smurf is unique smurf to have in  it’s one collection for a number of reasons. With Coin Smurf there are two notable different moulds to be found.

The small mould version holds the coin inwards and has a narrow face. The large mould version holds the coin outwards and has a wider face.

Schleich first released the small mould version, though it was never included in their catalogues. This version is also harder to find in Australia.

sm20029Later Schleich released the large mould version which is still easily found in Australia. This version was  first released in Australia around 1979 by BP Australia and was made in Hong Kong. It was also made in W.Germany

For those who collect smurfs with different markings, there is a version of Coin Smurf that has one of the rarest markings – Made in Hong Kong Schleich emblem (c) Peyo. Only Coin Smurf and Prisoner (20010) share this marking.

There is also a version of Coin Smurf that has a very badly printed W.Germany marking that makes it look like it says Germany. This is because the W.Germany looks like it duplicated.

The last release of Coin Smurf was in 1986 and has the Schleich reference number of 20029. Coin Smurf has also been used for various promotions by banks over the years.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

 

What is a Super Smurf?

Super Smurfs

If you are looking at buying a special smurf for someone who is passionate about collecting, you can’t go wrong with a Super Smurf.

Super Smurfs are smurf figurines that have accessories and are sold in cardboard boxes. Schleich started selling Super Smurfs in 1978. Bully never made Super Smurfs.

super smurfWhat makes a Super Smurf extra special is the cardboard box that comes with the smurf. These boxes have changed over the years depending on the maker or the distributor. Super Smurfs are more valuable to collectors when they still come with their box. Many people have Super Smurfs, but have lost the boxes along the way.

Around 1980 the Super Smurfs were sold with a mini checklist. This included a smurf display on one side and the mini checklist on the other side. These were written in German and was always pleasant surprise when you opened up the box.  The smurf display can vary.

When Super Smurfs were introduced to Australia around 1980 by BP Australia, the most commonly found ones were Tricycle (40203), Skateboarder (40204), Skier (40205) & Car Driver (40210). These were all made in Hong Kong. By December 1980 there were about nine different Super Smurfs released in Australia. Super Smurfs are not as commonly released as other Smurfs, and it has been a few years since Schleich released a new figure, though they have re-released some of the older figures of late.

Like other smurfs, the Super Smurfs can be found in colour variations, different markings and with different coloured paint dots. Amongst the most valuable of them is Smurf playing piano (40229) and Smurfette in Kitchen (40238). You can find the complete list of super smurfs at Toy Dreamer.

It is not unusual to find Super Smurfs sold without their accessory. Depending on what activity the Super Smurf was portraying this can make the smurf look a little odd.  So beware!

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Easter Bunny beware

If you plan to go on a smurf hunt this Easter, there a few things that you might want to know before you go out.

The first release of Easter Smurfs happened around 1983, Smurf in a Bunny suit (20496) and Smurfette in a bunny suit (20497). These two were originally released as a special seasonal pair of smurfs in the USA.

sm20496The Smurf in a Bunny suit wears a white bunny suit holding out a green egg with a yellow ribbon. It can be found with three different markings. 1. Made in Portugal Schleich S (c) 1982 Peyo 2. Made in Portugal Schleich S (c) 1982 Peyo CE 3. Made in China Schleich S Germany (c) 82 Peyo CE

sm20497 Smurfette in a pink bunny suit holds a basket of easter eggs and holding out a yellow egg in her left hand. It can be only found with three different markings. 1. Made in Portugal Schleich S (c) 1982 Peyo 2. Made in Hong Kong Schleich S (c) 1982 Peyo. 3. Made in China Schleich S Germany (c) 82 Peyo CE

Though there was a batch of fake Easter smurfs made in the 1990’s, these two were never replicated as fakes.

For more information on Fake Easter Smurfs have a look at this blurb.

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B

Smurfs that play Australia Rules football

You either love or hate football when you live in Melbourne. It is something that when you tell someone which team you barack for, they will instantly have an opinion about you.


sm20150blueAround 1981 BP Australia had licence to sell smurfs in Australia. Along with the other smurfs released into Australia at the time, a special Australian exclusive smurf was made – Australia Rules Football (20150)

This version wears a navy blue top and shorts with a white V painted on the front of the top. The V stands for Victoria. This was only ever released in Australia.

When the smurfs were released in USA, Wallace Berrie released an Australia Rules Football smurf with a red top with white shorts. Though this version was never released in Australia.

sm20150redBack in the 1980’s Victoria used to play a game of Australia Rules football against South Australia. The colours of South Australia used to be a red top and white shorts.  It was called the State of Origin and it was huge!

I don’t think anyone from Wallace Berrie knew that South Australia wore these colours.  I think it was just coincedental.

The Australia Rules Football smurf is still highly collectible and still makes me tremendously proud to be Victorian. Com’on the Vics!

Keep on Smurfin

Kath B