home - background - figurine index - trade list - links - updates - Smurf ID - suomeksi     Find on this page... Smurf PVCs Check list download Buying Smurfs Condition & value the Smurf catalogue Peyo - brief history Smurf PVC figurines Smurfs were created by a Belgial cartoon artist Pierre Culliford alias Peyo in 1957. They first appeared as side characters in a story of  Johan and Pirlouit in “Le Journal de Spirou” on October 23rd 1958 in a story is called "the Flute with Six Holes". A year later, as a result of the huge success, the Smurfs became Peyo’s central characters. The first three handpainted Smurf PVC figurines were released in 1965. With the exeption of years 1973-1974, new Smurfs have been annually released since the mid 60's. The main manufacturer has always been the German toy producer Schleich, along the side with an American company Bully in the -70's. Up until today, about 500 different regular Smurfs have been produced, in addition to numerous variations, which increase the total number of distinct figurines to several thousands. The Schleich toy line also includes nearly hundred Super-Smurfs, numerous buildings, play sets and accessories. Collection check lists Here you can download a simple blank check list of all released figurines (no variations), houses and playsets (ver 02/04 - 830KB), and a blank variation & price guide list (ver 02/04 - 1MB) in .doc format to keep track of your own collection. Both lists are compiled and kindly provided by Natalie Adamcewicz   Colour variations Every year 5-10 completely new PVCs are released along with a number of reprints of older designs. These re-releases often differ from the originals in colour. They may be painted with different colours or shades, or the colour of injected PVC can vary. Nobody knows exactly how many colour variations truly exist. Some Smurfs only have a few variations if any, whereas others may have 5 or more. And rare test versions increase the number even further.         Mould variations In addition to colour differences, many figurines also have mould variations. The variations have the same name, Schleich ID number, and overall features but may differ in size, exact pose or specific details. Usually these variations are very obvious and easy to identify. The different moulds are often referred to as small / large or Schleich / Bully.         Production markings variations Some collectors are also interested in the different production markings on figurines that are identical in all other aspects. These printed or painted markings give information on the origin of the figurine. They reveal e.g. when the original mould was produced (year), what was the specific mould (numbers 0-8), where the figurine was injected (country) and where it was painted (coloured dot).         Confusing non-variations Some Smurfs share similar features but are not variations of one another. Thus these figurines have different names and ID numbers. Examples of such Smurfs are 2.0047 Trumpeter / 2.0072 Trumpet player, 2.0045 Artist / 2.0089 Painter, 2.0048 Flautist / 2.0095 Oboist, and 2.0065 Rugby / 2.0150 Australian football.         Fake Smurfs There are numerous known fake Smurfs listed and described in catalogues. Usually these are quite easy to distinguish from original figurines by shape, paint job, hardness of the material or bad unfinished moulding. However, expensive colur variations that are frequently faked and often turn up in internet auctions are much more difficult to identify. Many collectors also collect fakes.         Promotional Smurfs Many companies have licensed Smurfs for promotional use. For example Philipps, OMO, BASF, Shell and Mc. Donalds have used Smurfs to advertise their products. The promos typically differ from normal Smurfs only in the company logo prints, but sometimes additionally in colour, even in mould. While some promo Smurfs are common and widely available, some have never been sold in shops and produced in small quantities, making them very rare and expensive.       Buying Smurfs Availability of Smurfs varies from one country to another. Here in Finland Smurfs were widely available in the 80's, then they disappeared for nearly two decades, and now a very limited selection can be found in a few special stores. The most convenient way for many people to buy Smurfs is to turn to the on-line web stores, internet auctions such as ebay, or international Smurf forums. Condition & value of figurines The value of each figurine is set by its condition and availability. Figurines that are missing parts (i.e. two piece moulds) or are in worn down condition are usually invaluable to most collectors; all rubs and stains should always be mentioned, and if not other ways stated, figurines are assumed to be in mint condition. Obviously, original or old releases are more valuable than the new re-releases. The most expensive figurines have been available for only a short period of time, produced in small quantities, or have been available only in a certain country or countries. Prices of regular Smurfs available in web stores typically range somewhere between 2 and 20 Euros a piece while the most expensive figurines cost 100E or even more. If one wants to find out the true price for a specific figurine, it is probably most convenient to turn to the specialists at the Smurf Community or to (cautiously) check out some of the on-line web stores or price-guides. Der Schlumpf Katalog IV (Oswald Verlag 2003) In 2003 Gascher's (formerly known as Smörfer's) released the fourth edition of the ultimate Smurf collector's reference manual Der Schlumpf Katalog IV. The book is a full-colour 342 page must-have guide for all Smurf collectors, experts and beginners. The book contains pictures of all regular figurines and Supers produced by Bully and Schleich since 1965 along with numerous variations, their descriptions, years of release and relative prices! In addition the book features a large selection of promotional Smurfs, Smurf-a-grams, blanks, minis, fakes, playsets, buildings and miscellaneous items. Contains all together over 2000 colour photos! The book is printed in German, but the information content is mostly language independent. Very impressive and definitely worth every cent! The catalogue can be ordered from Gascher's for 19.80 EUR (send e-mail to info@gaschers.de for details) Also see / buy other Smurf related catalogues at mushroomvillage.com Peyo–the creator of Smurfs Brief history 1928 Pierre Culliford alias Peyo is born in Brussels, Belgium, of an English father and Belgian mother 1945 Peyo studies in Brussels in the Academy of Fine Arts, and on the side has a part time job at Paul Nagant's CBA animation studio (the place where also Maurice De Bevere, the creator of Lucky Luke took his first steps) 1947 Peyo starts his career as a cartoonist with the adventures of a medieval page-boy character called Johan. Later Johan is accompanied by a little fellow called Pirlouit. 1947-1952 Johan’s adventures are serialized in Belgian dailies “La Dernière Heure” and “Le Soir” 1952 Peyo decides to work as an full time cartoonist 1958 Smurfs (Schtroumpfs) make their first appearance as side characters in a story of Johan and Pirlouit (aka. Pewitt aka. PeeWee)  in a daily newspaper “Le Journal de Spirou”. The story is called "the Flute with Six Holes" which is later renamed "the Flute with Six Schtroumpfs". 1959 Smurfs become Peyo's central characters -1965 the first three Smurf PVC figurines (Normal, Gold, Prisoner) are produced 1971 the appearance of the first female Smurf “Smurfette” PVC figurine 1975 a feature length cartoon “La Flûte à Six Schtroumpfs” (now translated as “the Smurfs and the Magic Flute”) is released 1982 Peyo and the Hanna-Barbera Studios in Los Angeles begin their co-operation, and start producing Smurf cartoons (and end up releasing more than 200 episodes!) 1989 Peyo creates the Cartoon Creation, a company to publish the "Schtroumpfs" magazine 1991 a Smurf theme park (now known as the Walibi-park) opens near Metz, France 1992 Peyo's 16th and last album “Le Schtroumpf Financier” is released by Editions Lombard 1992 Peyo dies on the Christmas eve of an heart attack at the age of 64. The Smurf world grieves. 2002 new Smurf merchandise in still being made. New figurines are designed and produced annually, along the side with older figurines which are re-released. back to top - home - email us - sign guest book - view guest book - banner exchange ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smurfs and the distinctive Smurf likeness are registered trademarks of Peyo SEPP. © PEYO 1999 - License I.M.P.S. We are not affiliated in any way to Peyo or I.M.P.S. Smurf Collectors Unite is not a profit making company or organization & this site is a collectors resource for entertainment purposes only.  We take no responsibility for anything. All pictures and images are produced by SCU so please have respect, and do not use without our permission.