SMURFIN

SMURFIN

They're small, blue and come from Belgium and are "only two apples tall". Smurfs were first created by cartoonist Peyo in Belgium whilst he was drawing a series called "Johan and the Pilouit" back in 1958.













The first three figures were released seven years later at a cost equivalent of 80p each, and were Original Smurf, Gold Smurf and Convict Smurf.        

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 Smurfs may not be seen as the most classic kind of toy character, but these little people with their funny white hats are proving that they're here to stay by transcending the generations. There's many a thirty something who can remember badgering their parents to only buy petrol from National Petrol Stations.

SMURFIN

This company adopted the Smurf as its figurehead and produced, amongst other things, unusual and highly collectable egg decorators which shrank onto the shell of the egg when boiled. Stickers for the back windscreen were another must-have, and how many arguments did the figures create between siblings?                      

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 McDonalds produced a range of Smurf related products for their children's meals as a promotion. Charities too have used the characters and the Smurfs even had their own record in the hit parade. Annuals, comics and records are among the more easily found items for would-be Smurfers. Complete, original sticker albums or sticker sets (hopefully separately, they lose value if the stickers have been stuck in the album) are harder to come by.

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Then there's the larger toys and accessories like the Smurf House which is a giant toadstool which cost about £I0-£15. Bear in mind, that these are likely to be much-loved toys and carry plenty of playtime scars.


The best time to bag a bargain has probably passed. Smurfs became highly uncool during the 1980s when they had to suffer the indignity of being passed by for 10p at boot sales. Now of course, they're all the rage again. Toy shops around the country are selling the character range making them accessible to a new generation.

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However, it's worth bearing in mind that if you come across some Smurfs at fairs in mint-condition they just might be new ones rather than well preserved originals! Today's new range cost £2-£3 each with boxed sets such as Gypsy Smurf complete with Caravan and Artist Smurf with palette and easel starting at around £6.

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 Market stalls and car boot sales are still seen as the best places to pick up original Smurf goodies, although specialist toy stalls are starting to take more of an interest in them. Much like the McDonalds freebie toys, what started off costing 10p at boot sales and can now set you back £ 1 -£2. Smurfs are not for collectors who want to cash-in but should be sought by those who want to collect something wacky and fun on the cheap, an ideal collectible for the novice.

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The Smurf family may have been born more than 40 years ago, but they certainly know how to keep up with the times. There's a thriving network of collectors communicating by Smurfin' the Net. Remember they are by nature shy, so see if you can find them by searching for "Smurfin
      

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