Smurfs


Peyo (Pierre Culliford) dreamed up the Smurfs and their blue world in 1958. He was able to get his idea printed in a comic book that year and the Smurf family first appeared as guests of the popular comic book characters Johan and Pewitt. But the readers couldn’t get enough of them and very soon Peyo was turning out reams of the Smurf’s own stories. From there it was only a short step to creating 3D Smurfs which Peyo created in association with BP. The PVC figures were first given out as promotional items in all BP gas stations in Holland in 1965. The promotion was such a success that the company decided to try it in BP stations across the globe and the Smurfs first came to the USA in 1975.

Today the Smurfs are some of the best-loved cartoon characters of all times. The Internet is chock-a-block with Smurf websites and fanclubs. Even those who weren’t born or wouldn’t remember the Smurf’s heyday will be familiar with the little blue men. Nintendo have recently brought out ‘Smurfs’ for Gameboy retailing around $20. Other companies have used the Smurfs for various promotional and charitable campaigns and made their own additions to the lists of Smurf figurines. A service organisation supporting the handicapped in France produced two handicapped Smurfs in 1995. One was in a wheelchair and one on crutches and they went down a storm. The Belgian Red Cross used the first aid Smurf for promotion items and ‘Paracodin’ cough syrup used three variations of a Smurf licking his fingers for their high-profile advertising campaign.

The most coveted of all Smurf memorabilia are the original 1950s BP figures made in PVC. The rarest of these will sell for between $100-200 or more. Other rare series are the Shell Smurfs, Philips Smurfs, and Omo Smurfs, which will also command high prices. For the more mainstream Smurf collectables, expect to pay from $30 - $50. And look out for any Smurfette figurines. The beautiful baddie in disguise is pursued by many collectors and is often the most difficult to find in any series – just don’t let her get too close to your little blue men!