A hot air balloon made in the shape of a Smurf character is inflated at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003, during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Thursday was Special Shapes Mass Ascension Day but high winds kept a lot of the balloons on the ground. (AP Photo/Jake Schoellkopf)

Christmas Cord Prototypes Click pic to enlarge These prototypes never made it into regular production because the Christmas Cord series was stopped after Smurfs were pulled from the US market. They are: "Christmas Angel," a Smurf angel with gold wings and gift; "Christmas Smurf with Boot," holding a "boot" (stocking) of holiday gifts and candy, and "Bellringer" wearing a red coat and ringing a gold bell. A 1985 catalog showed the Bellringer, along with some of the regular production gold cords, but neither he, nor the others ever hit the market. The only known prototypes sold on eBay Germany in January 2001 for 5.311 DM (about $2,585 USD), 5.519 DM (about $2,687 USD), and 5.135 DM (about $2,500 USD) respectively.

Autographed Jumbo Smurf Click pics for larger views This little smurf is signed by most of the Dupuis artists that gave the Belgian cartoon industry its world wide quality label. It belonged to my sister who was a junior on the team at the time. It was given to her when she left the studio in the middle sixties. Here then follow the signatories: Will- Pseudonym for Willy Maltaite(1927-2000), Author of `Tif et Tondu` Morris- Pseudonym of Maurice De Bevere(1923- )Author of Lucky Luke Franquin- Andre Franguin(1924-1997) is the creator of Gaston Lagaffe and followed "The adventures of Spirou & Fantasio" followed up from Rob Vel. Peyo- Pseudonym of Pierre Culliford(1928-1992), Author of `Johan and Pirlouit but mainly of the Smurfs. Roba- Jean Roba (1930) known mainly for Boule & Bill. Jideheim- Pseudonyme of Jean de Mesmaeker(1935). He used to realise the background for Gaston and Spirou. Had his own cartoon later called Sophie and Ginger. Ryssack- Talented artist in his own right co-founder and manager of the National Comic Museum in Brusses. submitted by: Christiane Beek

Smurf Tattoo Click pic to enlarge

This is a picture of Rachel Webley's Smurf tattoo, now that's a true blue Smurf fan! submitted by: Rachel Webley, Wales (Proprietor of BlueImps.com)

Papa 'n Car Click pic to enlarge

It was a lucky collector indeed who located this great Papa Smurf statue and drove 340km (211 miles) to fetch him and bring him home in this borrowed BMW Mini Cooper! It seems to be just about Papa's size! submitted by: Stefan Schneider