This is the newest issue of the Smurfy News, the Internet's Smurfiest newsletter going out to over ^ Smurf lovers! Welcome new subscribers! If you know a Smurf lover who might enjoy the Smurfy News, please help us grow and forward this e-mail to them. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or edit your profile, please visit http://www.esmurfs.com and enter you e-mail address in the Smurfy News subscription form, or see the bottom of this e-mail. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Welcome to our April Issue of the Smurfy News! This month I have some ALL-NEW listings as well as a few back-in-stock pieces. We've got some great letters from our readers, some feedback on the new 2002 Smurfs, a great feature article that will also be added to the eSmurfs.com Library archive as well as a couple of interviews which will be worked into an original article for a future issue. Also some insider news from Schleich of interest to collectors. And of course another great contest! So read on and enjoy! -Pete eSmurfs.com =-=-=-=-= CONTENTS =-=-=-=-= 1) NEW IN THE SMURF SHOP 2) FROM THE MAILBAG 3) 2002 SMURFS WELL RECEIVED! 4) FEATURE ARTICLE 5) HEARD IT ON THE SMURF VINE 6) SMURF INTERVIEWS 7) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY =============================================== -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1) NEW IN THE SMURF SHOP -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Here are the back-in-stock (previously out of stock) listings this month: 20046 Emperor (yellow crown, Hong Kong) 20058 Champion (West Germany) 20117 Cornucopia (Bully, West Germany) 20195 #1 Grad (Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie) 21205 Baby with Teddy (powder blue, Macau) 21206 Baby with Ice Cream (yellow collar, Macau) 20213 Devil (orange, Hong Kong) 20464 Studious Smurf (CE, China, Germany) 20465 Fireman (CE, China, Germany) 20471 Carpenter (CE, China, Germany) 20473 Hiker (CE, China, Germany) 20474 Adventurer (CE, China, Germany) As promised in the last newsletter, we have some all-new listings this month including raws and tree stump pencil sharpeners! I could not get all of them listed, so there is more you will see next month: 20057 Thirsty (green bottle, CE, West Germany) 20122 Cowboy Treestump Pencil Sharpener (Brown rope, West Germany) 20123 Policeman Treestump Pencil Sharpener (West Germany) 20144 RAW Indian (CE, West Germany) 20192 RAW Smurfette With Baby (West Germany) 20212 RAW Little Angel (CE, West Germany) 20430 RAW Viking (CE, Germany) 20431 RAW Monk (CE, Germany) 20442 RAW Inline Skater (No Marking) 20910/40210 Car Driver (Bright Yellow, originally issued without a box, CE, Germany Figurine: West Germany) Smurf Supercards MIP Click here to see all the newest and back-in-stock listings for this month: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=Smurfs&maxhits=20&keywords=new0402&bool=AND AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 2) FROM THE MAILBAG =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "Hello, I have a friend who works at Toys R' Us, and he said they just got in a Smurf Tea Set. He says it's $29, and comes with all kinds of plates and cups. I haven't gone it to see it yet, and he's not a Smurf fan so his info could be a little wrong (price) but he claims the set comes with Smurfette also. I can't find it on the website either. Thought you'd like to know! Becky" --- Thanks for this report Becky. I visited my local Toys R Us here in NYC, and was told they don't have a Smurf Tea Set :( Has anyone else seen or heard of this item? If you have, please let me know so I can share the details with our members! ===== "So pleased you are now letting us know which country the figure are from. It really helps those of us who try to collect all the different country markings." --- I'm glad this new project is worth the trouble, because it's a lot of work! I still have many thousands of pieces to go through, but I am trying to update the markings info as I restock or add each new item. In the meantime, I will to to accommodate requests for specific markings or paint dots where I have not indicated any. Just note any preferences in the Special Instructions field when placing your order. Or e-mail me to ask about specific pieces and I'll run and check. ===== "Hi. Just wanted to let you know I received the new smurfs on Saturday and the catalog last month (Talk about Smurf envy, just when I thought I would never begin to see the end to the color variations there are at least another hundred that I need to look out for. Thanks guys!) As to the new figures, I was glad to see the band. When both my kids were in high school they were in the school band and it brought back some fairly recent memories. My son probably weighed 98 pounds but he carried that huge drum (or did it carry him?) My own little Smurfette daughter played the flute. I agree that for the most part (except Smurfettes eyes) they are well painted but I don't like the flat color. Is this something we will be seeing more of? Thank you, Pat" --- I do not know if Schleich plans on using this matte paint from now on. If the entire Golden 50 is switched over to this new palette, you'll really have a lot of new variations to catch up with! I have no insider info on this, so we will have to wait and see. And yes, what is wrong with Smurfette's eyes? Will this change too? We'll have to see. It won't be the first time Schleich has had second thoughts on a paint job - that is why it's smart to try to get as early a figure as you can when a new style comes out - you never know what they'll decide to revise! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3) 2002 SMURFS WELL RECEIVED! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Collectors have received the 2002 Smurfestra with open arms. It was tough forecasting a favorite, as everyone tended to order the full set. Now that people have received their sets and the feedback is coming in, the favorite seems to be Brainy with Trombone, and I have to agree. Something about him just makes me smile :) I also received several comments regarding the new paint: "Figures arrived today. Idea is cute, but rather disappointed in the dullness of color for all the set. That's not your fault. Thanks for the good service as usual." The new set has a duller finish than we are used to seeing, and I am getting more negative reports about the paint than I am positive ones. I dunno, I kind of like the matte finish. It makes them look classier, less "cheap." But everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions! Another comment I am getting frequently is "what the heck did they do to Smurfette's eyes?" Heck if I know! The whites of her eyes are molded normally in the figurine, but they only paint a small area, barely larger than the pupil. Perhaps they thought the smaller eyes are more lady-like, but they sure do look spooky to me! If you were waiting until the new Smurfs had arrived, now is the time to place your order! We have plenty of new 2002 Smurfs on hand and ready to ship. To view and purchase these Smurfs, please visit: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=Smurfs&keywords=new2002&go=GO%21 AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4) FEATURE ARTICLE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here is an article on Smurfs and Sexism which was written by Mariruth Graham as part of the final project in the University of Virginia " Introductory Composition" class during Spring of 1996. It was published on the "Nameless Museum" website where I found it. Smurfy Sexism: Created with a Biased Hand By Mariruth Graham Cartoons are a highlight of a child's day. I remember waking up on a Saturday morning overcome with joy knowing that all day I would be watching my favorite television shows. Programs like "Jem," "My Little Ponies," "The Monchichis," and my all time favorite - "The Smurfs," could brighten any kids day. Now that I am more educated and less naive, I look back on that one show only to find latent sexism messages. "The Smurfs'" have only one female character, Smurfette, which creates many subtle problems. Smurfette's stereotypical physical characteristics, personal attributes, and anonymity role in the community promote inaccurate stereotypes of females. Smurfette's physical characteristics draw her as a stereotype, which promotes sexism because of the prejudice messages the writers illustrate. From the moment you see Smurfette's physical features, blond flowing hair, attractive, and always in a white dress with heels. One will immediately expect her to be feminine in actions and dialogue. Studies show that children easily observe the feminine stereotypes, "North American children report that viewing sex-typed materials lead to sex-typed attitudes" (Davidson, Yasuna & Tower, 1979, Pingree, 1978). This study supports that children are impressionable and can develop attributes from television characters. In the cartoon "The Smurfs," Smurfette always wears her hair down and when danger strikes she is forced to run in heels, is this fair? The creators of Smurfette confine her by the way she is dressed. This message is not positive for children. Smurfette's attributes, such as a tendacy to worry and be silent, create subtle, but stong sexist messages. Whenever Smurfette speaks she first starts her sentence with the signal clause "Oh!" For example, she says to Papa Smurf, "Oh, I don't know how you could sleep alright! I've been worried all night!", referring to the younger smurfs spending the night outside alone. Because the writers solely choose Smurfette to endure feelings of anxiousness and concern for children's safety, they consequently draw with a biased hand. Whether the scene entails them running from Gargamel, the antagonist, or reflecting on the day in Smurf Village, the writers consistently position her next to or near Papa Smurf. In one show she silently stood facing the other smurfs adjacent to Papa Smurf while he praised their group work ethic. Visually, because Smurfette does not stand within the group of other Smurfs those watching assume she actually does not fit into the group's dynamics. When female children constantly watch Smurfette's daily routine, they subliminally accept her actions as right and tend to inherit various sexist qualities. However, when male children observe Smurfette's actions they will assume her as typical and expect other females to act and respond similarly. Smurfette does not have a specific job or title to her name; therefore others view her as insignificant. She does not have a trade or ability to bring any product to the community. Because Smurf Village resembles a communistic society, having a vocation secures a position in their communal environment. Characters such as Handy Smurf, the architect, and Jokey Smurf, the group's comic relief, all have definite responsibilities to the community and appear certain in the community. By not giving Smurfette a job or title relays the message that women should agree to any assignment the men give. Whether the task be to help save a fellow Smurf from Gargamel or take care of the adolescent Smurfs, she must rise to any and all occasions. Her unemployment directly corrolates with her insignificance to the community. Particularly male children who watch "The Smurfs" will begin to view female as subordinate and try not to embody and feminine qualities for fear of being insignificant. One study on children's television shows in Japan it suggests that children learn "being feminine is not rewarding in that it is consistently related to a loss of social power" (Rolandelli). If another smurf embodies a typically female characteristic such as concern for self-appearance, which Vanity Smurf does, or an interest in the arts, as Painter Smurf is, then the writers give them effeminate characteristics. Vanity Smurf speaks with a lisp and wears a flower behind his ear and his job seems vague which makes him insignificant as well. If "The Smurfs" theme song permanently stands in the heads of children young and old, what other characteristics of the show are, too? In order for a woman to be fairly portrayed in cartoons at this point, a feminist hand is needed. Nicole Hollander, author of a comic strip named "Sylvia", created a strong female character. Sylvia concentrates on friendships rather than relationships with men, finds no interest in politics or sports, but readers of the strip find her as a strong-willed individual with her own views about life. Consequently Smurfette wears a dress everyday; therefore, by appearance alone watchers do not see her as a serious character. Sylvia's humble and simple appearance and sharp, witty comments probably help people see her as a serious person and not just a woman. Because cartoons never get old or stop being syndicated, future writers should be more conscious as to what they write or how they draw a certain character because its actions and words affect many people throughout generations. Works Cited 1) Davison E.S., Yasuna A., & Tower. "The Effects of Television Cartoons on Sex-Role Stereotyping in Young Girls" Child Development, 1979, p. 597-600. 2) Pingree S. "The Effects of Non-Sexist Television Commericials ans Perception of Reality on Children's Atttiudes About Women", Psychology of Women Quarterly, 1978, p. 262-277. 3) Rondelli "Gender Role Portrayal Analysis of Children's Televsion Programming in Japan" Human Relations, December 1991, p. 1273-99. This article, and a growing collection of other articles are archived in the eSmurfs.com Library. If you have a vintage or modern article relating to Smurfs, please hit reply now and share it! Smurf collectors around the world will appreciate your efforts! Here is a link to the library: http://www.esmurfs.com/smurfs-library.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 5) HEARD IT ON THE SMURF VINE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I chatted recently with one of my sources at Schleich North America and asked; "Can you tell me anything about the blue and white Ice Hockey Smurfs, a piece of special interest to collectors? As I have heard it, Party Pigs did not properly license these and production was halted? Do you know how many of each were produced? Do you know where they were molded and/or painted?" My source tells me, "The two special painted Ice Hockey Smurfs were ordered by Party Pigs from Schleich. Party Pigs ordered these items as the appointed Canadaian distributor of Schleich. One was blue, red and black; the other was white, red and black. 2,500 of each were produced. The Ice Hockey Smurf was an existing approved mold and Party Pigs received the shipment from Germany. Do not know where the actual production took place. All I know was Schleich was asked not to produce any more special paintings. It is inaccurate to say they were improperly licensed. Certainly, they are unique items." I also asked about the possibility of some new Smurf marketing in America: "Regarding contracts, Schleich has recently renewed its license for Smurfs. The license is granted by IMPS. I do not know the length of the agreement. At this time, I have heard that IMPS is pursuing new licenses and the possibility of a new movie. As with the other stories I have heard the new movie scenario many times so it is non-news until IMPS releases information if at all." I asked another contact that is a factory Rep from Schleich, Germany; "Can you tell me why the new 2002 Smurfestra has a blue paint dot on the bottom? I understand from information received several year's back that the paint dot indicates the country the Smurf was painted in. Can you tell me if this is still true, and what Country blue represents?" He replied, "The blue dot identifies the softener that has been used for production. We changed production in September 2000 to a new softener since the one used until then had been banned by the European authorities. To be able to identify "old" products from "new" ones we marked the products with the new materials with a blue dot. The new 2002 Smurfestra was painted in China." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 6) SMURF INTERVIEWS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I was recently asked by RoGina Williams to answer some interview questions for an original article she is writing about Smurfs for her school paper. She answered the same questions and I have printed both our interviews here. She has promised to share a copy of the finished article for publication in a future issue of the Smurfy News, and to add to the eSmurfs.com Library archives! Here are the interviews, me first: 1-What's your name and your association to Smurfs? Peter Caparelli, owner/operator of eSmurfs.com a leading Internet Smurf Collectors resource. 2-When did you start collecting Smurfs? My wife Hope is the true blue collector. She never abandoned her childhood Smurfs. I was bit by the bug while hunting out Smurfs for her when we were dating. We've been married 6 years. 3-Do you sell Smurfs as well as collect them? Yup! 4-How many Smurfs are in your collection? Tousands, I never counted, and it's been years since the whole collection has been displayed together. It's just too large, and much of it has been in storage since I moved last year, but I hope to have my Smurf room painted and my display cases back up and full by the end of the summer. 5-Describe Smurf collecting in your country. Is it a popular collector item or more of an underground collector's item? The typical Smurf collector in America is a 30-something young adult who has rediscovered the Smurfs. They were very popular in the US in the 80's, and people in this age group associate them with their childhood and a simpler time. Smurfs have been available in Europe steadily for 40 years; so new US collector's are often tickled pink to learn there have been dozens of new issues since the 80's and are eager to catch up. Another group of collector's are parents and even grandparents of the children who owned and played with them in the 80's. They often adopted the collections they helped build when the kids outgrew them. Smurf collecting is gaining steam in the US, as are many nostalgic collectibles. 6-How do you purchase Smurfs? If off the Internet, how did you purchase them before the Internet? I'm a dealer, so I rely on a network of buyers around the world who locate collector-quality unsold store stock. I also buy direct from Schleich, the manufacturer. 7-What should new Smurf collectors look for? It never hurts to buy what you like. If you are seeking out treasures, they are the promotional Smurfs, raw Smurfs, certain color variations and other oddities. I am especially fond of these. Of course, as with any collectible, condition is king. Smart collectors buy Smurfs that were cherished and cared for, not used and abused. I find most collectors' first work on getting the "basic range," or one of each mold. Collecting color and mold variations will open up new possibilities, as will collecting markings. A good sampling if variations and markings are the hallmark of an advanced collection. 8-In your opinion how did the invasion of the Smurfs in America affect the production of Smurf materials/merchandise? There are pieces that were made specifically for the US market; Football and Baseball Smurfs for example. These are pieces that were designed specifically to appeal to Americans, and would never have been made were it not for the US market. (There are also many Europe-only pieces, coveted by US collectors; 20007 Angry (black) Smurf was deemed too potentially controversial for race-sensitive Americans, and Peyo felt 20096 Sledgehammer was too violent for American children.) AND NOW HERE IS ROGINA'S INTERVIEW: 1- Whats your name and your association to Smurfs? My name is RoGina Williams. I started collecting Smurfs when my boyfriend told me that I needed to get a hobby. I was always on eBay but I never bought anything. Until one day a random search brought up Smurfs and I've been collecting every since. 2-When did you start collecting Smurfs? December 2001 3-Do you sell Smurfs as well as collect them? No 4-How many Smurfs are in your collection? 80 and growing strong! 5-Describe Smurf collecting in your country: Is it a popular collector item or more of an underground collector's item? I was really surprised that there aren't a lot of Smurf collectors in the USA. I remember how popular they were in the 1980's when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I didn't know about the PVC's back then, but my mom and dad had bought me the Smurf sheet set, I had a Papa Smurf plush and my sister had Gargamel. And since we were girls, we had all the little Smurfette make-up kits, purses and kitchen/tea sets. Right now I do believe that Smurf collecting is more of an Underground thing because there aren't many places were you can buy them, other than the internet. But as I get more involved in purchasing Smurfs I see more and more how popular they are becoming again. 6-How do you purchase Smurfs? If off the Internet, how did you purchase them before the Internet? I purchase my Smurfs off the Internet only. Although I would love to one day go to a toy fair and buy some. 7-What should new Smurf collectors look for? As a new Smurf collector myself, the main thing I've noticed is how many people sell fake Smurfs and how many people ask for outrages prices for ordinary Smurfs. Once in a while on eBay you may find a great deal on a really rare Smurf, only because they seller does not know its real value. I think I was really lucky when I started because I researched it first and asked questions before I started spending big money on my collection. I would suggest that a new Smurf collector do the same. 8-In your opinion how did the invasion of the Smurfs in America affect the production of Smurf materials/merchandise? If it weren't for the American Smurf invasion, I would have never known about Smurfs. When Smurfs came to America, I was only about 5 years old, and I remember watching them every Saturday morning. They were my favorite cartoon. To this day I think that's why blue is my favorite color. American companies commercialized the Smurfs and in the process made a market for the collectibles we are all collecting today. I don't believe companies would still be making the Smurf merchandise if the USA was not still interested. STAY TUNED, THE FINISHED ORIGINAL ARTICLE WILL BE REPRINTED IN A FUTURE SMURFY NEWS! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 7) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Here are last month's winners! Congratulations Maribeth Churak in Evergreen Park, Illinois!! You won the Benjamin Franklin Smurf! He, along with Thomas Edison Smurf, is the rarest in the series!! Congratulations Amanda Jacob of Magna, Utah!! You won the George Washington Smurf! These pieces are quite a challenge to come by, particularly Ben Franklin! Congratulations both of you! Prizes ship automatically to the address provided when you entered the contest. Remember people, no address, no shot at the prize. All entries lacking a mailing address are discarded before the drawing! This month I am giving away sets of dealer-only Smurf Stickers! These are small 1" x 1" stickers featuring the entire current production of Smurfy stuff from Schleich for dealers to use in organizing their stock and/or retail displays. THESE ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC!! I have a couple of extra sheets I do not need and so I will award them to this month's lucky winners! Enter by completing this secret entry form for Smurfy News subscribers ONLY!! http://www.esmurfs.com/smurfs-contest.html AOL Click Here Winners will be announced at the Smurfy Bulletin Board before the next issue. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!! =-=-=-=-=-= 8) CLOSING =-=-=-=-=-= I want to mention before I go that eSmurfs.com actively seeks to help any and all Smurfers, on and off the Internet! We have many people, particularly ex-SCCI members without computers, who we correspond with through the "snail mail." If you know of Smurf collectors who would like to be on our mailing list, please provide them with our street address, and invite them to write. I personally answer all inquiries. Anyone may send in want lists, and I will help wherever I can: eSmurfs.com 3528 204th Street Bayside, NY 11361 I do try to keep costs down by limiting the snail mailing list to those individuals who cannot or will not make purchases through the Internet. Enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope with inquiries helps keeps costs down too, and is always appreciated. I also wish to announce a new phone line that has been set up; (718) 352-9010. Feel free to use this number to contact me, Pete, for any reason. Also, as always, feel free to forward the Smurfy News to a friend, or print it out to share with others. Sharing is caring!! To my readers, I wish you a Smurfy day, and keep those e-mails coming. -Pete www.eSmurfs.com http://www.esmurfs.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- THE SMALL PRINT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The "Smurfy News" is a FREE e-mail newsletter published for your enjoyment every month by your friends at eSmurfs.com (http://www.esmurfs.com) Joining or leaving the list is voluntary, we do not spam! SHARING IS CARING!! Share what you know with other Smurf collectors by submitting information, news, articles, stories and anything Smurfy to eSmurfs.com - just hit reply now! We collect and disseminate information the world over to keep Smurf collectors united and having a Smurfy good time! (C) 2002 eSmurfs.com, All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole, or in part, without the express written consent of eSmurfs.com. The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinions of eSmurfs.com. eSmurfs.com makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, about the truth or accuracy of the contents or information provided by the sponsors or by the writers. Use info contained herein at your own risk. Nothing in life is guaranteed. Let the buyer beware. A stitch in time gathers no moss. Oh, and SMURF ON!!