Welcome to the December 2002 issue of the "Smurfy News," a free e-mail newsletter delivered to 2,284 Smurf lovers by www.MushroomVillage.com Welcome to our new subscribers! If you know a Smurf fan that might enjoy the Smurfy News, please forward this e-mail to them. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or edit your profile, please visit www.MushroomVillage.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 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Whoa! The Smurfy News back so soon? Well, I wanted to get an issue out early this month while there is still time to place holiday orders! It's not too late!! I also wanted to get this "out of the way" so I can have a Smurfy good holiday without this task hanging over my head at the end of the month. I didn't skimp though! We have lots of new listings, including some all-new promos and raws. We have a couple of articles that have also been added to our article archive (Thanks Suzanne Lipschitz!), a mailbag bursting at the seams, and perhaps our best Give-a-Way yet - a Baseball Smurfette! Well, let's get on with the show! -Pete www.MushroomVillage.com =-=-=-=-= CONTENTS =-=-=-=-= 1) NEW IN THE SMURF SHOP 2) Happy 35th birthday Smurfs, Smurfens and Schtroumpfs 2) FROM THE MAILBAG 3) MOVE OVER SNOOPY 5) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY 6) CLOSING =============================================== -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1) NEW IN THE SMURF SHOP -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO PLACE HOLIDAY ORDERS!! Orders placed by noon, Sunday, December 8, 2002 will ship on Monday, December 9th, 2002. Orders placed after noon on Sunday, but before noon on the following Sunday, 12/15/02 will ship Monday, December 16, 2002. We ship all domestic packages by US Postal Service First Class and Priority mail. Packages weighing over 13 Oz. ship via 2-3 day Priority mail. Packages below 13 Oz. ship via 2-5 day First Class mail - plenty of time for delivery. (Intl. Orders are probably too late for Christmas delivery, although you may be lucky if you place orders now.) We have a new listings for you this month. They include all-new listing, items that were out of stock but are now back in stock, and listings that have been newly updated with Markings info. Here are some highlights: 20008 Spy [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20015 Earache [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20027 Thinker (small mold) [Markings: W. Germany, no paint dot] 20030 Torchbearer (Jubilee) [Markings: West Germany, red paint dot] 20045 Artist (raw) [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20058 Champion [Markings: West Germany, red paint dot] 20066 Cricket [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20067 Schleich Pig Smurf-a-Gram [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot visible] 20068 Football Player [Markings: Bully, W. Germany, no paint dot] MIP 20070 Harp (Jubilee) [Markings: Hong Kong, West Germany, no paint dot] 20071 Flying [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20080 Biscuit [Markings: W. Germany, red paint dot] 20089 Painter [Markings: Germany, no paint dot] 20118 Schönwald (Umbrella) [Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot visible] 20212 Little Angel (red mouth) [Markings: W Germany, light blue paint dot] 20231 Hula (Straw Hair) [Markings: West Germany, black paint dot] 20403 Nat (raw) [Markings: CE, West Germany, no paint dot] 20410 Smurfette with Mouse (raw) [Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20424 Papa Smurf Thinking [Markings: Germany, light blue paint dot] 20436 Saxophone (raw) [Markings: CE, Germany] 20454 World Cup Soccer (raw) [Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 40602 Smurfette's Bedroom 40603 Western (microprint box) [Markings: Figurine: CE, China, Germany, no paint dot; Accessories: CE, China, Germany] 49001 Large Mushroom House (red/orange roof) 49013 Small Cottage (new, blue) 49014 Smurfette's Cottage (new) Paracodin Smurf with Unprinted Base A word about the new 20231 Hula with Straw hair - I was told by Suzanne of the SCCI that the first runs of this figurine that arrived at Club headquarters when this piece was newly issued had an error - her hair had been painted the same straw color as her skirt, instead of the usual golden yellow! Every run since then has had golden yellow hair. The newly added piece at MushroomVillage is the very rare first run colors! This piece is not even documented in any guide, but it is for real, and very rare! You can count this piece among other first-run rarities such as the red suit bodybuilder, or the Brown Good Luck with the red band around his hat. This is a piece for the serious collector, and we have just one available - First Come, First Serve! View these and other new pieces at this link: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=instock&maxhits=20&keywords=new1202 AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2) HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Happy 35th birthday Smurfs, Smurfens and Schtroumpfs From the Chicago Tribune 1993 Thank You Suzanne Lipschitz for providing this article for our archives! "Smurf enthusiasts may be surprised to learn that the original Smurf characters appeared in Europe in 1957. First seen in a comic strip in a weekly publication called Spirou, the Smurfs became an overnight success story. Their many fans prompted the creation of 25 storybooks and numerous toys and novelties. The name "Smurf" has an interesting and somewhat surprising origin. It was derived from the French colloquial word schtroumpf, which is the equivalent of "watchamacallit" in English. If it were not for the imagination of award-winning cartoonist Perro "Peyo" Culliford this particular delight would not be possible. In Peyo's native Belgium, schtroumpf translates into "smurf," and this whimsical expression seemed to have just the right magic to name his little blue creations. Every country acquainted with Smurfs has a different way of pronouncing the name, a fact that adds an interesting twist to collecting. In Belgium and France they are still known as "Schtroumpfs," while in Holland they are called "Smurfens." In Italy the Smurfs are called "Puffi" in Spain the "Pitufos," and the Japanese know them as "Sumafu." The "Smolfs" are Denmark's favorite blue and white friends, and Germans call them the "Schlumpfs." Obviously, the Smurfs have universal appeal. European countries carried at least 73 Smurf figurines that were never imported or sold in the United States. In fact, for 1992, the German manufacturer of Smurf figurines, Schleich, added to their line a bride and bridegroom and video Smurf figurine. These PVC figurines are enthusiastically sought by today's Smurf hunters. Special collectible Smurfs are still being sold exclusively in Europe, and these are equally coveted by serious Smurf collectors. Some avid Smurf hunters are willing to travel the world in search of elusive Smurf memorabilia unavailable in their homeland. The Smurfs did not arrive on North American shores until 1179, when the popular Saturday morning cartoon series finally hit the air waves. Since then hundreds of toys and novelties have been produced including stuffed toys, porcelain figurines, limited edition plates and mugs, pins, key chains, windup toys, books, comics, postcards, watches, clothing, record albums, and even latex dog toys shaped like Smurfs. Fast-food restaurants and other businesses were also quick to adopt the Smurfs as promotional items. Because these Smurfs were usually produced for only a short time, they make great additions to a collection of Smurf memorabilia. The most familiar Smurf collectibles found are the 2-inch rubbery vinyl Smurf figurines in hundreds of designs and styles. The Schleich firm began manufacturing these figurines in 1915, and most of the Smurfs from this factory are clearly marked with the company name and country of origin. In later years Smurf figurines were produced in Hong Kong, Tunisia, Macau, Portugal, Sri Lanka and China. Countless hundreds of Smurf figures have been produced since their introduction to the toy market, and it could take a lifetime of searching to complete as entire set of every figure made. Because all Smurf figurines are hand-decorated there are often variations in painting style, such as in facial expressions or eye positions. These pieces are of special importance to serious Smurf collectors, who actively seek out the rarities caused by human error. Also of important value to Smurf hunters are characters whose molds have been destroyed and those bearing manufacturer's markings that are no longer used. It takes a well educated Smurf lover to recognize the subtle variations that can make a Smurf novelty highly desirable. Smurfs issued during holiday occasions such as Easter or Valentine's Day were made in far fewer quantities than regular figures, and these too are popular choices with collectors. Smurf toys and other collectibles are a perfect choice for starting a child or adult on the road to a fascinating hobby. A huge collection of Smurf figurines can be displayed in a small area, making them ideal for collectors having limited space. When seeking out Smurf toys for your collection, choose only those that are in mint, unplayed-with condition. Pay special attention to unusual items, and be sure to tell your friends and family that you have become a Smurf collector. Perhaps they will have unwanted items to add to your collection. If you are already a serious Smurf collector, you will be delighted to learn that there is a special club devoted entirely to the pursuit of Smurfs. Smurf Collectors Club International was established in 1986 to accommodate a growing number of Smurf enthusiasts. The club has a membership of more than 900 collectors worldwide - in the United States, Germany, Australia, Holland, Italy, Hong Kong, England, Scotland, Belgium and France. The club publishes a quarterly newsletter featuring collectibles from 68 countries. A limited edition Smurf figurine produced exclusively for the club each year is also available to members only." OF COURSE MOST OF OUR READERS KNOW THAT THE SCCI CLOSED IT'S DOORS IN THE SPRING OF 2001 AND REFERRED ALL IT'S CLUB MEMBERS TO MUSHROOMVILLAGE.COM We continue to serve collectors worldwide, publishing a free monthly newsletter (you're reading it!) and offering a variety of free collector resources at our web site. We now have well over 2,000 members in the USA, Canada, Mexico, England, Ireland, Wales, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Barbados and Venezuela! The Internet has provided an enormous boost to Smurf collectors around the world, making networking among them a breeze! Smurf collecting is as strong as ever! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 3) FROM THE MAILBAG =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "Hello, I recall a specific episode called "Smurfing in Sign Language" with the deaf smurf named "Laconia". I remember when I was little, I wrote to Hanna-Barbera praising them for doing an episode with a deaf smurf since I am deaf myself. I received two 8X10 B&W photos of Laconia, which I still have. I am trying to see if there are any figurine of her available. Or any merchandise bearing her! Thanks! -Shadow" --- I am sorry Shadow, but I could not find this episode in our Episode Guide, and I can't remember it specifically. Can you tell us more about it, or can one of our readers please write with a synopsis of this episode? There is no figurine of a Laconia Smurf. I do not know of any merchandise with her either. Might she have been a fairy or other friend of the Smurfs? Please members, help us solve this mystery! -Pete ----- "I've got a "Christmas stocking list" that I hope my husband will fill for me. Thanks for giving him the best place to shop. -T. Willis, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada" "I can't wait to receive some smurfy things for Christmas...best wishes for a great holiday season!!! -Amy Girimonti Clearwater, FL" "I have been a Smurf collector since I started buying them for my son. Your website gives me a chance to buy Smurfs for the holidays. -Mgiggles960, Philadelphia, PA" "Keep up the great work, I know the holiday seasons can get really busy - but I look forward to this newsletter to de-stress! - Tausha Taylor, St. Joseph, MO" --- I'm happy to hear I can make your holidays a little Smurfier! Enjoy! -Pete ----- "In response to one of the visitor comments you put in an earlier newsletter that said she never met anyone else who collects smurfs - perhaps we don't readily meet other Smurf addicts in the "real" world, because they are ashamed to admit that they have this uncontrollable impulse to purchase little blue men. It's only those of us who have come to terms with our addiction that love to tell the world we collect Smurfs and proudly display our collection (and play with them from time to time). Maybe if she asked around, she'd find out that she actually does know quite a few people who have some smurfs tucked away. -Cindy York, Houston, TX" --- Well, I must say, admitting I collect Smurfs (let alone operate MushroomVillage and publish this newsletter) has gotten me some blank stares! But I agree, many people have their childhood Smurfs stashed away, and more than a few of them begin to collect again once they realize there is a thriving population of Smurf collectors spanning the globe! Which brings me to an important tip - if you collect Smurfs, tell EVERYBODY! More than a few people have Smurfs stashed away, and maybe they'll give them to you when you admit you're a nut for them! Thanks for writing Cindy :) -Pete ----- "I am 64 years of age and have been collecting, buying and selling my extra smurfs and related items for over 25 years. I really do find THOSE LITLE BLUE PEOPLE most adorable and interesting, even my grandchildren are collecting them and enjoy the stories that are produced. Keep up the great Smurfy work! William (THE VALLEY SMURF) Brown, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada" --- William, kudos to you for introducing the Smurfs to your grandchildren! Keep enjoying this fantastic hobby! -Pete ----- "I really enjoy collecting smurfs. I have been about two years. I have a great collection. My son found a record player on the side of the road that had been discarded. It is in excellent shape. I also have two that I have about 26 years, they were my son's, he chewed on them. I found a top in a flea market. I have plenty of curtains, if you know of someone that might want to buy some. I really enjoy your newsletter. Pat McVay, Lanett, AL" --- Thanks for writing Pat! My readers tell me they enjoy hearing about other collectors. What great luck with that record player! And yes, I know someone who'd like to buy Smurf curtains - ME! My Smurf room is being remodeled, just a couple of days ago I had a window replaced (it was practically falling out!) and the carpenter helped me prepare the opening for my next project: I'm going to build a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling shelving/display unit framing the window for some of my Smurfabilia and binders of articles, paper collectibles, references, etc. Your curtains would look great in the window! (I am also in the market for a Smurf ceiling fan - can anyone help?) Thanks so much for writing! -Pete" ----- "This is a really wicked site. I really enjoy coming here to see all the smurfs that you can collect. I never knew there were so many different little creatures. I think they are so incredibly cute. I want them all someday. Keep up the good work, Carterfrick, Flesherton, Ontario, Canada" "Grew up with Smurfs, thought they were lost, and wham, found them again with this site, thanks. Jennfer, Pueblo, CO" "Your smurf site is an inspiration! I am so happy I found it. Thank you for doing all this work for us Smurf fans to enjoy. A very Smurfy blessing goes out to YOU! Scott, Federal Way WA" --- "New people discover us every day! Thank you all for the kind words, and I am very pleased that my hard work is appreciated! Thank You all! -Pete ----- For all you collectors out there that get discouraged because finding Smurfs is sometimes hard, remember - Magic happens! Believe and you shall receive! -Ramon Starow, Victoria, Australia" --- Ramon, my Australian members often remark how tough they can be to find there, but I guess the hunt must be part of the fun. Their scarcity must make every find a true delight! Thank you for writing and encouraging Smurfers who may have had bad luck lately finding new Smurfs for their collections. -Pete ----- "How can I contact other smurfy members? -Megan Nielsen Lacey, WA" --- Have you been to our bulletin board? Many Smurf collectors from around the world meet here regularly to catch up on Smurfy events and rub elbows with like-minded Smurf lovers. Everyone is welcome, come on over, introduce yourself, and join the fun! If you are a bit shy to Internet chat boards, feel free to "lurk," there is lots to learn just by sitting by and reading the latest posts. When you are ready, come on in and join the fun! Here's a link: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/cgi-bin/forum/dcboard.cgi AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 3) MOVE OVER SNOOPY =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Move Over Snoopy - A Belgian Gnome is Smurfing Up the Kiddie Market Published in Money magazine 1982 by Lois Armstrong Thank You again Suzanne Lipschitz for providing this article for our archive! "Twenty-five years ago a kindly children's book writer in Belgium found himself at the dinner table and momentarily at a loss for a word. "Pass the uh, uh...schtroumpf (Flemish for whatchamacallit)," he said. "Hmm," he repeated to himself, "schtroumpf." Salt was what Peyo had in mind Culliford had in mind, but he would soon get a good deal more than he asked for. Rooted in his imagination, the nonsense word gave birth to a race of four-fingered blue trolls in white bonnets who, in turn, begat an internationally best-selling series of 25 books - and now, with The Smurfs (English for the Schtroumpfs), the top children's television show in America. The cartoon company Hanna-Barbera reports that The Smurfs - featured on Saturday mornings from 9 to 10 on NBC - pulled in an astonishing 44 percent share of the TV viewing audience and left CBS' omni popular Road Runner at the starting blocks for the first time in 14 years. NBC will be extending The Smurfs' reign this season by half an hour, and Culliford and Hanna-Barbera will add two humans to the cast of animated gnomes. The boys, Johan and Peewee will live on the edge of the Smurf forest, where they will join their true-blue friends In foiling the inept schemes of the evil wizard, Gargamel. Naturally, the boys will soon be fluent in Smurfese, the all-purpose argot born of Peyo Culliford's groping for a salt substitute. "Practically smurfect," they will say with kids all across America. Or, "Smurf and the whole world smurfs with you." Smurfy's Law is clearly in effect: Everything that can go right will go right. Not only are the Emmy-nominated Smurfs a TV success to rival Disney or Sesame Street, but they are also a merchandising windfall to match E.T. Wallace Berrie, a small San Fernando Valley marketing firm, snapped up Smurf product rights before the genial, nonviolent gnomes had even appeared on TV. This year the now burgeoning company expects to sell $600 million in Smurf figurines, records, dart boards, coloring books, shoes, sleeping bags and other Smurfabilia. "I am the most surprised of all," professes Culliford, 54, who pockets a percentage of the largesse. "I've been consumed by the success of the Smurfs, and I'm working harder than ever." One of three children born to a Brussels stockbroker and his wife, Culliford dropped out of art school after only three months when "they wanted me to draw antique heads. That didn't amuse me a bit." More inspired by American comic books, he published his first Smurf adventure in 1957 and found an audience among adults as well as children. "In Europe I know doctors and lawyers who have come home exhausted and picked up one of my books and were totally relaxed. It's a form of recreation." Thanks to the Smurfs' success on American TV, prime-time Christmas and Valentine specials are now in the works, and Culliford travels to the U.S. twice a year to discuss scripts with Hanna-Barbera. The rest of the time he lives in a villa outside Brussels with Nine, his wife of 31 years. Their son, Thierry, 26, 1s a rock musician and amateur artist, but daughter Veronique, 28, "is an excellent secretary who draws about one picture a year," jokes Culliford. Despite the Smurf boom, Peyo insists that neither he nor his cartoon creatures have really changed. "I have just as good a time now as I did 30 years ago," he says happily. As for the Smurfs, "they know nothing about money," he notes wistfully. "When they are hungry, they go see the baker. When they need a hammer, they borrow one. They are not part of any country, except Smurf country, Somewhere very far away." READ THIS AND OTHER SMURF-RELATED ARTICLES IN OUR GROWING ARTICLE ARCHIVE: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-library.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 5) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Congratulations "craigycurtis" from Nottingham, UK! You won last month's Give-a-Way, a pair of Smurfs! The first is a Bully, West Germany 20102 Archer - small nip in his left ear. The other is 20052 Cleaner with the National emblem printed on his chest - a promo! (Missing the pump, but still neat!) You get *both* Smurfs and they are on their way!! This month I am offering an extra-special Give-a-Way! 20186 Baseball Smurfette, which sells for $225 at the Mushroom Village Smurf Shop!! This Smurf shows Mint in every way! She has one small defect in the back, a barely noticeable paint rub on the back of her yellow hair. We sell Mint-Only Smurfs at www.MushroomVillage.com, so when I spotted this small defect, I pulled the piece to give away to a lucky reader! Enter by completing this secret entry form for Smurfy News subscribers ONLY!! http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-contest.html AOL Click Here THE WINNER WILL BE DRAWN AND ANNOUNCED IN NEXT MONTH'S SMURFY NEWS!! =-=-=-=-=-= 6) CLOSING =-=-=-=-=-= Well, that's all folks! Until next year anyway! Enjoy the holidays! I hope each and every one of you gets a Smurfy surprise for the holidays! Enjoy a healthy new year full of Smurfy surprises! For those of you lucky enough to get some cold, hard cash for the holidays, you know where you will find the *best* Smurfabilia on the net! If you enjoy MushroomVillage.com, our free newsletter, bulletin board, and other collector tools, please consider showing your support with a purchase at the Smurf Shop! All of our activities are funded by Smurf Shop sales! We are a FREE club, and do not ask for a penny in membership dues! Please show your support in other ways - add to your collection from our Shop, submit an article for our archive, share a personal story, etc. "Sharing is Caring," and don't you forget it! Until next time, Smurf On!! -Pete www.MushroomVillage.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- THE SMALL PRINT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- This newsletter is (C) 2002 www.MushroomVillage.com All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole, or in part, without the express written consent of MushroomVillage.com. The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinions of MushroomVillage.com. MushroomVillage.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. The "Smurfy News" is a FREE e-mail newsletter published for your enjoyment every month by your friends at www.MushroomVillage.com, joining or leaving the list is voluntary, we do not spam! MushroomVillage.com carries the full range of current production Smurf products by Schleich as well as much of the retired line and many other Smurf collectibles. If you enjoy this newsletter, please help support us with a purchase - Smurfs make great gifts! SHARING IS CARING!! Share what you know and learn with other Smurf collectors by submitting information, news, articles, stories and anything Smurf-related 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! The Smurf character is a registered trademark of Studio Peyo - License I.M.P.S. MushroomVillage.com is a collector resource and retail Smurf shop only, it is not affiliated with I.M.P.S. or Studio Peyo.