Welcome to the latest issue of the Smurfy News(TM) - a FREE e-mail newsletter published by www.MushroomVillage.com! This issue was sent to 2,581 members on September 6, 2003. Welcome to our new subscribers! (Note: This newsletter is "voluntary double opt-in." Subscribers request, and then confirm their subscriptions - we do not spam! We respect your privacy - we never share your e-mail address!) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Smurfy Good Day to all our readers! We have a packed newsletter for you this issue! The big news is Malteser Smurf - an ALL-NEW PROMO being issued soon! We have reserved a limited quantity for our members, and are accepting preorders. See below for details. We are also pleased to announce that we have completed out markings project - all in-stock PVC Smurfs now include markings info! Our popular Mailbag feature is here, as always. We have news, of a new Holland club, the results of our 2003 Favorites survey, a new article in the Article Archives, an update to our Reproduction Alert, Our Give-a-Way, and more!! So put on your Smurfing caps, and let's be on our way! Smurf On!! -Pete =-=-=-=-= CONTENTS =-=-=-=-= 1) WHAT'S NEW? 2) FREE SMURF MAGNETS 3) SMURF MAILBAG 4) MALTESER SMURF 5) NEW HOLLAND CLUB 6) 2003 FAVES 7) CLOSET COMMUNISTS 8) FAKE GOOD LUCK SMURF 9) 2004 SMURFS IDEAS 10) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY 11) CLOSING =============================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) WHAT'S NEW? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The big new item these days is Malteser Smurf - see further down for info on preordering this exciting new promo!! Well, it's done!! Every in-stock PVC figurine and Super Smurf now has markings and paint dots identified in our catalog!! We GUARANTEE that when you buy a PVC from MushroomVillage.com, you will receive the *exact* piece you ordered, right down to the markings and paint dots - and ALWAYS in MINT condition! Our Smurfs are each individually inspected to verify Mint condition and confirm markings and paint dots. Smurfs are only handled by employees wearing 100% cotton inspector's gloves to preserve condition. Upon approval, all Smurfs are individually repacked into heavy-duty 4mil zip-loc style bags which are labeled with our SKU identifying the Schleich mold and marking variation. These SKU's are cross-referenced on your packing slip/invoice for your convenience. Some of the out-of-stock items from our ID Guide remain without marking information, but as items come back in stock, this information will be amended. Pay special attention to any pieces listed in the Smurfy News as newly available - newly identified pieces always appear in the "What's New" link. Older marks such as Bully, Applause, West Germany, Wallace Berrie, Hong Kong, etc. tend to be more highly sought after - watch out for those! I also want to note that I am reaching the bottom of the barrel with "Der Schlumpf Katalog IV," our best-selling Smurf guide of all time! This book is the biggest and best PVC guide out, hands-down, featuring thousands of images on hundreds of pages! The text is in German, but MushroomVillage.com features a very comprehensive English translation, compliments of member Dr. Cleo, with the permission of the author! If you have not picked this book up, do not delay in obtaining a copy - we do not know how much longer we will offer it. Here are just some of the new and back-in-stock listings since our last newsletter: 20057 Thirsty (thin yellow straw) [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20057 Thirsty (orange straw)[Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20057 Thirsty (green bottle)[Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot] 20164 Papa with Lab Glass (red)[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20168 Jump Rope (thick)[Markings: Germany, no paint dot] 20169 Hot Dog[Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot]20171 Handy (black pencil)[Markings: Portugal, mustard paint dot] 20176 Good Luck (brown)[Markings: Portugal, no paint dot] 20178 Tracker[Markings: None, no paint dot] 20181 Gargamel with net (brown stick)[Markings: Portugal, no paint dot] 20188 Majorette (pink boots)[Markings: West Germany, mustard paint dot] 20198 Smurfette Witch with broom[Markings: Portugal, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot] 20200 Christmas Smurfette[Markings: Applause, Portugal, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot] 20204 Smurfette with Flute[Markings: Germany, black paint dot] 20204 Smurfette with Flute (raw)[Markings: None, no paint dot] 20206 Baby with Ice Cream[Markings: CE, Germany, China, no paint dot] 20214 Baby with Blocks (white pajamas)[Markings: CE, West Germany, no paint dot] 20217 Gown[Markings: West Germany, mustard paint dot] 20218 Baby with Butterfly[Markings: CE, China, Germany, no paint dot] 20223 Papa Pilot[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20224 Baby with Bowl and Spoon[Markings: CE, China, Germany, no paint dot] 20225 Accordion[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20409 Patriot (royal blue)[Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot] 20412 Bride[Markings: CE, Germany, blue paint dot] 20428 Cavewoman[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20432 Horseman Smurf[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20433 Horsewoman Smurfette[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20437 Techno[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20441 Sprinter[Markings: CE, China, Germany, no paint dot] 20444 Disco[Markings: CE, China, Germany, no paint dot] 20446 Smurf Child w Doll[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20447 Smurf Child on Truck[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20448 Girl Bathing[Markings: CE, China, Germany, no paint dot] 20459 Nameplate[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20489 Smurfette with Chick (lavender)[Markings: Applause, Portugal, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot] 20490 Smurf with Egg (Yellow Bow)[Markings: Applause, Portugal, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot] 20516 Smurf Eating Chocolate Egg[Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] 20530 Millennium[Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] Super Smurfs Mint in old-style Schleich boxes: 40201 Bobsled (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: none, no paint dot] 40203 Tricycle (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: Germany, no paint dot] 40205 Skier (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: West Germany, red paint dot] 40208 Sign bearer (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: West Germany, no paint dot] 40209 Butterfly catcher (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: West Germany, no paint dot] 40210 Car Driver (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: West Germany, no paint dot; Car: West Germany] 40215 Windsurfer (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: CE, West Germany, no paint dot; Board: CE, Germany] 40216 Fireman (black, old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: CE, Germany, no paint dot; Barrel: CE, West Germany] 40230 Scooter (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot] 40238 Kitchen (white stove, new Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: CE, West Germany, no paint dot] 40242 Lifeguard (red flag, old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: West Germany, red paint dot] 40242 Lifeguard (yellow flag, old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot] 40245 Tea Set (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: CE, West Germany, no paint dot] 40503 Discus Thrower (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: West Germany, no paint dot; Stand: Germany] 40505 Ice Hockey with Net (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: none, no paint dot] 40507 Weightlifter (purple, gray weights, new Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: CE, no paint dot] 40511 Hurdler (old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: none, no paint dot; Stand: Germany] 40512 Basketball (small holes, old Schleich box)[Markings: Figure: Portugal, mustard paint dot; Stand: Germany] To view these and more, please click here: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=instock&maxhits=20&keywords=new0703&bool=AND AOL Click Here! REMEMBER, our Smurf Shop only shows items that are in stock. If you seek something from the list above, but do not see it when you click the link, it is no longer available. If you are browsing the catalog for informational purposes, try using our ID Guide, which shows a wider range of pieces, although some will not be available for sale. Here is a link to our ID Guide: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/Smurfs-idguide.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 2) FREE SMURF MAGNETS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Several months ago we asked members at the MushroomVillage.com bulletin boards to submit ideas for a series of magnetic business cards we wanted to produce and now send as freebies with every order. Bulletin Board users "SmurfCake" and "SmurfyAngelNY" each suggested ideas that were used - thanks to both of you, a copy of the magnets you inspired are on their way!! We have a total of 10 different magnets member Gary Mendias designed using his and member's ideas. I'd like to make another 10 styles - do we have any other creative members? I print on magnetic business card sheets that are the same as the Avery 8389 template in word processors. The only "requirement" is that the card feature the MushroomVillage.com logo and that is be illustrated using non-copyrighted artwork - that is, no Peyo line art. Gary used images of Schleich PVC's, which are OK for me to use since I sell them. Any images used should tie in with the message of the magnet, which should essentially be a reminder to visit MushroomVillage.com for Smurfs. For example, one of Gary's designs reads "Wanna Smurf Around? Visit MushroomVillage.com" and shows 20469 Bouquet... Anyone interested? Designs donated by bored yet creative people will be enthusiastically accepted (remember, I don't profit from these - they are strictly a freebie) I will discuss trading store credit with anyone interested and capable of providing them...just hit reply and let me know what you propose! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 3) SMURF MAILBAG =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "I haven't gotten an email "Smurfy News" for July, August or September 2003. Oh...also missing an edition for April. What's up? Paul Bain, Albuquerque, New Mexico" PETE REPLIES: I'm sorry Paul, it's not monthly any more. I could not keep up with the workload! It takes a lot of work to put together an issue, and so I've decided to try and focus more time on the site, and issue the newsletter more sporadically. If you desire a more frequent Smurf "fix," please consider adding MushroomVillage.com to your "Favorite Places." The Bulletin Boards in particular are a good place to find some daily action, and if you find things slow there, please stir it up with a post of your own! Here's a link to the list of boards: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/cgi-bin/forum/dcboard.cgi AOL Click Here! ----- "Love your newsletter. I was a long-time member of the Smurf Collectors Club Intl. (I own the entire special collector pieces with their original certificates), and I was very upset when the club ended. How was I to find out about my little blue friends? MushroomVillage.com has certainly filled the void. Keep up the good work! -Joan Geigle, Wallingford, CT" PETE REPLIS: "I consider that a big compliment Joan, as Suzanne Lipschitz (Founder and President of the SCCI for 15 years) certainly had big shoes to fill! I am glad many ex-SCCI members have migrated to MushroomVillage.com for Smurfs and information, and am especially proud of the forum that has formed on our Bulletin Boards - countless friendships and transactions have transpired through that resource. However, not all SCCI members had computers - I have attempted to keep these ex-SCCI members in-the-loop by sending periodic mailings. If you, or anyone else on the Smurfy News mailing list has Smurf collecting friends who are not on-line, or would otherwise like to be on our mailing list, please hit reply now and let us know! (Please note, due to postal expenses, snail-mail members are charged a small fee to remain on our mailing list if they do not make purchases through the mailings - please do not request to be on the mailing list if you have Internet access - the mailings contain no new information.) ----- "Hi Pete, Since having my Smurfy site on the net, I've been very grateful for all the help I've received from fellow Smurf webmasters and your board has also helped further my knowledge. I think we're a very strong united community of Smurfers and may it long continue :) Regards, Martin Reeves, Kent, England" PETE REPLIES: I agree Martin! The Smurf collectors from around the world who call MushroomVillage.com's Bulletin Boards home are a strongly united community indeed! More importantly, this band of new to experienced collectors are a friendly and enthusiastic bunch, always willing to welcome a new member to the fold, and to share their collective knowledge for the benefit of Smurf collectors everywhere! Thank you for being a part of that community! Heck, let's plug the boards again! If anyone has not been to our bulletin boards lately, please drop by today! You do not have to register, even if you decide to join in! Feel free to stay on the sidelines and read, learn and enjoy. If you do decide to post, expect a warm welcome - Smurf collectors are friendly people! No question is silly, we all learn together, and once upon a time, even the most experienced collectors were just as clueless as the freshest "newbie!" We'll get you up to speed and enjoying this hobby in no time! Give us a visit at: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/cgi-bin/forum/dcboard.cgi AOL Click Here! ----- "Hello Pete! How is your Smurf room coming along? I was surprised to hear that you found a Smurfs ceiling fan. Thanks for keeping the site so Smurfy! I really enjoy getting my Smurfy newsletter. I know Smurfs are sold all over the world, and I've seen the cartoon in Hebrew. Anyways, I LOVE the Smurfs, they are the cutest, and I've been a collector since I was a child. I wish I had a room to decorate now, but I did have a Smurf bathroom at one house I lived in. I had a curtain on the outside of the shower curtain printed with Smurfs scenes, and a big pink Smurfette floor rug from the Valley swap meet, and my spice rack from 7th grade shop class holding my Kinder Smurfs from my semester abroad and other favorite Smurfs. Smurf you soon! Smurfily yours, Andrea Lotker, Thousand Oaks, CA" PETE REPLIES: "Hey Andrea! About that Smurf room - it's become more of a project than I anticipated, but I want everything to be Smurfy, so I'm taking the time to do it right! I have given up on finding an original light kit for my ceiling fan, but I found a universal kit that should look good once I replace the light globe with a wonderful Smurf-on-the-moon globe I bought a while back. I also had a crafter create custom light-switch and electrical outlet plates featuring the Smurfs! I also purchased a roll of vintage Smurfs wallpaper - I'm sure I can work that into the room. When it is finished, I promise I will post some pictures at the site! Thanks for writing! ----- "I wanted to let you know I saw Schleich PVC Smurfs being sold in Hot Topic recently in Westminster Mall, California. They had a house, a car, bed, and figures as well. -Anna, HB, California" PETE REPLIES: "Yes, Schleich NA told us they picked up that account ("Hot Topic" is a trendy store found in malls nationwide featuring many licensed vintage icons such as Care Bears and Mighty Mouse.) MushroomVillage.com bulletin board user "Smurfarootie" reports that Hot Topic and other "goth" stores also have Smurf clothing for sale! She bought a Smurfette sock cap there! My wife and I recently spotted a new Smurf item - a 2003 poster licensed by IMPS and distributed by Pyramid Posters in the UK - we spotted it for sale in a poster shop down at the South Street Seaport mall in NYC. It featured great comic art of Smurfs skateboarding! If you, the reader, spot Smurf stuff for sale in a new place, please don't think "MushroomVillage.com must know - please report it to us!" ----- "This newsletter is fab! Since it is so long I never read it in full but today I did. Conclusion: It's worth every single line! It's good to know that with my 32 years of age I am not alone and that other 'grown-ups' share my passion...Now I am confident that I am not somehow weird! Gosh...if you knew how often I surf your site - it's a pleasure every time. -Inez Alisea Schult, Wiesbaden, Germany" PETE REPLIES: "Worry no more Inez, I am 33 and a Smurf nut too! As you have observed, there are more than a few of us around the world who see the benefits of remaining "young at heart!" Keep enjoying Smurf collecting!" ----- "I only recently discovered Smurfs, thanks to a friend of mine who is an avid collector. I thought she was crazy to collect these. But I soon learned the fun in collecting them. I am know almost as well learned as she is on these little blue guys!!!! -Suzanne De Grace, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada" PETE REPLIES: "I am happy to hear you too have been hit by the bug! Please be sure to "pay it forward" and share your new passion with others! Smurf collecting is a great hobby - Smurfs are the most highly collected PVC figurine, and there are more styles to collect than there are in any other PVC line ever produced! And that's just the PVC's, if you want to get into the Smurf-related items, well there have been tens of thousands of licensed Smurfs products made around the world, and all are collectible! Have fun hunting and adding to your collection! ----- "I look forward to the Smurfy News each month. I like reading what is going on in the Smurf world. My daughter Amanda is the biggest Smurf fan. She watched them on TV when she was little. The past year she decided to start collecting them and is building her collection with my help. She has only been collecting for a short time and has quite a few Smurfs and other items. She has talked so much about them to her friends that they have nicknamed her Smurf. She even has a band shirt with this nickname on it from school. After giving her a copy of the Smurf newsletter she got extremely excited about the new movie. I am looking forward to seeing your new Smurf room when completed. -Janis Carper, Des Moines, Iowa" PETE REPLIES: "I am very happy to hear you share this hobby with your daughter! Sharing a hobby with someone you love is a great way to spend quality time together. Why, my wife got me started on Smurf collecting, and just look at the monster she made! There are a lot of us waiting with crossed fingers for this movie! Apparently, IMPS is shopping the idea around. They have made a very large investment in the project, and so I hope it is just a matter of time before it becomes a reality!" ----- Here are a few more comments we have received: "I just want to say I love your website! I've been collecting Smurfs for 6 years now and your website helps me out a lot, thank you! Misty Rummell Johnstown, Pennsylvania" "I love this web site, I've been collecting Smurfs since the early 80's and I have a friend that travels to Germany every Summer and she always brings some back for me. It's amazing how many more are still out there that I don't have. -Judy Harzer, Roseville, Michigan" "Love the Smurfy News. It's the first thing I read when it arrives. You do a great job! Hope you're around publishing your newsletter for many years. Thanks. -Valerie deBoer, Portland, Oregon" "Love the site and the newsletters! I found my first couple of Smurfs at a garage sale for $.10 each; never thought to add more until I looked them up on eBay. That eventually led me here, and wow; have I learned a lot! I've got a lot of room for more! -Repp Family, Warrenton Virginia" "This is my first newsletter from the subscription. I really had no idea what a large following little Smurfs have! I enjoyed the News, and I'm glad to see Smurfs are still cool! -Blu Collins, Ashland, Oregon" "Pete, I love that you're keeping the Smurfs alive and well!! I've been collecting Smurfs since the early 80's and even though I'll be 30 in a couple of months I still haven't out grown the little blue guys. Keep up the great work. Of the 2003 Smurfs my top three would be Hippie, Workaholic, and Techno. -Gary Barnette, Columbus, Ohio" PETE REPLIES: "Thank you all for the kind remarks! As I have said before, the positive feedback goes a long way towards keeping me motivated! Keep on sharing your feedback and news, and I will gladly pass it on! (Gary, please read on for the results of our 2003 Favorites survey!)" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 4) MALTESER SMURF =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Malteser Smurf Latest Hit with Collectors There is a new promotional Smurf figurine that will be distributed after September 2003! It is a color variation of 20054 First Aid which was produced for the 50th year anniversary of the helping organization "Malteser Hilfsdienst" in Germany, which is similar to the Red Cross. This is an officially licensed figurine produced by Schleich Germany and licensed by IMPS (Brussels). Schleich produced the figurines in July 2003, and shipped them to Malteser in August. Production was limited to a run of 5,000 pieces only - the smallest production run Schleich will produce for a promotional piece. The figurine is wearing red pants (the usual figurine is wearing white pants) and carrying a silver case (in previously released variations of this mold, the case has been dark or light brown, yellow and green). The Malteser Hilfsdienst emblem is printed on the Smurf's chest. The emblem is a red shield with white cross in the middle. On his chest, "Malteser" is printed at its top. The emblem is also printed on the side of the case along with the text "Malteser" in large black print to the right of the emblem. 3,000 of the 5,000 Smurfs will be distributed through the 600 Malteser departments - given to children in ambulances, for example. The remaining 3,000 are being sold through a distributor of official Malteser model cars. Through special arrangement, MushroomVillage.com was able to reserve 50 pieces (only!) of this Smurf for MushroomVillage.com members! Preorders are being accepted right now at www.MushroomVillage.com! Availability is strictly on a first-come, first-serve basis, while our reservations last! We have 50 guaranteed pieces only, and they are going quickly - many have already presold! If you desire this piece, do not delay in claiming yours: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/malteser.html AOL Click Here! *50 Orders (only) will be accepted now! If you order additional items, we will ship them now. Malteser Smurf will be shipped once we receive him, after September 2003. When the 50 Smurfs are all presold, we will stop accepting preorders. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 5) NEW HOLLAND CLUB -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= MushroomVillage.com has added a new listing to our Smurfs club page! New user to the MushroomVillage.com Bulletin Board Anette Nielsen tells us she has started up a small band of Smurf lovers in Sweden, which has set up "headquarters" on an MSN group. It is a small club for Swedish collectors only, but foreign collectors are welcome to contact Annette with questions and/or special requests. Good luck with your activities Anette! Readers, are you a member of a group not yet featured on MushroomVillage.com's Clubs List? Let us know so we can add it, and help spread the word! Club leaders have reported to me that they regularly receive new inquiries from collectors who spotted the MushroomVillage.com listing - we can help your group grow too! To view the Clubs List, please visit: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/Smurfs-clubs.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=- 6) 2003 FAVES =-=-=-=-=-=-=- The results have been tallied! In an earlier issue of the Smurfy News we asked readers who had purchased the full set of 2003 New Generation Smurfs to let us know their 1st, 2nd and 3rd most favorite of the new issues. Each time a Smurf was voted a #1 favorite, I awarded it 3 points. #2 favorite scored 2 points, and #3 favorite scored 1 point. When all the submissions had been processed and the votes were added, the favorites were revealed! The New Generation Smurf receiving the highest score was (drum roll please...) 20517 HIPPIE SMURF! Hippie Smurf received a full 28.9% of the points to come in first place by a fairly large margin! The second most popular Smurf was 20522 Workaholic Smurf, which received 21.7% of the points. #3 is my personal favorite, 20524 Trendy Smurfette! Trendy Smurfette took 17.8% of the points. 20518 New Basketball came in 4th place, with 8.9% of the points. The 5th favorite was 20523 Show-Off Smurf, which landed only 6.7% of the points. There was a tie for 6th favorite - both 20519 Hip Hop and 20520 New Techno scored 6.1% of the points. (New Techno was voted as #1 more than Hip Hop, but Hip Hop received enough points for #2 and #3 favorite to tie with Techno.) Finally, we have the big loser - 20521 Cyber Smurf with only 3.9% of the points! (Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.) Here's the rundown again: 20517 Hippie Smurf 28.9% 20522 Workaholic Smurf 21.7% 20524 Trendy Smurfette 17.8% 20518 New Basketball 8.9% 20523 Show Off 6.7% 20519 Hip Hop 6.1% 20520 New Techno 6.1% 20521 Cyber Smurf 3.9% Remember, these results came from polling only those who had purchased an entire set of 8 figurines, so the people voting had all 8 in their hands to consider. Here is the percent of total sales of all New Generation Smurfs, by Schleich #. Most of these people probably had not seen the figurines "live," and had viewed pictures only. Also, people may not necessarily be buying their personal favorites - many MushroomVillage.com customers are buying Smurfs as gifts for another person. Although the general sequence from top to bottom is very similar, there are some differences: 20517 Hippie Smurf 21.1% 20524 Trendy Smurfette 17.1% 20522 Workaholic Smurf 15.8% 20523 Show Off 11.8% 20518 New Basketball 10.5% 20519 Hip Hop 9.2% 20520 New Techno 7.9% 20521 Cyber Smurf 6.6% THANK YOU to the MushroomVillage.com members who responded to our poll so that we could figure these results!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- PLEASE VISIT OUR OTHER SITES! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- If you have enjoyed the quality service you receive from MushroomVillage.com, please consider visiting our other sites, all operated with the same concern for the users needs! www.MegaGlass.com - wholesale decorative glass marbles and glass gems direct to the consumer - no wholesaler/tax ID # is required! For design/decor, landscaping, crafts, weddings, etc. www.LandOfMarbles.com - Collectible antiques and modern playing marbles. Marbles make great nostalgic gifts for Grandma & Grandpa, & kids love 'em too! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 7) CLOSET COMMUNISTS? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Are the Smurfs Closet Communists? By Kristen M. Sonntag, Esq. An undated article found at The Anti-Smurf Conspiracy Archives March, 2003 It seems that these days Saturday morning cartoonists are taking too many artistic liberties by creating odd "realities" for children to watch. Children see what happens in cartoons and then model the carefree, imaginative games they play at recess on the behavior of cartoon characters. Early morning children's television serves up such visual delights as the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And who could forget the always irreverent Biker Mice >From Mars? Do we actually expect children to digest such desensitizing folly? What happened to the days of yore, when the Brothers Warner informed the country that "hunting wabbits" was the chief concern of the day? What about the Hal Roach Studio's presentation of a lovable loose woman (the one and only Betty Boop of course,) who sought only happiness with the help of her little pet dog? These works remain a delight today, yet, it must be noted, whether a current 'toon or a classic, only rarely does a cartoon attempt to convey any sort of serious political message or ideological influence to its' spectator. With the exception of the occasional antifascist message in cartoons from the 1940s where Hitler, Hirohito, or Mussolini made the occasional "cameo" guest appearance, political themes in 'toons are few and far between - or, that was the sad case until the late 1970's. For, in those heady days, a bold Belgian cartoonist by the name of Pierre Culliford first concocted some small blue creatures standing three apples high, which he called Smurfs. After the cartoon-industrial complex known as Hanna-Barbera got a hold of the rights to The Smurfs they took it upon themselves to make them an American classic, and by the early 1980's thousands of disillusioned children like myself tuned in every Saturday morning to catch their Smurfy antics. The Smurfs evolved into a phenomenon of sorts. We all sang the catchy "La la la la la la..." theme song, and many of us had Smurf paraphernalia. I myself am guilty of having owned a complete set of Smurf drinking glasses in kindergarten, which I acquired at Pizza Hut for a mere 99 cents. We all knew their names; Papa Smurf, Handy Smurf, and Painter Smurf were most often seen, and all the girls loved Smurfette. The Smurfs were also a refreshing break from the cartoons of the 1970's. Fat Albert and Speed Racer were passé, and Scooby Doo (another Hanna-Barbera creation) had long outlived its usefulness as a tool of totalitarian social control. The Smurfs were the dawn of a new era. The Smurfs were to childhood dreams as the Beatles were to puberty. The Smurfs presented moral lessons in a facile, repetitive manner, making it comprehensible to all children with normal cranial capacity. The Smurfs were as American as apple pie. Or were they? For the full article, please visit the MushroomVillage.com article archives: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/Smurfs-article031.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 8) FAKE GOOD LUCK SMURF =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I wanted to revisit this warning regarding the SCCI Good Luck Smurf promo, considering that the rash of fakes I predicted when Schleich began selling the elephant loose in 2001... "This was the very first SCCI promo and was designed exclusively for the club by Schleich to show their appreciation of the club's activities and ideas, and to support the creativity they had shown during their first two years. An elephant with it's trunk raised is a symbol of good luck, hence the name. They were limited to 100 pieces, the smallest run of any SCCI promo. In 2001 the Schleich factory began distributing the elephant used on this promo in their "minis" selection. Soon after, the market was flooded with Good Luck Smurfs, none of which had their original certificates. As a dealer, I was offered multiples of them at "only" $75 each. These are garbage fakes! Whenever you buy an SCCI promo, it is important that you insist on having the original numbered certificate issued with the piece, bearing the SCCI raised seal. If there is no certificate, the piece is worth a fraction of a documented piece, even if it is genuine. The new elephant is a lighter grey, and a shinier PVC than my genuine piece, although the difference may be due to age. Otherwise, they are identical in every observable respect, so be careful! Another difference is that on the SCCI piece, the inside of the hands are specially molded to accept the arched back of the elephant. On the regular 20067 piece, the inside of the hands either have molded fingers, or are shaped like a rectangular slot. Also, on the SCCI piece, the fingers can be seen from the right side of the figure, while on a regular 20067 piece, you cannot see the molded fingers unless you look under the hand." This article is also posted at our "Reproduction Alert!" with an illustration showing the genuine Smurf, and a fake made by gluing a modern "mini" elephant into the hands of a normal 20067 Congratulations. Please see this illustration for more information: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/Smurfs-reproductions.html#goodluck AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 9) 2004 SMURF IDEAS? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Before we know it the new Smurfs for 2004 will be in production! We *know* there are lots of great ideas for the new Smurfs and we are ready to collect them and forward them to Schleich for their consideration! How about you? Have you got an idea for the new 2004 Smurfs? Ideas have begun to trickle in... Sue Marczinke of Eau Claire, Wisconsin wrote "Here is an idea for the 2004 Smurfs...I have been waiting for a Nativity Set issue. Smurfs as Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men and even dressed as animals. Throw in a manger and it is complete!!" Patricia Putnam of Stoddard, New Hampshire wrote "How about a llama farmer Smurf?" How's that for a start? Please send us your ideas, and we will compile them and send them to Schleich! Just hit reply now! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 10) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Congratulations Ronald Centen of Germany! You won a full set of MushroomVillage.com magnets! I also came across a couple of Near Mint Smurfs while cleaning, and I am going to draw a second name from the last batch of entries to award those too... And congratulations to Kim Mach of Columbia, Missouri! You are our surprise winner for our rubbed Smurf grab bag containing 20040 Gift (minor tail rub), 20104 Pirate (minor nose rub) and 20163 Soccer Smurfette (no base, needs a bath). Now, what can I give away this time? Ah, here's something! A recent customer returned a 40602 Smurfette's Bedroom. Now, it's Mint in the box, but they took the parts off the plastic frame, and I can't sell it like that so that is up for grabs! I also have a Wallace Berrie Smurf Pop-Up Playset Mint in the Box! "A compact board that becomes a colorful playland!" This is #5166 Garramel's Castle! Just some slight crushing of one corner on the box, but otherwise perfect! I will award one prize to each of 2 winners drawn randomly from the entries submitted. If you enter this contest, be sure to tell us which prize you want most - Smurfette's Bedroon, or the Gargamel's Castle Pop-up Playset - we will try to accomodate the winners' wishes! Enter the drawing by completing our secret entry form - only Smurfy News subscribers are given this link: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/contestform.html AOL Click Here THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE SMURFY NEWS!! =-=-=-=-=-= 11) CLOSING =-=-=-=-=-= This is our Smurfy farewell until next time! Thank You to all the members that write in with news and feedback - I appreciate it! You may not see letters and information that you submit reprinted in the newsletter right away, we often further research reports, or wait for the right opportunity to reprint letters on a particular topic. However, a large chunk of the content and news reported here results ultimately from subscriber participation. I'll echo the Smurf Collectors Club Intl. credo again - "Sharing is Caring!" Together, we can make this hobby more enjoyable for all! Keep up the good work everyone! I don't like to mention upcoming projects until they are ready, as many things end up taking a lot longer than anticipated. But, suffice it to say, I always have many "things" in the works - so keep it tuned here for future Smurfy News. More importantly, visit www.MushroomVillage.com and enjoy the free club tools at your disposal as a member of MushroomVillage.com. From the world-wide community of like-minded Smurf fans at the Bulletin Boards, to the ever-expanding assortment of collectible Smurfabilia for sale at the Smurf Shop, MushroomVillage.com strives to provide Smurf Collectors with resources that enhance their enjoyment of this hobby. -Pete www.MushroomVillage.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FORWARD, SEARCH, SUBSCRIBE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue to one or two of your friends or associates. Thank you so much! You may search for Smurfabilia in our database, the largest resource of it's kind on the Internet! Please visit our ID Guide page: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/Smurfs-idguide.html AOL Click Here! 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 use the link at the very bottom of this e-mail. =-=-=-=-=-=-=- 'SMALL PRINT' =-=-=-=-=-=-=- The "Smurfy News" is a FREE e-mail newsletter published periodically by your friends at www.MushroomVillage.com - joining or leaving the list is voluntary, we do not spam and we never sell, rent, share or distribute your contact information in any way! www.MushroomVillage.com carries the full range of current production Smurf products by Schleich as well as much of their retired line and other Smurfabilia. If you enjoy this newsletter, please help support us with a purchase - Smurfs make great gifts! SHARING IS CARING!! We collect and disseminate information the world over to keep Smurf collectors united and having a Smurfy good time! Please submit information, news, articles, stories and anything Smurf-related to www.MushroomVillage.com - just hit reply now, or use the "Contact Us" link at the site. Submissions become the property of MushroomVillage.com. They may be edited and republished in all media. 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. For information on licensing the Smurfs name and/or character, contact I.M.P.S. at rue du Cerf 85, Genval 1332, Belgium 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. (C) 2003 MushroomVillage.com All right reserved. Please do not reprint or host our materials on your website without explicit permission. However, if you found this newsletter interesting, we grant you permission, and strongly encourage you, to e-mail it to an associate or friend. Thank you!