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 2,662 members on August 1, 2004. Welcome to our new subscribers! (Note: You are receiving this newsletter because someone requested it be sent to this e-mail address, and then confirmed the subscription request from this e-mail account. We do not spam and we never give, sell, share or distribute your e-mail address in anyway, or use it for any reason other than to deliver the Smurfy News to you. To update your profile, unsubscribe, confirm your subscription or forward the Smurfy News to a friend, please use the links at the end of this newsletter.) Is this e-mail being routed to your junk e-mail folder? If so, please white list "smurfynews@topica.email-publisher.com" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Hello Smurf Fans! Yup, this is another juicy issue of the Smurfy News, the best SMURFY e-mail newsletter! Yay!! I have another fantastic issue for you - and it is even bigger than last time, our largest issue ever! As a matter of fact, to reduce the size of the mailing, I am using a technique I have experimented with before - I publish just the first paragraph of articles, then a link to the full article at the site. Even though I use this little trick to keep the newsletter shorter, this issue is *still* the biggest I have ever published! Why so big? Well, there is so much going on! And would you believe I had to leave out some things I had prepared, because the newsletter was just too long?!? (Don't worry; I'll publish this material next time.) First of all, of course, we have WHAT'S NEW?, our list of new items for sale in the Smurf Shop - 120 new figurine variations, promos, supers, candy toppers, party supplies, etc.! Next I share some of the nice member feedback regarding Suzanne's passing in SUZANNE SENTIMENTS, and a sampling of reader mail in the SMURF MAILBAG. Next we answer a few collector questions in INSIDER INFO, and report on the AID ORGANIZATION PROMOS, and the SCHOENWALD PROMO SERIES. Next we gear up for my 2004 NYC LICENSING SHOW REPORT with a LICENSING PRIMER (for those unfamiliar with licensing and why it is so important to Smurf fans.) We also reprint A FINE BLUE LINE, a promo slick distributed at the licensing show. Next is SMURFS COMEBACK, a feature I wrote recapping some signs we have seen pointing to a Smurfs movie and comeback. We wrap it up with our SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY (3 great prizes again this month!) and our CLOSING until next time. Well, let's delay no further - let's SMURF ON!! -Pete www.MushroomVillage.com =-=-=-=-= CONTENTS =-=-=-=-= 1) WHAT'S NEW? 2) SUZANNE SENTIMENTS 3) SMURF MAILBAG 4) INSIDER INFO 5) AID ORGANIZATION PROMOS 6) SCHOENWALD PROMO SERIES 7) LICENSING PRIMER 8) 2004 NYC LICENSING SHOW REPORT 9) A FINE BLUE LINE 10) SMURFS COMEBACK? 11) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY 12) CLOSING =============================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) WHAT'S NEW? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= We continue to add many new listing to our site by going through our excess inventory and adding Smurfs to the site that have marking variations. Basically, we went through all our inventory a while back, identified the marking that we had most of, and edited the listing to reflect that marking. All the other markings were pulled from inventory, so that our customers could expect to receive the exact marking that was cited in our Smurf Shop. Now we are going back through all that pulled inventory, and adding them back to the site. You will see that we now offer several marking variations for many of the Schleich #'s. As we continue with this project, the size of our inventory grows dramatically. We are one of very few sites to do this, and we are told by advanced collectors that they appreciate it. It is hard to shop for the marking variations you need when most of the sites do not reference them in their listings. PLEASE NOTE! We also have a rare Fix & Foxi in stock, book value over $855. Ours has a small rub, not visible from the front, for $400. We also have also added lots of Super Smurf marking variations, and a few other odds and ends. Here is a list of newly added pieces (sorry for the double spacing, but it is the best way to list them while ensuring the list format is not corrupted in the email): 20001 Papa [Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot] 20004 Shiver (red) [Markings: Hong Kong, Stickman logo, no paint dot] 20004 Shiver (red) [Markings: Stickman logo, West Germany, no paint dot] 20008 Spy [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20009 Drummer [Markings: Hong Kong, stickman logo, no paint dot] 20009 Drummer [Markings: Portugal, no paint dot] 20009 Drummer [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20010 Prisoner [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20011 Laughing [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20013 Lute (red) [Markings: Portugal, red paint dot] 20013 Lute (red) [Markings: Hong Kong, Stickman logo, no paint dot] 20013 Lute (red) [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20014 Sunbather (black/yellow) [Markings: Germany, no paint dot] 20015 Earache [Markings: West Germany, mustard paint dot] 20015 Earache [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20015 Earache [Markings: Stickman logo, West Germany, no paint dot] 20021 Sleepwalker (yellow) [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20022 Author [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20022 Author [Markings: Portugal, no paint dot] 20024 Watchman [Markings: Stickman logo, West Germany, no paint dot] 20024 Watchman [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20026 Sitting [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20027 Thinker (large mold) [Markings: CE hotstamp, West Germany, red paint dot] 20027 Thinker (small mold) [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20028 Gardener (small mold) [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20028 Gardener (large mold) [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20029 Money (large mold) [Markings: Hong Kong, Stickman logo, no paint dot] 20029 Money (large mold) [Markings: West Germany, red paint dot] 20030 Torchbearer (red shorts) [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20031 Postman (heart) [Markings: Hong Kong, Stickman logo, no paint dot] 20031 Postman (heart) [Markings: Sri Lanka, red paint dot] 20031 Postman (heart) [Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] 20033 Clown [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20033 Clown [Markings: Stickman logo, West Germany, mustard paint dot] 20033 Clown [Markings: MiniModels, no paint dot] 20033 Clown [Markings: Portugal, red paint dot] 20033 Clown [Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] 20034 Smurfette [Markings: None, mustard paint dot] 20034 Smurfette [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20034 Smurfette [Markings: None, no paint dot] 20036 Glider Smurf [Markings: Portugal, red paint dot] 20036 Glider Smurf [Markings: West Germany, red paint dot] 20037 Doctor (blue thermometer) [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20038 Singer (Fix & Foxi) [Markings: stickman logo, no paint dot] 20040 Gift [Markings: Hong Kong, Stickman Logo, no paint dot] 20040 Gift [Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot] 20041 Hiker [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20041 Hiker [Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot] 20042 Chef [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20042 Chef [Markings: Argentina, MiniModels, no paint dot] 20043 Digger (large) [Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot] 20043 Digger (large) [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20046 Emperor (yellow PVC) [Markings: CE, Portugal, no paint dot] 20064 Toothbrush (short toothpaste) [Markings: CE, China, blue paint dot] 20104 Pirate [Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20104 Pirate [Markings: CE, West Germany, no paint dot] 20118 Umbrella (red) [Markings: CE, Germany, blue paint dot] 20205 Baby with Teddy [Markings: CE, blue paint dot] 20449 Lead Guitar Player (40th Anniversary Colors) [Markings: CE, China, blue paint dot] 20450 Bass Guitar Player (40th Anniversary colors) [Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] 20451 New Singer (40th Anniversary Colors) [Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20454 World Cup Soccer (Dutch uniform colors) [Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20473 Hiker (Schönwald promo Smurf-a-Gram) 40020 Windmill (gray) 40030 Garden (old box) 4062201 Smurf's Snail [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 40202 Chimney Sweep (7 rungs, old box) [Markings: Figure: West Germany, no paint dot] 40208 Sign bearer (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: West Germany, no paint dot] 40209 Butterfly catcher (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: West Germany, no paint dot] 40214 Hobby Horse (New Box) [Markings: Figure: none, no paint dot; Horse: West Germany] 40215 Windsurfer (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: CE, West Germany, no paint dot; Board: CE, Germany] 40216 Fireman (black, Old Box) [Markings: Figure: CE, Germany, no paint dot; Barrel: CE, West Germany] 40217 Photographer (White Lens, New Box) [Markings: Figure: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 40218 Go Kart (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: Hong Kong, no paint dot; Car: Hong Kong] 40221 Rocking Horse (plastic rein, Old Box) [Markings: Figure: Hong Kong, no paint dot; Horse: Hong Kong] 40223 Volleyball (New Box) [Markings: Figure: CE, West Germany, no paint dot; Grass: CE, Germany] 40223 Volleyball (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: West Germany, mustard paint dot; Grass: West Germany] 40226 Hammock (New Box) [Markings: Figure: CE, West Germany, blue paint dot; Stand: CE, West Germany] 40230 Scooter (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot] 40235 Bath Tub (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot; Tub: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie] 40238 Kitchen (white stove, New Box) [Markings: Figure: CE, West Germany, no paint dot] 40240 Smurf in Bed (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: West Germany, mustard paint dot; Bed: West Germany] 40241 Smurfette in Car (red steering wheel, New Box) [Markings: Figure: CE, China, no paint dot; Car: CE, China] 40242 Lifeguard (red flag, Old Box) [Markings: Figure: West Germany, red paint dot] 40245 Tea Set (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: CE, West Germany, no paint dot] 40248 Stork with Baby (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: none, no paint dot; Nest: West Germany] 40503 Discus Thrower (Old Box) [Markings: Figure: West Germany, no paint dot; Stand: Germany] 40503 Discus Thrower (New Box) [Markings: Figure: West Germany, no paint dot; Stand: Germany] 40506 Pole Vaulter (New Box) [Markings: Figure: CE, Germany, no paint dot; Stand: Germany] Candy Topper (Snowman, Black Hat) Candy Topper (Magician) Candy Topper (Smurf and Smurfette on Turtle) Candy Topper (Papa under Mushroom) Candy Topper (Papa Santa, large mold, yellow bow) Candy Topper (Papa Santa, small mold, pink bow) Candy Topper (Baby on moon) 1983/84 Kinder (Watchman 2 of 12) Assorted Vintage Smurf Key chains Panini Stickers Smurf Blowouts [Markings: Wallace Berrie] Smurf Loot Bags [Markings: Wallace Berrie] Smurf Party Horns [Markings: Wallace Berrie] Vintage Smurf Pinbacks McDonalds (Baseball Batter) [Markings: None, no paint dot] McDonalds (Basketball Smurfette) [Markings: None, no paint dot] McDonalds (Rollerblades) [Markings: None, no paint dot] McDonalds (Rollerblade Smurfette) [Markings: None, no paint dot] McDonalds (Skateboard) [Markings: None, no paint dot] McDonalds (Snowboard) [Markings: None, no paint dot] Fold-Out miniposter (night) Fold-Out miniposter (day) To view all of these listings at MushroomVillage.com's Smurf Shop, click here: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=instock&maxhits=20&keywords=new0504&bool=AND AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 2) SUZANNE SENTIMENTS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I received more mail after the last newsletter than ever before - many ex-SCCI members wrote to share memories of Suzanne, and our newer members wrote to express sympathy and acknowledge Suzanne's hard work. I'd like to share some comments here, but first, the note we received from Suzanne's family after the funeral: "The Family of Suzanne Lipschitz acknowledges with grateful appreciation your kind expression of sympathy.  Thank you for the Smurfy floral arrangement and the kind sentiments - we truly appreciate your support." And from our membership: "I am so sorry to hear of your recent loss of Suzanne, she must have been very dear to you and I know as well as all the others that you will keep the promises you have made, she knows it too! Although I didn't know Suzanne, from what everyone has said she has touched a piece of my heart with her dedication and love for her smurfs. -Deidre Klemann (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)" "I am so sorry about Suzanne Lipschitz passing. My wife and I were members of her Smurf Collectors Club International for many years and always thought of her as "Grandma Smurf." She was a very special lady. - Ian Noah (Culver City, California)" "I remember when we were members of Suzanne's Club. I was very sad to learn of losing her. You sure have kept up the good work that she started. I find your website very user friendly and easy to consult for research, etc. -Patricia E. Putnam (Stoddard, New Hampshire)" "Hi Pete. I was so sorry to hear about Suzanne, I never got to meet her but I was in the SCCI for 14 1/2 years with her. I sure had a lot of Smurf questions over the years that she answered for me, so it seemed like I knew her very well.  She will be missed. You are doing such a good job with the Smurfs. What a difference the internet makes, it is so easy now to keep our collection up to date. Thank you again. -Marie Dunakin (Marysville, Washington)" "Hi Pete, I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Suzanne. She was a great friend to me over the years. I will greatly miss her. My happy moment to think of is my face to face meeting and visit at SCCI headquarter years ago... I had such a good time with her. Caring and sharing, that was her!! Miss her all over again! Thanks for everything! -Helene Parent (Qc, Canada)" "We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our dear, wonderful friend Suzanne Lipschitz. My husband and I started collecting Smurfs back in 1979. Over the years, we purchased every Smurf and Smurf related item we could. Just when we thought we had them all, we found out about the SCCI. In 1990, we joined SCCI and Suzanne helped us find even more Smurfs. Every time we look at one of our little blue friends we will think of Suzanne. -Joni and Ian Noah (Culver City, California)" "I wished I had have known of Suzanne's passing sooner. She lived just a matter of blocks away from me and I had spoken to her in 1995. I told her where to get the newly released smurfs and she was very thankful. God bless her. -Kenny Guido (Massapequa, New York)" "Thank you for taking Suzanne's spot as head of the Smurf Collector World. As a long-time member of the SCCI, and a short-time member of MushroomVillage.com, Suzanne will be missed -Bob West (Windsor Locks, Connecticut)" "Your last newsletter was very sad. What a great loss for all smurf lovers. She was a great lady. I was a member for years. I still have a box full of news letters from the club. Thanks Pete for sharing the news with us. -Moe Newell (Port Orchard, Washington)" "I'm so sorry for the loss of your good friend Suzanne. I've heard of her many times on your site and I'm sure the smurf world has lost a great source of information & love for the characters. -Trisha Willis (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)" ----- This was just a small sample of the letters I received. I am happy to hear from so many who knew her that they think I have done a good job following in her shoes. To those who did not know her, I look forward to sharing the knowledge she gathered with you. Much of the information I publish in the Smurfy News was first reported by Suzanne in her newsletters. In time, I hope to republish as much of her work as possible, for the benefit of Smurfers new on the scene. Stay tuned!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3) SMURF MAILBAG =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Several members wrote in to share their Smurfy vanity plates: "I too have a Smurfy license plate. "Smurfn 5" that was the number they gave me. I guess in Illinois there are already 4 other "Smurfn." I would love to meet them all! So now my email address is Smurfn5 and a bunch of my user names on various websites! It has sort of taken over my identity :-) -Miranda Shake (Danville, Illinois)" "In response to the Smurf Mailbag question: 'Does anyone else have a Smurfy license plate?' Since 1988, the license on our car has read "OOSMURF." That is DOUBLE O SMURF. We combined our love of James Bond and Smurfs. When we sold our car last year, we had the plates transferred to our new car. -Joni and Ian Noah (Culver City, California)" "Hi! I enjoy this newsletter and your website as a long time Smurf collector and lover! Thanks! By the way, my vanity plate is "SMURPH" for Sheri Murphy, my Maiden name. SMURF was gone already...very popular little blue fellows! -Sheri McQuarrie (Ormond Beach, Florida)" PETE REPLIES: Nothing says fanatic like a vanity plate! OK, now let’s hear from members who have customized their house to look like mushrooms! (I better not get any mail this time, or one of our members may be in serious need of help!) ----- "I have recently purchased the promo smurfs and I can't wait until they arrive I'm so excited! It is great that we can get them from MushroomVillage.com and know that they will be in top shape. Keep up the great work Pete. -Deidre Klemann (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)" PETE REPLIES: Deidre, although the Schoenwald promo was right on time, the new helping organization promos were held up in production. I feel so bad, but I can only report the release dates that are given to me, and Schleich is notorious for being off by several months! I'm glad to say that by the time you read this, you should have your Smurfs! We feature them in this newsletter, please watch for more info below! ----- "I have been a Smurf lover for more than 20 years and have a collection of them that was played with my whole youth and now my son plays with them and when I am lucky enough to catch them on TV I tape them - something I didn't have the luxury of when I was young. Thank you for this web site! -Tina Jones (Martins Creek, Pennsylvania)" PETE REPLIES: My wife still has her childhood Smurfs too, and we record Smurfs off the Boomerang channel faster than we can watch them! If you don’t know yet readers, The Smurfs are playing 8 AM, 4 PM and midnight EST on the Boomerang channel. Member Dustin Combs (Ohio) reported great news in May! He said Warner Brothers sent DVD retailers a release list of anticipated Hanna-Barbera DVD Collection titles. It included "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," "The Snorks," "Tom & Jerry," "Yogi Bear," "Magilla Gorilla," "Scooby Doo" and "THE SMURFS!" That's right, it said "The Smurfs Season 1 Coming Soon 2005!" (As well as a few other titles...) But then he contacted me again in July, with some bad news. He told me the latest newsletter from the DVD department of Warner Bros. Home Video said that they were delaying 4 of the Hanna-Barbera collection DVD sets, and one of them was “The Smurfs.” We will have to keep being patient, but it sounds like it will only be a matter of time before we will be able to enjoy high quality DVD versions of the original cartoon! Of course, I will try to carry this DVD for my members, I will report any further news here! ----- "Who made the Smurf Cereal? My son who is now 18 years old had cancer when he was young. His saddest memory of him having cancer was when they took his Smurf cereal away from him because they remember at last minutes that he was not to have anything to eat before his treatment. He has never forgotten that to this day. His happiest day of being a cancer survivor was when he could play football. Please let me know who made the Cereal so I may contact them. Thank you. -Mary (JonPaul) mom" PETE REPLIES: Mary, I’m sorry it took me so long to answer your letter (Mary wrote in 2003), but I knew I had this somewhere, and wanted to find it before I answered. I finally found it when I was unpacking things into my Smurf room. The answer you are looking for is General Foods Corporation, "Post" brand cereal. They produced "Smurf Magic Berries" in the late 80's (My boxes expired in March, April and May of 1989.) These were fruity sweetened corn, oat and wheat cereal (with marshmallow stars!) and featured a Smurfy prize inside (such as "Smurf Gummi Goodies" candy) or a game on the back (such as the "Smurf Chase Game" or "Smurf Checkers.") The box was Smurfy blue, and featured Papa Smurf behind a big bowl of the cereal. In his hand, he holds red, orange and yellow berries. The cereal puffs are also red, yellow and orange, and the marshmallow stars are white. The box says "Any questions or comments? 1-800-431-1003 (9-4 EST weekdays)” and the address listed is General Foods Corporation (P.O. Box SMB-11, White Plains, NY 10625). This info is a good 15 years old, but of course, General Mills is still in business, so if this info is no longer current, you should be able to track them down! Good luck! ----- "I'd like to know, do you have any other New Zealand subscribers? Do you know of an Australian collector's site/group as they are our neighbours. Thanking you. -Joanne Lee Hoskin (Taranaki, New Zealand)" PETE REPLIES: Well, I know there are several Australians who frequent the bulletin boards at MushroomVillage.com: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/cgi-bin/forum/dcboard.cgi AOL Click Here! The MushroomVillage.com bulletin boards are very popular with Smurf collectors from all over the world, please stop by and check it out! Please add it to your favorites, and check back often. We have brand new content posted every single day, it is among the most active Smurf boards on the Internet. Please introduce yourself and invite others New Zealanders to introduce themselves. Lots of so-called "lurkers" visit the boards but seldom post, but many can be induced to participate, particularly if a post catches their attention. Nothing will capture the attention of a New Zealand Smurf collector like a post from another New Zealand Smurf fan!! I hope to see you there! (If any of our readers are from New Zealand, please hit "reply" and let me know! I'll publish your letter in our next issue!) ----- "Once again glad to get this great newsletter and appreciate all of the effort you put in it for our enjoyments! Can't wait to find out more of the news concerning the movie but would be interested more in a new TV show! - Sarah Carter (Oromocto Canada)" PETE REPLIES: Thanks for enjoying the newsletter, I appreciate your kind remarks! I learned more about the new movie at this year’s licensing show in June. However, IMPS did tell me conclusively that there is no new television cartoon in the works :( Read on for more info - not a *lot* of info, but it seems the movie is no rumor, and things are still in motion. ----- "Thanks so much for always keeping us collectors up to date with such great info! As a former member of the SCCI, I'm sure Suzanne would be proud of your accomplishments! You have taken the former club and enhanced it, while maintaining its integrity. It is such a treat to receive a "Smurfy News" email. I always carefully read your email last, so I'm sure not to miss a single word! Kudos to you and your Smurfy team on a job well done!!! Sincerely, Reny SanLuis (Lake Worth, Florida)" PETE REPLIES: Thanks Reny! It means a lot to me that so many former SCCI members regularly thank me and tell me I am doing a good job of continuing Suzanne's work. She took her "job" seriously, and I do too! And I owe all of you thanks as well. Suzanne always depended on the members to participate in their club, and I do too! Thanks to all who continue to write in with stories, Smurfy happenings, etc. Keep caring, keep sharing, and I'll pull it all together to report back to the club!! ----- "Thanks so much for the last Smurfy News newsletter. It was great to learn more about the origins of MushroomVillage.com and about the woman who helped build the field of Smurf collecting. Thank you Petey Smurf! -Andrea Lotker (Ventura, California)" PETE REPLIES: I’m happy people continue to get to “know” Suzanne by benefiting from her hard work and research through the years. She had a lot to do with getting MushroomVillage.com off the ground, and it’s my pleasure to bring the fruits of her labor to new collectors, as well as to follow in her footsteps and continue her research. Plans are in place to begin digitizing her research, so that it can be shared more easily, stay tuned! ----- "Hey Pete, I noticed that the link the Vibe Magazine article in the February Smurfy News wouldn't work for me. It is just me? Thanks, "Andrea Smurf" (some of my friends call me Smurfette, or Smurfy, or my Israeli friend calls me Dardasit, which is Smurfette in Hebrew. Dardas means midget.) - Andrea Lotker (Ventura, California)" PETE REPLIES: Sorry readers, and thank you Andrea for alerting me to this problem. I did fix it fast enough that most of you should have been able to read it, but if you missed this one, here's a link to the article in our archive (It was first republished here in the Smurfy News in February 2004): http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-article034.html AOL Click Here ----- "Typo! In the April Smurf Mailbag, there was a letter from a Valerie deBoer about Smurfs with their hands chewed off. You wrote "I hope you have a dog, and not a very son who enjoyed the taste of PVC." A very what??!! -Melissa Caparelli (Bellerose, New York)" PETE REPLIES: Oops, another mistake! Thanks Melissa! (If you don't know this already readers, Melissa is my sister, and she packs and ships all your orders with tender, loving Smurfy care!) I meant to say "a very weird son." Valerie actually wrote again about this: "Yes, my son did chew some of the hands off. He is still trying to make it up to me. He enters every new Smurf I get into a database and purchases as many as he can for my collection. -Valerie deBoer (Portland, Oregon)" PETE REPLIES: Gosh Valerie, I was only kidding! Well, if it means more Smurfs for your collection, that's not all bad, I suppose! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- PLEASE VISIT OUR SITES! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- If you have appreciated the quality service you receive from www.MushroomVillage.com, please consider visiting my other sites: www.MegaGlass.com - Offers a growing line of decorative glass novelties for floral arrangements, aquariums, mosaics, landscaping, arts/crafts, design/decor - the possibilities are endless! www.LandOfMarbles.com - Marbles make great gifts - nostalgic for Grandma & Grandpa, & kids love 'em too! We offer everyday playing marbles to high-end collectible & contemporary art glass marbles. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 4) INSIDER INFO =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Here are a few more questions I have posed to Schleich recently, and the information I received: PETE ASKED: Schleich Smurf figures have a number molded into the bottom. Is it correct that this identifies the mold the figurine came from? ANSWER: The number identifies the cavity within a given mold that this particular figurine comes from. PETE ASKED: How many cavities are there per injection machine? ANSWER: The number of cavities per mold varies according to the size of the figurine. For example, an elephant mold might have one cavity whereas a Smurf mold might consist of 4 to 6 cavities. PETE ASKED: Is there such a thing as a "test-version" (PVC figurines that are painted in colors other than the final release version to see how they look?) ANSWER: Yes, there are test versions. PETE ASKED: Are different color versions of the same piece tested in different markets to see which sells better? ANSWER: Test versions are only used internally. Schleich has never conducted test sales in the field. PETE ASKS: Many out-of-production pieces are available from dealers in Germany which bear 'old' marks such as West Germany or Hong Kong. They are in new condition. Is this old inventory Schleich sold off when they could no longer distribute product that had been made with the old PVC softener prior to October 2000? ANSWER: My guess would be that these are indeed those pieces that were cleared when the material was changed. (I later confirmed with a German dealer that he had purchased Schleich's old inventory made with the old PVC softener.) DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU'D LIKE ANSWERED? Please hit reply now and ask! If I do not know the answer already, I will try to get an answer from someone who knows! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 5) AID ORGANIZATION PROMOS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I owe everyone an apology for the Helping Organizations promos fiasco. Once again, the date promised for a new Smurf issue was off by a good couple of months. Peter Neubauer (who produced these Smurfs) had been promised these Smurfs in mid-May, but he received just the Malteser promos in late May, and then only enough to fill small orders. (Ours was not a small order!) He sent MushroomVillage.com some (but not all) of our order on June 11 by "Land" (sea) shipping. Since most of my customers order all 4 promos, this was not going to help much anyway. He finally sent the balance of my order July 3rd. By this time, I realized he had shipped the first parcel by Land, and I told him I needed my Smurfs by Air, as many customers were patiently waiting. On July 7th, I received parcel #2. Finally, on July 20th, I received parcel #1. Anyway, to make a long story short, by the time you are reading this, all of our pre-orders will have shipped. We have a *very* limited supply of these pieces in stock now, while supplies last. Each includes a MushroomVillage.com exclusive - a glossy, color informational display card! Please see our newly added section, "2004 Aid Organization Promos" on the Featured Figurines page at MushroomVillage.com to learn more about these pieces: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-featured.html#2004helpingpromos AOL Click Here! To purchase these Smurfs while they last, please click here: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=instock&maxhits=20&keywords=newmalt&bool=AND AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 6) SCHOENWALD PROMO SERIES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The new Schoenwald promos arrived and all presales shipped in early June. I want to share a letter I received from a sharp-eyed member: "I think I may have found a mistake in the last Smurfy News.  In the article about the new Schoenwald promo, you said that they bought 5,000 blank bases and used them to make their own promos, but the number of pieces made so far seemed like too many so I added them up, and with the latest 600 pieces, 6,380 promos have been made so far!  Did I find a mistake? -Vickie Jacobson (Cromwell Indiana)" PETE REPLIES: Well, the production #'s I published are right off of a promotional flyer produced by Schoenwald, and I had been told Schoenwald purchased 5,000 blank bases initially. I did look into this after receiving your letter, however, and found that Schoenwald has indeed purchased more blank bases so that they may continue this program! Please visit the new Schoenwald Promo Smurf-a-Grams section of our Featured Figurines page to learn more about this series of promotional Smurf-a-Grams: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-featured.html#schoenwald AOL Click Here! To purchase this and other Schoenwald Smurfs, click here: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=instock&maxhits=20&keywords=schoenwald&go=Find+it&bool=AND AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 7) LICENSING PRIMER =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Before I report on my visit to the 2004 NYC Licensing Show, let me provide a brief background for those unfamiliar with licensing. Here are a few excerpts that appeared in the June 17, 2004 New York Newsday, Business & Technology section in an article titled "Licensing Convention - Face It, Fame Pays Big" (by Lauren Walker)... Please visit The Archive at MushroomVillage.com to read the remainder of this article: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-article041.html =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 8) 2004 NYC LICENSING SHOW REPORT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- This is my report of my visit to the 2004 NYC Licensing Show, where the owners of various characters seek to develop relationships that will lead to licensing agreements. IMPS was there, marketing the Smurfs characters, including Peyo's daughter Veronique, who is the owner of IMPS. She was not at the booth during my visit, so I did not get to meet her... Please visit The Archive at MushroomVillage.com to read the remainder of this article: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-article039.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 9) A FINE BLUE LINE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- IMPS was distributing a neat informational folder to the trade at the show, but ran out very early on day one. Luckily, I was there early enough to get a copy, and I have copied the text of it to the MushroomVillage.com archive! Please follow this link to read it: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-article038.html AOL Click here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 10) SMURFS COMEBACK? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here's another original article I wrote for the MushroomVillage.com archive recently: "July, 2004 - Look around you: Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, My Little Pony - the 80's revival is in full swing, but where are the Smurfs? The Smurfs were 80's icon, the most widely marketed licensed character of the decade - can they really have an 80's revival without them?" Please visit The Archive at MushroomVillage.com to read the remainder of this article: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-article040.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 11) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Let's get right to our lucky winners, shall we? Congratulations BOB WEST of Windsor Locks, Connecticut! You were our first winner drawn! Bob did not specify a preferred prize, so I awarded him the prize that was requested most often; the die-cast Ertyl vehicle "Aero-Smurf" - A cute fellow flying a yellow biplane! He's winging his way on over to you right now Bob! Congratulations PAULA LEWIS of Byford, West Australia, Australia! You were our second winner drawn! HEY! Wait a minute! didn't Paula just win? Yup!! BUT, winning does not preclude you from entering future contests! What luck you have Paula! Here's what Paula had to say with her entry: "I know I just won the discus smurf, but the excitement and dancing around the house like an escaped mental patient that I did was just too much fun, I have to try again and again to get that feeling back! Your newsletter was great this month. I did not know of Suzanne or what she did for us Smurfies but it brought tears to my eyes the way you talked of her. She must have been something special. You truly are a nice guy who does us such an invaluable service. If by some chance I win I would love the well play set, but even so, I am so happy with anything you toss my way! Thanks again for the discus smurf, I haven't received him yet, but each day I race to the gate when I hear the mailman coming (he probably thinks I'm an escaped mental patient HA LOL). Thanks Pete." Well Paula, if I remember right, you also had very kind things to say last time :) I promise the drawing is done completely randomly using results from Random.org. The comments sent in with submissions do not add any weight to the entry (that wouldn't be Smurfy!), but I do love to read them, so please keep it up members! Australia is a bit of a trip from New York, but I imagine the Discus Smurf you won in April is enjoying your company right now, and soon he'll have a well to wet his whistle after those strenuous workouts! Oh look, Paula replied to her winner notification before this issue went to press, so let's see what she had to say! "Oh my God! - no way!!!! That's just sooo fantastic! I'm so excited - I can't wait to see it, I've not seen that one before. Pete you're the best! I can't believe it, I am blown away! You rock mate! It's so hard to get Smurfs here in Australia, a few people have collections and they don't let them go, and the ones I do find are chewed by a dog or missing bits. I am soooo appreciative! It really makes my day, my week, my year. Thanks Pete, you do us smurf fans the greatest service, I am forever a huge fan of yours. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Die hard smurf fan - Paula (Byford, Australia)" Is this is our first 2-time winner? Let's go for 3 Paula, GOOD LUCK! And remember, if you have won in the past readers, that's OK, please play again! Congratulations IAN NOAH of Culver City, California! You were our third winner drawn! Our last prize is 20936 Millennium Smurf and he's on his way to you right now! OK, now for our new prizes! Our first prize is 20409 Patriot, and it's the first-run edition with the light blue flag! This is the first Smurf to appear with the CE marking, and appropriate too, as he holds the European Community flag! He is valued at $35 on MushroomVillage.com when mint, but he has a slight paint rub on the nose... Our second prize is a 20473 Hiker Schoenwald Promo Smurf-a-Gram! These were produced in March 2004, in a limited edition of 600 pieces. MushroomVillage.com currently values him at $15 mint, although this piece also has a nose rub. Our third prize is the Western play set - Yup, the whole thing! Wagon, snail and Smurf. Even the accessories - Cactus, barrel, fireplace, pot and wood for the fire! The cowboy that comes with this set is available *only* with this set! MushroomVillage.com values this play set at $15 when MIB, but this prize is out of the box. By the way, I'd say it's worth more now, since that was the in-production price, and this piece has been discontinued. So, that's our prizes this time! Please use our Super Secret Contest Entry Form - only Smurfy News subscribers are given this link! Be sure to tell me what your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd picks are! The first winner drawn gets their 1st choice. The second winner gets their choice of the remainder, and the third winner gets whatever is left! If a winner does not specify a preference, they will receive whichever prize remains that was most requested!! Here's the form: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/contestform.html AOL Click Here THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE SMURFY NEWS!! =-=-=-=-=-=- 12) CLOSING =-=-=-=-=-=- Well, Smurfs all folks! Was this issue a doozy or what? I hope you enjoyed it! Well, this is the part where I beg you to contribute to your club! Please hit "reply" to share with me! Do you know of a source for bulk vintage Smurfs or Smurfabilia you can put me in touch with? Have you seen anything Smurfy lately, especially something new and Smurfy for sale? Do you know any Smurfy info or rumors? I am especially interested in developing contacts that are/were in some way connected to Smurfs - particularly those that might have some knowledge to share that collectors would be interested in. Do you have any personal stories to share about Smurfs or your collections? Do you know of, or can you share, an article or cartoon that involves the Smurfs for The Archives? PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I'm sorry, I may not be able to reply to all mail, but all of it is saved for use in future issues of the Smurfy News! Your interest and contributions form the backbone of MushroomVillage.com and the Smurfy News, as it did the Smurf Collectors Club Intl. before us. As Suzanne always said, "Sharing is Caring!" and this is exactly what she meant! Care enough to share what you can with your fellow members, and you ensure that the Smurfy fun continues! I want to remind old members, and tell new members, that they can visit the Smurfy News archives at MushroomVillage.com and catch up with back issues you may have missed. I am inviting you to download the files right to your computer for your own reference in the future. Print them out, there's a lot of good info in there! Here's a link to the archive: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-smurfynews.html#archive AOL Click Here! Well, that about does it! Keep enjoying Smurfs, good luck in all your Smurfy efforts, and SMURF ON!!! -Pete www.MushroomVillage.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=- 'SMALL PRINT' =-=-=-=-=-=-=- The "Smurfy News" is NOT free! To continue your subscription you must introduce another to the joys of Smurfs and Smurf collecting - kids make great targets! Remember, you're on your honor! The Smurfy News is never sent as spam. All recipients request, then confirm their subscriptions. We never give, sell, share or distribute your subscription e-mail address in anyway, or use it for any reason other than to deliver the Smurfy News to you. 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 (especially for you!) 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. 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) 2004 MushroomVillage.com All rights reserved. Please do not reprint or host our materials on your website without our explicit written permission.