Blue Cavern

Hi,

I wonder if any of you know if the tabletennis smurf was used as a promo?

Both the tabletennis and the bodybuilder have a very unique handetched marking. We know that the first bodybuilder was sold as a promo.

I have been told that you could get the keychain already before the Schleich bancruptcy around 1985/86. You got it from the Sport Fitness mag when you bought a "eiweisspulver"( protein substance) then.

Also the first picture of the tabletennis is also a keychain.

So maybe both these were made a promotionfigurines around 1986???

But when checking the markings the tabletennis has yearmarking 87. So probably no connection. Also the style on the peyo is different.

My early keychain bodybuilder has no CE and no black dot.

I think it is very likely that this was a promo too Andre.

I have often wondered about the marking and why it was different.

If this picture is from the Schleich promo "catalogue" that you bought then there is no doubt.

Do we know a list of smurfs that were made as a promo first then released into the main collection?

Bodybuilder
Table tennis
Scholler ?

Any more?

Martin

Correct Martin,

I would guess many of the smurfs during the early years were made for a special reason or occation. National Benzole tells us about many events where they used the smurfs as a "promo" item.

Just look at the first time we see the petrolstation attendant. It has a National emblem.

Torchbearer is first called olympicsmurfs when it was sold and was most likely made with the lionemblem already then. Could have been made the same year as the large house 1976 and used already then??

Fireman as written in Another thread was made or used from the beginning for the firedepartment in Schwäbisch Gmünd.

Cardplayer ASS?

Ice lolly?

Thirsty?? Fanta?

Rugby? South Africa promotion?

First aid?

etc.

I think it is very likely that this was a promo too Andre.

I have often wondered about the marking and why it was different.

If this picture is from the Schleich promo "catalogue" that you bought then there is no doubt.

Do we know a list of smurfs that were made as a promo first then released into the main collection?

Bodybuilder
Table tennis
Scholler ?

Any more?

Martin

Table tennis was also made in different colours in the beginning which could mean that it was made for a tabletennisclub? a local club?? How knows?