Shinysmurf,
here is your answer from Bullyland I recieved today from 2 different person working there:
"Dear André
Thank you very much for your message! It is great to learn that there are people in the world who give so much attention and enthusiasm to BULLYLAND, Schleich, the Smurfs and their history!
Company BULLYLAND now being under the third ownership, there are not that many people left who know the complete history. In fact, none of the original founders and staff of BULLYLAND of those times you are mentioning are still in the company nowadays.
The Museum catalogue you mention was printed in 1998 in one single edition only and had never been re-printed nor newly edited again. Company BULLYLAND's focus nowadays is to concentrate on the present and the future. Though we do understand that for collectors the facts you mention are of great importance, we need to fulfill economic goals and targets in our daily work and we feel certain that you understand the need of a company to work cost-effectively and to grow.
In any case, the Museum catalogue will not be re-printed, so unfortunately there is no chance to correct the facts. We are sorry that this might be an unsatisfactory answer for you, yet it is the only one we can offer.
We wish you continued fun with the Smurf history!
Kind regards
Barbara Kreibich
Manager International Sales&Marketing"
So basicly it is like this, Shinysmurf.
Either you believe the information given by Bully in the 70s and which you say makes sence, is the correct one.
Or you believe the information given by the company in 1998 and which don´t make sence, is the correct one.
Both are information given by the company!!