Blue Cavern

Hi Everyone

I am in the process of updating my collection and notes on regular PVC smurfs and require some assistance.

From my understanding there has been changes made over the years to the CE marking. First it was CE hand etched, small CE, medium sized thin CE and then the current large thick CE. Firstly is this correct?

If so what years did these markings occur and for example did it come with a particular paint dot. I have some smurfs from the early 90's that have a small CE and with or without a black paint dot.

I am also looking for threads on the forum for any reference to CE markings. So far I have only found one.

I hope this all makes sense.

Best regards

Kath

Hi Kath,

I will try to answer you tomorrow.

We had the flu in the family last week and I also got it so I have had fever for 5 days now. Finally it is gone I hope. Still feel a bit weak though:)

Is anyone out there able to confirm that all smurfs made after 1990 required a CE marking?

Also if the smurfs were made before 1990 though were going to be re-issued they would be given a hand etched CE marking instead?

Thanks in advance

Is anyone out there able to confirm that all smurfs made after 1990 required a CE marking?

Also if the smurfs were made before 1990 though were going to be re-issued they would be given a hand etched CE marking instead?

Thanks in advance

Hi Kath,

Schleich started adding the printed CE in the molds during 1990. You can read about the new CE markings in the SCCI letters from then. At the same time as they started with this they also had to make something with all the smurfs already made. So those smurfs made before 1990 without the CE and still in stock got the handetched CE or just a stickers. All these 3 variations ( 1: printed CE, 2: CE "branded" after the smurf was made and 3: CE-sticker) are listed as new variations in the spring 1991 issue. Therefore not all smurfs SOLD after 1990 got the CE-marking( sometimes the stickers are lost ), but all smurfs MADE after 1990 got the CE-marking. Just like today when they added the addressmarking in 2009. In Sweden I could buy smurfs without the addressmarking still in 2011/2012, depending on how well the smurfs were selling in different stores.

The black dot started before the CE markings so the first ones sold with CE had black dot if required, depending on where it was sold.

And as you say the CE-markings were smaller in the beginning and then got bigger and thicker with time.

Hope that helps a bit.

Thank you for the information.

I would like to know if there are any threads on specific CE markings. If there isn't I will start one.

I do not think there are any threads like that.

The only ones I am aware off are
http://forum.bluecavern.com/viewtopic.php?t=12708

http://www.forum.bluecavern.com/viewtopic.php?t=12802

I don't think they are specific to the different kind of CE markings, except for the molding ones...

Thank you for the threads in regards to CE marking.

My theory is that the CE marking can be just as important as a paint dot variation. If they changed the CE marking on a smurf what else have they changed. Perhaps it could be matte to shiny paint colours used.

I will start to collate a couple of lists to get the ball rolling shortly.

Thanks

Kath