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DUPUIS SMURFS
The very first Smurf figurines were not made by Schleich. Hard to believe, but true! If you want the full story on the original Smurfs, read on! |
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| DUPUIS SMURFS |
What are Dupuis Smurfs?
Dupuis Smurfs are the very first Smurf figurines ever made. Dupuis Smurfs were manufactured from 1958 until 1966 and were made out of latex.
Dupuis Smurfs began as promotional merchandise for a magazine. Spirou magazine, under editor Jean Dupuis, began producing comic book toys in 1957. It didn't take long for the Smurfs to get into the act. In November 1958, The Smurfs very first vinyl figurine was created, although it wasn't a Smurf at all - it was Peewee! Peewee was actually more popular than the Smurfs at the time, so it made sense that he would be the first character released. | 
Dupuis Smurf Figurines |
In December 1959, the 2-inch Papa Smurf, Normal Smurf and Angry Smurf latex figurines were released. These first three Smurfs feel similar, but not identical to the PVC used later on by Schleich and other manufacturers. In 1963, Johan became a figurine. In 1964, a larger 6-inch Normal Smurf was offered for sale. The Smurfs kept growing, and finally in 1965 a giant 1-foot Normal Smurf was produced. 1965 also saw the release of two other 6-inch Smurfs - Papa Smurf and Angry Smurf. During Easter of 1966, King Smurf (with a cape) was released and later on in 1966 five Smurf keychain figurines were available as well. Dupuis Smurf figures were sold almost everywhere French comics were available including Belgium, the Netherlands, and France.
Dupuis Smurf Markings
Dupuis Smurf Figurine and Markings
Dupui Smurf Markings
| In this picture, you will find that a Dupuis Smurf has the raised letters "DUPUIS" marked on the back of his head. The letters run lengthwise across the back of the Smurf hat.
In the second picture, you'll note the spelling of DUPUIS is missing the S, spelling just DUPUI - a stamp which you'll find from time to time on these figures.
Dupuis Smurf figurines are made out of latex and because of this fact feel slightly different from traditional PVC Smurf figurines.
Over time, many Smurf keychains have unfortunately had their keychain detach from the figurine itself. Because so many keychains have "detached", it is unknown if Prisoner or Gold Smurfs were actually available as standard 2" figurines.
So what happened to Dupuis Smurf figurines? In a word - Schleich. Schleich started making Smurf figurines out of PVC in 1965 and by the early 1970's no new Dupuis figurines were made. |
List of Dupuis Smurfs
2" Dupuis Smurf Figurines
- Peewee [1958]
- Papa Smurf [1959]
- Normal Smurf [1959]
- Angry Smurf [1959]
- Johan [1963]
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6" Dupuis Smurf Figures
- Normal Smurf [1964]
- Papa Smurf [1965]
- Angry Smurf [1965]
- King Smurf (with cape) [1966]
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Dupuis Keychain Figures
- Papa Smurf
- Normal Smurf
- Angry Smurf
- Prisoner Smurf
- Gold Smurf
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1' Dupuis Figures
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Dupuis-Union Smurfs
In the late 1960s / early 1970s, after the Dupuis line of Smurfs had debuted, a series of crude and poorly painted Smurf figurines were made with the markings "PEYO (C) &ED DUPUIS-UNION".
Dupuis-Union Smurfs are made out of a harder material than regular Smurfs. These Dupuis Union Smurfs are notable for their low-quality appearance and the fact that the paint rubs off very easily.
Dupuis Union figurines seem to still be plentiful in Belgium, making them relatively easy to find there. | 
Dupuis Union Smurf |
Although Dupuis Union Smurfs appear to be unlicensed, they are apparently legitimate commercial products based on Schleich molds from 1972 / 1973. They were given away as promotional items.
The Dupuis-Union Smurfs include: Papa Smurf (20001), Drummer Smurf (20009), Judge Brainy Smurf (20016), Vanity Smurf (20017), Smurfette (20034), and Naughty Smurf (20077).
List of Dupuis Union Smurfs
- Judge Brainy Smurf
- Cheeky Smurf
- Smurfette
- Drummer Smurf
- Vanity Smurf
- Papa Smurf
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ED Dupuis-Union Markings
Dupuis-Union Smurfs |
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The Smurfs will return after these messages:
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| | | | | | | | | | SMURF FIGURINES: Regular Smurfs: 20001-20102, 20103-20204, 20205-20474, 20475-20728, Christmas Smurfs (Gold Cord), Easter Smurfs, Historical Smurfs, Super Smurfs, Smurf Buildings, Smurf Houses and Cottages, Smurf Playsets, Smurf-a-Grams
PROMO SMURFS: Kinder Smurfs, Hardees Smurfs, McDonalds, AH Smurfs, AH Boardgame, SCCI Smurfs, Jubilee, OMO Smurfs
FAKE SMURFS: Fake Smurfs, Knock-Off Smurfs, Is this a Smurf?, Alfred J. Kwak, Comics No Toxico, Unlicensed Smurf Basics, Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Astrosniks, Snorks
SMURF BASICS: How are Smurf figurines made?, Different Types of Smurfs, Bully Smurfs, Dupuis Smurfs, Hering, Muster Smurfs, Raw Smurfs, Minimodels Smurfs, How to Collect Smurfs
SMURF COLLECTOR BOOKS: Smurfs Around the World, Der Schlumpf Katalog and Lindenberger
Smurf Price Guide, Rarity Guide, Top 5 Rare Smurfs, Create a Smurf Checklist. |
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