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Author
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Topic: TV Tray Qusetion. Rare Find
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synagod
Baby Smurf
Member # 9004
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posted 06-17-2024 02:51 PM
I found a TV tray that I can't find anywhere else and need help. It appears to be a "Tall" TV tray. Ive seen many "Lap" Tv trays but this one is different. It has the tube clips like the tall tv trays. Dimensions seem consistent with the lap trays. Anyone else seen these or interested in purchasing this for your collection. No legs.
Posts: 3 | From: Birmingham , AL | Registered: Jun 2024
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Peazjelly
Super Smurf
Member # 3101
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posted 06-17-2024 06:38 PM
The "Dinner with Papa" Smurf tray can be found in the Smurf Trays section, complete with legs. There is also a full description of the tray and physical dimensions.
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__It's PeazJelly Time
Posts: 432 | From: SC | Registered: Feb 2010
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synagod
Baby Smurf
Member # 9004
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posted 06-17-2024 06:58 PM
Wrong. All the trays listed on this site are the "lap" trays with folding legs. None have the type of clips on them in previous pics. All other trays I've seen on this site and elsewhere have this style bottom:
The clips on the original post tray are designed for this type of tall tv tray:
Notice the difference in the rivet position.
Posts: 3 | From: Birmingham , AL | Registered: Jun 2024
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Sassette
Moderator
Member # 2
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posted 06-18-2024 07:02 AM
THE SMURFS TV TRAYS
Smurf TV, Bed and Play Tray - Yellow Lap Tray - Papa Smurf Eating
Smurf TV, Bed and Play Tray - Smurfette Lap Tray
Smurf TV, Bed and Play Tray - Blue Lap Tray - Smurf & Smurfette
Smurf TV, Bed and Play Tray - Blue Lap Tray - Smurf & Smurfette (Folding Legs)
There are three designs of these metal Smurfs TV trays from the 1980s: 1) SMURF - Papa Smurf Eating, 2) SMURF - Smurf & Smurfette and 3) SMURFETTE. In terms of rarity, the most common one is the blue Smurf tray, less common is the yellow tray and the hardest one to find is the Smurfette tray. These trays rust over the years so that also factors into the value as well.
The trays were a "Special offer" and called a "TV Bed and Play Tray" with short "folding legs" made for your lap. Shown here are all three designs in the original sealed plastic wrap. Made by MarshAllan Products Inc. from Cleveland Ohio in the 1980s.
As for the legs, these Smurf trays typically have the metal rivets attaching the metal legs. It is interesting to see the white plastic rivets. That white leg attachment style (clip-on) is often seen on tall TV trays. I wonder if short folding legs (for lap trays) originally came with that white attachment style as well? Too bad there are no legs or original packaging with the white rivet tray to help solve this mystery. I would be curious to know if MarshAllan also made the white rivet version.
 Smurf Trays
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Have a smurfy day!
Posts: 4171 | From: Smurfingland | Registered: Jul 1999
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Sassette
Moderator
Member # 2
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posted 06-18-2024 10:29 AM
The Smurfs TV Tray - Depicts Smurfs Eating Supper
This Smurfs TV Tray with Papa Smurf seated in the center of the long table eating with his fellow Smurfs always makes me think of the famous "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci. Check out the Smurf version of The Last Supper HERE.
The Smurfs Famous Paintings Recreations
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Have a smurfy day!
Posts: 4171 | From: Smurfingland | Registered: Jul 1999
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Peazjelly
Super Smurf
Member # 3101
Member Rated:
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posted 06-23-2024 11:10 PM
Who made the Smurf trays? Ohio's MarshAllan Products Inc.
MarshAllan Products was a company that made patio tables, BBQ grills, kids snack and play tray tables, and even customized trays for presidential inaugurations.
The company was run by twin brothers Marshall T. Bedol and Alan Bedol. The twins' father called the pair "MarshAllan" which explains the origin of the company name. Marshall and Alan ran the company with younger brother Justin.
On Feb 26, 1964, Marshall Bedol filed a patent for a convertible folding snack table and bed-tray - like the Smurf trays featured in this thread.
The Bedols sold MarshAllan in 1989 to Kay Home Products, a division of the company ParkOhio.
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__It's PeazJelly Time
Posts: 432 | From: SC | Registered: Feb 2010
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synagod
Baby Smurf
Member # 9004
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posted 06-24-2024 06:43 AM
I do not see a manufacturers mark. Is there something in particular I should be looking for? The Peyo copyright is dated 1982.
PS. This tray would be of the "convertible folding snack table" variety that you mentioned in your post. However I cannot find any other examples online of this style tray.
I see many of the "bed-tray or lap-tray" variety online.
Posts: 3 | From: Birmingham , AL | Registered: Jun 2024
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Peazjelly
Super Smurf
Member # 3101
Member Rated:
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posted 06-25-2024 01:17 AM
MarshAllan Convertible Folding Snack Table and Bed-Tray Patent Document
MarshAllan's patent is interesting because it is combination bed / lap tray (with riveted hinges and built in small legs) and a folding snack tray (with the clamping support frame / long legs).
The extant Smurf TV Bed and Play Trays all feature the eight inner rivets used to secure the bed / lap hinges and legs. There are no outer rivets for the clamping support frame and long legs (tray table style). MarshAllan did not print or stamp their name into the known Smurf TV Bed and Play trays.
Your Smurf tray appears to have only the clamping support frame for a tray table (along with the eight outer rivets). There are no inner rivets for the bed / lap hinges and legs.
It would help greatly to see the original stand / legs as well as the packaging. Typically, tables of this sort are sold as sets, so there should be many more of these in existence. As it is, there are no other instances of this style of Smurf tray table with stand.
In addition, I have never seen packaging describing this type of Smurf tray table. This Smurf table stand remains a curiosity.
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__It's PeazJelly Time
Posts: 432 | From: SC | Registered: Feb 2010
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