The Smurfs Collection: how to start, value and complete your collection of figurines
The Smurfs Collection: how to start, value and complete your collection of figurines
TL;DR – The Smurfs collection spans over 60 years of production, from the Schleich PVC figures of the 1960s to the Fariboles resin figures, each numbered to 100 pieces. To get off to a good start: choose a focus, learn how to assess a piece’s condition, and rely on reliable valuation sources such as LastDodo rather than rough estimates.
Why collect Smurf figurines?
Peyo created the Smurfs in 1958 in the pages of *Spirou*. Since then, the licence has been in constant use – and this is precisely what makes the Smurf collection so extensive and multi-layered.
The global rights holder, historically IMPS (International Merchandising, Promotion & Services), founded by Véronique Culliford, Peyo’s daughter, rebranded the organisation as the Peyo Company in June 2024. This name change does not alter the fundamental reality: every official figurine is subject to a licence issued by this organisation. This is what distinguishes an authentic item from a generic product, and it is the first criterion that any serious collector checks.
The collector community is active, international and well-organised. Facebook groups, specialist forums and comic book conventions such as Angoulême and the Brussels Comic Con serve as regular meeting points. Franco-Belgian comics have the distinctive feature of generating genuine cultural heritage value: Peyo’s comic books are included in library collections, and the characters are taught about in Belgian schools. The figurines are not merely toys – they are the physical embodiment of a cultural heritage.
Where should you start with your Smurfs collection?
The first mistake a beginner makes is wanting to collect everything. With several hundred items listed on LastDodo for Schleich figures alone, this is a financial and logistical dead end.
Choosing a focus is the most important decision. Here are a few practical suggestions:
- The main characters – Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Gargamel: easy-to-find items, ideal for getting started without any pressure.
- The supporting characters – Poet Smurf, Big Eater, Sassette: rarer, more challenging to find, but also more rewarding when you do.
- Limited editions – Fariboles resin figures, large-scale Plastoy/Collectoys: numbered pieces with certificates, which form a coherent and valuable collection.
- Vintage PVC – Schleich and Bully from the 1960s–1980s: a world unto itself, with its own variations, geographical markings (W. Germany, Portugal) and rare, highly sought-after Smurf figurines.
New or pre-owned? There’s a case to be made for both. New items guarantee perfect condition and traceability. Pre-owned items provide access to out-of-print pieces – but require you to be able to read a listing, identify an original box and verify a certificate. For out-of-print limited-edition Smurfs, pre-owned is often the only option.
Starting budget. This varies enormously depending on the direction you choose. A standard Schleich PVC figurine can be found for just a few euros. A Fariboles resin figure, numbered to 100 pieces, is in a completely different price bracket. It’s better to set a monthly budget and stick to it, rather than making an impulse purchase that throws everything off balance.
The main families of Smurf figurines you should know about
Schleich and Bully PVC figurines (1960s–1990s)
This forms the historical base of any Smurf collection. Schleich (Germany) and Bully produced hundreds of soft PVC models, generally around 5.5 cm in size. The first series, numbered from 20,001 onwards, date back to the 1960s. Variations in marking – W. Germany, Portugal, Comic Non Toxico – are indicators of age and rarity. It is within this group that we find the Smurf figurines most sought after by vintage collectors.
High-quality resin by Fariboles
Fariboles Productions, a Normandy-based workshop founded in 1993, is currently the leading name for collectable resin Smurf figurines. Each piece is hand-sculpted, hand-painted, numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity under official licence from the Peyo Company. The print run is very limited – often between 100 and 500 pieces, depending on the piece. Fariboles figurines are now the benchmark for collectors looking to invest for the long term.
Plastoy and Collectoys (large-scale resin)
Plastoy and its Collectoys range offer larger resin statuettes, often measuring around 20 to 35 cm. Less rare than Fariboles, they offer good value for money for collectors looking for resin figurines without the constraints of a limited print run. Some pieces are also numbered.
Vintage figurines en plomb
Less well known to the general public, painted lead figurines were produced in the early decades of the franchise. They are now rare on the market, often in poor condition, and are aimed at highly specialised collectors. The difference compared to PVC is immediately noticeable to the touch: lead is heavy and cold, and the finishes are less precise than those of modern productions.
How do you value a Smurf figurine?
No figure without a source. That’s the basic rule. Here are the criteria that determine a piece’s value, and the tools to assess it correctly.
Key criteria:
- Condition – a figurine with no chipped paint, no scratches and no breaks is worth significantly more than a damaged piece. With vintage PVC figurines, discolouration and signs of wear are common.
- The original box – whether or not the box is present, and its condition. For Fariboles, the box bears the logo, the reference number and the licence details.
- The certificate of authenticity – essential for limited-edition resin figures. Without a certificate, the value drops and authenticity cannot be guaranteed.
- Numbering – the number engraved on the piece must match the number on the certificate. Any discrepancy is an immediate red flag.
- The print run – 100 pieces or 500 pieces are not equally rare. The lower the print run, the greater the pressure on the Smurf price.
- Age – a coin from the 1960s in good condition is inherently rarer than a more recent issue.
Reliable sources for valuation:
- LastDodo – the go-to catalogue for Smurf figurines. The site lists hundreds of items with indicative prices based on transactions within the community. It’s the essential starting point for the Smurf price guide.
- Completed sales on eBay and Delcampe – the prices displayed are meaningless; it is the sales that have actually been completed that count. Filtering by ‘completed sales’ on eBay gives a realistic picture of the market at the time of your search.
- Bedetheque – useful for listed comic book titles and merchandise, as a complement to valuation sources.
The Smurf figurines most sought after by collectors
The Cracoucass
We’ve dedicated an article to it: Le Cracoucass is the most iconic Fariboles figurine in the Smurfs collection, and its product page can be found here. A run of 500 pieces, released in 2012, sculpted by Pascal Rodier. Long out of stock from the publisher. This piece embodies everything that makes a limited-edition Smurf figurine so valuable: a cult character, a collaboration between Peyo and Franquin, a low print run, and high-quality resin.
Grossbouf
The Grossbouf Smurf is a Fariboles figurine made from polychrome resin, sculpted by Alban Ficat and released in 2011 with a run of just 100 pieces. Sold out from the manufacturer. Grossbouf is a secondary character in the Peyo universe, which explains both his rarity in terms of print run and the interest he attracts from collectors looking for something other than the main characters.
Poet Smurf
The Poet Smurf also featured in a Fariboles resin edition, released in 2018, with a run of 100 pieces. An endearing character, often underestimated by newcomers, but highly sought after by collectors who are familiar with Peyo’s universe. Its availability on the secondary market is extremely limited.
Sassette
Sassette is one of the few Smurfettes in the universe – a little red-haired Smurf created by Gargamel. Her rarity as an official figurine stems both from the uniqueness of the character and the small print runs of the pieces dedicated to her. Collectors looking to complete their collection of female characters from the Smurfs universe are actively on the hunt for her.
Papa Smurf and Smurfette
Papa Smurf and Smurfette are the most widely represented characters across all ranges – Schleich PVC, Fariboles resin, Plastoy. However, certain specific variants (vintage colourways, limited print runs, numbered editions) remain rare and highly sought-after items. Smurfette, in particular, generates a very high volume of searches, reflecting the public’s fondness for this character.
Building your collection: top tips
Keep an eye out for Fariboles releases. The workshop announces its new items on its official website and social media channels. Stocks sell out quickly – sometimes within a few hours for highly anticipated characters. Subscribing to the newsletter or enabling alerts is essential.
Join collectors’ networks. Facebook groups dedicated to Smurf figurines, forums such as Bluedwarfs or Pixietcie, and LastDodo communities are spaces where information circulates about private sales, value estimates and warnings about fakes.
Attend comic book conventions. Angoulême, Brussels Comic Con, and regional conventions: publishers sometimes present exclusive items or previews there. It’s also an opportunity to meet other collectors and negotiate trades.
Use specialist retailers. Shops specialising in collectable comic book figurines offer a guarantee that generalist marketplaces cannot provide: verified authenticity, condition checks and expert advice. For rare items, this is often the only secure channel. For example, browse our full range of The Smurfs statuettes or, more broadly, our selection of collectable comic book figurines.
FAQ
How do I start a Smurfs collection without getting overwhelmed?
Start by choosing a specific focus: main characters, vintage PVC figures or limited edition resin pieces. Don’t try to collect everything straight away. Set a monthly budget, sign up for alerts from publishers such as Fariboles, and consult LastDodo to understand the market before making your first purchase.
How do you value a Smurf figurine?
Cross-reference several sources: LastDodo’s indicative valuations, actual sale prices (not listed prices) on eBay and Delcampe, and the community’s opinions on specialist forums. Condition, the presence of the original box and the certificate of authenticity are the three factors that most significantly affect a piece’s value.
Which rare Smurf is most sought-after by collectors?
In Fariboles resin, the Cracoucass (500 pieces, 2012) and the Grossbouf (100 pieces, 2011) are among the hardest to find. In vintage PVC, certain Schleich variants from the 1960s marked ‘W. Germany’ are also highly sought-after. Rarity always depends on the production run, age and condition.
What is the difference between a lead figurine and a resin figurine?
Lead was the material used in the early decades of the Smurfs licence. These figurines are heavy, have a less precise finish, and are often in poor condition after decades. Resin is the material used in modern, high-end productions (Fariboles, Plastoy/Collectoys): it is lighter, more detailed and more durable over time if well preserved. Both have their own market, but they do not appeal to the same collectors.
Where can you buy an official Smurf figurine?
From specialist retailers of collectable comic book figurines authorised by Peyo Company (formerly IMPS), directly from the Fariboles website for items still in stock, or on marketplaces such as Delcampe and eBay for the second-hand market – always checking the certificate of authenticity and ensuring the numbering is consistent before making any purchase.
For nostalgia enthusiasts, our guide to vintage Smurf marbles (Schleich and Bully PVC figurines from the 1970s and 1980s) perfectly complements this exploration of contemporary resin editions. And if you’re just starting your collection, our beginner’s guide to collecting comic book figurines will take you through it step by step.
