finds out the
true value of Smurfs
Courier Mail Newspaper (3/7/06)
��I often get asked why I collect Smurfs � I have no idea,�� he says.
��I was off work for a year and it was out of boredom that I turned to it.��
Smurfs were once popular amongst children but are now worth a lot of money � the most valuable are three Christmas prototypes sold in January 2001 on eBay in Germany � the ��Christmas Smurf with Stocking�� sold for $US2687 ($A3680), the ��Christmas Angel Smurf�� sold for $US2585 and the ��Christmas Bellringer Smurf�� sold for $US2500.
According to Dyar, the basic collection of regulars and supers is estimated to be around 6500 euro or $A11,000.
Dyar, 32, remembers the exact date he bought his first one for his current collection of more than 4000. ��I found some in a second-hand shop and I bought two of them on October 21, 2003,�� he says. ��And then I wanted to replace the music ones I had in my original collection and my fiancee suggested I try eBay.
��Sure enough they had a stack of them and from then I kept going.��
Consisting of regular, super (with accessories), promo figures, raws (unpainted), fake raws, fakes and other miscellaneous figures and houses he estimates his collection is worth between $50,000 and $100,000.
Dyar says the value of Smurfs is mainly determined by rarity.
��Some Smurfs were released every year for 28 years,�� he says.
��Others might have only been released in one country or one year so there are only a limited number.��
Condition is important too � he says a lot of the older Smurfs would be damaged and the main thing that reduces value is paint loss.
��If you can get a figure that is mint and still in packaging, it is obviously much more valuable. It drops by half if you don�t have packaging for a lot of items. Don�t tamper with anything, don�t take anything off, keep it as you bought it to sustain value.��
Dyar�s dream is to one day make it to Belgium (where Smurfs originated) for the annual collectors fair, Smurf Passion.
In 2008 the first movie in a Smurfs trilogy will be released to coincide with their 50th anniversary.
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