Blue Cavern

On this paper you can see that this was the first official and complete collecting catalogue for smurfs made by Schleich and they even call it a historical moment( ein Stück zeitgeschichte( I hope I translated this correct Tojo, Maureen, Stefan or other germanspeaking members))

They also tell us that they had produced 301 smurfs to that date.

But regarding the train. They tell us this was going to be released in autumn 1986 and was developed together with Märklin. So there are most certainly at least one train somewhere.

But because of the financialproblems ( you can read about them in the SCCI letters from these years on Maureens site) they dropped the train and almost half of the smurfs released 1986 comapred to 1987.

By the way I don´t know if Schleich ever made any more collecting catalogue for smurfs??? All others are made by other companies, sellers, etc?? Do any of you know anymore catalogue made by Schleich??

Andre,
is there any way you can e-mail me a high definition picture of that insert? I have the catalog but not the insert which is a bit annoying since I bought this catalog as "new".

I would like to convert the picture into a pdf file so I have it for future reference

Interesting, that they called this the first collector's catalog..it means that at least in 1986 they admitted smurfs are collectible items....I don't think they ever released another one though, so apparently they changed their mind

But regarding the train. They tell us this was going to be released in autumn 1986 and was developed together with Märklin. So there are most certainly at least one train somewhere.

Here is an old discussion with pictures of the train

http://www.forum.bluecavern.com/viewtop ... ight=train

In it, Martin stated the following

To Andre: I am told there is only 1 complete train in existence and the old old boss of Schleich has it at his house. He has been offered 15,000 euros and says no, the only way to get it is to be prised out of his dead hand!!

Maureen,

Just send me a pm with your emailaddress.

I think the reason they stopped with this was the financial problems they had in 1986. Then they cut down on all costs and probably neverwinter started with any new catalogue later. In this catalogue you also only see when the smurfs were made nothing more.

@Andre: Thank you so much for telling us about that the train never got into mass production, due to the financial problems they had at that time. I also have the catalogue, but since the insert is missing, I had no clue about the full context given in your explanation.

@Moey: Would you be so kind and pm me the pdf-file of that insert? Thank you so much in advance.

What I'd do for that train......

I suppose we could all pitch it and buy it together.. if it ever came for sale?

I have dreamt today (((again))) that it is my present for 3 kings Day...jejejejeje