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2002 Smurfs Marching Band / rare whole set new/
In 2002 Schleich released a Marching Band that consisted of 12 different smurfs. This set has remained one of my favourites since Schleich started releasing themed sets since 2002.
There are a number of things that makes this set a favourite amongst collectors. So if you adore your smurfs these are ones that should be on your most wanted list especially if you can get all twelve.
The first thing you notice with each of the smurfs released as part of the Marching Band is the attention detail given to their uniforms. All of them are wearing a red jacket, navy blue pants with a gold stripe, (except for Smurfette who wears a skirt) and each have a navy blue peak on his white smurf hat. The red jacket also includes gold frogging on it.
The smurfs can also be found with light blue matte skin. It was never released with shiny blue paint like other smurfs released around this time.
The other thing you notice is their expression on their faces while they play their instruments. Little things like a bead of sweat on the cheek of the smurf playing the tuba.
We also can see popular smurf characters within the Marching Band such as Brainy, Smurfette and Papa Smurf.
Also if you are lucky you can find slight unintentional mould variances with some of the smurfs. Good examples of these include Papa Conductor with his held in slightly different positions such as to the side or titled back. I have also seen MB Trumpeter with his head titled back so that it looks like his trumpet is held quite high.
When the Marching band was released in 2002 it was sold with the markingsSchleich S Germany Made in China (c) 2001 Peyo CE + blue paint dot.
Sadly the Marching band was discontinued by the end of 2003. This was a surprise to many as it was always seemed to be extremely popular.
Around 2007 a French magazine was released that included a bonus smurf. The magazine was calledJe collection les Schtroumpfs and five Marching Band smurfs were included as part of the promotion. Sadly the magazine is no longer in production.
All five released were painted in bright gold colours and did not include any blue paint dots under their feet.
The Marching Band included the following twelve smurfs:
MB Trumpeter (ref #20479), MB Tenor Horn (ref# 20480), MB French Horn (ref# 20483), MB Trombone (ref#20484), MB Saxophone (ref# 20485), MB Clarinet (ref# 20486), MB Flute (ref#20487), MB Tuba (ref# 20488), MB Snare Drummer (ref # 20493), MB Bass Drummer (ref# 20494), MB Cymbals (ref# 20495) and Papa Conductor (ref# 20496)
Je collection les Schtroumpfs Marching Band smurfs were the following:MB Trumpeter, MB French Horn, MB Clarinet, MB Snare Drummer and MB Bass Drummer.
Since 2002 Schleich has continued to release a themed set each year. In my opinion this is the best one to date as everyone admires a really good Marching Band.
Keep on Smurfin
