Smurf Exodus: Kirkwood Collection Moves Out of Attic, Onto Market

It all started with one figurine—a Smurf holding a camera.

Keith Rawlings always had a passion for photography. When a young person with Youth in Action, a volunteer group of which Rawlings is the executive director, gave him the gag gift, it sparked something in the Kirkwood native.

It was 1983, two years after The Smurfs cartoon had made its way onto American television screens. The little blue merchandising craze was in full swing.

Since then Rawlings has collected everything Smurf-related, including puzzles, tape recorders, baby shoes, strollers, Pez dispensers (with the original candy still in them), earrings, dish sets, toothpaste and cereal.

Rawlings purchased about half the collection. The other half comprises gag gifts given to him over the years.

“Anything they made, I think I have it,” Rawlings said.

With The Smurfs movie now playing in theaters, Rawlings thought it was a perfect time to bring his collection out of his Kirkwood attic and sell the items.

“There’s a lot of excitement going on right now to see what’s out there,” Rawlings said.

The timing of the movie is serendipitous as Rawlings is looking to replace his 1990 Honda Accord, which he hopes to do with funds raised from selling the Smurf memorobilia.

Rawlings said the collection reflects items purchased for a total price of $2,200 that was last appraised at $4,000 in 1989.

So why Smurfs?

“It was a good, wholesome show,” Rawlings said. “Each episode taught a different moral lesson. And the music and color was just great.”

Through Youth in Action, Rawlings said he works with a lot of kids facing challenging situations. He said part of what attracted him to the cartoon was that despite each Smurf having a different personality, they all helped one another and worked together for the good of the group.

Rawlings said that he hopes a collector will bid on his entire inventory. But if not, he plans on selling items individually online.

Check back tomorrow for more pictures from Rawlings’ extensive collection as we Smurf down memory lane.