WHAT is My Little Pony?
My
Little Pony is a colourful toy animal made in vinyl, with brushable
mane and tail, and typically a symbol on her rumps that identifies her.
MLPs come in different designs and types, including 'regular' (or
'earth') Ponies, male or 'boy' Ponies (larger and with hairy hooves),
Sea Ponies (ponies similar to sea horses, but with brushable manes),
Unicorns (i.e. single-horned ponies), Pegasi (i.e. winged ponies), and
their respective
babies, as well as less common types, including Flutter Ponies and
Wingers (various sorts of smaller ponies with delicate fairy or
butterfly wings), Sister Ponies (teenage-like ponies), Mermaids and
non-pony Friends (humans and other animals).
WHO made them?
My Little Pony was and still is produced by Hasbro, a large American toy and game
company (second only to Mattel). It has been rumored that they lost the
rights to the original MLP line from the 80s, but Hasbro claims
otherwise. Find out more about the history of Hasbro from the official
website: The History of Hasbro Inc.
.WHEN?
The patent was filed in August 1981 and granted two years later. The
toy line was first mass-produced in 1982 and lasted in the US for about
ten years, while in Europe they lasted longer. The last European sets were advertised in 1995 (Dutch
exclusives).
In 1997 the My Little Pony line was re-designed (the so-called G2 ponies, i.e. 'generation 2') but these new ponies (smaller, with thinner bodies and "jewel" eyes and much less variety in types) didn't have as much success as the original line from the '80. Thus, the second line was soon discontinued in the US, while in Europe the last sets came out in 2003 and for a few months cohexisted with the first ponies of the third, current line (G3 ponies).
The current line takes a step back and ponies look more similar to the early ones (chubby and short-legged, like real ponies). The first G3 ponies were mass-sold in the US in summer 2003 and within September of the same year the new ponies were available in most European countries as well.
In 1997 the My Little Pony line was re-designed (the so-called G2 ponies, i.e. 'generation 2') but these new ponies (smaller, with thinner bodies and "jewel" eyes and much less variety in types) didn't have as much success as the original line from the '80. Thus, the second line was soon discontinued in the US, while in Europe the last sets came out in 2003 and for a few months cohexisted with the first ponies of the third, current line (G3 ponies).
The current line takes a step back and ponies look more similar to the early ones (chubby and short-legged, like real ponies). The first G3 ponies were mass-sold in the US in summer 2003 and within September of the same year the new ponies were available in most European countries as well.
WHERE?
Back in the '80
Hasbro licensed factories in several countries of the world to make
ponies for local distribution. There were factories in South America,
Asia, Europe and South Africa, but most of them only produced ponies
for a limited time. As a matter of fact, most MLPs are made in Hong
Kong or China (including all G2 ponies and G3 ponies). A pony's country
of make is usually indicated on her hooves. Sometimes, however, it may
be missing.
For further information please visit the Countries of Make page.
For further information please visit the Countries of Make page.
WHY collecting MLPs?
They are cute - pretty to display and fun to play with!
They are addicting - so many different ones (hundreds of them!) to collect!
They are suitable for any age and budget - they go from the fairly inexpensive to the super-rare!
Last but not the least, there's so much to find out about them. That's why I personally chose variants as my field of specialization. While reading and surfing Once upon a Rainbow I hope you'll feel the thrill of this never-ending quest and that they'll grow on to you as well. Welcome to the world of My Little Pony collecting!
They are addicting - so many different ones (hundreds of them!) to collect!
They are suitable for any age and budget - they go from the fairly inexpensive to the super-rare!
Last but not the least, there's so much to find out about them. That's why I personally chose variants as my field of specialization. While reading and surfing Once upon a Rainbow I hope you'll feel the thrill of this never-ending quest and that they'll grow on to you as well. Welcome to the world of My Little Pony collecting!