G1 Pony Distribution
From My Little Wiki
(Redirected from Common)
| My Little Pony Translated |
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- Brief Background on G1 Collecting
G1 distribution is best documented in North American releases, mostly because Hasbro is a US-based company. Search engines as they are known today were virtually non-existent, and much of the earliest documented history came from US collectors sharing their knowledge through news groups, message boards, and personal websites connected by webrings in the early days of the internet.
Outside of North America, factoring in the multiple worldwide distribution regions and licensed manufacturers, the timeline becomes very muddy. Collecting outside of the US was so novel to the earliest MLP historians, and much of the information that was disseminated tended to lump everything that was not "US" into an "Other" category, most often shifting everything to the UK or Europe, at large. Though the international history has gotten better documented in the nearly 30 years since, unfortunately, misinformation is still rife withing the community.
- Terminology
My Little Wiki utilizes established collector terminology while adding new terms that increase global community accuracy. The new terms below are ordered from "most common/least expensive" to "least common/most expensive." The difficulty in categorization lies in each pony's rarity and the vast day-to-day fluctuation in value. Always remember that an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay, and list order changes frequently as regional popularity shifts up and down.
Contents
- 1 Common Ponies
- 2 European Ponies
- 3 Nirvana Ponies
- 3.1 Italian Ponies
- 3.2 Spanish Ponies
- 3.3 Mexican Ponies
- 3.4 German Ponies
- 3.5 French Ponies
- 3.6 Scandinavian and Oceanic Ponies
- 3.7 Argentinian Ponies
- 3.8 Brazilian Ponies
- 3.9 Macau Ponies
- 3.10 Peruvian Ponies
- 3.11 Dutch Ponies
- 3.12 Indian Ponies
- 3.13 Greek Ponies
- 3.14 Venezuelan Ponies
- 3.15 Colombian Ponies
- 3.16 Japanese Ponies
- 3.17 South African Ponies
- 4 Packaging
Common Ponies
Common Ponies is a term that My Little Wiki currently uses in place of terms like "US," "regular," and "non-international." The determination of which ponies are common lies primarily in distribution range and manufacturing country.
A common pony is the most common version released of any G1 pony. These ponies were likely sold in the US and Canada and were sometimes exported to other countries. Common ponies were primarily manufactured in China and Hong Kong.
- Price Range - Least Expensive
- In general, a common pony can cost as little as a few dollars, based on condition, to as much as several hundred for mail order or MIP ponies.
Ponies that are frequently flawed can fetch higher prices the closer they are to mint condition. These include:
- Glitter symbols that are prone to wear
- So Soft flocking that is often worn away on feet, ears, wings, and/or horns
- Easily broken and/or worn Flutter or Winger wings
- Mail order exclusives
- Frequently non-working Happy Tails, Dance 'n Prance, or Brush n' Grow functions
- Price Range: $ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 530
European Ponies
| Known European & Oceanic Distribution Countries |
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The term European Ponies as currently used on My Little Wiki encompasses all common releases in Europe, Oceania, and South Africa. While some of these countries did have Hasbro-licensed companies that manufactured their own ponies, European ponies refers to those that were most often made in Hong Kong or China and commonly distributed in these countries (sometimes imported from North America).
The G1 Exclusive Ponies page currently lists these ponies. Incorporating their release dates into the typical US "year system" is a challenging and ongoing project.
- Price Range - Moderate
- European ponies are most desirable to North American collectors who did not have access to them when they were sold at retail. They can sell anywhere from tens to hundreds of dollars. Ponies that are MIP and have regionally exclusive packaging can be the most desireable.
- European Countries That Did Not Have G1 MLP
- Romania
- Price Range: $$ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ TBD
Nirvana Ponies
Nirvana Ponies is a term that collectors designated to ponies that were manufactured outside of China and Hong Kong and sold outside of North America. These ponies are usually hard to find and sometimes limited in number known to exist. Some countries' ponies are more common and have an easier to trace history, as they have been known to the collecting community for many years. Others prove harder, such as newly discovered countries of manufacture. While much of the "international" G1 MLP manufacturing and distribution history is thought to be known, new ponies still pop up occasionally.
Italian Ponies
Italian Ponies are some of the most common and diverse in the Nirvana Pony world, with many different variations of characters. They can have traditionally stamped or airbrushed eyes, all of which are blue. Most will have "ITALY" imprinted on one foot.
Italian ponies were manufactured by DAG (Distribuzione Associata Giocattoli) and sold in Italy and other European countries until 1987. From 1987 on, a company called GiG pacakged and sold imported Hong Kong- and China-made ponies on Italian language cards. Italian ponies were sometimes packaged on other countries' cards, such as France and the Benelux region. MIP Italian ponies' prices are often linked to how they are packaged.
- Price Range: $ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 130
Furga Ponies
There are also three ponies produced by Italian doll manufacturer Furga. All are in the same Collectors Pose and have the same symbol. Furga ponies have no markings on their feet. They are highly sought among Nirvana collectors.
- Price Range: $$$
- Number of Toys: 3
Spanish Ponies
Spanish Ponies are ponies produced by MB Niñas under Hasbro license. They can be marked "SPAIN" under one foot or bear no country of origin at all. Little is known about their distribution, but Spanish ponies have been found secondhand throughout Europe, likely owing to Spain's popularity as a vacation destination. [1]
- Price Range: $ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 90
Piggy Ponies
Piggy Ponies were manufactured in Spain by Brekar and MB Niñas. These ponies have their own unique look and feature that sets them apart from the traditional G1 MLP appearance. Some share names and similar symbols to existing G1 characters, while others are entirely new characters. Piggy ponies got their collector-coined name from their chubby bodies and short, skinny legs. They also feature the same "sleepy eyes" that the Beddy Bye Eyes Ponies have and are the only mass produced adult G1 ponies to have this feature. While distributed in Spain, they too made their ways across the European continent and are often found in other European countries.
- Price Range: $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 33
Mexican Ponies
Mexican Ponies are perhaps the most common of the Nirvana ponies, likely due to the country's shared border with the United States. First licensed to Lilí Ledy, only the six Collector Ponies and Peachy were produced before the factory shut down in 1985. Lilí Ledy ponies are marked with the company logo on one foot and "HECHO EN MEXICO" (MADE IN MEXICO) on another. They can have flat or concave feet, and their neck seam is glued [2].
Following Lilí Ledy's closure, licensing was granted to Auriken. Auriken ponies are more common than their Lilí Ledy counterparts. They can have flat or concave feet or a combination of both and bear no manufacturer or country of origin. Some molds appear to have the maker's mark filled in or covered. Their neck seams are not glued in place. Auriken also both manufactured ponies and imported and repackaged Hong Kong- and China-made ponies for the Mexican market. [3]
- Price Range: $$ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 70
German Ponies
German Ponies do not fit the exact definition of "Nirvana Pony" because they were manufactured by Hasbro in Hong Kong or China. However, due to the rarity and desirability of some German ponies, they are commonly included in the Nirvana category. German ponies were not limited to German distribution and were also sold in Austria and possibly other European regions.
- Price Range: $$ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 35
French Ponies
French ponies were manufactured by Hasbro France and sold there as well as in other countries, including the Benelux region. They are marked "MADE IN FRANCE" on one foot. French ponies are very diverse for the amount of characters produced.
- Price Range: $$ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 35
Scandinavian Ponies and Oceanic Ponies refer to ponies distributed in Sweden/Norway and Australia, respectively. These ponies were not limited to these regions, however, and were also sometimes found in:
- Austria
- Denmark
- Finland
- Germany
- New Zealand
- South Africa
Scandinavian and Oceanic ponies were also made in Hong Kong by Hasbro, but their high desirability in the collecting community places them in the Nirvana category.
- Price Range: $$ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 20
Argentinian Ponies
Argentinian Ponies, or "Argies," are known for their bright color schemes and diverse characters, which make them very popular among collectors. They were produced by Top Toys, and some bear "ARGEN-TINA" on one foot. Argentinian ponies have one of the best-tracked histories of all Nirvana countries.
After the factory closed, it is rumored that former workers took home unfinished ponies and supplies and began making their own ponies to sell. The online market was flooded with these unconfirmed ponies in the early 2000s.
- Price Range: $$ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 135
Brazilian Ponies
Brazilian Ponies were manufactured by Estrela. They are all Earth Ponies and Pegasus Ponies and are all variations on existing common characters. Many were sold dressed in Brazilian Pony Wear. Brazilian ponies all have "Estrela" and "Made in Brazil" on their feet.
- Price Range: $$-$$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 46
Macau Ponies
Macau Ponies were produced by Arxon for the European market, including France and Germany. They were not sold in Macau, which is an autonomous region of China on its south coast.[4] Macau ponies are all in the Collectors Pose and, like Italian Ponies, all have blue eyes. All Macau-made ponies have "MACAU" on one foot, and the language on their packages is German.
- Price Range: $$ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 13
Peruvian Ponies
Peruvian Ponies were manufactured by Maxy under Hasbro license for the Peruvian market. Multiple variants of existing common characters were produced. Peruvian ponies have "HECHO EN PERU" (MADE IN PERU), "BASA," and "NOVO" on their feet.
- Price Range: $$ - $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 40
Dutch Ponies
Dutch is the catch-all term for these unique ponies. The last known G1 ponies to be distributed in 1995, they were likely not limited to The Netherlands and also sold in Germany and Austria. Dutch ponies were also not manufactured in their "home country." Instead, they were made in China. As the last known G1 ponies to be distributed, they are highly desired in the community. This elevates them to Nirvana Pony status.
There are 13 total adult and baby ponies combined, and there is no set theme. Each one's symbol is a recolored version of a previously manufactured European pony's symbol. Poesjes-Pony, or Cat Pony, has the same thermal hair as the Sunshine Ponies, setting her apart from her companions in this set.
- Price Range: $$$
- Number of Toys: 13
Indian Ponies
Indian Ponies were manufactured by Funskool, and they are sometimes also called "Funskool ponies." Only the Collector Ponies were made, but there is a known variant of Butterscotch. There is also one known "mashup" variant found in Butterscotch's colors with Blossom's symbol. All Indian ponies have "Funskool" and "MADE IN" "INDIA" on their feet.
- Price Range: $$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 8
Greek Ponies
Greek Ponies were manufactured by El Greco for the Greek MLP market. Their bright colors and soft vanilla scent make them favorites for Nirvana collectors. They bear either no hoof markings or, in the Pony Star and Paramythi Ponies, only a Greek letter on one foot to indicate the mold/pose.
It is rumored that El Greco also produced "bootleg" ponies outside of their Hasbro license for export to the Scandinavian market and burned that particular factory to the ground rather than be caught. [5] It is presumed that common ponies from the European market were sold in Greece after El Greco shut down, based on this Greek language commercial for the Rollerskates Ponies.
- Price Range: $$$ - $$$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 70
Venezuelan Ponies
Venezuelan Ponies, or "Vennies," were manufactured by Bisanti and are made up of many variants of the same 11 common characters. Unique to these ponies are the "squeaky butt" variants that have no hair and a "dog toy" squeaker where their tails should be. Venezuelan ponies' feet are flat with no markings, and their manes are rooted down to the middles of their faces. New variants are still being discovered.
- Price Range: $$$-$$$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 55
Colombian Ponies
Colombian Ponies were manufactured by Kico and feature many variants of the same nine characters. They sometimes have unique rainbow hair combinations. All Colombian ponies, like Italian ponies have blue eyes, and their eye paint is frequently in poor condition. Colombian ponies in the Collectors Pose were sometimes made using Italian molds and have "ITALY" on their feet.
All Colombian baby ponies have "MADE IN COLOMBIA" on their feet. Baby ponies are also unique in that two of the poses utilized are "mashups" of three different baby pony bodies — Baby Firefly's body with Baby Ember's head and Baby Blossom's body with Baby Firefly's head.
- Price Range: $$$-$$$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 90
Japanese Ponies
Japanese Ponies, or "Takaras" were manufactured by Takara Tomy and are unique among all other ponies in the G1 line. They do not at all have the typical G1 look. They are more anime-stylized, and they stand upright on two legs. Takara ponies are extremely rare, and it is far more common to find Takara fakies on the secondhand market.
- Price Range: $$$-$$$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 12
South African Ponies
South African Ponies were distributed by Prima Toys in the country, but it is uncertain whether they were manufactured there. Their feet are all lightly marked "HONG KONG," but this may have just been poorly covered. Many South African pony poses are "mashups" of two different ponies' heads and bodies. They have long manes and rooted tails, a unique feature. Their symbols make it clear which characters they are supposed to be, but they are different than their common counterparts' symbols and painted in only one color. All South African ponies' eyes are blue and appear to be airbrushed, like those of some Italian ponies.
- Price Range: $$$$
- Number of Toys: ≈ 20
Packaging
Symbols
- Hasbro Logo
- This was Hasbro's logo from 1978-1993.[6] It is found on nearly every Hasbro-manufactured G1 pony package, as well as some Nirvanas.
- CE Symbol
- "The CE mark is a symbol that when affixed to a product indicates that it complies with the relevant EU legislation, which enables the free movement of products within the European market. The CE mark is affixed by a manufacturer, importer or authorised representative, who are required to ensure and make a declaration that the product complies."[7]
- Lion Mark
- "The Lion Mark indicates the member’s adherence to the BTHA Code of Practice which includes the ethical and safe manufacture of toys, a ban on counterfeit goods, responsible marketing, a commitment to improving sustainability and a desire to promote the value of play. Unlike the CE Mark, therefore, the Lion Mark is truly a consumer symbol."[8]
- Green Dot Symbol
- "The Green Dot® is a financing symbol for producer responsibility (EPR) - not an eco-label... ...The Green Dot® on packaging thus indicates that a financial contribution has been paid to a nationally authorised take-back system."[9]
Logos
- G1 Manufacturer Logos
- G1 Pony Logos
Dutch & German Languages Logo
English Language Logo, 1982-1987
English Language Logo, 1987-1992
English & Canadian French Languages Logo, 1982-1987
English & Canadian French Languages Logo, 1987-1992
English & French Language Logo
German Language Logo (Macau Cards)
German Language Logo
Greek Language Logo
Italian Language Logo
Japanese Language Logo
Portuguese Language Logo
Spanish Language Logo, 1982-1987
Spanish Language Logo, 1987-1992
Types of Packaging
Language: English
Make: China
Target: US
Languages: Dutch and French
Make: China
Target: Benelux (& France?)
Language: Spanish
Make: Argentina
Target: Argentina
Language: Japanese
Make: Japan
Target: Japan
Language: English
Make: Hong Kong
Maker: Hasbro
CE: Yes, 13 Countries
Target: UK
Copyright Year: 1989
Language: Spanish
Make: Spain
Target: Spain
Languages: English and Canadian-French
Make: Hong Kong
Target: Canada
Languages: German
Make: Hong Kong
Target: Germany (& Austria?)
Languages: French
Make: Hong Kong?
Target: France
- Italian
- Spanish:
See also
References
- ↑ https://pinkkittywinks.wixsite.com/mlparenagallery/spain-piggy-spotlight
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240724185819/http://mexicanponyparadise.com/"
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240724185819/http://mexicanponyparadise.com/
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20130722134409/http://www.freewebs.com/unicornucopiamlp/greekponies.htm
- ↑ https://1000logos.net/hasbro-logo/
- ↑ https://cemarkingassociation.co.uk/what_is_ce_marking/
- ↑ https://www.btha.co.uk/guidance/the-lion-mark/
- ↑ https://www.pro-e.org/the-green-dot-trademark