Welcome to the Scrapbook

Seven and a bit years ago, when I first came into the online My Little Pony community, the world was literally just waking up to the idea that the United Kingdom release of ponies was not the same as that in North America. These were days before people had even heard of 'Mountain Boy Ponies' and where 'Kiss Curl' was compared in rarity to 'Mimic'.

It seems almost unbelievable in today's collecting climate that 'Ponyland' could ever have been ignorant of such familiar characters as "Gypsy" or "Snowflake". But, in the complete absence of an accurate website detailing any UK pony information, I began the My Little Pony Scrapbook.

It's purpose was always to hit the middle line - somewhere nestled between the 'canon' of the North American release and the bizarre oddities that make up the 'variants'. My Little Pony in the United Kingdom was not like a pony release anywhere else in the world. People have the misconception that the UK had all the US releases and then some - not so. People believe that all European ponies were sold in the UK and vice versa - also a myth. And what exactly possessed Hasbro to re-package ponies, produce them in different moulds and styles and simply spend so much energy developing a unique line - well, that we'll never know.

But this is as much as I know - and, I hope, the UK pony community knows - about My Little Pony in the UK. These days, too, the Scrapbook also incorporates ponies from all over the globe - North America, Australasia, Europe. In order to really straighten out which ponies were sold where, this is a necessary step. And who doesn't want to plough through page upon page of pretty ponies, huh?

Unless specified, all pictures are from my own pony collection. If you wish to use any of my pictures for your own projects, please drop me an email first and ask me. Picture nabbing is not polite, and I'd hate to think there are any impolite pony people out there. The Scrapbook is built up on information from my memory, the inserts, catalogues, comics and backcards from my childhood. It also is based on the information from the Fact File (more in the MEDIA section), and in September 1995, Hasbro sent me a list of ponies produced in the UK. It's incomplete and sketchy, but it is a starting point. People have asked me to copy this before - my answer is no. (And those of you who have seen said list at pony meets knows that really, it's nothing inspiring to look at!)

The website is also largely thanks to the information of UK pony collectors who over the last seven years have grown incredibly in numbers. Without the contributions of these people, this site would have more gaps in it than swiss cheese. There are still gaps - gaps in the Mint in Package sections, especially. But we're working on it, and any help and picture donations are always appreciated.

My special thanks go to Tic Tac Toe, Lady Guinevere, Garej, Rowenatm and the members of the MLP_UK Mailing List who have given me such a huge amount of help with information and fiddly details. Especial mention must go to Lady Guinevere for her persistant and tireless help in tracking down Mint in Package ponies! Thanks also go to the Delaneys, JLM, goddessofpeep and all the other people who have taken time to donate pictures or simply given their permission for their images to be used here. I'm more than grateful!