The My Little Pony Scrapbook: G1 in the UK and Europe

1991

Back to School


1991

Rainbow Rider on the cover of the 1991 insert
UK and Europe, 1991

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The 1990s: Years Active
 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 (Netherlands)


Ponies Sold in 1991 in the UK Merry-Go-Round Ponies | Glittering Sweetheart Sister Ponies | Tropical Ponies | Rainbow Curl Ponies | Sunshine Ponies | Drink & Wet Babies |Dance & Prance Ponies | Newborn Babies | Starlight Babies | Flower Ponies | Pony Bride | Prize Day with Rosette | Picnic Day with Sweet Clover | Playschool Babies | Schooltime Ponies | Schoolhouse | Club Newborn Baby Fun & Games | Show Stable II | PETITE PONIES (assorted sets)

Other 1991 Ponies Rockin' Beat Ponies (UK: 1992) | Glowing Magic/Glow & Show Ponies (UK: 1992) | Pocket Friends/Precious Pocket Ponies (UK: 1992) | Pretty Ponies | Rainbow Baby Ponies (UK: 1992) | Ballerina Baby Ponies (UK: 1992) | Teeny Weeny Ponies (UK: 1992) | Secret Surprise Ponies (UK: 1992) | Princess with Eyelashes | Firefly's Adventure | Baby "Stockings" | Rapunzel | Mommy and Baby Pony

1991 in the UK

By 1991, the new "school uniform" that was the card style format had been well-established, and every pony sold in Europe this year would fall under its remit. The basic features of the cards this year were the same as those noted for 1990, with two exceptions. Firstly, the pony under the rainbow was now Rainbow Rider, and the photograph on the back of the card now featured all the ponies from that specific set, not a range from the year's assortment. The patterned border, pastel cloud background and artwork of one character from the set on the card front and back was unchanged.
Tropical Pony Card 1991
Card from Tropical Pony "Sail Away" featuring Rainbow Rider under the rainbow, and Hula Hula as the set representative
(Colour palette - green)
UK, 1991

Ponies in the UK and Europe still had individual backcard stories in 1991, these were translated into the relevant languages. Cards are not known to have been translated in Nordic countries - these were mostly in English. But French, German, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish versions of most cards exist.

While 1989 had been a year of conformity, and 1990 had mopped up several outstanding missed sets, 1991's lineup featured a mixture of sets from North America and sets unique to Europe. Although some of these would be exported to places like Australia and New Zealand, they would not appear Stateside. Some popular sets from 1990 remained on sale in 1991 as well, helping to bolster the line further.

The sets which had been seen in North America the year before underwent a small makeover before arriving in the UK. There were several changes of pony name between releases - of which the Tropical Ponies were the most confusing. The Sparkle Babies had also been reinvented as the Starlight Babies, with new names, a shiny sheen to their bodies and tinsel in their hair.

Three full new sets for the European release were also added - the Flower Ponies, whose theme was self-explanatory, and two school-themed sets, the Playschool Babies and Schooltime Ponies. School was clearly the theme of the year, as a Schoolhouse playset - also exclusive to the UK and Europe - also went on the market in 1991.

Ponies in the Schoolhouse
Schooltime and Playschool Babies in the Schoolhouse
UK, 1991


There were also a number of oneshot pony releases in this year's range. From Pony Bride - again, self-explanatory, to two sets with themed accessories, known as Prize Day and Picnic Day. These sets, which each included their own unique characters, Rosette and Sweet Clover, harked back to the Birthday Party set with Tutti Frutti from 1987. A further themed set would be sold in the line in 1992.



Some Highlights of 1991