Baby Lemon Drop in the United Kingdom
Baby Lemon Drop was released in the UK in 1986, in the second
of two Baby Pony Stroller releases. The first, sold the previous year, had
clearly been successful, as the basic features of the new
release were the same. The stroller was now in purple, however,
to better match Baby Lemon Drop's colour scheme. (Please note in
some continental countries, Baby Lemon Drop had a pink stroller
instead). Baby Lemon Drop and her stroller were not sold in
North America in any format whatsoever. It is unclear whether
she was released in South Africa or Australia/New Zealand.
The Baby Pony Stroller with Baby Lemon Drop
(missing ribbon)
She also now came with a sticker (although it featured her as a
unicorn), a brush, blanket and nappy.
Baby Lemon Drop's Sticker (thanks to
Goddessofpeep for this image)
Baby Lemon Drop's package had some similarities to the previous
year, with the artwork on the back basically the same as that used
in 1985. The only real difference in the back art is the recolour
of the stroller and the addition of Lemon
Drop and baby in place of Bow-Tie
and Baby. The rest of the box showed several differences, though,
including a style upgrade to match with the 1986 trend of having
the pony's name in a white ribbon somewhere on the front. Baby
Lemon Drop also had her own story, which featured verbatim in the
Fact File in 1987.
Baby Lemon Drop's Box
Baby Lemon Drop was only available for this year, but there are
two distinctive symbol variations that exist in the Hong Kong
made baby. Neither one is necessarily more rare or valuable than
the other, and they seem to just indicate two different batches
of production. One batch had lavender symbols, and the other
darker purple. Sometimes it even displays as a more dark magenta
purple. There can sometimes be size variations in the drops as
well. Baby Lemon Drop was originally sold with hair that curled
slightly, although this can be washed or brushed out over time.
Baby Lemon Drop symbol variations (Hong
Kong versions)
Baby Lemon Drop was advertised for sale in the Argos Catalogue
in 1986, where she retailed for £5.95. She was additionally
pictured in the 1986 insert, and included on Hasbro's list for
this year, making her release timescale fairly concrete. She was
advertised in the Pony Comic, along with Hopscotch wearing Pony
Carnival, showcasing some of the year's other products.
Baby Lemon Drop's Stroller advert
UK Comic, 1986
It is not clear whether there was an overlap between the
availability of the two strollers. The stroller was a delicate
toy, and it is not uncommon to find them second-hand with breaks
in the wheels or a broken canopy. The purple stroller in
particular is also prone to fading and discolouration, making it
extremely difficult to find in good condition. Unsurprisingly,
the pony - which was more durably made - is more commonly
available, although she is probably less common than Baby
Bow-Tie, suggesting not as many strollers were sold in the
second year of release. There were no further stroller releases
after 1986, and instead its place in the market would be
replaced by the internationally available Baby Buggy in 1987.
Baby Lemon Drop in Other Places
A version of Baby Lemon Drop in the shy baby pose was sold in
certain European countries. This version had no country of
manufacture on the hoof, and was made in Spain.
Some releases of this pony were sold with Baby Bow Tie's
pink stroller instead of the purple one. This was definitely on
release in Sweden, and possibly other Nordic countries such as
Norway. Confusingly, this release was sold in Baby Bow Tie's
box, although the front had been amended to say Baby Lemon Drop,
not Baby Bow Tie. Baby Bow Tie is still pictured; Baby Lemon
Drop is not pictured on her box and the story on the back is
Baby Bow Tie's. The box is completely in English.
Baby Lemon Drop (made in Spain) with pink stroller
Sweden, and probably other Nordic countries, 1986-7ish
Thanks to Leikin for this image and information.
In other places, including Spain, she was sold on card.
.
Baby Lemon Drop Made in Spain, Mint on Card
(Image from Lolipouxi)
Baby Lemon Drop's Character
According to the Fact File and the stroller's box, Baby Lemon
Drop enjoyed travelling around in her stroller, seeing new
sights and scenes. She loved to be pulled along - providing that
the pony pulling her stroller didn't jump any hedges. It is easy
to imagine that, with a mother like Lemon
Drop, hedge-jumping temptations were a daily potential
hazard for this poor little mite. Apparently she had not
inherited her mother's fondness for the show ring!
