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

1989

Big Brother Ponies

(Set II)


Big Brother Ponies

The Big Brother Ponies

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Ponies Sold in 1989 in the UK First Tooth Baby Ponies | Big Brother Ponies II |Kiss Curl's Grooming Parlour | Windy Wing Ponies| Happytails Ponies (Import) | Crimp & Curl Hair Salon | Baby Buggy | Sundae Best Ponies | Brush & Grow Ponies | Princess Brush & Grow Ponies | Perfume Puff Palace (UK: 1989) |Sparkle Ponies (Store) | Perfume Puff Ponies | Scrub-a-Dub Tub | Sweet Dreams Crib | Club Newborn 1989 | Loving Families (individual and gift set) | Loving Family Accessories| MUMMY CHARMS

Other 1989 Ponies Princess Ponies (Germany/Austria) |Sparkle Ponies (Mail Order) | Newborn Twins II (Partial, Germany/France) | Twice as Fancy Megan & Sundance | Goldilocks | Sweet Scoops | Chuck. E. Cheese Baby | Valentine Twins | Satin & Lace (Lavender) | Coat/Tux 'n' Tails | Twice as Fancy Baby Ponies | Birthday Baby Ponies | Merry-Go-Round Ponies (UK: 1990 | Candy Cane Ponies (UK: 1990) | Sunshine Ponies (UK: 1990) | Dance & Prance Ponies (UK: 1990) | Fancy Pants Babies (UK: 1990 - partial) | Playtime Baby Brother Ponies (UK: 1990 - partial) | Newborn Babies (UK: 1990) | Sweetheart Sister Ponies (UK: 1990 - partial) | Baby Ponies with Pretty Pals | Pearly Baby Ponies | Pretty Mane Ponies | Baby Sister Ponies | Dream Castle (Lavender)

Boy Ponies and the United Kingdom

In most parts of the G1 pony-selling world, this set were the first foray into adult boy ponies, but not here in the UK. In 1987, we had had the Mountain Boys instead of this so called 'Big Brother' release, and it was not until 1988 that they joined the UK line as well. Although the initial set of Big Brother Ponies in the UK was sold under the label Adventure Boy Ponies, the second release in 1989 used the American set name, Big Brother Ponies. I guess by this point Hasbro were convinced that adult boy ponies sold, and that the name of the set didn't really matter.

As in North America, three of the previous year's ponies were rereleased, along with three new characters. The three new ponies had the same name in English in all regions and featured themes of fire chief, pirate and native American.

The Big Brother Release


As with the previous Adventure Boy Pony release, these boys all had a hat, a neckscarf (bandana in North America, also sometimes called a necktie in UK comics) and a comb or brush. The accessories in the UK were the same as those sold in North America. The cards were also very similar. The art on the back matched that used in North America, although some of the names were amended to fit the market release. The front of the card was also similar, but there were some minor differences - namely a bolder pink (rather than lavender pink) name and set bubble, and a narrow blue border around the edge of the card.

Barnacle Mint on Card
Barnacle Mint on Card
UK, 1989
Image from Evil Santa

Big Brother Pony name changes

As with the first set, the UK maintained its preference for UK names for two of the rereleased ponies. Tracks (US: Steamer) and Tug (US: Salty) kept their UK names.

For some weird reason, the American Hasbro catalogue for this set calls Tracks "Casey", instead of Steamer - but this name never made it to production.


Ponies in this Set: North America (1988), UK, (1989) Other European Countries (?)