Bluebelle in the United Kingdom

While the release of Flat Foot Bluebelle is difficult to pin down, the later version with the concave feet seems to have been mostly available in the UK between 1984 and 1985. To understand what might have happened here, we also have to look across to North America, where the Concave Hoof versions of the Collector Ponies were repeatedly re-released through mail order in the early 1980s. Whether the subsequent Concave versions of much of this set were originally spare Mail Order Ponies being distributed overseas, or whether they had differences in things like packaging is sometimes difficult to discern.

What we do know is that Bluebelle (Concave Foot) was sold in the United Kingdom as a single pony in both 1984 and 1985.

For evidence of this we can turn to the Argos Catalogue, which features only Bluebelle from the set in catalogues from both years. No packaging is shown, but there is a difference in the accessories. The release from 1984 featured the same white comb and ribbon that are normally associated with Bluebelle, as can be seen in the catalogue image below.

Bluebelle, featured in the 1984 Argos Catalogue, with accessories visible.

 It is not clear whether they were carded or not in this Argos release...or whether this pony was exclusive to Argos. Bluebelle appeared again in the 1985 Argos Catalogue - again as a stand alone item, as none of the others from her set were offered. This time her comb is shown as purple. Although this could be accidental, Argos was known for photographing actual items in their stock for the catalogue images, and accessories are often accurately portrayed. It is possible, therefore, that in 1985 Bluebelle's accessories changed - at least in the UK. Without a surviving example mint in package, though, this remains speculation.

Bluebelle, featured in the 1985 Argos Catalogue, with the purple comb, priced £3.25.

Bluebelle's name was also spelt both with and without the last 'e' in Argos's releases - as can be seen in the catalogue text featured above for 1985. This could be a typo, but is backed up by the 1987 Fact File entry, which also lacks a final e. It is possible that this was a conscious decision by UK Hasbro to market her without the last e - we will never know for sure.

Bluebelle's Character

Bluebelle's character was a bit obscure in the UK, and she never appeared in any pony stories. She was included in the Fact File, but was illustrated with pink hair, rather than purple, and her name was spelt without the last 'e'.