Butter Kiss (Aka Swirly Whirly in North America)
Butter Kiss was one of four earth ponies from the Sundae Best
Pony set. She was sold in 1988 in North America and in late 1988
into 1989 in the UK. Her name was different in the UK from the
US, although it is not clear whether Butter Kiss was her
original production name in North America, or whether it was a
creation of Hasbro UK's. Her American name is Swirly Whirly, but
the capitalised text on her American card suggests that this
name may have been changed late in production and may not have
been her original name.
Despite much name confusion for this set, Butter Kiss is
correctly named on the UK backcard.
Butter Kiss's Name
Sundae Best Backcard, UK, 1988-9
She was also the first Sundae Best pony to be introduced to
members of the My Little Pony club, when she acted as an
'editorial assistant' on the 1988 newsletter. She was made in a
very modified version of the original first Collector Pose.
Butter Kiss was also sold in European countries around the same
time as she was available in the UK. Some European countries had
her on American-style cards, such as the Benelux countries,
whilst others had her on European/UK style cards, translated.
The main difference (aside minor card design) was that those
sold in North America/Benelux had a hair clip, whilst those sold
in the UK and other parts of Europe did not.
Butter Kiss could be made in China or in Hong Kong. The pony
pictured at the top of the page is made in China and was found
at a UK carboot sale in the late 1990s. The one pictured below
was originally sold in North America and is made in Hong Kong.
Butter Kiss Made in Hong Kong
(Bought from North America)
The Hong Kong versions are more often sold in the North
American/with-a-clip release, whilst Chinese ones are easier to
find in the UK and I imagine on the continent. Germany also had
its own
version of this pony, which was probably sold in Austria,
and Switzerland, as well.
Butter Kiss's Character
Butter Kiss's culinary speciality was butterscotch. In fact, if
I remember correctly, she actually made butterscotch from
buttercups, and a story in the 1990 annual saw her crop ruined
by ink (until Chief
came to the rescue with his hosepipe!). At another point, she
made the acquaintance of a striking yellow cow called
Butterball. Her magic bell opened an enchanted garden once each
month, where the fairies harvested buttercup essence. Butter
Kiss put this into her ice cream sundaes, much to the delight of
Tuggles and
Toddles.
Butter Kiss and Butterball the Cow
My Little Pony Comic #89, 1989
