Hummelchen (Aka Flutterbye) - 1987 and 1988
Hummelchen is the German name for Flutterbye, and the ponies on
this page really belong to the wider Flutterbye family. The reason
we term them with the German name is because they have some
distinct differences not found in the other releases - notably
the painted symbol and the lack of Pat. Pending on the hoof.
The details around these releases are a bit sketchy, and this page
is based on the evidence I've been able to pull together.
1987
There was definitely a release of Hummelchen in 1987 in
Germany, as she appears on the insert for this year.
German Insert, 1987, featuring Rainbow (Regenbogen) Ponies
What we can't tell from the insert alone is whether this
version was made in Italy (Italian made Rainbow Ponies were sold
in Germany in around 1986) or whether she was made in Hong Kong.
At least one Mint on Card version survives, however, of a Hong
Kong Hummelchen on a German card. This card has the same style
artwork seen in the 1986-7
Rainbow Pony releases in the Nordic region, and was used
in Spain for Rainbow Pony releases between 1986 and 1988. It was
also used for the Italian releases in Germany in around 1986,
and so it is not unreasonable to place this Hong Kong German
release into 1987.
Hummelchen (circa 1987)
This issue of Flutterbye had a blue brush and comb and purple
ribbon. The brush still had the rainbow sticker, in line with
earlier Rainbow ponies. The card has the 1987 and earlier
rainbow, and the pony was sold with a puffy sticker - both
details that place the release at the very latest into 1987. For
now, therefore, this is where we shall put her.
1988
A version of Hummelchen was also available in the 1988
Regenbogen-Ponys set - about which we have far more information.
This set of Rainbow Ponies did not have uniform hair colours, and
some of the characters were unique to this release. They were sold
with shooting star brushes, combs and ribbons, but their brushes
did not have rainbow stickers, unlike with earlier releases. They
also did not come with puffy stickers, and the card (as shown
below) featured the 1988 Rainbow font. They also appeared on the
1988 insert. They are often dated incorrectly to 1985 (because of
the American release of Flutterbye) or 1987 (because the card is
dated 1987), but the modified rainbow font means there is no doubt
they were on sale in 1988.
Hummelchen Mint on Card
Germany, 1988
Comparing Flutterbye and Hummelchen Versions
This is a bit confusing, so here's a quicker and easier way to
tell these releases apart. The two real differences are
symbol and hoofprint - unlike with some other sets, the
eyeliner colour is not relevant here, as most if not all second
set rainbow ponies have brown eyeliner.
Flutterbye Symbol Versions, 1985-1988
As the above image shows, the symbol
variations are quite distinctive. The pony on the far left is
what is generally considered the standard version, with
glittery symbols. This was sold in North America (mine came to
me from the US with her card and all her accessories), in
1985, and in Nordic countries in 1986 and probably into 1987.
The pony in the middle is the presumed 1987 release, with the
larger print of symbol. The pony on the right (taken from my
MOC pony) is from 1988. The middle and right hand ones both
have painted symbols, but they are distinctly different in
style.
Flutterbye Hooves: Pat Pending and Not
The Patent Pending stamp appears on many early
ponies, and was phased out through the years as the patents
were confirmed. The lack of Pat Pend on ponies sold in Germany
in particular is quite well known, and this is probably
because this was a much later release than the original 1985
issue in North America. Like the symbol, this is a pretty
clear difference and easy enough to spot.
