The My Little Pony Scrapbook: Milky Way (Party Ponies, 1988)

Pony Data
Set	Twice as Fancy Ponies (1987 - North America) Party Ponies (1988 - Select Europe and UK)
Asst. Number	4781
Accessories	Blue butterfly brush, purple ribbon.
Pose	Mimic
Distribution	Largely worldwide, but symbol variations (white/silver stars) in different places. White Stars: UK and Europe (Germany, France, etc) Silver Stars: North America, Italy, UK Both versions probably also sold in Nordic regions.
Other Versions	Symbol can be white or silver stars. Pony can be made in Hong Kong or China.

Milky Way

Milky Way was the first Twice as Fancy Unicorn pony, sold originally in North America in 1987, and then on into Europe into 1988. In most European countries the set was party themed - (Party Ponies in the UK, and various other countries had this name in translation).

Two versions of Milky Way exist, both sold in this set. The one at the top of the page was sold widely in North America in 1987. She was also sold in Italy in 1988. A second version with white stars was sold in certain European countries, including, ironically, Germany, despite her name there meaning "Silver Stars".

Milky Way with white stars

This variety brings me nicely to the UK release, and I need to clear up a few misconceptions with a little story from my childhood.

The pony at the top of this page has been with me since I was small, and was bought new here in the UK in 1988. You will probably have noticed, but she has silver stars. That same school holiday, my friend also received a Milky Way pony - and hers had white stars. As kids, we loved this distinction, as it meant we could easily tell them apart. I grew up playing with both silver and white star Milky Way versions.

Over the years, collectors have tried to persuade me that my childhood pony must have been a US import, but I never saw the US card as a child, and remembered very clearly that the card I had was pink.

Like with Buttons, the UK appears to have had both versions sold here as normal release. It could be a matter of batch production, although the fact my friend and I got ours at the same time may make that less likely. Not knowing which stores we both got them from, it's possible that different shops had older/newer stock supplied, and that is the reason behind it. But silver starred Milky Ways are normal in Italy, where the cards are clearly dated 1988 (the only cards to be so labelled). So this seems to suggest a parallel production. Why this happened is unclear, but it is the only realistic explanation. The accessories are identical between releases.

Both white and silver star can be found second hand here in enough numbers that both are likely to be native. White star is actually less common in my experience, but not by enough to suggest a serious shortfall. I have seen both silver and white starred Milky Way on the UK card, so this confirms my childhood memory that my pony was indeed a UK issue and not an import. Unfortunately I only have permission at present to include the white-starred one on my page. If anyone has the silver starred one on the pink bordered UK card and is willing to share the image, please get in touch.

Milky Way, Mint on Card (White Stars)
UK, 1988
Image from Babydoll

While most Party Ponies are made in Hong Kong, there do exist some which are made in China. Most of the Chinese made Party Ponies are found in continental Europe, possibly suggesting production continued there later than it did here in the UK. With that said, Hong Kong versions of all these ponies are also not uncommon on the continent.

In the case of Milky Way, the fact the white-star release is more common on the continent means that there is probably only a white star version made in China, rather than a silver star (though I am prepared to be proven wrong!).

White Star Milky Way Made in China
Image thanks to Chrissytree

A Spanish-made version of Milky Way made in a different pose was also sold on this style of card, translated into Spanish. Unsurprisingly, this was sold in Spain.

Milky Way's character

As can be imagined, Milky Way's magic associated with stars (and probably, making things all pretty and sparkly if a party happened to be on the horizon, too!) One story from the comic featured her making an archway of stars, which led her and Question Mark (a regular comic character) to meet the Sparkle Ponies.

Milky Way's magic star arch leading to Sparkly Star Hopper
UK pony comic, circa 1988

Milky Way's UK backcard story (taken from the silver-star pony's card, but probably the same on the white-star pony's UK card as well) also mentions this archway of stars as her special trick:

"Milky Way is a pretty, dreamy unicorn. She loves parties so much she even dreams about them. Her beautiful markings are stars from the night-time sky. Their magic helps her create a shimmering arch when her party friends ask her to "dream up some stars" to decorate a party."
Milky Way's backcard, 1988, UK

This concept appeared in more detail on the American card, from which it probably derived.

Milky Way

Party Pony/Twice as Fancy Pony 1987-8

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Milky Way

Milky Way's character