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

Sparkler

Unicorn Pony, 1985/Fable Pony, 1986

Powder blue unicorn with lavender mane and tail, red streak in mane, diamonds symbol

blue unicorn with lavender hair and diamonds
Pony Data
Set Unicorn and Pegasus Ponies 1985
"Fable" Pony (1986, Scandinavia, Finland, Australia and South Africa)
Asst. Number 4860
Accessories White moon and stars comb, pink ribbon, puffy sticker
Pose Gusty
Distribution North America
  Some European countries had versions made in other places, eg Italy.
Australia and Nordic Countries
South Africa
Other Versions

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Ponies Sold in 1985 in the UK Groom & Style Ponies | Play & Care Set Babies | Rainbow Ponies (Set 1) | Grooming Parlour |UK Adult Sea Ponies | Earth Ponies (1984) | Show Stable | Butterscotch's Gymkhana | Baby Bow Tie | Waterfall | Dream Castle | Baby Ember | Snuzzle (Concave)| Bluebelle (Concave)

Other 1985 Ponies Twinkle Eyed Ponies (UK:1986) | Flutter Ponies (UK:1986) | Baby Sea Ponies (UK:1986) | Lullabye Nursery (UK:1986) | Year 3 Unicorn & Pegasus | Rainbow Ponies (Set 2) | Adult Sea Ponies (US) |               | So Soft Ponies | Birthflower Ponies

Sparkler in North America

Sparkler was one of the new characters introduced into the North American unicorn and pegasus line in 1985. She also debuted one of the new poses for the year, along with her set-mate, Gusty. She was originally sold with curly hair, although my loose one has lost her curls.

MOC Sparkler, USA
Sparkler Mint on Card
(USA, 1985)
Image from Shivhae

Sparkler in the United Kingdom

Powder was not sold in the United Kingdom, although she featured heavily in early pony comics and stories.


Sparkler in Other Places

Sparkler was available in many different countries, often manufactured in Italy, Spain, France or other locations. A Hong Kong version was sold in Scandinavia, Finland and Australia in 1986, as part of the Fable set. It is not entirely confirmed whether there are major variations between the version sold in the US and this 'Fable' version - but her accessories in this release were the same as in the Year 3 North American set.

Italian versions of Sparkler were also sold in some European countries, such as Germany. This version had blue eyes, and metallic, rather than glittery, snowflakes. This version was probably sold on the same style of card as the 'Fable' pony release, under the name "Fabelponys".


Sparkler's Character

Aside from her part in Escape from Catrina, where she got frustrated with Sundance for messing up the balloons, Sparkler did not have much time on the screen in the US animated series. She participated in the fashion parade at the end of the episode, wearing the outfit Pom Pom Pony.

Sparkler in Dressed Like A Dream
Sparkler in the Dressed Like A Dream Parade

In the UK, she had a more distinctive character. I have a nostalgic memory of her being on the front cover of my very first childhood pony comic, in which the story, "Sparkler's Secret", told of her using her special stash of precious stones to help light the path back after a picnic ran over into the night.

Sparkler's Secret
Sparkler leads the ponies home, lit by the sparkling trail of stones
My Little Pony Comic #18 (1986)

Sparkler is supposedly one of the bases for G4 pony Rarity, and this seems to be because of that interest in precious stones and trinkets. It might be fair to consider Sparkler a magpie type character in that she did covet and collect shinies, but she had no interest in fashion. Their personalities are not really similar.

Key to both her backcard story and her Fact File entry is Sparkler finding a special gem which she wanted to give to Majesty for her crown, but Majesty refused, saying Sparkler may one day need it for a crown of her own. She was also often generous with her collection in the comic stories, making her less of a magpie and more of a connoisseur of treasure which she liked to share and show.