Starshine in the United Kingdom
Starshine was sold in the United Kingdom from the end of 1984,
although her set was officially part of 1985, and appeared on the
1985 UK insert. The set had been released in North America in
early 1984, and there are no major variations in pony or accessory
between these releases. The card style was distinctive in the UK,
being vertical rather than horizontal.
Starshine Mint on UK Card
(Thanks to PinkKittyWinks for the image)
There can be minor variations in batch with ponies from this set,
including slightly different plastic shades on the body, magenta
shades in the hair, and whether or not the glitter on the symbol
is underwritten with a printed marking (rather than just being
glitter).
In Starshine's case, there are two particularly distinctive
variations. One version has very stark white plastic that does not
easily discolour (as in the above picture). The other has a
gentler white plastic which easily turns beige and can often be
found with brown patches. The symbols are also slightly different
in size and colouration between the two versions. These are batch
differences and do not impact value or rarity, although a
discoloured Starshine is generally less sought after.
Starshine was available through Argos in 1985, retailing in the
catalogue at £2.85.
Starshine in Other Places
Starshine was part of the North American release in 1984. She
was also part of several European releases, where she was often
found made in Italy or France, sometimes with alternate
colouring or pose. She was also rereleased in the 1985 set in
North America, and was available through subsequent horseshoe
point mail in offers up to around 1986.
It is possible that she was also included in the 1986 European Pony
release in Sweden and Norway, possibly Finland, Denmark and
South Africa as well. While this is unconfirmed, there is some
evidence that she may have been sold on this card in this
release. To confirm this we would need to find a card with her
name on it, as she is not pictured on the art for this release.
Anecdotal evidence suggests she may have been sold with
different accessories - Windy's yellow brush, comb and ribbon -
but all of this is speculation and needs further research.
"Sternenglanz"
In 1987, a pony with Starshine's body colour and symbol was
sold in Germany and other German speaking countries under the
name "Sternenglanz".
She has generally become known as 'German Starshine', although
her pose and hair colours are distinct from the original
release.
Starshine's Character
Starshine had no backcard story in the UK, although her US card
story suggested she was an explorer always impatient for
adventure. (In this respect, she seems like a more accurate base
character for Generation 4's Rainbow Dash, especially due to her
impatience). This backcard story clearly influenced the later UK
Fact File story, in which Starshine begged the clouds to take
her on an adventure. Both the backcard story and the Fact File
cast her as impetuous and restless for new experiences.
