All things My Little Pony

The My Little Pony series seduced America during the 1980s.  The collection started out rather by accident.  Hasbro began marketing a toy called My Pretty Pony in 1981.  This toy was really a western throwback complete with a gingham band and her very own cowboy hat.  Yet children and collectors really became fascinated with her daughter, Butterscotch, and Hasbro, upon realizing the potential marketing appeal of Butterscotch, began work on the My Little Pony series.

Hasbro's original six My Little Ponies included Butterscotch's friends Snuzzle, Blossom, and Cotton Candy.  Hasbro also put out mail order ponies, such as Lucky (the first male), Melody, and Rapunzel.  Mail order additions are now worth significant value to collectors--particularly mail order ponies from the first minting (1982 to 1992).

Unsurprisingly, the dramatic success of the My Little Pony line (spurred in part by the small screen My Little Pony shows--My Little Pony and Friends and Pony Tales) spurred an assortment of brands, games, and TV shows.  Some little ponies featured wings or special magical powers.  Harder plastic dolls called Dream Beauties also were marketed.  These adult horses never quite gained the popularity of their younger, more petite predecessors. 

Speaking of petite--you can also find Petite Ponies, ultra-small artifacts just a few centimeters in diameter.  In addition, Hasbro tried marketing My Little Bunny, Puppy, and Kitty toys, but these never sparked with collectors or kids either.  All told, there are three "generations" of My Pretty Pony toys and accessories.