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Pony Talk => Pony Brag Arena => Topic started by: Taffeta on February 18, 2018, 05:05:03 AM

Title: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on February 18, 2018, 05:05:03 AM
As many of you guys know, I am a major G1 backcard geek. I have around 200 loose cards in my collection, but the extent of my obsession isn't limited to storing bits of card and box in every available space.

I also collect MOC ponies, with emphasis on mostly aiming for the following three things:
- Ponies from my childhood on their original UK card or at least a card with the same artwork
-UK packaged ponies displaying the correct UK names where relevant
- Ponies packaged in a variety of different packaging styles.


So my collection is basically completely illogical to most people who collect MOC ponies. In the case of many of my MOC ponies, I have them because of the pretty card and the variety, and so rarely worry about trying to get complete sets.

Today I was sorting my MOC ponies as I am trying to figure out better storage so none of them get damaged. In the process, I took a couple of photos which I wanted to share. These really well demonstrate my obsession with the pretty cards, and I'm pretty proud of these xD

My Rainbow Selection
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Sunlight (on UK card, 1984)
Starflower and Confetti (US card, 1985)
Spanish Pinwheel (Molinillo) and Spanish Trickles (Rocio), one on each type of card (one features Starflower, the other Flutterbye)
German Rainbow Pony "Hummelchen"

I realised when I bought Rocio (she's my birthday present to myself this year) that I'd actually managed to get a version of most of the 2nd set Rainbow ponies on different cards. I just need a Tickle now. I don't think I'm missing a card style for the Rainbow set, but I guess maybe I need to look for her on a French card or a German one? An Italian Tickle  might be nice to complete the set.
I still really need a UK Windy for my childhood collection, but I'm pretty happy with all the pretty cards here :D

My Twinkle Eye Selection

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This probably shows my obsession more than the other. Yes, I have two TicTacToes. Yes, really. Because of the card. Yes. I am that obsessed.
Tic Tac Toe (white card) - UK, 1987
Tic Tac Toe (Trixi - orange bordered card) - Germany/European card, 1988)
Bright Eyes (US card, 1987)
Whizzer and Masquerade (UK card, 1986)
Fizzy - weird mispackaged anomaly on baby sea pony card <3 I love error carded ponies. I so want more of these.

I probably need a first set US card for both TE and rainbow sets but I have some of these loose in my card file so I'm not as worried about those as MOC.

I am still thinking about whether I need an American TicTacToe to complete the trio though. Too much? Maybe..?
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: ColdRuru on February 18, 2018, 05:48:55 AM
A collection needs to means somethin' for the collector, not for the other.
Yours seems amazing, as much as you seems to have great fun with it, so it's the most important thing :lol:
I just love MOC and Cards, as I LOVE the old artwork (want an artbook about those so much)... but I have none of them. Also I'm pretty sure a MOC pony should be the worst thing for me, because of the tentation to open it... like a pandore box :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

So cool, can you show us more??
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Einhornbaby on February 18, 2018, 06:03:47 AM
Have that Fizzy too, the backcard is sooo pretty <3
Im jealous of your german carded ones <3 super nice collection!
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Mlp Sunsparkle on February 18, 2018, 06:04:46 AM
That is an amazing collection! It really is fascinating to see all of the differences in cards, even when some were out at the same time. They also look so beautiful! I am particularly fond of the twinkle eyes, as they’re my favourite g1s, and fuzzy on the wrong card is so cool to see!
Thank you for sharing these, and I hope you find a good way to store them!
Mlp Sunsparkle x
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on February 18, 2018, 06:20:00 AM
Have that Fizzy too, the backcard is sooo pretty <3
Im jealous of your german carded ones <3 super nice collection!

The amusing irony for me is that Sunshower was one of my childhood ponies. I don't have my original Sunshower's card. But I do now have her MOC, and also now Fizzy on her card, so I guess I made up for it. I suspect that's why I bought Fizzy rather than Galaxy when they were all up on ebay on their weird cards. I love the 1987 UK cards. I think cards between 1986 and 1988 in the UK are some of the nicest out there.

@Coldruru - an artbook of backcard art sounds amazing! I wish they would do that. I began collecting the cards because I never kept them as a kid, and I regretted it. Then hearing people say they'd just recycled them, or tossed them when selling collections, I started to get a bit obsessive about trying to preserve at least one example from every set that I could. It kind of exploded from then but I am still missing some from the UK which may or may not survive :/ and some which I know do, but I don't have.

@MlpSunsparkle - thank you <3 I love the TE ponies as well. TE ponies, rainbow ponies and the original pegasus, unicorn and earth ponies are my special ones <3

I don't have any other photos that show the card range as nicely, but this little group is kind of special because of Strawberry Fair. I looked for her for such a long time on the UK card <3.

The TAF selection
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Lollipop/Sweet Tooth on the German card
Strawberry Fair/ Sugarberry on the UK card
Night Glider (because if I have just her from that set, I am happy forever <3<3<3)
I used to have a US MOC Sugarberry but the name bugged me too much so I sold her. I have a loose Love Melody card from the US first set so I'm not really looking for the US ones MOC.

And this one on her own because she has in my opinion the best card of any G1 pony, ever.
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Shady (aka 'Incognito' in French) from the movie star set.

(And I love that because of this I know that Wind Whistler's name in France was Sifflebizz :D So cute!)
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: ColdRuru on February 18, 2018, 06:47:16 AM
Love love love!

And yes, an artbook with the old backcard art, and all the old G1 painted art... I will kill for that. I don't understand why hasbro simply never thinks about doing that :cry:
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Ponyfan on February 18, 2018, 06:50:54 AM
I love your MOC ponies, Taffeta. :)


Ponyfan
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on February 18, 2018, 07:08:10 AM
I also would pay up to $80 for a niiiiiiiiiice artbook with all the backcard illustrations!
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on February 18, 2018, 07:12:09 AM
I also would pay up to $80 for a niiiiiiiiiice artbook with all the backcard illustrations!

They're really missing a trick, actually. Think about all the stuff they've made with using backcard art. There's some insanely expensive stuff on Selfridges' website here at the moment which mostly just uses those kinds of graphics under licence in designer wear. The tags in Primark have the artwork from the 2nd set TAF ponies on. They still have the art, clearly .Why not market it in an art book?
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Shatyr on February 18, 2018, 07:35:56 AM
Oh, I would be all over that art book. I went nuts for the postcards that were sold at the Fair a few years ago.

Your collection is gorgeous, Taffeta! Have you thought about scanning them at all?
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Uninu on February 18, 2018, 07:42:43 AM
I am so happy to see pictures of your collection, so many pretty ponies on beautifuuuul backcards! Also oh my goodness that MOC Night Glider is a dream of mine. Thank you for sharing these with us!

G1 backcard art is so stunning, an art book with them would be a dream come true.
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Safflower on February 18, 2018, 07:45:10 AM
You have such a great collection! Everything is soooo pretty! And an art book would be amazing! Thanks for sharing :)
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: achab1984 on February 18, 2018, 08:43:41 AM
WOW! Your collection is amazing! :)
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on February 18, 2018, 09:22:49 AM
I am so happy to see pictures of your collection, so many pretty ponies on beautifuuuul backcards! Also oh my goodness that MOC Night Glider is a dream of mine. Thank you for sharing these with us!

G1 backcard art is so stunning, an art book with them would be a dream come true.


She was a dream of mine too. I absolutely couldn't believe it when she came up for sale and I could actually afford her. The seller went to so much trouble to get her to me as well, as she wasn't used to shipping overseas. Apparently she'd been bought by this person new in store and kept like that for years until she came into my collection. I feel very priveleged to have been allowed to adopt her, as she's a pony I never expected to have a chance of getting MOC. <3

Moral of the story is keep dreaming :D Sometimes dreams come true O.O.

@Everyone -thank you for your kind words! I wish I had a better way to display them more but space is kind of tight. I feel like finally getting Trickles/Rocio on that card with Flutterbye is the completion of a card collecting grail for me. WHen I saw how pretty they all looked together, I wanted to share the pictures here because I knew you guys would understand! I really wanted that card for a long long time, and it was just perfect that it happened to be Trickles, because I was also looking for her MOC as well. Rainbow Ponies are so beautiful and have such stunning cards. Though the US ones have the most detailed stories, I like the artwork better on the 2 spanish ones.

@Shatyr - I don't have a working scanner here unfortunately. I have a scanner in London but no ponies there xD. I have photos of all of the backs of my pony cards and backs/side/tops of boxes which is the best I can do at the moment but not good enough for people to be able to turn into clipart or anything like that. I do have a growing folder of card images as I have more loose cards than carded ponies, and one day I would love to have them all online for people to browse through...but that isn't going to happen till I finish my PhD ><. The only reason I've had time to do this of late is that it's reading week (ie I'm not teaching) and my professor has my last chapter draft to read so I have a bit of a break before I begin writing again.
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Teddy on February 18, 2018, 09:56:32 AM
Wow, those are some gorgeous MOCs you have!! <3
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Littlesparklepony on February 18, 2018, 09:59:10 AM
Wow! Your Collection is Amazing!
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Spinky69er on February 28, 2018, 09:08:04 PM
I wish I lived closer so I could *carefully* admire all your back card collection.  The art work is just so addictive :glitter: 

Thanks for sharing some drool worthy pics!
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Shy Violet on February 28, 2018, 10:05:51 PM
They're all so wonderful! I love seeing the different cards.
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: JazzMatazz on March 01, 2018, 06:02:00 AM
If you have a smart phone Google has an app called Photo scan that is amazing for scanning things that just cannot be put into a scanner. It's also 10x handier than a traditional scanner in my opinion it streamlines me copying family photos.
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on March 01, 2018, 08:00:16 AM
I do...but not a very powerful one. If my scanner were at home then it would be easier! But photos of the cards do come up well. Probably enough for a visual database but not enough for clipart or sig image/posters etc
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: PrincessNikki on March 01, 2018, 09:13:46 AM
I adore the G1 art. As others have said, I would pay a pretty penny for a G1 artbook. I love the art of the back cards and the art on the puzzles. Your collection is just wonderful. It is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. The packaging is such eye-candy.
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: mlp4me on March 01, 2018, 09:20:43 AM
G1 artwork is the best. That's an impressive part of your collection!
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: KottonKandy on March 01, 2018, 03:34:25 PM
You definitely need the third Tic Tac Toe. After all, it takes a set of three to win that game!  ;)

Gorgeous collection all around too!
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on March 01, 2018, 04:11:29 PM
You definitely need the third Tic Tac Toe. After all, it takes a set of three to win that game!  ;)

Gorgeous collection all around too!

That is a very good point! :D I am persuaded O.O.

Thank you!!
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: kiwimlp on March 05, 2018, 12:38:35 PM
You have an absolutely gorgeous G1 MOC collection :lovey:  I feel like I have just been taken right back to my childhood looking at your pics.  Thanks for sharing :frolic:
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Galactica on March 05, 2018, 02:12:39 PM
How pretty! I love the MLP blister packages- the illustrations were just gorgeous and there is something awesome about seeing such a pristine gorgeous new pony...

I only have one MOC vintage pony- and the plastic is so yellowed it makes her look dirty
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on March 05, 2018, 03:12:35 PM
I have noticed that the bubbles on year 2 or year 3 ponies tend to go brownish easily. I have a couple of early US unicorns and pegasus ponies (no prizes for guessing who :P) but they weren't brown when I got them...now the're starting to be a bit. It;s not as bad as some others I've seen, my storage conditions are cool and dry so that may be why, but I have seen it on others from the same time period too. And on some of loose cards that have bubbles...I have a US Sunlight card with a brown bubble...and also I think my UK Blossom one. It's sad :/

Even Confetti (above) is going that way a bit. Though she's not too bad.

I would like to have a full set of year 2 and 3 pegasus and unicorns, but finding them is so hard without a discoloured bubble that I kind of just settled for the ones I already have :/
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: starstrider on March 06, 2018, 05:47:45 AM
WOW.  Your collection is outstanding!  Total pony envy here :lol: Like you I adore collecting backcards and love all of the original artwork and illustrations. 
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: ColdRuru on March 08, 2018, 12:09:42 PM
I have noticed that the bubbles on year 2 or year 3 ponies tend to go brownish easily. I have a couple of early US unicorns and pegasus ponies (no prizes for guessing who :P) but they weren't brown when I got them...now the're starting to be a bit. It;s not as bad as some others I've seen, my storage conditions are cool and dry so that may be why, but I have seen it on others from the same time period too. And on some of loose cards that have bubbles...I have a US Sunlight card with a brown bubble...and also I think my UK Blossom one. It's sad :/

Even Confetti (above) is going that way a bit. Though she's not too bad.

I would like to have a full set of year 2 and 3 pegasus and unicorns, but finding them is so hard without a discoloured bubble that I kind of just settled for the ones I already have :/

As my father use to say "we collector expect to keep items forever when all, even the longest material have a lifetime". So tue, as even with the most carefull use, things get olds and deteriorate.
Also, I'm pretty sure bubble plastic is cheap, that's explain why it didn't maintain well in time. :cry:
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on March 08, 2018, 12:20:32 PM
This is true. Given that, they do quite well. I mean, considering the stretch of time we're talking about here.
But then we don't last forever either. So I guess it's ok.
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: ColdRuru on March 08, 2018, 02:12:19 PM
It's ok :)
(Wishing you that the bubble didn't get too brown, so you coul enjoy your ponies for a long time 'till).
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: TwinkleEyedWitch on March 19, 2018, 02:39:38 PM
Oh, holy snap!
I might have screamed a little when I saw those TE girls! Lol! You have a fantastic collection! I love seeing them MOC/MIB.
One day my wall is going to be covered! ;3
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on March 19, 2018, 04:02:36 PM
Thank you :) I think that's a great ambition :D Twinkle Eyes are beautiful, aren't they??
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: shabbychicdee on March 22, 2018, 06:14:23 PM
wow hun what a fantastic lot you have. im so jealous :P  i have only 3 backcards so im major drooling here :lol:
 
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Perikoala on March 23, 2018, 01:44:46 PM
Your backcard collection is so precious, Taffeta!  :inlove:
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: starstrider on March 27, 2018, 12:45:28 AM
Oooooohhhh!!  Your MOCs are AMAAAAAZING!  I adore backcard art, I completely understand you desire to collect them.  I wish I had even a fraction of your collection!  So great, thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: CherryTreats on April 05, 2018, 09:07:15 AM
Absolutely gorgeous collection! One of my favorite collections that I've ever seen because you chose so many of my most cherished childhood ponies. I love them all! Such colorful cards! They all look SO pretty! I really hope the bubbles do not ever yellow. I have been so upset to see a couple of mine yellow a lot in the 20+ years I've had them. They used to be so clear and it makes me really sad. Some of the bubbles don't seem to yellow even though kept the exact same way so I'm not sure what to do to prevent it.
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on April 05, 2018, 09:48:24 AM
Thank you so much all for your kind comments on some of my pretties :D

@CherryTreats, is your avatar perhaps from Cherry Treats' UK card? It looks very familiar :D I don't have Cherry Treats MOC yet (she is one of my childhood ponies) but I do have one with her card and bubble and I'm sure I recognise that artwork :D

I don't think we can protect bubbles, unfortunately :( The plastic will age eventually whether we like it or not :D
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: CherryTreats on April 07, 2018, 11:50:28 AM
Taffeta, it's actually from a Cherry Treats backcard that's in Italian, but it sounds like the UK card must have the same artwork. :D I love seeing any backcards or other pics of Cherry Treats. I don't think I have seen the UK card before. MOC Cherry Treats was one of the first ponies I got since I started recollecting. I love her so much. :D It's too bad about the plastic bubbles yellowing. I'm not sure if my Cherry Treats bubble yellowed at all since I got her. I would have to compare pics of her from a long time ago to now. Sometimes it happens so gradually over so many years that I don't realize it until I compare it to old pics.
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on April 07, 2018, 03:21:28 PM
Yep, by the time you get into the 1990s, most of Europe had the same kind of style card, with the borders. Somewhere I have a picture of my one with her card and bubble - I wanted it in English because I didn't keep my own one's card as a child :( Something that inspired my passion for pony backcards I suspect!

I like that she was chosen to be the poster-pony for the set, actually. One pony from each set always features prominently on the front of the card, and she looks so pretty there :D

Here she is :)
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You can see my loose childhood one and loose US one in the background as well <3 I love this pony >.>

And her story in English :D No idea if it is the same as the US one though.
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European ones are usually made in China and don't have forelocks, whereas the US one has a forelock and is usually made in Hong Kong. I don't understand Hasbro sometimes :)
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: ColdRuru on April 07, 2018, 03:38:13 PM
I bet that trying to understand Hasbro would be like a headache :biggrin:
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: Taffeta on April 07, 2018, 03:43:19 PM
I bet that trying to understand Hasbro would be like a headache :biggrin:

No kidding O.O
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: ColdRuru on April 07, 2018, 03:45:18 PM
Wonderful backcard btw :lol:
Title: Re: Confessions of a backcard enthusiast...
Post by: CherryTreats on April 08, 2018, 01:50:19 AM
Wow, I absolutely love that Cherry Treats!  :inlove: So beautiful! You have such an amazing collection! Thank you so much for sharing those pics! It really made my day!  :D Mine is the same backcard, only in Italian and without the forelock. I love getting to see it in English and read her story! It does look like the same story as the US one, but I love getting to see a version I haven't seen before. I'm happy that they made her the poster pony for the set too. I like having her on the front of the card. I did notice how the ones in the US have the forelock/made in Hong Kong and the others have no forelock/China. I love them both so much. I wish I'd kept all the backcards of my childhood too. The art is so pretty and colorful and I love the stories.  :)
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