The Collins Pony Library was published in the 1970s, and mostly consisted of books Collins had already published, but in a new format. The books were published as hardbacks with specially commissioned pictorial covers, and no dustjackets. They were cheaper than the originals, and the paper quality was not particularly good: surviving books tend to have browned pages.
However, the Pony Library was an excellent way for the pony-mad child to buy a better quality book than a paperback. I had three titles myself as a child, and they had pride of place amongst my library. If I could have found more (rural Northamptonshire was a bit restricted on what it allowed the pony book buyer) I would have bought them.
When I look back at them now, they have lost their visual appeal: but I thought them the last word in sophistication when I was young. Collins had obviously carefully worked out what would appeal to the pony-mad girl and they gave it to her: bright, sometimes crudely coloured covers with a slightly other-world quality.
first editions
The Collins Pony Library included some titles it published as first editions: Patricia Leitch’s Rebel Pony and Pony Surprise, and Lilias Edwards’ Stable to Let. Collins took the opportunity to reissue some of Patricia Leitch’s earlier works, which she’d written under the name Jane Eliot for Collins’ Spitfire series. Her Afraid to Ride, First Pony, and Jacky Jumps to the Top were all originally Spitfire.
abridgements
As to whether any of the books are abridged, it’s probable, apart from the first editions of course. The Monica Edwards titles have had some alterations. From John Allsup’s site on Monica Edwards, I gather that Wish for a Pony has lost its frontispiece, but is otherwise the same. Cargo of Horses has lost four illustrations. No Entry is abridged, and has only five of the original illustrations. Black Hunting Whip is abridged. The new front cover is by Geoffrey Whittam.
How often, if at all, the Pony Library titles were reprinted is difficult to tell. The British Library doesn’t list any reprints, but then it doesn’t have all the titles anyway, so this is not conclusive! At any rate, Collins did not continue the Pony Library into the 1980s.
Many thanks to Bettina for supplying the photographs from her epic collection.
Title list
1. Wish for a Pony: Monica Edwards
2. Cargo of Horses: Monica Edwards
3. No Entry: Monica Edwards
4. Stolen Ponies: Christine Pullein-Thompson
5. We Hunted Hounds: Christine Pullein-Thompson
6. Riders from Afar: Christine Pullein-Thompson
7. Horses at Home: Diana Pullein-Thompson
8. I Wanted a Pony: Diana Pullein-Thompson
9. Riding with the Lyntons: Diana Pullein-Thompson
10. Pony Club Camp: Josephine Pullein-Thompson
11. Pony Club Team: Josephine Pullein-Thompson
12. One Day Event: Josephine Pullein-Thompson
13. Stable to Let: Lilias Edwards (1973)
14. First Pony: Patricia Leitch (1973)
15. Jacky Jumps to the Top: Patricia Leitch (1973)
16. Ponies on the Heather: Frances Murray (1973)
17. The Surprise Riding Club: Elinore Havers (1973)
18. A Pony for Two: Denise Hill (1973)
19. Rebel Pony: Patricia Leitch (1973)
20. Afraid to Ride: Patricia Leitch (1973)
21. Clear Round: Pamela Macgregor-Morris (1973)
22. The Trick Jumpers: Josephine Pullein-Thompson (1973)
23. We Rode to the Sea: Christine Pullein-Thompson (1973)
24. A Pony for Sale: Diana Pullein-Thompson (1973)
25. Ride by Night: Christine Pullein-Thompson (1974)
26. Three Ponies and Shannan: Diana Pullein-Thompson (1974)
27. I Had Two Ponies: Josephine Pullein-Thompson (1974)
28. Show Jumping Secret: Josephine Pullein-Thompson (1974)
29. Black Hunting Whip: Monica Edwards (1974)
30. Pony Surprise: Patricia Leitch (1974)