Question On Yard O' Led

[gclyn]

Thanks Jar, do you know what an upper case 'Z' is?

 

Hmmm...I wonder if the hallmark follows this logic:

 

r = 2016 (my Viceroy Grand Victorian has an r, which makes sense, as I bought it a couple weeks ago)

q = 2015

p = 2014

o = 2013

n = 2012

m = 2011

l = 2010

k = 2009

j = 2008

i = 2007

h = 2006

g = 2005

f = 2004

e = 2003

d = 2002

c = 2001

b = 2000

a = 1999

Z = 1998

 

But then again, I don't know when or how the started the date stamp or even if the started using upper case then went to lower case.

[jar]

There are several things to date marks, the case, upper versus lower, different fonts and the shape of the cartouche. Also most series do not use all the letters and which get skipped depends on ease of recognition; there will sometimes not be an "l" and an "i" or "q" and "o" or "u" and "v"in the same year. For example in the 2000 series "i" was skipped but in the series that started in 1975 and ran through 1999 all of the letters were used.

[twdpens]

Just looking at the YOL website, has the Corinthian been discontinued? Also, does anyone have a list of the latest date codes please?

The Corinthian and Retro ranges were discontinued as of November 2015 although some stock still remains here and there.

 

For date codes, check this reference: https://theassayoffice.co.uk/send-us-your-hallmarking/date-letters

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[adyf]

The Corinthian and Retro ranges were discontinued as of November 2015 although some stock still remains here and there.

 

For date codes, check this reference: https://theassayoffice.co.uk/send-us-your-hallmarking/date-letters

 

HTH,

 

Martin

Thank you Martin, much appreciated.

[dkc]

I just purchased a Retro standard and after only a few capping and uncappings, I am already seeing a lot of deep scratches along the back half of the section. Is this common to see these silver sections? I know Silver is soft, but would not expect to see this so quickly. I wonder if a jeweler could buff some of this out.

[jar]

Pay attention to how you are capping the pen. That seems excessive and I would worry that I might be hitting the nib inside the cap if that were happening.

[foreignexport]

My Grand Victorian has been posted from England today - can't wait

[gclyn]

My Grand Victorian has been posted from England today - can't wait

 

Hi foreignexport. I got my Viceroy Grand Victorian a few weeks ago...could you let me know if your pen comes with the metal capped converter or the regular black plastic one?

 

Thanks

[foreignexport]

 

Hi foreignexport. I got my Viceroy Grand Victorian a few weeks ago...could you let me know if your pen comes with the metal capped converter or the regular black plastic one?

 

Thanks

 

of course

i did check and my pen is dated 2016 - i ordered a broad nib so the store had to order it in from the factory

[gclyn]

 

of course

i did check and my pen is dated 2016 - i ordered a broad nib so the store had to order it in from the factory

 

Great thanks....I ordered mine from La Couronne du Comte and they had none in stock...they had to order it from the factory as well so mine is 2016 also.

 

Just want to see if they stopped using the "deluxe" converters in favour of the black plastic ones. I think the metal converter (not sure if it's also sterling silver) adds that extra flair and luxury for the pen.

[Zdenek]

My Viceroy Grand barley pattern, B nib, bought last year (UK shop) is hallmarked n, and is equipped with a black plastic converter.

[gclyn]

My Viceroy Grand barley pattern, B nib, bought last year (UK shop) is hallmarked n, and is equipped with a black plastic converter.

 

 

Hmmmm...Hi Zdenek. I'm wondering if they have stopped using the metal (possibly also sterling silver) converter with the later productions...possibly a weight concern.

[jar]

 

 

Hmmmm...Hi Zdenek. I'm wondering if they have stopped using the metal (possibly also sterling silver) converter with the later productions...possibly a weight concern.

The bright converter did not look like it was silver, wrong color and texture. I image converters are just bought in batches and come as they come instead of being a special order.

[gclyn]

The bright converter did not look like it was silver, wrong color and texture. I image converters are just bought in batches and come as they come instead of being a special order.

 

Probably, and too bad...the metal converter accented nicely with the whole sterling silver body.

[foreignexport]

mine arrived today and does indeed have a black plastic converter

lovely pen

[gclyn]

mine arrived today and does indeed have a black plastic converter

lovely pen

 

Thanks for the reply foreignexport....guess they stopped using the "luxury" converters.

[sdakota]

Yard O Leds. I have had several for quite a few years now, including a Viceroy Grand Lined and the same pen in a skinny version. The Viceroy Grand is a heavy pen, solid silver. Less heavy if you don't post the cap, but I think posting the cap gives the pen better balance. Unfortunately, for me, it also makes it too heavy for sustained writing. My hand would get quite tired after a time, often in the middle of something, and I'd wish I'd used a lighter pen. The skinnier version (almost the same length, but less weighty) is better for me. So, if you plan to use your pen a lot, weight is something to consider. These pens cost a lot. You want to be able to use them.

Tarnish. A quick swipe with jeweler's cloth every time you put your pen away works nicely. What I did was purchase a beat-up old map case with shallow drawers. I lined each drawer with archival styrofoam, glued on long, triangular styrofoam strips, and lined the whole thing with silver cloth, which you can buy by the yard. Perfect beds for all my pens and zero tarnish. You can also sew little bags out of silver cloth. A lot easier, but then you can't see your pens. I might add that making your own, or adapting an existing chest of drawers, is way, way cheaper than buying one of those fancy, multi-pen cases, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

Yard O Led nibs. They are not flexible, but they are not like writing with petrified wood either. My term for them is buttery. Really smooth and expressive, like the Orpheo nib on some Duponts, even though you don't have line variation. I don't know...buttery. And the fine nibs have great ink flow and are not like writing with a pin.

I just had an awful experience trying to buy a Yard O Led from England, first from the company and second from The Pen Shop. I think it was because my e-mail address name is different from my actual name. I was on the phone with my bank's fraud department several times. Nothing wrong with the card, no blocks, no problem. The Pen Shop wanted copies of utility bills and bank statements. After 4 days, I just cancelled the order. I hope others have better luck. I wish Yard O Led would find a new US distributor.

[IrishEyes]

I love my Y-O-Ls. I have the Viceroy Grand Victorian and the regular size of the same pattern. Beauties, and I love writing with them. Now, I'm keeping my eye out for a Pocket Viceroy Victorian, then I'll have my set. I got the other 2 at discounts, but they were still expensive. I'm hoping I can find a similar deal on the Pocket version.

[mhphoto]

Those Victorian finish pens are magical. Every time I look at them I just can't help but sit there in awe for a good five seconds.