Yard-O-Led

[Ghost Plane]

I can't answer for the Astoria, as I don't own one [yet], but I have 3 of the silver YOLs and they're lovely daily users. Sturdy and easy to clean.

[CharlieB]

I have a Retro in the Grand size, and it is a wonderful pen.

[Joe Frances]

I have a Retro and love it. I have the largest sized one. The nib is a fine but leans toward the medium. It is not overly wet. The only thing I will add to what has been said is that the nib is exceptionally smooth and tolerant of angle of attack. IMO, these are VERY nice pens. j

 

Do you get a lot of looks and inquiries from people when you use this pen? I held it today and was much enamored of it. The silver work is wonderful. it does need some work with a tarnish cloth from time to time I would assume.

Edited March 13, 2009 by Joe Frances

[Ghost Plane]

Yep, YOL silver requires periodic buffing. But it comes up nicely - this isn't the thin stuff - it's HEAVY silver on their pens.

[aderoy]

Will be in Toronto the 1st weekend of April, does anyone carry YOL? This way I can actually touch/ test beforehand.

[pensilly]

Hi all, I picked up my first YOL recently at an estate sale. From what I can gather, it's called the 'Imperial' or 'Imperial Dragon.' I don't have the papers, box etc - I'm going by what I can find on eBay. It has a Chinese Dragon motif engraved on the cap and barrel. What can anyone tell me about this particular model please? Thanks in advance!

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/uploads/imgs/fpn_1396831332__img_8468_-_copy.jpg

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/uploads/imgs/fpn_1396831320__img_8470.jpg

 

Peter

[jar]

Hi all, I picked up my first YOL recently at an estate sale. From what I can gather, it's called the 'Imperial' or 'Imperial Dragon.' I don't have the papers, box etc - I'm going by what I can find on eBay. It has a Chinese Dragon motif engraved on the cap and barrel. What can anyone tell me about this particular model please? Thanks in advance!

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/uploads/imgs/fpn_1396831332__img_8468_-_copy.jpg

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/uploads/imgs/fpn_1396831320__img_8470.jpg

 

Peter

 

Look at the hallmarks. What are they? Post a picture of the hallmarks.

Edited April 12, 2014 by jar

[pensilly]

 

Look at the hallmarks. What are they? Post a picture of the hallmarks.

Hi Jar, here are the hallmarks. The barrel has 6 hallmarks, the cap has 3, as shown. I have no idea how to read them, though...

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/uploads/imgs/fpn_1397446636__img_0744resized.jpg

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/uploads/imgs/fpn_1397446655__img_0748resized.jpg

 

 

Thanks in advance!

Peter

[David_W]

It's a Birmingham (anchor) sterling silver (lion, 925 ellipse) convention (925 scales) hallmark, with the Yard-O-Led (YOL ellipse) maker's mark. All this is as you expect for a Yard-O-Led pen. The date letter is, according to this list (click to link), 1995.

[jar]

^^

 

So there you pretty much have it. It is an Imperial Dragon, made in 1995 and that model was a larger version of the Corinthian. The number on the clip along with the model and hallmarks identifies a particular pen. The numbers on the clip start at 0001 and increase to 9999 and then repeat but there will never be the same clip number, model and hallmark.

[pensilly]

Thanks Jar and David - you guys are experts! My clip says '547.' I can't seem to find too much on the web in terms of the value of this pen, any guidelines? Just for my own curiosity/education - since I just found it I'm not really planning to sell anytime....thanks. Peter

[David_W]

A boxed and uninked example reached £375 on eBay UK last year, though the listing shows the item being relisted and the relisted item is missing, so it might not actually have sold for that price.

 

If that listing is correct, this pen (which I'm not familiar with) was a limited edition. It is certainly a valuable item, though how much yours is worth is difficult to say. As always, any item is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. A new Yard-O-Led Corinthian fountain pen is available for £379 (maybe less if you shop around), which has the usual premium for being a new retail item, but doesn't have the same amount of hand finish work as an Imperial Dragon.

 

 

 

Yard-O-Led fountain pens tend to be very nice writers. It's up to you, but it's worth considering filling the pen and using it. I have a Yard-O-Led Viceroy Grand with a fine nib (2012 hallmarks, but bought brand new recently) as my 'go to' pen at home, which feels fantastic in the hand.

 

It's up to you how much you polish it. These deep relief pens are meant to acquire a patina, but if the pen hasn't been touched for a while, the high spots are likely to be tarnished. Some gentle attention from a tarnish cloth could improve its looks.

[jar]

Thanks Jar and David - you guys are experts! My clip says '547.' I can't seem to find too much on the web in terms of the value of this pen, any guidelines? Just for my own curiosity/education - since I just found it I'm not really planning to sell anytime....thanks. Peter

 

I'm afraid it's years since I looked at Y-o-L pricing and there were very few Imperial Dragons (1000 ? ) made so you seldom see them for sale. The last pricing I remember was about $700.00 IIRC.

[pensilly]

A boxed and uninked example reached £375 on eBay UK last year, though the listing shows the item being relisted and the relisted item is missing, so it might not actually have sold for that price.

 

If that listing is correct, this pen (which I'm not familiar with) was a limited edition. It is certainly a valuable item, though how much yours is worth is difficult to say. As always, any item is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. A new Yard-O-Led Corinthian fountain pen is available for £379 (maybe less if you shop around), which has the usual premium for being a new retail item, but doesn't have the same amount of hand finish work as an Imperial Dragon.

 

 

 

Yard-O-Led fountain pens tend to be very nice writers. It's up to you, but it's worth considering filling the pen and using it. I have a Yard-O-Led Viceroy Grand with a fine nib (2012 hallmarks, but bought brand new recently) as my 'go to' pen at home, which feels fantastic in the hand.

 

It's up to you how much you polish it. These deep relief pens are meant to acquire a patina, but if the pen hasn't been touched for a while, the high spots are likely to be tarnished. Some gentle attention from a tarnish cloth could improve its looks.

Thanks David. I have indeed inked it and love the way it writes. Really fabulous. I polished it lightly but won't do it too much, as I don't want to rub out any detail. It looks gorgeous and that engraving is really fantastic - took some real skill to do.

[pensilly]

 

I'm afraid it's years since I looked at Y-o-L pricing and there were very few Imperial Dragons (1000 ? ) made so you seldom see them for sale. The last pricing I remember was about $700.00 IIRC.

Thanks Jar. I didn't know that these were limited in number so that's nice to know. That explains why I could find next to nothing on the web about these pens. I think there's one listing on eBay for around $1500 if I remember right (I checked about a week ago)....

[Thier.]

I've just received this beautifull Grand Viceroy from a client who doesn't like it anymore before of his weight ... As he knew that I alreaday own a pocket one, he offered it to me for ... 50 € !!! How could I resist ???????????????????????

Edited May 23, 2014 by Thier.

[Ghost Plane]

Score!

[hot cocoa]

How could I resist ???????????????????????

 

You don't, that would be silly!

 

So pretty...I need to put YoL back on my list. A small one, though.

[David_W]

I've just received this beautifull Grand Viceroy from a client who doesn't like it anymore before of his weight

 

I'm glad to see the pen is now in the hands of someone who will use it. It's a twin of my Grand Viceroy - barley pattern and fine nib.

 

I find the Grand Viceroy balances beautifully in my hand meaning the weight isn't really an issue. However, I'm used to using substantial metal pens and don't find the weight an issue if the pen is well balanced. Those who are used to pens made of plastic or resin and have never used a pen with a metal barrel before might find the heavy solid silver Yard-O-Led pens too much - especially the Grands. It wouldn't do if we were all alike.

[hari317]

As he knew that I alreaday own a pocket one, he offered it to me for ... 50 € !!!

 

Congrats!