Comments on: January 13, 1952 (Yard-O-Led pencil)

By: Saumiq

Saumiq — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 20:44:26 +0000

Oh happy Christmas morning, for under the tree was just the right sized package for me: a new YOL, black Retro pencil!

By: Tom Musolf

Tom Musolf — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:51:41 +0000

I have a Yard-O-Led Rolled Gold pencil that I would like to sell for a fair offer, I was going to do the Ebay thing but those that are for sale are in England. I acquired it from my father-in-law in Birkenhead, England in 1962.It was used so I cannot pinpoint the year of manufacture. I believe that the patent number 422767 is common for many of the pencils. It has minimal wear, no noticable scratches, untouched engraving area and the staggered checker style pattern. All interior parts operate smoothly. I have had it for 50 yrs and have not ever wrote with it. I’m stuck on the “new” pencils! I live in South Carolina and will be watching for followups on this item.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:38:20 +0000

I found the following information about “platinine” at http://www.precious-metal-services.com/information/metal-glossary/
“Alpaca is an alloy consisting of 50-67% copper, 10-25% nickel and 12-26% zinc. The nickel gives the alloy a silvery-white appearance. The alloy is hard, but flexible and is used, e.g., for electronic springs in relays, in zippers or in cutlery. Its trade names include German silver, alfenide, alpaca, christofle, China silver, packfong, hotel silver, platinine.”

By: penfixer107

penfixer107 — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:01:22 +0000

Colin….I have a Yard-O-Led pencil marked Platinine and if you are doing research this might help…it has a patent number 422767.

By: Jean

Jean — Wed, 18 May 2011 10:59:53 +0000

Have found a platinine (thought yardoiled until I found your forum) Yard o Led pencil amongst my Dad’s belongings. It looks dirty and dull, how should I clean it? Should I use a metal cleaner or will that take the coating off?
From reading your comments I guess it does not have a high value but does have a lifetime guarantee.

By: Colin Keates

Colin Keates — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:19:15 +0000

I forgot that last August Malcolm Aickin asked about the YoL clutch pencil. This was also made in silver and hall marks indicate that the clutch pencil was only made for a short time between 1949 -1951.

By: Colin Keates

Colin Keates — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:43:58 +0000

I notice that there have been questions about YoL’s marked Platinine. Well I am still reseaching that one but have not yet got the full story. There is however no such metal as Platinine. It has been suggested to me that the pencil may be plated with an alloy that contained platinum. This may sound far fetched but after WW2 many new finishes were experimented with. At that time platinum did not have the value it has today because it was not used in industry as it is today and had been mainly used for a niche market in jewellery.

By: Simon

Simon — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:26:25 +0000

My wife bought me a Yard-o-Led pencil, I think for my 21st. It has lasted over 40 years. Although I don’t use it daily, it has always worked perfectly with no problems refilling. A little short perhaps, but still comfortable enough. Yes it is platinine, whatever that is, but it has survived in excellent appearance.

By: penciladmin

penciladmin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:07:27 +0000

Scott, see the links in the comments here and here. This blog is fortunate to have some very knowledgeable readers!

By: Scott Robinson

Scott Robinson — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:45:50 +0000

Can anyone please point me to an online source of YOL hallmarks, so I can date a few pencils?
Thanks.

By: Bob S. in Phoenix, AZ

Bob S. in Phoenix, AZ — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:26:39 +0000

Some ballpoints don’t write upside down, however, Fisher space pens and other similar pens do write upside down and under severe conditions. I have used these for years along with pencils.

By: penciladmin

penciladmin — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:07:47 +0000

Thank you, P.Encil. Upside down writing, or to generalize, any awkward angle, are a great pencil advantage!