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| Duncan Litening - Franklin Mint reproduction |
| Exhibit #3992 |
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| Type | Special Release |
| Shape | Standard (-) |
| Axle | Fixed |
| Color | Red/Gold crackle |
| Construction | Composite |
| Response | None |
| Diameter | 61 mm |
| Width | 37 mm |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Weight | 59 gm |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 1994 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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A beautiful reproduction of the late 1950s Duncan Litening yo-yo made by Franklin Mint in 1994. Franklin Mint is known primarily for their mass-marketed collectibles such as coins, medallions, die-cast vehicles, and dolls, among other things. In the 1980s and 1990s Franklin Mint often placed ads in Parade Magazine, a national weekend newspaper supplement, advertising a collectible. It's unknown if Franklin Mint ever placed ads in Parade for these yo-yo reproductions. The Litening seen in this exhibit was part of a planned subscription of 12 different, historically significant yo-yos. Also unknown is what other nine yo-yos were part of the subscription. Franklin Mint released only three of the 12: Duncan Litening, Duncan Imperial, and large "G" Genuine Duncan.
The crackle effect is much more consistent on these Franklin Mint reproductions, compared to original Duncan Litening yo-yos from the 1950s. Interestingly, nowhere on this yo-yo is there any indication that it is a reproduction or that it is made by Franklin Mint. However, there are several features that can help you distinguish a Duncan original from a Franklin Mint reproduction.
An original Duncan Litening has the following characteristics:
• Foil sticker seal has a shiny silver background.
• Lightning bolt is gold.
• Circle around circumference of foil sticker seal is gold, same color as lightning bolt.
• Wood body halves with a fixed, wooden axle.
A Franklin Mint reproduction Litening has the following characteristics:
• Foil sticker seal has a shiny gold background.
• Lightning bolt is green.
• Circle around circumference of foil sticker is green, same color as lightning bolt.
• Wood body halves with a fixed, metal axle.
Reproduction recipe
Diameter: 61 mm
Width: 37 mm
Weight: 58.6 gm
Duncan produced the original Litening yo-yo from the mid to late 1950s. The paint crackling technique produced a striking design effect on the yo-yo.
The reproduction came with a cheap metal display stand that had a gold finish and black imprint of the yo-yo's name. The stand itself is not worth much; just the yo-yo itself.
A Duncan Litening -- original or reproduction -- is hard to find nowadays.
Original retail price: $ US | |
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