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| Duncan Imperial - Franklin Mint reproduction |
| Exhibit #4269 |
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| Type | Special Release |
| Shape | Standard (-) |
| Axle | Fixed |
| Color | Navy |
| Packaging | None |
| Construction | Multi-piece plastic |
| Response | Starburst |
| Diameter | 57mm |
| Width | 33mm |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Weight | 47.5gm |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 1994 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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A beautiful reproduction of Duncan's Imperial yo-yo, made by Franklin Mint in 1994, 40 years after the first version appeared. Franklin Mint was 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 Imperial seen in this exhibit was supposedly part of a planned subscription of 12 different, historically significant yo-yos. It's also unknown what nine of the 12 yo-yos were part of the subscription plan because Franklin Mint released only three of the 12: Duncan Litening, Duncan Imperial with chevron, and large "G" Genuine Duncan.
It's not clear if this reproduction Imperial was made with tenite plastic like the original. Tenite was a brand of cellulosic thermoplastic created by Eastman Chemical Company in 1929. Regardless of the plastic used, the cold stamp seal on the reproduction is nearly identical to an original vintage Duncan Imperial tenite with chevron. There are subtle differences between the original and the reproduction that can help you distinguish between the two.
An original, mint Duncan Imperial with chevron has the following characteristics:
• Gold foil, hot stamped seal, with "TEN ITE" directly below the chevron form.
• Imperial is directly centered on the face of the yo-yo.
• Came polybagged with card that had a preprinted price of $1 US.
• Tenite plastic body halves, with metal axle and starburst response.
A Franklin Mint reproduction Imperial has the following characteristics:
• Gold foil, cold stamped seal, identical to original with "TEN ITE" directly below the chevron form.
• Imperial is positioned slightly off center on the face of the yo-yo.
• Came with gold metallic display stand.
• Plastic body halves, with metal axle and starburst response.
• One small, clear "jewel" is embedded in the center of one body halve.
Reproduction recipe
Diameter: 57mm
Width: 33mm
Weight: 47.5gm
Response: Starburst
The reproduction model came with a cheap metal display stand that had a gold finish and a black imprint of the yo-yo's name. The stand itself is not worth much; just the yo-yo. Also, the brown/gold colored cotton string is original to this reproduction.
The Imperial is the oldest Duncan yo-yo model that is still in production today. Duncan produced the original Imperial yo-yo with chevron for eight years, from 1954-1962. The chevron logo was then replaced with the familiar fleur-de-lis logo that you still see on the yo-yo today. If there is one yo-yo model that is synonymous with "yo-yo" itself, the world over, it is the Imperial.
A plastic, mint condition Duncan Imperial with chevron -- original in polybag or Franklin Mint reproduction -- is somewhat challenging to find nowadays.
Near the end of 2022, Duncan again reproduced the Imperial with chevron, but this time in aluminum and with a ball bearing axle and response pads.
Original retail price: $ US
Of interest...
See these other Duncan Imperial with chevron yo-yos that have been sold over the years:
• Imperial from about 1962
• Imperial from Franklin Mint from 1994
• Imperial from 2003
• Imperial AL from 2023
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