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| Duncan Genuine - Franklin Mint reproduction |
| Exhibit #4270 |
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| Type | Special Release |
| Shape | Standard (-) |
| Axle | Fixed |
| Finish | Painted |
| Color | Black with orange stripe |
| Packaging | None |
| Construction | Three piece wood |
| Response | None |
| Diameter | 58mm |
| Width | 37mm |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Weight | 50.5gm |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 1994 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
| Compare |  |
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A beautiful reproduction of the large "G" Genuine Duncan yo-yo, made by Franklin Mint in 1994, more than 60 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 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.
The black body and orange stripes on these reproductions are of a high quality, compared to original Genuine yo-yos from the early to mid 1930s. Original Genuine yo-yos tend to have painted stripes of varying widths and plenty of paint overspray. Unlike this reproduction, the stripes on each halve of an original are rarely ever aligned. Seals on originals have a matte gold appearance. These reproductions, however, have seals that are shiny, gold foil. They almost appear to be a sticker.
Nowhere on this yo-yo is there any indication that it was a reproduction or that it was made by Franklin Mint. However, there are several main differences between the Genuine Duncan original and the Franklin Mint reproduction that can help you distinguish between the two.
An original Genuine Duncan has the following features:
• Came in a variety of colors except glossy black with day-glo orange stripe.
• Seal and stripe are rarely ever aligned together, horizontally.
• Seal was on one side only.
• Wood body halves with a fixed, wooden axle.
• Sold out of a counter display box of yo-yos, without any individual packaging.
A reproduction Franklin Mint Genuine Duncan has the following features:
• Glossy black paint with day-glo orange stripe.
• Orange stripe and seal are aligned, horizontally on both halves.
• Seal is on both sides of the yo-yo.
• Wood body halves with what appears to be a fixed, metal axle.
• Sold with a matching gold metallic display stand.
Reproduction recipe
Diameter: 58mm
Width: 37mm
Weight: 50.5gm
Duncan produced the large "G" Genuine Duncan yo-yo in the 1930s after the original large "G" Genuine yo-yo from the late 1920s, early 1930s (one of Duncan's first ever yo-yo models!).
The reproduction came with a cheap metal display stand that had a gold finish and black imprint of the yo-yo's name (note the stand's surface defects in the exhibit image). The stand itself is not worth much; just the yo-yo. Also, the brown/gold colored cotton string is original to this reproduction.
An original or Franklin Mint reproduction Genuine Duncan is hard to find nowadays.
Original retail price: $ US | |
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