The Yard-O-Led Pencil Company was founded in 1934 by a Mr Brenner to produce his unique patent for propelling pencils which contained twelve three inch leads (that is to say, 36 inches or a yard of lead). After the war the pencils had riveted clips and silver and gold pencils were fully hallmarked. In 1955 Yard o Led bought Edward Baker and the first YoL ballpoints were made in the Baker workshops and hallmarked EB. Repairs were carried out in an old building in Soho Hill
Today pens and pencils are only made in Silver at their workshop in Spencer Street, Birmingham. The new firm that owns YOL is Imperial Yard headed by Robin Field, who was previously CEO at Filofax
Thanks to Colin Brenner Keates (Mr Brenner’s Grandson) for additional information
RARE Early Yard O Led 4 sided Yard O Lette in Gold fill with Art deco pattern Panels. In Perfect condition. Measures 118 mm long.
c1936
£120
Yard O Led Aristocrat in Sterling Silver , fine Barley pattern. In Absolute MINT condition. Fully hallmarked and dated 1949. Works perfectly.
c1949
£128
Yard O Led De Luxe Ballpoint in Gold fill fine line pattern. This pen is in absolute MINT Condition in original box.
c1966
£125
Yard O Led De Luxe SET Ballpoint and Pencil in Solid Sterling Silver diamond Pattern. Both in Absolute MINT Condition in original box. Both fully hallmarked and dated 1968
c1968
£225
Stunning Yard O Led Grand Viceroy Rollerball in Solid Silver with Pinstripe Pattern. Huge, heavy Pen in Absolute MINT Condition. Comes in original Leather pouch . Both Pouch and Pen branded with Smythson of Bond Street. Fully Hallmarked and dated 2006
c2006
£595