The Imperial is one of Duncan's two most iconic and best-selling yo-yos, alongside the Butterfly. It was first released in 1954, and has been a true classic since its introduction back then, and it is still in production to this day.
The Imperial is a plastic looping yo-yo with a fixed metal axle, starburst response, and a narrow string gap. Its profile is based on the older wooden Tournament models, specifically those with rounded sides rather than flat sides. Originally made out of Tenite plastic, it came in a variety of transparent colors, and has a fleur-de-lis motif gold-stamped on one side of the yo-yo.
Even though nowadays it is considered kids' stuff compared to more modern looping models such as the Yomega Raider, the YoYoFactory Loop 1080 and even Duncan's own Hornet, it had seen plenty of use back in the day by even the professionals, especially the legendary demonstrator Barney Akers. It was even licensed for Bandai's Hyper Yo-Yo range in Japan in 1997 as the Hyper Imperial (Japanese: ハイパーインペリアル).
Notable Cosmetic Variants[]
Due to the success of the Imperial yo-yo, Flambeau adopted its shape as the standard shape of its plastic yo-yos, and as a result, it was released in various colors and designs under different names. Here are some notable versions:
- "Chevron Imperial" - this is the first version of Imperial released by Duncan during the pre-Flambeau period, and has a different marking from the more familiar "Fleur-de-lis" marking used today. In some versions, the marking mentions "Tenite", the type of plastic used to make the yo-yo. In 2003, Flambeau produced replicas of this yo-yo to commemorate Duncan's 75th anniversary; you can tell apart a replica from an original Chevron Imperial by looking at the Duncan logo (it is thinner in the original), and the placement of the registered trademark symbol (It is next to the word "Yo-Yo" on the original, while it is next to the word "Duncan" on the replica).
- "Marble Imperial" - a variant of the Imperial from the pre-Flambeau period, made of different colored plastics swirled to make a marbled effect.
- Mardi Gras - a variant of the Imperial from the pre-Flambeau period, made of clear Tenite plastic with various colored plastic bits and glitter molded in. Has a different marking from the typical Imperial. Marketed towards girls.
- Tournament - produced by Flambeau after their takeover of Duncan, it was called the "Flambeau Plastic Tournament" to differentiate it from the other versions of the Tournament yo-yo. It is essentially an Imperial variant with different marking, which was a vast improvement over the first plastic Tournament yo-yo Duncan produced. The first versions from 1960s were made of black plastic with fine glitters molded in, while later versions from 1970s were made of a solid colored plastic.
- Special - a variant of the Imperial from the 1970s, made of solid colored plastic. Has a different marking from the typical Imperial. Later versions from 1980s had a ring-shaped pit around the hubs of the yo-yo, and is marketed as a "low cost economy model".
- Glow Imperial - also known as the Glow Yo-Yo or the Glow-Yo in the packaging. A variant of the Imperial made of glow-in-the-dark plastic. Has a different marking from the typical Imperial. It was also licensed for Bandai's Hyper Yo-Yo range in 1997 as the Hyper Glow (Japanese: ハイパーグロウ).
- Neo - a variant of the Imperial made of solid bright neon colored plastic. Released in the 1990s, It was technically a modernized rebrand of the earlier Duncan Special, except it only came in bright neon colors. Has a different marking from the typical Imperial. It was also licensed to Bandai for their Hyper Yo-Yo line-up as the Hyper Neo (Japanese: ハイパーネオ).
- Midnight Special - a variant of the Imperial made of black plastic. Has a different marking from the typical Imperial. It was also licensed to Bandai for their Hyper Yo-Yo line-up as the Hyper Midnight (Japanese: ハイパーミッドナイト).
- Gold Award - a variant of the Imperial made of clear yellow or orange plastic with glitters molded in. Has a different marking from the typical Imperial. During the 1980s, Japanese toy manufacturer Tsukuda Original made and distributed their own iteration of this yo-yo in Japan as the "Gold Class".
- Jewel - a variant of the Imperial from the 1980s, made of either black or white plastic, with a colored rhinestone attached to the center of both sides of the yo-yo. Either marked with "DUNCAN (R) Jewel" or various illustrations of animals.
- Velvet - a variant of the Imperial from 1972. It had a velvet texture on the surface of the yo-yo. Has a different marking from the typical Imperial.
Official Description[]
Duncan Imperial[]
New Giant Book of Duncan Yo-Yo and Spin Top Tricks (1971)[]
Translucent Plastic - Metal Shaft.
Duncan Yo-yo Leaflet (1981)[]
This is the all-time best selling model in the Duncan yo-yo line. Exciting translucent colors and bright metallic graphics.
Duncan Hyper Imperial (1997)[]
Type A - Standard Type
A traditional design that hasn't changed for 50 years. Its shape fits comfortably in the hand, making it easy to handle even for beginners. Diameter about 57mm. Weight about 55 grams.
Infinite Illusions 1999 Spring/Summer Catalog[]
A plastic yo-yo with a steel axle in the standard body shape. Popular since the 1960's. A great beginner yo-yo.
Duncan Catalog (2016)[]
The Imperial is the original, All-American classic. A timeless favorite, the Imperial has been the yo-yo of choice for many generations of beginning yo-yo players. The Imperial features a narrow string gap, steel axle and durable plastic body in bold colors. It’s great for learning the basics of yo-yoing!
Duncan Glow Imperial[]
New Giant Book of Duncan Yo-Yo and Spin Top Tricks (1971)[]
It glows in the dark.
Duncan Yo-yo Leaflet (1981)[]
A phosphorescent model of the popular Imperial that glows in the dark. The Glow Imperial will provide hours of night-time fun for every age group.
Duncan Hyper Glow (1997)[]
Type A - Standard Type
A glow-in-the-dark version of the Hyper Imperial. Its shape fits comfortably in the hand, making it easy to handle even for beginners. Diameter about 57mm. Weight about 55 grams.
Infinite Illusions 1999 Spring/Summer Catalog[]
Just like the Imperial, only it glows in the dark. A great beginner yo-yo.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- An opaque yellow Imperial was the first yo-yo sent into in space, on April 12th, 1985. This was a part of a series of scientific experiments called, "Toys in Space", where different toys were tested in outer space to see how they are affected by weightlessness. Originally, a Tom Kuhn No Jive 3-in-1 was going to be the first yo-yo in space, but because it was made of wood, it did not meet NASA's safety requirements.
External Link[]
- Duncan Imperial (Return Top, Canadian version) at the Museum of Yo-Yo History
- Duncan Imperial (1971) at the Museum of Yo-Yo History
- Duncan Glow Imperial (1971) at the Museum of Yo-Yo History
- Duncan Imperial (1994) at the Museum of Yo-Yo History
- Duncan Imperial (No. 400, black/gray/white swirl finish) at the Museum of Yo-Yo History
- Duncan Imperial (No. 400, red) at the Museum of Yo-Yo History
- Duncan Glow Imperial (No. 3057) at the Museum of Yo-Yo History
- Duncan Hyper Imperial at the Museum of Yo-Yo History
- Duncan Imperial (Canada distributed) at the Museum of Yo-Yo History