Yard-O-Led
Handcrafted Turn of the Century Designs
Sampson Mordan based in London, England invented and patented the first ever propelling pencil in 1822. In 1934 Ludwig Brenner moved from Germany to London and founded The Yard-O-Led Company patenting a new version of the propelling pencil that was able to hold 12 three inch leads (a yard of lead) which each pencil contains and from which the name Yard-O-Led derives! In 1941 during the Blitz both premises were destroyed, Sampson Mordan never traded again. However, Ludwig Brenner teamed up with Mordan's lifelong employee, Frank Tufnell's son. Brenner eventually sold the business to the Tufnell family and at the same time acquired the patents for the Sampson Mordan pens, continuing the family link between the two companies. The company flourished and became renowned for its heritage and excellent craftsmanship.
Their workshops are now based in Birmingham’s historical Jewellery Quarter which is home to over 500 jewellery businesses. Today the Yard-O-Led range includes fountain, ballpoint pens and of course the pioneering pencils. Each writing instrument is skilfully handcrafted from hallmarked solid silver and comes with a lifetime guarantee. The Yard-O-Led range of fine writing instruments is admired worldwide for its quality, individuality and valued sense of heritage.
The Pen and Paper Stationery Company is the official stockist of Yard-O-Led writing instruments. See our wide range of Yard-O-Led writing instruments listed below. Also available in-store.
