# The Tom Kuhn “Dove and Mountain” Original Yo-Yo **URL:** \ **Category:** Collectors Corner\ **Created:** [December 28, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-tom-kuhn-dove-and-mountain-original-yo-yo/390925 "2023-12-28T21:50:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chrismacg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@chrismacg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/chrismacg)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-tom-kuhn-dove-and-mountain-original-yo-yo/390925/1 "2023-12-28T21:50:17Z")
Up until last month I felt pretty confident that I had a complete list of all the yo-yos that Tom Kuhn Yo-Yos ever released. So, I was surprised when I came across a Tom Kuhn Original yo-yo from the 1970s. A yo-yo so unique and rarely seen that I wasn’t sure Tom Kuhn Yo-Yos really made it. It took a bit of research to find out it’s origin. I’d have posted this on the TK Filed Guide Instagram page, but Instagram now limits posts to 2200 characters so… Enjoy. ![IMG_2954](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/9/8/9/98988e23eadc9d0a8b1b6f5ff4a3c38adb9b2c70.jpeg) ![IMG_2955](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/9/3/f/93fc254499d5f83ce73f6e4a826bccb794f9e847.jpeg) Tom Kuhn Yo-Yos produced the Original for a very brief period in the 70s. According to Lucky Meisenheimer’s book on collectible yo-yos, the Original (#1581 _42_) is very rare and the line was discontinued. I believe it was introduced at the same time as the Beginner’s but never had a second run. The only mention of the yo-yo in printed material from Tom Kuhn was on a Special Limited Editions price list that came out around 1986-87 (see below); about the time the Diamond Specials were released. The Original was available in very limited quantities for a low price of $4.00 on that price list; the same price as a Beginner’s yo-yo at that time. ![406444531_1128112348175029_5056812167992054935_n](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/a/8/d/a8d60647e16b01e504ca63ca302656386c48d8e6.jpeg) The Original is a uniquely unique yo-yo from Tom Kuhn Yo-Yos, a company known for many different versions of its core yo-yos. The shape of the yo-yo mimics the shape of the famous Duncan Chief up-and-down yo-yo from the 1930s and 40s; less rounded overall with each half looking a bit like a tapered hockey puck. ![IMG_2960](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/8/3/1/831485ee134dd6cfecc0b5ca320635b493488ac4.jpeg) This shape is not unique to the Original as you can see in this photo; the Original (center) essentially the same shape as the Up & Down Beginner’s Yo-Yo (left) and the No Jive Jr (right) from Tom Kuhn. The Original is unique from these two similarly shaped models in that it is a three-piece, fixed axle yo-yo that is not modular like the No Jive Jr, and not a fixed-string model like the Beginner’s; the Original can sleep but can’t be taken apart. The design of the Original is also similar to the No Jive Jr. and Beginner’s Yo-Yos in that it is a two-tone model. Both halves of the yo-yo are stained allowing the natural grain of the wood to show. The one I found has a red and a yellow half. I’ve seen photos of Originals in other color combinations. ![IMG_2956](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/4/c/1/4c10c7140ea2562a4520ad5bf067d5ff76c11cd9.jpeg) The most unique aspect of the Original is the design on one half of the yo-yo. The design features two birds flying over a mountain range with a sunrise and the word “Original” leading to the yo-yo being dubbed the “Dove and Mountain.” It is a simple, elegant design that evokes the types of hand-carved pictures that yo-yo demonstrators in the 30s and 40s would apply to wood yo-yos with their pen-knives. The types of carvings that I’m sure Tom Kuhn would have seen in his youth. The design is heat-pressed into one side of the Original; a similar technique to the Beginner’s model stamp that allows for much finer lines than the stamps on the traditional No Jives. This allows the design to have a level of detail and beauty surpassing the laser etching of the era. The reverse side has no markings. There is no mention on the yo-yo that it is from Tom Kuhn Yo-Yos, which is also very unique. The collectability of the Tom Kuhn Original is yet to be seen. Prior to a few weeks ago I wasn’t sure that this model was really from Tom Kuhn Yo-Yos. I’ve only ever seen one of these on eBay and it sold for a lot. I hope that shedding light on the history and pedigree of this model will help other collectors find more of these unique Tom Kuhn yo-yos. ---
**Author:** ![jblack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@jblack](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jblack)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 1:53am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-tom-kuhn-dove-and-mountain-original-yo-yo/390925/2 "2023-12-31T01:53:37Z")
Thanks you Chris for gathering your research and history for us to enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Overtinkering](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/overtinkering/32/663225_2.png) [@Overtinkering](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Overtinkering)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 2:28am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-tom-kuhn-dove-and-mountain-original-yo-yo/390925/3 "2023-12-31T02:28:46Z")
Oh that was a great read thanks!