How Rare/collectable Are The Demi Sized Vacumatics?

[Glenn Atkins]

As I understand it they were only produced for about a year and a half to two years in 1947 and 1948 very near the end of the traditional Vacumatic run and according to Shepherd were produced in only four colors including India Black, Cedar Blue, Cordovan Brown and Dove Grey.

 

Does anybody care about this lineage or are they just not all that?

 

Comments, ideas, thoughts?

 

Thanks.

 

Glenn

[FarmBoy]

I find them easy to accumulate and difficult to dispense. I also find them a good source of filler units.

[Beechwood]

Given FBs response should a supplementary question be, apart from their size, is the writing and owning experience of a Demi significantly less than a full sized 51?

 

And if not so much, does that mean a collecting opportunity?

[pen lady]

Because the majority of pen collectors are men and many seem to think that "size matters", smaller pens are cheaper. Now, for writing ease, if your hands are huge, then a "demi" or any other smaller size pen might not be comfortable but if you "post" the cap, the problem could be solved. But please, keep the fact that smaller pens are more affordable under your hat.

[MKeith]

I don't own a demi vac only full size. I do however have an Aerometric demi with Pendleton Brown CI nib. The demi is not for writing long periods for me but they sure are handy for pocket carry, particularly these days with pockets of such short depth. They do have their place in the scheme of things.

[Moynihan]

...according to Shepherd were produced in only four colors including India Black, Cedar Blue, Cordovan Brown and Dove Grey.

I have a green/black shadow wave demi, double jewel....

Are those unusual?

[bsenn]

I have a green/black shadow wave demi, double jewel....

Are those unusual?

The shadow wave is a Vacumatic, as opposed to a 51 Vacumatic. Confusing, no? The rest of the thread has been about 51's.

 

Shadow waves are desirable, but not real rare.

 

Brian

[Moynihan]

Oooops!

I should have known since Shepherd wrote my P51 book ... I always think Vacumatics/Vac is referring to the older model...

[CraigR]

I agree that the demi size "51" pens are easier to acquire and a little more difficult to sell than their full size relatives. I have and use several with different nib types.They are a pleasure to write with and, as previously stated, fit better in some shirt pockets. Over the years, I have gifted a number of these pens to relatives.

 

Craig

[Florida Blue]

Demi 51 Vacs aren't particularly hard to find. Parker made quite a bit of them and the transitional Vacs in general, even though they were only made for a short time.

 

A unique attribute to the Demi 51 Vacs is that they were the same girth as the full size and are known as "fat Demi's," so they might be more comfortable in the hand compared to an Aero 51 Demi.

[pajaro]

From the number of Vac 51 demis I have seen on ebay over the years, I would say they are about as common as or slightly less common than forest green aerometric 51s. They are not very common, but not rare. I get the impression that they aren't much sought after. In a collection of 51s though you would probably want one or perhaps one of each color they were made in.