The Parker Demi Duofold, along with the Standard Duofold was one of the first Aerometric Duofolds produced at the Parker Newhaven factory.  The commonly quoted release date is 1953 but the pencil in this set is clearly stamped with a 1951 date code and it is definitely a Demi Duofold as it still has the original chalk describing it as such.  It must have been a pre release set.

The box, with a brass button to facilitate opening, is the original box used only for the first Demi Duofolds, and is marked as such.  The original 'Demi Duofold Set' instruction leaflet is included.

The 14Ct. gold nib carries an 'N' stamp, for the Newhaven factories.  Shortly after release the 'N' was omitted and the nibs were given a number, '15' for the Demi and '25'  for the standard.

The set is in mint condition, it came to me as new old stock but, at some stage, someone has broken off the eraser in an attempt to remove it.  I suspect that this was someone just investigating the set, unaware that the erasers always become brittle with age.  Shaking the pencil shows that there are still spare lead stored in the barrel.  The finish is flawless, the imprints clear, and the ink sac unstained.

The Demi is just 12.6 cm. in length but has the same girth as the Standard, making it the 'chunkiest' of all the vintage Parkers.  The set is perfectly matched, the pencil being the same length as the pen.

The Demi sold in far fewer numbers than the standard and is, consequently, much harder to come by.  A boxed set in such outstanding condition seldom comes along and a pre release set is something of a rarity.