I was a typewriter technician in the early 80s for Electronic typewriter but was trained on mechanical/electric ones too, I really like when videos like this pop up in my UA-cam, it takes me back to very happy time, .. thank you
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco we have a little game in our house, whenever a typewriter is in a TV show or movie I get asked what it is, I'll say say SG3 or IBM selectric or imperial 66 ....
Dg Livi, thank you! I didn’t know this. I suppose it makes sense. If you’re only doing a writer’s draft, why not use black/red ink. Very much appreciate the note!
I have watched this at least 50 times, it's because I really want one of these machines, and I have been looking for one, just don't want to spend a thousand dollars or more, The right one will come along, and when it does, I'll watch this again with it, as to learn with the machine in front of me, I'll also update this comment, letting you know that I got one... Until that Day, I've got this video to enjoy, admire, and dream of my very own. Thank you.
@@bigcityturtleworld I do not, @bigcityturtleworld. Though I'd be interested in having one simply because it's a Smith Corona and they made remarkable machines.
I think it's really magical when you are capable to use something that people in the past used. Objects that were so common back then. The only object from the past I use from time to time is my Gillette safety razor... Which was used by my great grandfather, grandfather, then my father, and now myself. Keeping it alive. Great video, as always.
I completely agree, Nicolas. We’ve entered a phase of our technological culture where everything is created to be disposal. It’s a culture of planned obsolescence that carries certain trade offs, many of which (I believe) erode our sense of value, purpose, and worth. Glad to hear you’re still using your great grandfather’s safety razor. No one can buy, sell, or trade a treasure like that.
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco I agree with you, Damon. It happens with every creation, sadly. “If it ain't broke, don't fix it”, I believe. To me is also a matter of respect to the creators from the past. They wanted to do so much with every object they manufactured, including durability, something that today doesn't exist anymore. Since I started to use my safety razor my money is also kept safe. I do not spend so much as before when I used to shave my beard with disposable ones. I tend to buy a pack of blades that can last an entire year and at a very low price, which I really like. If I ever have a son... I'll give him my safety razor too. I'll take care of it until then. It feels eternal in a way... Sharing.
Wow Wow Wow! Hermes 3000 is defiantly one of my dream typewriter. However, over here, they cost $1000+ for no reason! Exceptional. Great with the muscle ehhhhhhhhh.
Hah! Thanks for saying that, I had fun with it. Keep a lookout for bargains, IM. I got my Hermes for significantly less than the price you quoted and it was in mint condition.
One of the things I noticed about the Hermes 3000 (mine is °1970, boxy model) is that I don't have to realign the paper after inserting it. I've used typewriters before, this is the first where adjustment is not needed. It was an accidental purchase, my kid never had used a typewriter before, so I bought it second hand for about €100. Works perfectly. As it goes, the novelty factor wore off quickly, so now I'm the one using it. I wrote exclusively on Scrivener, but now I use a hybrid workflow: iA Writer for quick drafts, Hermes 3000 to check for flow, weed out the passive sentences and to shorten and edit my often too long prose. Love the techno pica font on that 3000. Never thought I would go back to the typewriter🙂
Hi @bartrammeloo5046. I hear you. I, too, use a hybrid workflow. Though mine typically moves from typewriter to Scrivener to Word and out the door. Bottom line: do whatever it takes to keep the work moving. This includes telling people, in my case: "No, I'm sorry. Can't do that today. I'm writing." Thanks for watching and checking in. Wishing you my best.
Have this EXACT model. The hype folks, is real. The feel of a Hermes 3000 is divine, sublime -- even sensual really. The keys call to your fingers, they lull thoughts right out of you... they disentangle the morass of the mind, manifest, then float right there on the page. The typeface is small, so if you're switching between machines sometimes, such as a Lettera 32/33, it takes some adjusting, though not much. Even the case in its weight feels great: the handle, the carry, the simplicity of how the shell top comes on and off. I have mine standing upright next to a bookcase and it looks like a snug piece of free standing artwork. In Denmark, there's a Danish word, "hygge" (pronounced "hoo-gah") that means a cozy, contented feeling that comes from comfort and conviviality, usually associated with spaces or moments, yet I'd say it also perfectly describes the Hermes 3000. It's a work machine AND a leisure machine simultaneously. It was my first manual typewriter purchase and thus far, remains my best.
@valis14. All that and more. Though I note that typeface is bespoke to machines. Mine is “chambered” in pica and so it’s not so small at all. Appreciate your thoughts and thanks for checking in.
I bought a big old Underwood Noiseless typewriter (Pat. 1931) from a fellow student in 1970. I thought that decrepit old wreck was broken, to discover today that it was really a premium feature reserved for the very best of the best. When I graduated in 1973, I used that old girl to type letters of application for a variety of jobs that I was certain suited my talents. None of those ever paid off of course, as I’m sure the recipients all had a good laugh over the fellow that applied for exciting career opportunities with black and red fonts……….! I’ve laughed about it many times over the years. I never used it again and finally put it on the sidewalk in front of the bins. Within minutes, there were screeching tires and the old girl was gone - off to a new life……… Not done with typewriters though. I use three ultra portables from the late ‘30’s to the mid ‘60’s to make notes for book club meetings (Lettera 22, Empire Aristocrat and an old Remington with perfect action). The tapping of typewriters has never bothered me - unlike the blip blip blip of keyboards.
Hi @robertennor1143. Ah, yes. The plastic blip blip blip ... or what Larry McMurtry once called "the dry embrace of computers." If only you'd contacted me about that the Underwood Noiseless. I would have taken it off your hands and given you lunch money for it to boot. But you sound like you have things under control. The three ultras you mention are good machines. And anyone who makes notes on a typewriter for book club meetings ... frankly anyone who goes to book club meetings at all (I say this as someone who writes books) ... well, you're welcome here, new friend. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Wow I have always wondered why no typewriter does a half and half red black setting, in fact I initially thought that was what the stencil setting was. Now I know by far the most expensive typewriter I can think of has it!! Love your videos, just picked up my first "branded" typewriter - an Olympia sm9!! I have a boots model 40 which I thought was fantastic (until I tried this Olympia). I also have an Adler Tippa but it has a missing screw alongside a broken screw thread at the back right, true shame. But this Olympia I picked up is in better condition than me and I am only 25.. it is probably over double my age. Have an amazing afternoon!
A friend told me about your channel and I’m so glad. I have a “boxy” 3000-I am one of the rare folks who strongly prefers that design over the earlier slope-shouldered ones. I’m curious about a few things. Mine was made in 1968, and it has the cream-colored keys rather than the green ones, even though I’ve seen green keys on machines from the same year. I wonder why. Mine is somewhat special because it has a 14” carriage and Techno type. I don’t know if that’s relevant. Another weird thing is that it has the driest, hardest platen in my collection, worse than a 1950 SCSilent. In fact, the surface is crazed with cracks. I love having a luxurious, long-carriage machine, but something prospective buyers should keep in mind is that they don’t come with that handy, snappy lid. My theory is that was never a problem for the original owner because it was used full time in an office for filling out forms; thus the long carriage and the sans-serif type. I can have an appropriate plastic case sent from France, but it will cost as much as I spent on the typewriter!
Peter, thanks for contributing this. As to the color change on the keys, well… who knows why they did that? I find that a lot of this knowledge has been lost. I’ve never seen a 3000 with an extended carriage and I probably wouldn’t have use for one… except for the Techno type. That must be cool. I love Techno type. Makes me feel like I’m writing a cablegram to George and Judy Jetson. Welcome to our community, friend!
Peter, I’m so glad you contributed this. I don’t know why they change the color of the keys in midyear. Information like that seems to have been lost over the years. I’ve never seen a 3000 with an extended carriage and I doubt that I would have use for one… Except… There’s that whole issue of techno type. Which I’ve always thought was cool. Whenever I type in techno type, I feel like I’m typing a cablegram to George and Judy Jetson. Welcome to our community, new friend!
Hermes produced both colors, in the same time, it is just a visual difference that some prefer. No special (marketing) reason that I know of, more diversity, appeals to more people.
Well on a Continental Standard, you can press the button to set a tab, delete it by pushing uptht bar on the button and go to where you set by pressing it down. To delete all tab you can press the lever behind the machine on the left side of the carriage. Quickly set quickly delete.
I haven’t had the pleasure of trying a Continental Standard, Chandler, but it sounds like something I’d enjoy. Isn’t it great to find a machine that was built by writers for writers? I appreciate you watching and commenting!
I inherited this fine machine from my mother who used it in her office for my father's small landscaping business. The weird part for me at least is that she had a type font of 13 CPI or 2,00mm, which is quite small at least by American standards. I wish I could ask her why she chose to by this machine with that small font. Great video!
Maybe she sent post cards? Also, people used to type in to forms. I still do it sometimes, but it was common when I was a kid. There might have been a special use.
Good video, one small remark, not all Hermes Baby were made in Switzerland. Payllard designed Hermes Baby were also produced in Brazil, Argentina, later versions of Hermes 3000 were also produced in Hungary. Our typewriter shop specializes in Hermes typewriters, so Hermes 3000 is a shop favourite, the ultimate writing tool, indeed.
@@theo3053 I don't have a shop, Theo. I'm a professional writer who occasionally finds time to refurbish machines I use in my work. The emphasis on my practice is always getting back to work writing.
Oh, no! I just followed a few of those links, and... got a bunch of bad news! Well. I just recently learned that there are type faces that have names, more than one sans-serif type (my dream)... I got an Adler J4 for college in 1974, it had CUBIC type face, which I loved and seemed like the last word. I just found out that this had a name (!). I thought it was just something about ADLER! Now I'm going nuts shopping and spending to find a few others with this... and NOW I see that there are other type faces that are BETTER, and probably in practice not available. SIGH. Altessa? OCR-B (seen once in all my life)... Financial Gothic Heavy? There's more! I imagine going to a typewriter STORE in the day and selecting something like this with their expert help... but I didn't have such budget in the day, it would be like buying a car! In reality if I see a hundred typewriters three will be "Cursive", and the rest regular typewriter type more or less. Sans-serif is one in a few hundred, and it's always "Techno"!!!
It can be challenging, I hear you @leonardperalman4017. But it's worth the inquiry, I suppose. The journey being more important than the destination. Sounds like you're learning a lot and I'm very impressed by that, your curiosity and tenacity. Wishing you the best of luck finding your dream typeface.
Hello. Thank you for this entertaining overview of such an iconic typewriter. At 2:56 , you can see a felt pad under your Hermes 3000. Where can one get such a pad for one's own typewriter?
Ah, that's an excellent question, @BradFonseca. In truth, it's been on my list for a while to do a quick video about the merits of a good typewriter pad. For now, here's the link to a truly awesome accessory. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. amzn.to/3s4qGH8
Just stumbled on this gem of a channel and I can’t stop watching! Thank you so much for these fun and interesting videos 👏🏼 I recently found a really well preserved Brother Deluxe 1510 which I’m planning to use at university but I cannot seem to find any videos on it whatsoever, is there any chance you could make one on it? 😊 Thanks again!
Sabri, it's so nice to meet you, and thanks for the good words. I don't happen to have a Brother DeLuxe 1510 but i found this user manual for that machine for you, courtesy of Richard Polt's typewriter site at Xavier University (below). If I run across a machine of this type, I'll be sure to do a profile on it. Meantime, I hope this helps. Welcome to the CreateX3 community, and thanks for watching! site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/BrotherDeluxe1510.pdf
Many typewriters do have the "gold" setting for the ribbon. It's intended for leveraging all ink of single color ribbons. So: blue = upper area, red = lower area, and gold middle area of ribbon. Tha's simple.
True, indeed, Landro. This was pointed out to me after the video launched and I very much appreciate your reminder. As well as the fact that you took the time to watch and write in. Thank you!
So I guess all that talk about the 3000 was justified. Not only does it look great, but has all that hidden features I had no clue of. My SM4 needs a friend I guess...
I don't think you'll regret getting a Hermes 3000, Philip. It's really an awesome machine. I've been using mine more and more as time goes on and it's hard to compare it to other portables.
Hi @Vermontmike9800. I want to be careful here because I can’t honestly say I’ve tried each and every Hermes implied by your question. However, the models I have tried include both the round top and squared off 1960s Hermes 3000, and no, I found no operational differences. To my mind, the shift to the squared off chassis was cosmetic, and perhaps intended to resonate more fully with design concepts of the moment. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and commenting!
My 1973 Erika Daro mod. 41 also has four options for the ribbon selector. Perhaps the East Germans copied it from the Hermes, or did some other typewriters have this option before them?
It's very possible, @JJ3E. I've heard of other German brands aping this functionality ... like Optima, or so I believe one viewer mentioned. (Optima was a spinoff Olympia brand. Post-WWII, some Olympia engineers snuck over the Berlin wall and started their own operation. Litigation followed over who owned the Olympia name. An interesting history. I'm digressing.) Another viewer pointed out that the Hermes 3000 gold color selection setting causes the hammers to strike in the center of the ribbon, thus increasing ink output by approximately 50%. Sounds about right to me. Who started this practice? That's beyond my ability to say. My bottom line would be this: if you need to milk more ink from your ribbons, use that center-fire setting and ... as always (this is the most important thing to remember) ... keep writing!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco Interesting, I did not know that about Optima! And yes, I figured that I can make a single color ribbon last a lot longer with the middle setting on my Erika! Also, incidentally, soon after I wrote my original comment, I heard someone mention on another Hermes 3000 video, that Olympia was the first one to make a four color selector. No idea if true, but he seemed to know what he was talking about.
@@2300DY It's a great question. I don't know either but I'd say it's distinctly possible. Olympia made awesome machines that were very forward-thinking in their own way (I'm fixating now on how each key on an Olympia SM3 is spring-loaded to draw it back down to center ... amazing.) I wouldn't put it past them to have been the first to come up with a four-color selector. Notably, Hermes is a Swiss company. I have a German friend who grew up in Switzerland. Says the cultural crossovers are ... well, they're immense.
Great video- perfect primer while I wait for my “new” one to ship to me. Being a portable, though, do you feel the Hermes 3000 would be suitable/robust enough for heavy daily writing?
Just a hypothesis , but I’m thinking that the extra ribbon setting gives you access to the middle of the ribbon in order to prolong the life of a single-color ribbon. If I had an all-black or all-blue ribbon and was running low on ink, perhaps the middle setting would give me another couple runs through it, on a part of the ribbon that wouldn’t otherwise be typed on…
Jon, you are correct. This was pointed out to me by a few subscribers in the comments here and I’m grateful to them and to you for the clarification. One subscriber also noted that the Hermes 3000 is not, in fact, the only machine to make use of this setting. If memory serves there’s an Optima machine that does the same thing. Either way, I’ve used this setting to keep going when my ribbon’s begun to run faded. The characters stamp out half-and-half red-and-black when I use that two-tone ribbon but no matter. I only do early drafts on typewriters so I’m the only one who sees them. Many thanks again for pointing this out to the community. Thanks for watching and welcome!
Okay I'm sorry I know I'm adding another comment and that most people just put them in replies under their original comment but I am sorry this deserves its own spot. I am very happy to announce.. yesterday for my birthday party there was a ginormous box on the table, and upon opening it clearing the styrofoam and bubble wrap there at the bottom was the very unique unmistakable seafoam green strange like cast metal looking case that texture and that unmistakable handle that green apple colored handle, I immediately started to freak out. I couldn't remember what I said but my wife hasn't recorded and it was a bunch of OH WOW!!! And of course it was hard to tell people I know what it was because of the case not that I somehow had peaked at the gift people that don't collect typewriters don't understand that their cases are very unique to what they are... And then I said however if I open this up and find that it's a bunch of socks I'm leaving. And so with that I am happy to announce that I am the proud owner of not socks thankfully, but a 1960s Hermes typewriter a curve body. It's the one where it does not have the holes on the sides of the space bar for the lid to attach. According to the typewriter database this is the trailing end of 1959 beginning of 1960s. Well my guess is my serial number is between the two years. I should probably figure out how to document it there. It works perfectly it has maintenance slips repair slips and a killer Page turning thrilling manual instructions. Lol... What an incredible machine to work on I absolutely can see why it's considered the world's finest typewriter. I have never typed on anything so nice, I mean at one time, long time ago, when I was younger, I do remember seeing one in an antique store for like $80.00 and typing on it, but I don't recall what it felt like then... This is otherworldly, it's like riding in a limo made of butter that was built by cloud people. And I mean clouds that have hands people. Imagine yourself slipping down a slip and slide that's full of nothing but oil and it's laying on top of a field of marshmallows it's that smooth. It's as smooth as the blink of an eye. And now having owned a few old typewriters of the Vintage era this is my oldest typewriter but I can tell you for its age and time this was a very futuristic typewriter it was very high-tech for its day and age. On a funny note I tried to tell my in-laws both of which were typist, I said you guys want to try this it's amazing the world's finest typewriter here, I got no honey we've typed before, As they walk on past, I thought to myself but it's the world's finest typewriter have you ever typed on the world's finest typewriter before.... yeah they were gone. I don't know about you but somebody says the world's finest anything that demands some freaking attention... Anyway, there it is very happy owner now, and I swear I heard the song "At Last" by Etta James in my ear when I opened it up. Although I'm a stepfather, I don't have any biological children myself, but if I were to have one, seeing it at birth and holding the child for the first time in my arms, this must be what it's like when holding this typewriter. 😂 Good Great Monday Morning!❤
Somewhere in all this, @dadtype2339, lies confirmation of the fact that what we ask for, we receive. Congratulations on your new machine. May it serve your writing well!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco I keep waking up looking at it thinking it will disappear, I still can't believe I own one. I did a quick cleaning of the type bars as I was so excited to try it out, it's such an easy machine to use that between Sunday night and now Tuesday evening when I last used it, I cranked out 44 pages and my hands are not hamburger meat lol. And then I discovered that if I slowed down, which I did for the last 12 pages I really enjoyed the machine and felt it speaking to me, Take your time, enjoy the creativity. It just beckons one to write on it. Course when I opened it no one understood why I was on the edge with tears building in my eyes. Overwhelming and so thankful to see seafoam green lol. I'm working enjoying the creativity. And getting that story off to the Editor. Thank you Damon. 👍
@@dadtype2339 Whatever I did (I did nothing) is yours to enjoy. Congrats again, @dadtype2339. BTW, I sent a discount offer for the Break Your Story course to your email. Did you receive it? Many happy returns!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco Clean the escapement - first need to remove the carriage which is not that difficult on these models ua-cam.com/video/Clo8HKWLDEo/v-deo.html&ab_channel=UnplugTypewriterCompany
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco You mentioned taking it into the shop. DYI way of fixing the carriage grinds I've done this many times but including taking off the entire shell. Removing the carriage and giving the escapement a good cleaning will most likely fix the grind.
I want to point out a "defect" of the H3000 (and any other Hermes of the 60's and 70's): they're soft as silk. The touch is unmatched, sure, as long as the machine is in pristine condition. A tiny little speck of dust, any minor issue and a wonderful typewriter becomes a "meh" machine. In fact, the more than millimetric precision of the Hermes typewriters is exactly what makes them so... Let's say picky. But they've more than earned the right to be so due to their undeniable quality. Oh, and they're the embodiment of overengineering. Just take a look at the Hermes Ambassador! Not that I don't like Hermes, but going along the deserted island thingy I'd rather take a SM3
Fundamentally, I don’t disagree with you @Juaza. I have both a Hermes 3000 and an Olympia SM3. The SM3 is a more solid, more stalwart machine. If I were living on a deserted island, I’d probably prefer the SM3, just as you do. Thing is, I’m not living in a deserted island. Therefore I want my machines to give me their best under the circumstances I pose to them. I’m not sure I agree with you that a tiny speck of dust will throw off a Hermes. That hasn’t been my experience. My 3000 could use a tune up but it’s still a fine machine, and one I use regularly, albeit not on an island where sand might blow in the works or a seagull flying overhead might take a crap in it. And so on. Frankly, however, no typewriter deserves that kind of treatment. Nor would even the SM3 come off looking or functioning or smelling so well after that happened. Can we agree that the bottom line here is “to each their own?” Offered, of course, with the wish that your writing goes well no matter which tool you happen to use.
Hi, Maxime. Short answer: I don't know. I don't have a Hermes Baby yet. Key word: yet. However, I found the instruction manual for one online. Here's the link. www.manualslib.com/manual/1793271/Paillard-Hermes-Baby.html From this set of instructions, it doesn't appear to have one. But again, I could be wrong. I hope this helps.
I have one in my collection, @drinktea65. Same one as shown in the video, a roundtop 1965 in excellent condition. Not willing to part with it now, however.
Hi @RavesForDays. Thanks to the Right Reverend Ted Munk, we have this resource to draw from for Hermes typescript comparisons: munk.org/typecast/2011/04/24/1964-nomda-blue-book-hermes-font-styles/ According to the above information, my Hermes uses a common Hermes Pica typescript. For fun, I ran a type sample through myfonts.com. Unfortunately, it returned 55 possible fonts, several of which didn't (to my eye) look anything like the output of my Hermes. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and getting in touch!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco Will do. Unfortunately I can’t just walk into the local appliance center to try one out. I’m really not sure when I’ll come across one in the wild.
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco When I first got into typewriters (about a decade or so past), I would go to typewriter events and have a typosphere blog, so I had more of an opportunity to see lots more typewriters in person or own them for a short time as they passed through my hands before I sold them. But I never bought or sold a Hermès. At one point I literally had a wall of boxes with typewriters listed for sale, even though I did that as a hobby. I eventually stopped that, but I wound up keeping 8 of them. The only machine I wish I’d kept was a sea foam green Olympia SM4, which I sold to get another SM4 with cursive type. It’s nice for writing letters or cards, but I find I would rather look at a regular font. By the way, I don’t know if you’ve already done so, but you should do a video on typewriter fonts (types, sizes, etc). That would be pretty cool since you seem to have a nice collection.
04/24/24 Yeah I'm back again. Starting to feel like that Ray Charles Song, "Here We Go Again" My birthday is exactly a week from today, (May 1st) and a month ago, I saw one of thses, spoke to the seller on eBay, they wanted $375.00, it had documents it had belonged in law enforcement, a judge, then 1 detective of homicide in New York, and then another in Los Angeles, then found its way up to Connecticut was in the Police department there, until sold in auction to a private collector who had it regularly maintained. I asked why the low price, seller said it a fair price without inflation from Tom Hanks lol. I may have mentioned this here, it had the strange legal Key, and I'm told rare Subsection Legal Paragraph sign/key looks like this: "§" usually means it was special ordered and was on a desk working for a Judge, a Lawyer, Police Department, law school or police Academy, Private Detective, and the like, that one was on the desk of to detectives from the late 50's (1958) through the 60's and 70's, man can you imagine how inspiring it might be to write a mystery story on a machine like that? It had written real murder reports...I suppose it would be both inspiring and macabre. I wrote its serial number down to look up, it was a 1958 model. Love that year. Anyway, I promised the little lady I wouldn't buy one, I should have she would thank me later, dont buy your own Birthday gift...or else hear from the God of War lol. My Wife is a terrible liar she can not lie to save her live, I asked her yesterday by chance did you buy me a Typewriter for my birthday? She said No..... she's not lying!!!! The prices on these are out in the thousands man, the Thousands! I know, I know, you said I'll get one when the spirits of fortune say it's the right time. I believe I will. I feel it will be mine under my finger tips crunching away. Just wish it was crunching away after my Birthday. Lol. Sigh, ......Damon, when you get this out to work on, I do hope you know how very lucky you are to have this exquisite machine at your finger tips. Okay, back to the program...😶
All noted, @dadtype2339. The Hermes 3000 is indeed an excellent typewriter. Yes, I know that curious legal S, I have one on my 1934 Torpedo Model 16, with a German keyboard. My very first restoration job. Listen, my friend. Which machine you use doesn’t matter. It took me 26 typewriters and many years to figure this out. Doesn’t matter. The work is inside you and wants to, needs to come out. May I suggest that you honor this and start writing immediately. Doesn’t matter if it’s on a Hermes, in blood, or with crayon. Just do it. Anything else is The Resistance. Wishing you (always) my best. And happy birthday!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco Thank you I absolutely understand that, and I have been jumping around writing on different stories, whoever one has my attention a bit more than the others, but I'm building on many full length and short stories. When it comes to typewriters, I'm both a collector and writer using my collection, a rare mix, as most collectors don't use their machines and writers typically have just one machine they use (sometimes they may have 2 or 3 but are not collecting). At least that's what I was told it's not very common and it's rare to be a writer using their machines in their collection. I have a total of 7, one is a parts machine and 6 are fully functional and I maintain them and use them all. Switching them out as I go. Thank you, for you words I really do appreciate them and take everyone of them to heart. ❤️ Now, getting Back to Work! Thank you Damon.
Thank you for this video, and your others too, very informative and entertaining. I just acquired a 3000 and noticed that one of the paper supports is missing. I tried searching for parts online without luck. Suggestions where I might find parts?
It's my pleasure, Dr. Monbaga. Congrats on your new 3000. Now to your question of parts. I find a lot of them by scouring eBay. Several vendors on that platform offer highly particular and original parts for different makes and models. Sometimes copy parts are available, too. For example, a few years back, someone figured out that Hermes platen knobs can be 3D-printed to original factory specifications. Pretty cool and very useful. If eBay doesn't work, I would contact the more established typewriter service providers. Call or email the ones who have been in business repairing, refurbishing, and selling typewriters for decades. Tell them exactly what you need. Apart from being experts, these vendors often have staggering "graveyards" full of parts from a wild array of machines. I've done this many times in the past. The community has always been helpful and kind. I hope this helps. Wishing you luck on your quest and thanks for watching!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco of course! at exactly the time reference I left in my initial comment the paper goes *above* the paper bail for like 3 frames then there's a sneaky cut and suddenly the paper is *under* the paper bail, as if by magic *wink wink* and you claiming it didn't need to be lifted.. *cough cough* LIAR! caught you
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarcooh but it definetly and most clearly is the case. did you know you can go back and forth on youtube frame by frame with period and comma?
I was a typewriter technician in the early 80s for Electronic typewriter but was trained on mechanical/electric ones too, I really like when videos like this pop up in my UA-cam, it takes me back to very happy time, .. thank you
You’re so welcome @peterbullen3347. Thank you for sharing your happy memories with us!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco we have a little game in our house, whenever a typewriter is in a TV show or movie I get asked what it is, I'll say say SG3 or IBM selectric or imperial 66 ....
@@peterbullen3347 Those are indeed very likely suspects...
Managed to snag a fully functional, good condition one of these at a pawn shop. Feels great to use, one of the best purchases I've ever made.
@Remington53. Excellent! Congrats! Happy typing!
the Gold button is to save money by using the middle of a single colour ribbon. also a feature on Robotron Optima machines....
Dg Livi, thank you! I didn’t know this. I suppose it makes sense. If you’re only doing a writer’s draft, why not use black/red ink. Very much appreciate the note!
Haha that’s awesome
Olympias SGs also have this feature and they state the reason for it (using a 3° layer in the middle of the ribbon) as the reason for it.
@@marlonsouza9224 Only the SG1. The SG3 did away with this.
Wow, really? Why! So, one reason more for me to stick with mine SG1
I have watched this at least 50 times, it's because I really want one of these machines, and I have been looking for one, just don't want to spend a thousand dollars or more, The right one will come along, and when it does, I'll watch this again with it, as to learn with the machine in front of me, I'll also update this comment, letting you know that I got one... Until that Day, I've got this video to enjoy, admire, and dream of my very own. Thank you.
May you find one soon, @dadtype2339!
You're not the only one 😂
You as well, @ikonographics.
do you have a Smith Corona classic 12
@@bigcityturtleworld I do not, @bigcityturtleworld. Though I'd be interested in having one simply because it's a Smith Corona and they made remarkable machines.
I think it's really magical when you are capable to use something that people in the past used. Objects that were so common back then.
The only object from the past I use from time to time is my Gillette safety razor... Which was used by my great grandfather, grandfather, then my father, and now myself.
Keeping it alive.
Great video, as always.
I completely agree, Nicolas. We’ve entered a phase of our technological culture where everything is created to be disposal. It’s a culture of planned obsolescence that carries certain trade offs, many of which (I believe) erode our sense of value, purpose, and worth. Glad to hear you’re still using your great grandfather’s safety razor. No one can buy, sell, or trade a treasure like that.
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco I agree with you, Damon. It happens with every creation, sadly.
“If it ain't broke, don't fix it”, I believe.
To me is also a matter of respect to the creators from the past. They wanted to do so much with every object they manufactured, including durability, something that today doesn't exist anymore.
Since I started to use my safety razor my money is also kept safe. I do not spend so much as before when I used to shave my beard with disposable ones. I tend to buy a pack of blades that can last an entire year and at a very low price, which I really like.
If I ever have a son... I'll give him my safety razor too. I'll take care of it until then. It feels eternal in a way... Sharing.
@@THE.N1KO This is very well said, Nicolas. I agree completely.
Wow Wow Wow! Hermes 3000 is defiantly one of my dream typewriter. However, over here, they cost $1000+ for no reason! Exceptional. Great with the muscle ehhhhhhhhh.
Hah! Thanks for saying that, I had fun with it. Keep a lookout for bargains, IM. I got my Hermes for significantly less than the price you quoted and it was in mint condition.
One of the things I noticed about the Hermes 3000 (mine is °1970, boxy model) is that I don't have to realign the paper after inserting it. I've used typewriters before, this is the first where adjustment is not needed. It was an accidental purchase, my kid never had used a typewriter before, so I bought it second hand for about €100. Works perfectly. As it goes, the novelty factor wore off quickly, so now I'm the one using it. I wrote exclusively on Scrivener, but now I use a hybrid workflow: iA Writer for quick drafts, Hermes 3000 to check for flow, weed out the passive sentences and to shorten and edit my often too long prose. Love the techno pica font on that 3000. Never thought I would go back to the typewriter🙂
Hi @bartrammeloo5046. I hear you. I, too, use a hybrid workflow. Though mine typically moves from typewriter to Scrivener to Word and out the door.
Bottom line: do whatever it takes to keep the work moving.
This includes telling people, in my case: "No, I'm sorry. Can't do that today. I'm writing."
Thanks for watching and checking in. Wishing you my best.
Have this EXACT model. The hype folks, is real. The feel of a Hermes 3000 is divine, sublime -- even sensual really. The keys call to your fingers, they lull thoughts right out of you... they disentangle the morass of the mind, manifest, then float right there on the page. The typeface is small, so if you're switching between machines sometimes, such as a Lettera 32/33, it takes some adjusting, though not much. Even the case in its weight feels great: the handle, the carry, the simplicity of how the shell top comes on and off. I have mine standing upright next to a bookcase and it looks like a snug piece of free standing artwork. In Denmark, there's a Danish word, "hygge" (pronounced "hoo-gah") that means a cozy, contented feeling that comes from comfort and conviviality, usually associated with spaces or moments, yet I'd say it also perfectly describes the Hermes 3000. It's a work machine AND a leisure machine simultaneously. It was my first manual typewriter purchase and thus far, remains my best.
@valis14. All that and more.
Though I note that typeface is bespoke to machines. Mine is “chambered” in pica and so it’s not so small at all.
Appreciate your thoughts and thanks for checking in.
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco "Chambered", love that. Good times.
@@valis14 Right?
I bought a big old Underwood Noiseless typewriter (Pat. 1931) from a fellow student in 1970. I thought that decrepit old wreck was broken, to discover today that it was really a premium feature reserved for the very best of the best. When I graduated in 1973, I used that old girl to type letters of application for a variety of jobs that I was certain suited my talents. None of those ever paid off of course, as I’m sure the recipients all had a good laugh over the fellow that applied for exciting career opportunities with black and red fonts……….! I’ve laughed about it many times over the years. I never used it again and finally put it on the sidewalk in front of the bins. Within minutes, there were screeching tires and the old girl was gone - off to a new life……… Not done with typewriters though. I use three ultra portables from the late ‘30’s to the mid ‘60’s to make notes for book club meetings (Lettera 22, Empire Aristocrat and an old Remington with perfect action). The tapping of typewriters has never bothered me - unlike the blip blip blip of keyboards.
Hi @robertennor1143. Ah, yes. The plastic blip blip blip ... or what Larry McMurtry once called "the dry embrace of computers." If only you'd contacted me about that the Underwood Noiseless. I would have taken it off your hands and given you lunch money for it to boot. But you sound like you have things under control. The three ultras you mention are good machines. And anyone who makes notes on a typewriter for book club meetings ... frankly anyone who goes to book club meetings at all (I say this as someone who writes books) ... well, you're welcome here, new friend. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Wow I have always wondered why no typewriter does a half and half red black setting, in fact I initially thought that was what the stencil setting was. Now I know by far the most expensive typewriter I can think of has it!!
Love your videos, just picked up my first "branded" typewriter - an Olympia sm9!! I have a boots model 40 which I thought was fantastic (until I tried this Olympia). I also have an Adler Tippa but it has a missing screw alongside a broken screw thread at the back right, true shame. But this Olympia I picked up is in better condition than me and I am only 25.. it is probably over double my age. Have an amazing afternoon!
I’m so glad you checked in @nucleja. Sounds like you’re well on your way toward a fine collection. Keep up the good work and happy typing!
I have H3K 's all different decades. Love them. Thanks for the video ☺️
My pleasure, Douglas. I’m envious. I love the Hermes. Can’t have too many of them. Thanks for watching!
great video. really been enjoying these profiles, I especially like seeing the which machines notable writers used.
Noted, Swee Neezy. I’ll try and built that into forthcoming profiles. More coming. Thanks for your interest and thanks for watching!
Great video. I like your knowledge of any typewriter.
Much obliged for saying so @alfonsoa68. Thanks for watching.
Yay thank you so much for this very insightful video! The best UA-camr in my book :)
Happy to be of service, Benoît. Thanks for commenting and being a part of our community. Thanks for watching. More coming!
A friend told me about your channel and I’m so glad. I have a “boxy” 3000-I am one of the rare folks who strongly prefers that design over the earlier slope-shouldered ones. I’m curious about a few things. Mine was made in 1968, and it has the cream-colored keys rather than the green ones, even though I’ve seen green keys on machines from the same year. I wonder why. Mine is somewhat special because it has a 14” carriage and Techno type. I don’t know if that’s relevant. Another weird thing is that it has the driest, hardest platen in my collection, worse than a 1950 SCSilent. In fact, the surface is crazed with cracks.
I love having a luxurious, long-carriage machine, but something prospective buyers should keep in mind is that they don’t come with that handy, snappy lid. My theory is that was never a problem for the original owner because it was used full time in an office for filling out forms; thus the long carriage and the sans-serif type. I can have an appropriate plastic case sent from France, but it will cost as much as I spent on the typewriter!
Peter, thanks for contributing this. As to the color change on the keys, well… who knows why they did that? I find that a lot of this knowledge has been lost. I’ve never seen a 3000 with an extended carriage and I probably wouldn’t have use for one… except for the Techno type. That must be cool. I love Techno type. Makes me feel like I’m writing a cablegram to George and Judy Jetson. Welcome to our community, friend!
Peter, I’m so glad you contributed this. I don’t know why they change the color of the keys in midyear. Information like that seems to have been lost over the years.
I’ve never seen a 3000 with an extended carriage and I doubt that I would have use for one… Except… There’s that whole issue of techno type. Which I’ve always thought was cool.
Whenever I type in techno type, I feel like I’m typing a cablegram to George and Judy Jetson. Welcome to our community, new friend!
Hermes produced both colors, in the same time, it is just a visual difference that some prefer. No special (marketing) reason that I know of, more diversity, appeals to more people.
@@amsterdamtypewriter6410 You're speaking of the Hermes 2000 here, yes?
Another great and informative video that I truly enjoyed watching, There is a Hermes 3000 somewhere out there - patiently waiting for me.
May it find you soon, Daniel. And May it be awesome! Thanks for the good words and thanks for watching.
Well on a Continental Standard, you can press the button to set a tab, delete it by pushing uptht bar on the button and go to where you set by pressing it down. To delete all tab you can press the lever behind the machine on the left side of the carriage. Quickly set quickly delete.
I haven’t had the pleasure of trying a Continental Standard, Chandler, but it sounds like something I’d enjoy. Isn’t it great to find a machine that was built by writers for writers? I appreciate you watching and commenting!
I inherited this fine machine from my mother who used it in her office for my father's small landscaping business. The weird part for me at least is that she had a type font of 13 CPI or 2,00mm, which is quite small at least by American standards. I wish I could ask her why she chose to by this machine with that small font. Great video!
I'd love to know the answer to that, Daniel. Please let me know if you figure it out. Meantime, I appreciate the comment. Thanks for watching!
Maybe she sent post cards? Also, people used to type in to forms. I still do it sometimes, but it was common when I was a kid. There might have been a special use.
Good video, one small remark, not all Hermes Baby were made in Switzerland. Payllard designed Hermes Baby were also produced in Brazil, Argentina, later versions of Hermes 3000 were also produced in Hungary. Our typewriter shop specializes in Hermes typewriters, so Hermes 3000 is a shop favourite, the ultimate writing tool, indeed.
Good to know, AT. Much obliged for the good words. And thanks for your work with Hermes machines. They're really incredible.
Where is your shop!?!
Please advise. Where is your shop? I have a Hermes 3000 that needs help --
@@theo3053 Our shop is based in The Hague, The Netherlands.
@@theo3053 I don't have a shop, Theo. I'm a professional writer who occasionally finds time to refurbish machines I use in my work. The emphasis on my practice is always getting back to work writing.
Thank you for this review! Great information.
My pleasure, Jeffrey. Thanks for watching! More to come!
Oh, no! I just followed a few of those links, and... got a bunch of bad news! Well. I just recently learned that there are type faces that have names, more than one sans-serif type (my dream)... I got an Adler J4 for college in 1974, it had CUBIC type face, which I loved and seemed like the last word. I just found out that this had a name (!). I thought it was just something about ADLER! Now I'm going nuts shopping and spending to find a few others with this... and NOW I see that there are other type faces that are BETTER, and probably in practice not available. SIGH. Altessa? OCR-B (seen once in all my life)... Financial Gothic Heavy? There's more! I imagine going to a typewriter STORE in the day and selecting something like this with their expert help... but I didn't have such budget in the day, it would be like buying a car! In reality if I see a hundred typewriters three will be "Cursive", and the rest regular typewriter type more or less. Sans-serif is one in a few hundred, and it's always "Techno"!!!
It can be challenging, I hear you @leonardperalman4017. But it's worth the inquiry, I suppose. The journey being more important than the destination. Sounds like you're learning a lot and I'm very impressed by that, your curiosity and tenacity. Wishing you the best of luck finding your dream typeface.
Hello. Thank you for this entertaining overview of such an iconic typewriter. At 2:56 , you can see a felt pad under your Hermes 3000. Where can one get such a pad for one's own typewriter?
Ah, that's an excellent question, @BradFonseca.
In truth, it's been on my list for a while to do a quick video about the merits of a good typewriter pad.
For now, here's the link to a truly awesome accessory.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
amzn.to/3s4qGH8
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarcoThank you so much for the link! I look forward to that video when you have time to make it.
Just stumbled on this gem of a channel and I can’t stop watching! Thank you so much for these fun and interesting videos 👏🏼
I recently found a really well preserved Brother Deluxe 1510 which I’m planning to use at university but I cannot seem to find any videos on it whatsoever, is there any chance you could make one on it? 😊 Thanks again!
Sabri, it's so nice to meet you, and thanks for the good words. I don't happen to have a Brother DeLuxe 1510 but i found this user manual for that machine for you, courtesy of Richard Polt's typewriter site at Xavier University (below).
If I run across a machine of this type, I'll be sure to do a profile on it. Meantime, I hope this helps. Welcome to the CreateX3 community, and thanks for watching!
site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/BrotherDeluxe1510.pdf
Thank you so much, again - really useful!
Of course, Nikita. Hope it’s useful to you and thanks for watching.
Many typewriters do have the "gold" setting for the ribbon. It's intended for leveraging all ink of single color ribbons. So: blue = upper area, red = lower area, and gold middle area of ribbon. Tha's simple.
True, indeed, Landro. This was pointed out to me after the video launched and I very much appreciate your reminder. As well as the fact that you took the time to watch and write in. Thank you!
So I guess all that talk about the 3000 was justified. Not only does it look great, but has all that hidden features I had no clue of. My SM4 needs a friend I guess...
I don't think you'll regret getting a Hermes 3000, Philip. It's really an awesome machine. I've been using mine more and more as time goes on and it's hard to compare it to other portables.
Where did you get a brand new Hermes 3000? ;-)
Believe it or not? Craigslist.
Is there any operational difference between the rounded generation 1 and the squared off generation 2? White key vs green key, etc.
Hi @Vermontmike9800. I want to be careful here because I can’t honestly say I’ve tried each and every Hermes implied by your question. However, the models I have tried include both the round top and squared off 1960s Hermes 3000, and no, I found no operational differences. To my mind, the shift to the squared off chassis was cosmetic, and perhaps intended to resonate more fully with design concepts of the moment.
I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and commenting!
My 1973 Erika Daro mod. 41 also has four options for the ribbon selector. Perhaps the East Germans copied it from the Hermes, or did some other typewriters have this option before them?
It's very possible, @JJ3E. I've heard of other German brands aping this functionality ... like Optima, or so I believe one viewer mentioned.
(Optima was a spinoff Olympia brand. Post-WWII, some Olympia engineers snuck over the Berlin wall and started their own operation. Litigation followed over who owned the Olympia name. An interesting history. I'm digressing.)
Another viewer pointed out that the Hermes 3000 gold color selection setting causes the hammers to strike in the center of the ribbon, thus increasing ink output by approximately 50%. Sounds about right to me.
Who started this practice? That's beyond my ability to say. My bottom line would be this: if you need to milk more ink from your ribbons, use that center-fire setting and ... as always (this is the most important thing to remember) ... keep writing!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco Interesting, I did not know that about Optima! And yes, I figured that I can make a single color ribbon last a lot longer with the middle setting on my Erika! Also, incidentally, soon after I wrote my original comment, I heard someone mention on another Hermes 3000 video, that Olympia was the first one to make a four color selector. No idea if true, but he seemed to know what he was talking about.
@@2300DY It's a great question. I don't know either but I'd say it's distinctly possible.
Olympia made awesome machines that were very forward-thinking in their own way (I'm fixating now on how each key on an Olympia SM3 is spring-loaded to draw it back down to center ... amazing.) I wouldn't put it past them to have been the first to come up with a four-color selector.
Notably, Hermes is a Swiss company. I have a German friend who grew up in Switzerland. Says the cultural crossovers are ... well, they're immense.
Great video- perfect primer while I wait for my “new” one to ship to me.
Being a portable, though, do you feel the Hermes 3000 would be suitable/robust enough for heavy daily writing?
One word answer: yes.
Just a hypothesis , but I’m thinking that the extra ribbon setting gives you access to the middle of the ribbon in order to prolong the life of a single-color ribbon. If I had an all-black or all-blue ribbon and was running low on ink, perhaps the middle setting would give me another couple runs through it, on a part of the ribbon that wouldn’t otherwise be typed on…
Jon, you are correct.
This was pointed out to me by a few subscribers in the comments here and I’m grateful to them and to you for the clarification.
One subscriber also noted that the Hermes 3000 is not, in fact, the only machine to make use of this setting. If memory serves there’s an Optima machine that does the same thing.
Either way, I’ve used this setting to keep going when my ribbon’s begun to run faded. The characters stamp out half-and-half red-and-black when I use that two-tone ribbon but no matter. I only do early drafts on typewriters so I’m the only one who sees them.
Many thanks again for pointing this out to the community. Thanks for watching and welcome!
Nice!!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Angelito. Thanks for watching!
Okay I'm sorry I know I'm adding another comment and that most people just put them in replies under their original comment but I am sorry this deserves its own spot.
I am very happy to announce.. yesterday for my birthday party there was a ginormous box on the table, and upon opening it clearing the styrofoam and bubble wrap there at the bottom was the very unique unmistakable seafoam green strange like cast metal looking case that texture and that unmistakable handle that green apple colored handle, I immediately started to freak out. I couldn't remember what I said but my wife hasn't recorded and it was a bunch of OH WOW!!!
And of course it was hard to tell people I know what it was because of the case not that I somehow had peaked at the gift people that don't collect typewriters don't understand that their cases are very unique to what they are... And then I said however if I open this up and find that it's a bunch of socks I'm leaving.
And so with that I am happy to announce that I am the proud owner of not socks thankfully, but a 1960s Hermes typewriter a curve body. It's the one where it does not have the holes on the sides of the space bar for the lid to attach.
According to the typewriter database this is the trailing end of 1959 beginning of 1960s. Well my guess is my serial number is between the two years. I should probably figure out how to document it there.
It works perfectly it has maintenance slips repair slips and a killer Page turning thrilling manual instructions. Lol...
What an incredible machine to work on I absolutely can see why it's considered the world's finest typewriter. I have never typed on anything so nice, I mean at one time, long time ago, when I was younger, I do remember seeing one in an antique store for like $80.00 and typing on it, but I don't recall what it felt like then... This is otherworldly, it's like riding in a limo made of butter that was built by cloud people. And I mean clouds that have hands people. Imagine yourself slipping down a slip and slide that's full of nothing but oil and it's laying on top of a field of marshmallows it's that smooth. It's as smooth as the blink of an eye. And now having owned a few old typewriters of the Vintage era this is my oldest typewriter but I can tell you for its age and time this was a very futuristic typewriter it was very high-tech for its day and age.
On a funny note I tried to tell my in-laws both of which were typist, I said you guys want to try this it's amazing the world's finest typewriter here, I got no honey we've typed before, As they walk on past, I thought to myself but it's the world's finest typewriter have you ever typed on the world's finest typewriter before.... yeah they were gone.
I don't know about you but somebody says the world's finest anything that demands some freaking attention...
Anyway, there it is very happy owner now, and I swear I heard the song "At Last" by Etta James in my ear when I opened it up.
Although I'm a stepfather, I don't have any biological children myself, but if I were to have one, seeing it at birth and holding the child for the first time in my arms, this must be what it's like when holding this typewriter. 😂
Good Great Monday Morning!❤
Somewhere in all this, @dadtype2339, lies confirmation of the fact that what we ask for, we receive. Congratulations on your new machine. May it serve your writing well!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco
I keep waking up looking at it thinking it will disappear, I still can't believe I own one.
I did a quick cleaning of the type bars as I was so excited to try it out, it's such an easy machine to use that between Sunday night and now Tuesday evening when I last used it, I cranked out 44 pages and my hands are not hamburger meat lol.
And then I discovered that if I slowed down, which I did for the last 12 pages I really enjoyed the machine and felt it speaking to me, Take your time, enjoy the creativity.
It just beckons one to write on it.
Course when I opened it no one understood why I was on the edge with tears building in my eyes. Overwhelming and so thankful to see seafoam green lol.
I'm working enjoying the creativity.
And getting that story off to the Editor.
Thank you Damon. 👍
@@dadtype2339 Whatever I did (I did nothing) is yours to enjoy. Congrats again, @dadtype2339. BTW, I sent a discount offer for the Break Your Story course to your email. Did you receive it? Many happy returns!
if you're incline to fix it, the carriage should not be grinding that loud upon return. Great video!
I know! Good ears. I’ve got to find time to get this machine into the shop!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco Clean the escapement - first need to remove the carriage which is not that difficult on these models ua-cam.com/video/Clo8HKWLDEo/v-deo.html&ab_channel=UnplugTypewriterCompany
Note: you do NOT have to detach the draw band, don't know why she did that
@@typewriter6885 Sorry, TYPE Writer. What are you referring to here?
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco You mentioned taking it into the shop. DYI way of fixing the carriage grinds I've done this many times but including taking off the entire shell. Removing the carriage and giving the escapement a good cleaning will most likely fix the grind.
The Olympia SG-1 has a similar ribbon color setting, except it uses a dial.
Didn’t know that, TR. Never tried an SG-1 but now I’ll have another reason to look for one. Thanks!
I want to point out a "defect" of the H3000 (and any other Hermes of the 60's and 70's): they're soft as silk. The touch is unmatched, sure, as long as the machine is in pristine condition. A tiny little speck of dust, any minor issue and a wonderful typewriter becomes a "meh" machine. In fact, the more than millimetric precision of the Hermes typewriters is exactly what makes them so... Let's say picky. But they've more than earned the right to be so due to their undeniable quality. Oh, and they're the embodiment of overengineering. Just take a look at the Hermes Ambassador! Not that I don't like Hermes, but going along the deserted island thingy I'd rather take a SM3
Fundamentally, I don’t disagree with you @Juaza. I have both a Hermes 3000 and an Olympia SM3. The SM3 is a more solid, more stalwart machine.
If I were living on a deserted island, I’d probably prefer the SM3, just as you do.
Thing is, I’m not living in a deserted island. Therefore I want my machines to give me their best under the circumstances I pose to them.
I’m not sure I agree with you that a tiny speck of dust will throw off a Hermes. That hasn’t been my experience. My 3000 could use a tune up but it’s still a fine machine, and one I use regularly, albeit not on an island where sand might blow in the works or a seagull flying overhead might take a crap in it. And so on.
Frankly, however, no typewriter deserves that kind of treatment. Nor would even the SM3 come off looking or functioning or smelling so well after that happened.
Can we agree that the bottom line here is “to each their own?” Offered, of course, with the wish that your writing goes well no matter which tool you happen to use.
Does the Hermes baby (~60s ) have a tension rod? I can’t seem to find it online ! ( you might have seen another comment of mine 😅)
Hi, Maxime. Short answer: I don't know. I don't have a Hermes Baby yet. Key word: yet. However, I found the instruction manual for one online. Here's the link.
www.manualslib.com/manual/1793271/Paillard-Hermes-Baby.html
From this set of instructions, it doesn't appear to have one. But again, I could be wrong. I hope this helps.
Do you have one for sale
I have one in my collection, @drinktea65. Same one as shown in the video, a roundtop 1965 in excellent condition.
Not willing to part with it now, however.
What type script is that on yours?
Hi @RavesForDays.
Thanks to the Right Reverend Ted Munk, we have this resource to draw from for Hermes typescript comparisons:
munk.org/typecast/2011/04/24/1964-nomda-blue-book-hermes-font-styles/
According to the above information, my Hermes uses a common Hermes Pica typescript.
For fun, I ran a type sample through myfonts.com.
Unfortunately, it returned 55 possible fonts, several of which didn't (to my eye) look anything like the output of my Hermes.
I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and getting in touch!
I really need to find one of these just so I can tap out a few lines. I’m sure the praise is justified, but I just need to try it for myself.
Let me know when you try one, Frank. I’ll be curious to hear what you think.
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco Will do. Unfortunately I can’t just walk into the local appliance center to try one out. I’m really not sure when I’ll come across one in the wild.
@@FrankGrauJr That's part of the fun, Frank. Keep your eyes open. They could pop up anywhere, anytime...
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco When I first got into typewriters (about a decade or so past), I would go to typewriter events and have a typosphere blog, so I had more of an opportunity to see lots more typewriters in person or own them for a short time as they passed through my hands before I sold them. But I never bought or sold a Hermès. At one point I literally had a wall of boxes with typewriters listed for sale, even though I did that as a hobby. I eventually stopped that, but I wound up keeping 8 of them. The only machine I wish I’d kept was a sea foam green Olympia SM4, which I sold to get another SM4 with cursive type. It’s nice for writing letters or cards, but I find I would rather look at a regular font. By the way, I don’t know if you’ve already done so, but you should do a video on typewriter fonts (types, sizes, etc). That would be pretty cool since you seem to have a nice collection.
04/24/24
Yeah I'm back again. Starting to feel like that Ray Charles Song,
"Here We Go Again"
My birthday is exactly a week from
today, (May 1st) and a month ago, I saw one of thses, spoke to the seller on eBay, they wanted $375.00, it had documents it had belonged in law enforcement, a judge, then 1 detective of homicide in New York, and then another in Los Angeles, then found its way up to Connecticut was in the Police department there, until sold in auction to a private collector who had it regularly maintained. I asked why the low price, seller said it a fair price without inflation from Tom Hanks lol.
I may have mentioned this here, it had the strange legal Key, and I'm told rare Subsection Legal Paragraph sign/key looks like this: "§" usually means it was special ordered and was on a desk working for a Judge, a Lawyer, Police Department, law school or police Academy, Private Detective, and the like, that one was on the desk of to detectives from the late 50's (1958) through the 60's and 70's, man can you imagine how inspiring it might be to write a mystery story on a machine like that? It had written real murder reports...I suppose it would be both inspiring and macabre.
I wrote its serial number down to look up, it was a 1958 model. Love that year.
Anyway, I promised the little lady I wouldn't buy one, I should have she would thank me later, dont buy your own Birthday gift...or else hear from the God of War lol.
My Wife is a terrible liar she can not lie to save her live, I asked her yesterday by chance did you buy me a Typewriter for my birthday? She said No..... she's not lying!!!!
The prices on these are out in the thousands man, the Thousands!
I know, I know, you said I'll get one when the spirits of fortune say it's the right time. I believe I will. I feel it will be mine under my finger tips crunching away.
Just wish it was crunching away after my Birthday. Lol.
Sigh, ......Damon, when you get this out to work on, I do hope you know how very lucky you are to have this exquisite machine at your finger tips.
Okay, back to the program...😶
All noted, @dadtype2339. The Hermes 3000 is indeed an excellent typewriter.
Yes, I know that curious legal S, I have one on my 1934 Torpedo Model 16, with a German keyboard. My very first restoration job.
Listen, my friend. Which machine you use doesn’t matter. It took me 26 typewriters and many years to figure this out. Doesn’t matter. The work is inside you and wants to, needs to come out. May I suggest that you honor this and start writing immediately. Doesn’t matter if it’s on a Hermes, in blood, or with crayon. Just do it.
Anything else is The Resistance.
Wishing you (always) my best. And happy birthday!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco
Thank you I absolutely understand that, and I have been jumping around writing on different stories, whoever one has my attention a bit more than the others, but I'm building on many full length and short stories.
When it comes to typewriters, I'm both a collector and writer using my collection, a rare mix, as most collectors don't use their machines and writers typically have just one machine they use (sometimes they may have 2 or 3 but are not collecting). At least that's what I was told it's not very common and it's rare to be a writer using their machines in their collection. I have a total of 7, one is a parts machine and 6 are fully functional and I maintain them and use them all. Switching them out as I go.
Thank you, for you words I really do appreciate them and take everyone of them to heart. ❤️ Now, getting Back to Work!
Thank you Damon.
@@dadtype2339 ☺👌👍
Thank you for this video, and your others too, very informative and entertaining. I just acquired a 3000 and noticed that one of the paper supports is missing. I tried searching for parts online without luck. Suggestions where I might find parts?
It's my pleasure, Dr. Monbaga. Congrats on your new 3000. Now to your question of parts. I find a lot of them by scouring eBay. Several vendors on that platform offer highly particular and original parts for different makes and models. Sometimes copy parts are available, too. For example, a few years back, someone figured out that Hermes platen knobs can be 3D-printed to original factory specifications. Pretty cool and very useful. If eBay doesn't work, I would contact the more established typewriter service providers. Call or email the ones who have been in business repairing, refurbishing, and selling typewriters for decades. Tell them exactly what you need. Apart from being experts, these vendors often have staggering "graveyards" full of parts from a wild array of machines. I've done this many times in the past. The community has always been helpful and kind. I hope this helps. Wishing you luck on your quest and thanks for watching!
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco Thanks for the thoughtful response!
@@dr.monbaga3683 You're very welcome. Hope everything worked out for you.
very expensive
Agreed @iancognito6920. Prices on this make and model have exploded in recent years.
3:28 liar
Curious as to why you would say that. All ears if you’d like to discuss. Wish you well.
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarco of course! at exactly the time reference I left in my initial comment the paper goes *above* the paper bail for like 3 frames then there's a sneaky cut and suddenly the paper is *under* the paper bail, as if by magic *wink wink* and you claiming it didn't need to be lifted.. *cough cough* LIAR! caught you
@@YPS-h4j I see it now. You're right, the edit is poor and could give the appearance that that's the case. Good eyes.
@@TheWriteStuffPro-DamonDiMarcooh but it definetly and most clearly is the case. did you know you can go back and forth on youtube frame by frame with period and comma?
Sorry,@@YPS-h4j. I'm usually too busy doing other things than to get distracted by what you're suggesting. Thanks for watching!