1939 Empire The Baby Empire #14515

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Roger Hyam (rogerhyam)
Created: 05-01-2022 at 12:08PM
Last Edit: 05-01-2022 at 02:54PM

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Description:

Found this in a 2nd hand furniture shop. Photos show it as I got it home. Needs a clean but looks like it will work just fine. Typeface specimen is partial as not all keys work freely yet.

From the online research I've read British Typewriters (Empire brand) moved to West Bromwich from Canada in 1924. In the 1930's they licensed the design of the Hermes Baby from its Swiss designers(?) and made this version (more or less) till they were bombed out in 1940. My understanding is the Hermes Baby was also made in Germany meaning they were used on both sides during WWII.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Metal case with leather handle still functional.

Left side view. No carriage return leaver you have to pinch the two tabs together to move down a line.

Right side view. The tab below the ribbon toggles with one on the other side to manually change the direction of the ribbon.

Patented apparently - by someone in Switzerland I presume!

Made in England - not Great Britain or the United Kingdom.

One sided vibrator

It works out of the box but only just.

I've seen picture of a makers mark here on Baby Hermes but none on this Baby Empire

Boy does it need a clean

The latches on the case move like this to open it - then unhook at the back.

Serial number is on the right hand side above the bell.

British Typewriters Ltd were bombed out in 1940 and didn't make typewriters again till 1948(?).

A piece of imperial tech - sounds like Star Wars.

Hunter: Roger Hyam (rogerhyam)

Roger Hyam's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 40

I've caught the typewriter bug from somewhere recently. I think it may have been a long running exhibition at the museum here in Edinburgh. Generally I have a desire to be more analogue.