1955 Hermes 2000 #2129581

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Dan Johnson (rdj)
Created: 04-09-2016 at 09:52AM
Last Edit: 04-09-2016 at 10:20AM

Description Hunter 7 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Although I already had a H2K, that 1960 model has "sea-foam" green keys, making it seem like a "hybrid" between the H2K and H3K. This one has green keys that coordinate better with the rest of the machine, and it's in better shape cosmetically. I have not yet typed enough on either to judge which is the better "typer".

This older one may suffer from the "skip" problem that I've heard is common in these models, but it does not seem to occur often. I have not yet cleaned nor lubricated this one, so that might affect it.

Both typewriters have Hermes' version of Royal's "Magic Margin". I do not recall noticing the additional momentary lever (at my finger tip in one of the pictures) beneath the left margin-set that can clear all tab stops with one carriage movement. That's handy!

The large, clunky knob on the back seems to control key tension. As that makes little difference to my typing, I've not noticed differences between settings on most typewriters. This one has a large adjustment range, and with a quick test, "loose" finds me jamming the type bars more frequently. It will be worth looking into the mechanism on this machine to see how they implemented it.

Not sure I'll hold onto both of these H2Ks. If I do find a new home for one, perhaps it would be the newer one. It and its case are both in better physical condition, and the "sea-foam" green keys on the other are somewhat disturbing. (The 1955 is missing the left-edge paper guide, but I can live without that.)

Although this typeface seems the same as the 1960's, that other one is supposedly "Director Elite", 12.5 cpi. The typeface on this one looks almost exactly the same, but it is 10 cpi. That may cause me to hang onto both of them...

One issue may need resolution: Nick T's sample of Director Elite (see the link) seems exactly like both of these typefaces except the "2" in his seems to have an "uptick" that's not present in mine. Hmm...

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

• Here's the 1960 H2K with sea-foam green keys
• Nick's comparison of 100 typefaces

Photos:

My finger tip is beneath the momentary "tab clear" lever.

I like this color scheme better than the sea-foam green keys of the later model.

These are dirty! Yech. Baby needs a bath!

So handsome.

Here's the klunky tension adjustment knob. Glad it's hidden behind.

Trying to remember to post pics of the serial numbers to help other hunters locate them on similar models.

The case is in great shape!

Hunter: Dan Johnson (rdj)

Dan Johnson's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 948

I have always loved typewriters along with other kinds of well-engineered tools and devices such as slide rules, calculators (particular HP), radios, cameras (particularly Nikons), and microscopes. In addition to appreciating their intrinsic beauty and utility, they represent "things that need to be figured out to be understood". That's how I first learned about computers and programming in the 1970s, by figuring things out for myself. It's activity in which I never seem to tire of engaging.

Although communities have arisen around other collection interests, typewriters have the advantage that those who use them also typically enjoy communicating through words, whether those words are about the machines themselves or their lives, hopes, dreams, or expressions of beauty. There's much to be appreciated here.