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1959 Hermes 3000 Serial # 3017703 1959 Hermes 3000 typewriter, Serial # 3017703 Steven Blake's 1959 Hermes 3000 typewriter. 2022-02-28 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Steven Blake: 1959 Hermes 3000 Serial # 3017703 Is it hands-down the best portable typewriter ever made? Or is it just another overrated (and overpriced) cult object? I won’t attempt to answer that question, but these Swiss-made machines provoke strong emotions from across the typosphere. In the case of these first-generation Hermes 3000s, the curvy outer shell and industrial green paint (many flag it as “sea-foam green”) are instantly recognizable. But it’s the feel of the keys and the buttery-smooth type action that so many Hermes fans extol when placing the 3000 squarely at the top of the typewriter heap.

This typewriter was manufactured in 1959, one year after the Hermes 3000 was introduced in Yverdon, Switzerland. Later on in the production run for these first-generation machines, Hermes (or more correctly, Paillard, S.A.) made two important changes to cure design defects that had plagued some of the early 3000s. First, the top cover was re-engineered to eliminate a problem with the latching mechanism, which in extreme cases would require partial disassembly of the outer shell to permit removal of the cover. The second change involved a beefier casting for the 3000’s segment; resulting in a taller, curvy slotted segment design that survived for the remainder of Hermes 3000 production. Fellow typewriter enthusiast Joe Van Cleave highlights the segment change in Episode 236 of the Typewriter Video Series, which he hosts on his eponymous YouTube channel (link below).

1959 Hermes 3000 #3017703

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Steven Blake (FloydGondolli)
Created: 02-27-2022 at 08:07PM
Last Edit: 02-28-2022 at 09:18AM

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Description:

Is it hands-down the best portable typewriter ever made? Or is it just another overrated (and overpriced) cult object? I won’t attempt to answer that question, but these Swiss-made machines provoke strong emotions from across the typosphere. In the case of these first-generation Hermes 3000s, the curvy outer shell and industrial green paint (many flag it as “sea-foam green”) are instantly recognizable. But it’s the feel of the keys and the buttery-smooth type action that so many Hermes fans extol when placing the 3000 squarely at the top of the typewriter heap.

This typewriter was manufactured in 1959, one year after the Hermes 3000 was introduced in Yverdon, Switzerland. Later on in the production run for these first-generation machines, Hermes (or more correctly, Paillard, S.A.) made two important changes to cure design defects that had plagued some of the early 3000s. First, the top cover was re-engineered to eliminate a problem with the latching mechanism, which in extreme cases would require partial disassembly of the outer shell to permit removal of the cover. The second change involved a beefier casting for the 3000’s segment; resulting in a taller, curvy slotted segment design that survived for the remainder of Hermes 3000 production. Fellow typewriter enthusiast Joe Van Cleave highlights the segment change in Episode 236 of the Typewriter Video Series, which he hosts on his eponymous YouTube channel (link below).

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The "Section" special character is the lone unique feature on an otherwise garden-variety Hermes 3000 keyboard.
The "Section" special character is the lone unique feature on an otherwise garden-variety Hermes 3000 keyboard.


Pica typeface - 10 CPI
Pica typeface - 10 CPI


Hunter: Steven Blake (FloydGondolli)

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Lawyer and recently acknowledged typewriter addict. It all started with an IBM Personal Typewriter, followed by a Smith-Corona Galaxie Deluxe, an Adler Universal 20, and then, well, you know the rest.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Hermes 3000 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Hermes Serial Number page and the Hermes 3000 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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