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Home » Hermes » Ambassador » 1965 #969957
1965 Hermes Ambassador Serial # 969957 1965 Hermes Ambassador typewriter, Serial # 969957 Tas Kyprianou's 1965 Hermes Ambassador typewriter. 2023-09-11 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Tas Kyprianou: 1965 Hermes Ambassador Serial # 969957 This neglected gentle giant sat for goodness knows how long on the concrete floor of a cold shed under a pile of old shoes with its typebars rusted solid. When I saw it, it just had to come home with me. The original buyer failed to pay or show but the seller thankfully reached out to me. Much TLC was given and, after a lovely afternoon of tinkering and polishing, my reward is now a super stunning standard. It is lightning-fast and has plenty of properly useful features.
The Swiss engineers were thoughtful to those that like to tinker; the back opens up with a simple hinge mechanism and the machine's carriage comes off almost as effortlessly with just two nuts. The platen pops off too should you need to remove it for access or cleaning.
As huge as it is, the focus when using it is entirely on that little gap where the magic happens. The Ambassador also has a strange charm to it. You somehow want to write more and more, the more you use it.
I'm aware space is often a premium in our homes or offices but once you've had a go on one of these I'm sure you'll work out a way of finding a spot for it in your home. Their size often makes them WAY more affordable than their smaller more renowned cousins but no less a performer. I'm a little besotted with mine. It's soooo cute.

*Update. Swapped out the nylon ribbon for a carbon one. Razor sharp lines on smooth paper now.

15.6Kg / 34.4lbs (the lightest of my six standards)

1965 Hermes Ambassador #969957

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Tas Kyprianou (Tas)
Created: 12-04-2022 at 08:13AM
Last Edit: 09-11-2023 at 01:02AM


Description:

This neglected gentle giant sat for goodness knows how long on the concrete floor of a cold shed under a pile of old shoes with its typebars rusted solid. When I saw it, it just had to come home with me. The original buyer failed to pay or show but the seller thankfully reached out to me. Much TLC was given and, after a lovely afternoon of tinkering and polishing, my reward is now a super stunning standard. It is lightning-fast and has plenty of properly useful features.
The Swiss engineers were thoughtful to those that like to tinker; the back opens up with a simple hinge mechanism and the machine's carriage comes off almost as effortlessly with just two nuts. The platen pops off too should you need to remove it for access or cleaning.
As huge as it is, the focus when using it is entirely on that little gap where the magic happens. The Ambassador also has a strange charm to it. You somehow want to write more and more, the more you use it.
I'm aware space is often a premium in our homes or offices but once you've had a go on one of these I'm sure you'll work out a way of finding a spot for it in your home. Their size often makes them WAY more affordable than their smaller more renowned cousins but no less a performer. I'm a little besotted with mine. It's soooo cute.

*Update. Swapped out the nylon ribbon for a carbon one. Razor sharp lines on smooth paper now.

15.6Kg / 34.4lbs (the lightest of my six standards)

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:










These tried and trusted greenies have that classic Hermes sound & action.
These tried and trusted greenies have that classic Hermes sound & action.






The paper injector feeds your sheet straight into the platen under the paper bale without the need to lift it.
The paper injector feeds your sheet straight into the platen under the paper bale without the need to lift it.


Pull the centre butterfly out at each end and the platen is released.
Pull the centre butterfly out at each end and the platen is released.

This weird looking selector switch looks awkward but is remarkably easy to use.
This weird looking selector switch looks awkward but is remarkably easy to use.


Simply undo this (there's another on the left hand side) and the carriage pops off.
Simply undo this (there's another on the left hand side) and the carriage pops off.











A quick turn of these green "hats" either opens or closes the card guides.
A quick turn of these green "hats" either opens or closes the card guides.






Eeew.
Eeew.







Best paper support EVER
Best paper support EVER


Nylon ribbon replaced with carbon ribbon. Yummy.
Nylon ribbon replaced with carbon ribbon. Yummy.

Look at those fractions!
Look at those fractions!

One of the few machines I own that fully moves the ribbon along one character per strike. Totally necessary if using a carbon ribbon.
One of the few machines I own that fully moves the ribbon along one character per strike. Totally necessary if using a carbon ribbon.

Hunter: Tas Kyprianou (Tas)

Tas Kyprianou's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 4045

UK member with Greek Cypriot heritage, living in London.
Relatively new to the hobby - My first machine was an Everest Mod 90 that I bought after watching a Violet Evergarden anime in December 2021.
My collection now consists of 40 machines. Nice round number. Time to stop I reckon. . .

My absolute favourite remains (just) my 1939 Royal KMM. For me, it's both the prettiest and the "warmest" to type on. It has "Majik" (with a nod to Sandy1)
I count my blessings that I am lucky enough to have amassed such a beautiful bunch.



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