Hermes 3000 1963

Note: This is a rather long description, but if you plan to pay this much money for a typewriter, I suggest that you read it all.
This is an extraordinarily fine and beautiful HERMES 3000, one of the most renowned brands and models of typewriter ever made! And this is an utterly exceptional example from 1963. It is in perfect condition, mechanically and cosmetically, and has been thoroughly cleaned, serviced, adjusted and aligned. The platen roller has been professionally renovated with new rubber and this typewriter has been fitted with a vintage (unused) Hermes silk ribbon on the two original Hermes-branded metal ribbon spools. This Hermes 3000 comes with its original, Hermes-branded cleaning brushes, the original User Manual in English and the original key for the cover. This is a typing machine that is ready to work for 60 more years of typing service. And with its brilliant Hermes engineering, it does that with elegance, smoothness and solidity.
We are offering this extraordinary typewriter with a full mechanical guarantee for six months and no extra charge for shipping with insurance.
Overall, this typewriter is in absolutely superb, original condition. There are no areas of corrosion or wear. The only cosmetic defect that I can find is a tiny spot on the rear base plate that measures no more than 1mm in diameter. The chrome and aluminium are in superb condition with no obvious signs of corrosion or wear. The typing keys are clean and unmarked by use. Both platen roller knobs are absolutely solid and clean without any cracks, scratches, discolouration or other damage. The body finish has essentially no signs of age and use. 
Mechanically, it is in superb working condition. As noted earlier, the platen has been renovated with new rubber. The paper feeder rollers are in perfect condition and soft. The feet are in excellent condition but, although they are a little harder than when originally manufactured, they still grip the desktop well. All mechanical devices (including, but not exclusive of, the tabulator system, the red Ribbon margin indicator, touch regulator, ribbon colour selection mechanism, ribbon advance and reverse mechanisms, etc.) have been checked and adjusted as necessary, and work as originally manufactured. The tabulator system, and all other mechanical devices, work perfectly. The Paper Supports have their original "bumpers" to prevent scratches to the back cover. Other than the renovation of the platen, everything on this typewriter is original to its manufacture and purchase.
The keyboard includes the currently all-important "at" symbol. This typewriter was purchased with the uncommon typeface of Hermes Director Elite (12 cpi). This is a very sought-after typeface because it has more elegance and style than the average Elite typeface. It has a QWERTY keyboard (English). About the ribbon: In the photos, the print may look a tiny bit light. This is because, along with the typewriter, I received a vintage (unused) Hermes silk ribbon on a Hermes-branded metal spool. I opted to use that ribbon, out of a sense of spiritual obligation to the overall integrity of the typewriter. If you would like me to replace this with a brand-new ribbon, I will be happy to do that. (It may be interesting to note that two Hermes-branded metal spools with an unused, silk, vintage ribbon would sell for ~$100 in and of themselves.)
The case/cover is in wonderful, original condition. The colour is uniform and infaded. There is, though, a vertical scratch on the top. It extends for 9 cm (~3.5") but does not go through the paint so the colour remains uniform and it is hardly noticeable in normal light. The chrome pieces are in excellent condition with exceedingly minor signs of wear. The handle is clean, solid and intact. The base has a couple of very tiny indentations toward the centre, but these are hard to notice. The interior is in perfect condition with all chrome pieces unblemished. The two, original brushes -- one Hermes-branded -- are in excellent condition, as is the English language User Manual. The original key fro the case/cover is included.
Based on the serial number (3197819) this machine was manufactured in 1963.
A few short notes on the restoration: This typewriter arrived to me in a very exciting condition. That is, I could recognize that it had been used very little during its lifetime so far. The main problem with it was dust and eraser-detritus. There was also a common issue amongst Hermes 3000 of a sticky uppercase shifting. If you know the trick--which I will give away only to those who ask nicely--this is a very easy repair. So, what you are getting with this typewriter is a machine that has not been "heavily restored". As a general rule, I am against massive, intrusive restoration. When the guys at the Hermes factory were putting this typewriter together initially, they had specialized tools, custom-made jigs (to hold things in place during assembly), and every screw and bolt were tightened to a correct torque. Not to mention having highly detailed technical specifications etc. These are things that cannot really be replicated today. This is true of all typewriters that come to us for restoration. So I am in favour, if possible, of not tearing any machine completely apart and then putting it back together again. I think that it destroys the unitary integrity of the machine. Sometimes this is required in restoration, but if I can avoid it, I avoid it. (When I was a much younger man, I was apprenticed to a horseshoer (farrier) who drilled into me: "Don't try to cure a horse that ain't lame, just to show that you can." Another variation of this is: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.") This machine maintains the "unitary integrity" of its initial manufacture. If you have any questions about our restoration process, please contact me.
A note on the photography: I am not an expert with a camera, that is for sure. The photos of the case/cover show it as faded or a little yellow. This is not the case. It is in perfect Hermes Sea-Foam green (who ever came up with that name) and is uniform in colour. The scratch on the top is highlighted in the photos but is hardly noticeable in normal lighting. As regards the colour of the body of the typewriter, ditto as per above. The entire finish is uniform and unfaded anywhere.
A final note: I do notice now in these high resolution, close-up photos that the clear plastic card-holder has a few spots of white-out or something. These will be cleaned off prior to shipment. Scrutinizing the photos I see a few spots of dust etc that were not visible to the unaided eye. These I will be removing also.
The Hermes 3000 comes with the wonderful red margin indicators built into the paper holder (paper bail) which moves automatically when the margins are set. This is so that you can visually see the exact placement of the margins while you are typing.
This absolutely exceptional example of a mid-century HERMES 3000 will be packed and shipped with the greatest care to preserve its condition and beauty. It will be shipped fully insured. Check our reviews to see how our clients react to the care we take in our packing and customer service.