Extraordinarily fine and rare Hermes 2000 with Belgian Keyboard
This Hermes 2000 typewriter, in extraordinarily fine condition, has perhaps the rarest of the once-standard keyboards. This Hermes has what is known as the “Belgian keyboard”. Invented in the very early 1900’s, and once used widely in Belgium, it was largely pushed aside, just prior to World War 2, by the increasingly popular AZERTY (French) keyboard. In 10 years of searching for the finest European typewriters we have never seen one of these keyboards before. And this one comes on one of the finest, pre-war Hermes typewriters we have ever had the honour to restore.
I say “Don’t Buy This Typewriter…” only because it will be quite an effort to re-train your brain to type on this keyboard after a lifetime of typing on QWERTY or QWERTZ or AZERTY keyboards. The typewriter itself is in perfect working condition in all the particulars.
Not much is known about the genesis of this keyboard design although it is reported that it was invented by a 17-year-old named Alfred Valley who won a speed-typing contest in Paris shortly after. The Belgian government apparently adopted this keyboard for typewriters in government offices for some unknown period. (credit to: http://www.typewriter.be/smithpremier4.htm ). That is about all that I can find out about it and I welcome any further information.
Specialist collectors, museums and others are welcome to contact us (acmetypemachines [at] gmail.com) for higher resolution photos or to discuss the purchase further. I am open to a discounted price for the right "home".
To the typewriter itself: An extraordinarily fine Hermes 2000 from 1935, this typewriter is in superb cosmetic and mechanical condition. The case (with key) is original and has an amazing, textured, gold-coloured interior lining. Often missing on Hermes 2000’s of this era, the two ribbon-spool covers with the wonderful spiral design are present and in perfect condition. Also present are the original 6 tab-setting keys (with the beautiful red line on the sides—see photo) which slide onto the tab setting bar and are often lost.
The typing keys—a lovely rich green—are in top condition. The chrome is all in near-perfect condition and the gloss-black finish has only the most minor blemishes, all on the back side. The rubber feet are intact and still soft, gripping the desktop well. The platen hardness measures at ~94 (Shore A Scale), is smooth, clean and takes the impression well (see photo of typing sample).
The typeface is Hermes Elite with 11 characters to the inch. This typewriter comes, as mentioned, with a new ribbon so that you can start typing immediately and with pleasure.
For some discussion of the wondrous aspects of the Hermes 2000 typewriter, and other considerations, please see:
https://oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2013/03/homage-to-humble-hermes-2000-typewriter.html
https://typewriterreview.com/2017/05/01/hermes-2000/Acme typewriters have been the choice of discerning collectors and writers more than 1,000 times since we began selling online in 2016. They are fully guaranteed to work. Most shipments to the US arrive in 3 days--often much faster than most domestic shipments within the US. Acme typewriters are carefully selected, beautifully restored and come with a one-year mechanical warranty and lifetime customer-service. Each comes with a lead seal, attached to the body, identifying it as a fully-restored Acme typewriter. Many new dealers strive to imitate us--none succeed.
If you have any questions or wish to see more photos, please don't hesitate to contact us. This fine example of a very rare Hermes 2000 will be packed and shipped with the greatest care to preserve its condition and beauty. We have a lot of experience in shipping typewriters and have an excellent track record for proper packing and safe delivery. It will be fully insured during shipment.
See my many 5-star buyer reviews on Etsy and you will have confidence in your purchase!