1 of 1- beak
- Key Master
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- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 917
Why do babies sell so well!
Having fixed up a couple of these, and tested 6 or more Hermes Baby ultra-portables, I am at a complete loss to understand why they sell so well. EBay's 'sold' listings regularly show these things fetching 300 AUD or more, while other better machines are passed in or go for $25.
There seems to be some mystique about the Hermes Baby that I just don't get. Anyone found these things actually to be any good?
Sincerely,
beak.
- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
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- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,443
Re: Why do babies sell so well!
My 1968-made Hermes Baby is in great shape...but is a POS in my opinion.
At only 7.2 lbs, it feels like I am typing on a toy typewriter. The keyboard feels very cramped and my hands and fingers are not what are considered to be on the "large" size.
I over-paid for it...and will be upside-down on it, forever.
Figured I can use it in the future for trading-stock.
.
.
- M. Höhne
- Key Master
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- From: Maine
- Registered: 14-3-2013
- Posts: 642
Re: Why do babies sell so well!
I note that Pete's Hermes Baby that he bases his opinion on is the later plastic-bodied version. While I agree with that opinion of that version, I also note that people who denigrate the Hermes Baby/Rocket almost never distinguish between the first metal-bodied versions and the later plastic ones nor even acknowledge the fact that that model was made over several decades, changing all the while. They are not the same typewriter in 1938 and 1965; engineers learned how to make things cheaper in order to meet competition. The model built its reputation on the earlier versions, which collectors encountered first, and rode the crest of the brand's exotic mystique (oh, those exotic Swiss; well, we were primed with the watch reputation and the conflation with French haute couture).
Can we get a comparative review from someone who has access to several examples of each era? The change in body material seems to have occurred in 1964. Were there major mechanical changes at the same time, in addition to running changes over the years?
This is similar to the more well-known distinctions between the Smith-Corona SkyRiters and the Smith-Corona Corsairs of the same time period, but in this case we have the advantage of distinct model names to trigger an awareness.
- beak
- Key Master
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- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 917
Re: Why do babies sell so well!
Interesting, but ever seen a plastic version here or in England; was just talking about the metal ones.
Sincerely,
beak.
- •
Thread Starter- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
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- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,443
Re: Why do babies sell so well!
I did note in my previous post that my machine was made in 1968.
And of by the way, its body cowlings and ribbon cover are aluminum alloy...NOT plastic.
In my opinion, it is still a POS...
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- M. Höhne
- Key Master
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- From: Maine
- Registered: 14-3-2013
- Posts: 642
Re: Why do babies sell so well!
Hmmmm. This is more complicated than I knew. Of course it is. Pete's Baby looks so much like my '69 Rocket, even after I make allowance for aluminum vs plastic (mine's plastic). Slight difference in the ribbon cover fit but not the shape, ribbon color index is a sticker on mine and the nicer dots on his, and the model name is a surface sticker on mine and a recessed sticker on his. The carry cover is textured with smooth sides on mine and still plastic while his is fully textured. Anything else?
My claim of 1964 as the changeover point is based on the look of the entries in the TWDB, but now the look is in question, so weigh in you guys.... In claiming a difference, I am considering the metal ones with the folding ribbon covers as the early version and the one-piece ribbon cover as the later one. And anyway, I'm merely claiming that the early ones are better, not that they're great. I'm not a fan of the plastic ones at all but just speculating that the reputation comes from where I said earlier.
