I did have to pay a "dear" price of a bit over $ 200 USD since I was up against another bidder.
But two other machines for sale here in the USA out of Washington State have asking prices of $ 685 and $ 650, respectively. First one is fully serviced with a new platen in a retail shop. Second one is claimed to be fully refurbished and cleaned but interior photos show otherwise with lost of correcto-tape and eraser dust and sold from a home business.
Since I got some bargain prices for the last 2-3 machines in-coming, I do not mind spending a bit more on this Hermes 10.
I am hoping it types was well as my Olympia SGE-35 and my Facit 1840. Similar size, weight, and foot print amongst these 3 machines.
I suspect the case with my in-coming machine is not factory-issue...but seems like it did its job keeping good care of the machine. I will probably go with a nice cotton dust cover on the machine when in my home.