Typewriter Video Series - Episode 129: Royal Mercury

Joe discovers an almost pristine Royal Mercury at a local antique store.

[@MaineTim]

How's this for a coincedence? I came home today with the very same machine, from a local antique mall! Mine is in similarly clean condition, just one slight mar on the paint in the front. Inside clean as a whistle! Must be those tight clamshell covers. Mine didn't have the protective plastic pieces however. All seems to function very well. First typewriter I've owned since the 90s, and I didn't realize how much I missed that satisfying snap of the keys! Best of all, it went out the door for a 20 dollar bill. Seems like we both had our day made by a Mercury! Congrats!

[@jacoblieberman5138]

Can't believe the spectacular condition it's in. Great find!

[@suburbohemian]

I love this type of typewriter because I had one of my own back in my teens in the late 70's and loved it. Used to take it to the park to write. Then someone borrowed it and I never got it back. :( I found another a few years ago and am happy as a clam. Now looking for another to donate to the preschool where I work for the pre-k's particularly to enjoy 'writing' with. ;)

[@BooksForever]

The fuzzy white powder you described was almost certainly from that terrible variety of ribbon that had ink on the top and white correcting tape on the bottom half. As it ages that stuff really sloughs off like winter snowstorms.

[@QGG639]

Thanks for the video. We were gifted one from a family member who bought hers new in 1967. You mentioned the touch adjustment. With the ribbon cover removed, you can see the spring tensioner that adjusts the return force, and increases the effort required to type.

[@drandallesq]

A great find Joe! Typewriter collecting is fun, and until recently, the expensive bit was the shelving to store them on. Perhaps we'd also be collecting vintage cars, if the funds and space were available. Sometimes newer machines have an undeserved reputation. Cole-Steel portable typewriters, which were rebadged ABCs from Germany, were part of a promotion by the steel desk making company to sell a desk, and get a typewriter too. They also have plastic covers, like your Royal Mercury, and plastic bases, but I have a couple and I think they are well designed and great to use.

[@DrexFerguson]

I just purchased one this afternoon from Goodwill. It's in immaculate condition. I was flabbergasted.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Congrats.

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Small world! We recently picked up the exact same model/color that’s also in great shape. Got it for a song. I’m fond of these like you are.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Congrats on the recent video interview, I like your channel.

[@T_eaLeaves]

I think you have convinced me to buy this same typewriter on Facebook marketplace

[@janifiner]

Nice find, congratulations! I have very similar looking, sky-/light blue Imperial 200 portable typewriter. No '@'-symbol though..and I think I've never seen a typewriter with that symbol here in Finland.

[@quadraphonicfreak]

I could be wrong but that carriage looks identical to a late model Hermes Baby!

[@justinedse3314]

Hermes Baby☺️

[@copyrightfreevideobyttf]

Nice find Joe!

[@Thievius333]

I've had this same exact model for what...45 years? Still have the guard (though its got a small piece broken off of it) but the machine itself still works perfectly. Have a blue "Mariner" model which is the same machine but in blue that my sister used to own. Royal made some decent typewriters, built to last.

[@vault7269]

at 10:00 you can see this typewriter has THE most 'clean' letters when is transferred onto the paper, it makes all the others look old and dated with their ''chubby'' fonts, amazing i have to pick one up!

[@lukekauffman1418]

I bought one of these beautiful machines recently and the ribbon vibrator doesn't go up and down. Everything else is working as far as I can tell, this is the only problem I'm having with it except the grommets. What would you suggest as a fix?

[@Sergei_kv82]

I have the same model but most of the keys are a ugly yellow. I just finished cleaning the mechanical parts of it. Any way to fix that?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Try using Soft Scrub foaming bathroom cleaner with an old rag. Some people swear by using WD40 on a rag, but I'd follow that with Windex to remove the oily deposit.

[@vault7269]

use hair developer,30 will do put foil wrap leave it in the sun,sneaker heads use on yellow sneakers soles and white shoes that have yellow faded overtime,you can look that on youtube if you dont believe me,anyways i hope it helps im looking into buying one i will see if that will do.good luck!!!👍🏻

[@Sergei_kv82]

@@vault7269 thanks for the help. My unit was unfortunately damaged beyond repair, and is only good for parts today.

[@maineapple52]

Picked up this same machine at our local Goodwill. D was sticking. Handle is missing. Keys are a little yellow but for $20 I can't complain. Cleaned & waiting to get a new ribbon. Bought a new ribbon & was totally disgusted trying to put it on. The ribbon lift is totally different than the one on this video. Does it really have to go between the little slots???

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

ROYAL MERCURY.👍.

[@Joyo292]

Got a Mercury yesterday and I also had the weird wide crud on my ribbon. Must be typical. Other than some settled dust it seems as pristine as your machine! My latches held up though. I’m thinking the plastic lid encouraged owners to put it back on, and now these Royals have stayed in good condition to this day. I’m gonna bring mine to work and make lunch breaks more interesting

[@phxxer4602]

Joe, do you think that white crud you found on the ribbon presser bars came from one of those awful black & white ribbons?

[@Joyo292]

Phxxer it’s possible the presser bars had white stuff from those black/white ribbons, but the grommets fastened to the ribbon itself were very crusty with white stuff too. Aluminum oxide possibly

[@sridharsrao]

What is the difference between this and a Litto Imperial Mercury typewriter? Where can I find a ribbon for this in India?

[@evangontha3950]

What size rubber grommet did you use to replace the worn out ones? I saw that you bought an assortment set, but if it is not to much trouble, do you have any exact measurements? Thanks.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Not sure, it was from a bag of assorted sizes. I'll have to measure it.

[@littleBugC]

I am the almost the same on but branded silver reed and it has tab.

[@funkpr]

Hey Joe, where did you find those grommets for the lid stems? I have this typewriter and would like to replace those grommets. Enjoy your channel. Thank you. Btw: why would my royal's capital letters strike the with top half of the letter missing?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I got my grommets from an assortment pack at my local hardware store. The groove around the outside should fit snuggly in the hole in the body, which the middle hole of the grommets should be snug for the posts under the ribbon cover. Regarding the capital letters, first make sure it’s not a ribbon lift issue, set the ribbon color to the red position and see if it helps. If so, the ribbon lift isn’t going high enough for the black position. Otherwise it could need the upper and lower case positions adjusted, which necessitates adjusting the upper case position so the letters print evenly, then adjusting the lower case so the bottoms of the letters are even between upper and lower case.

[@douggibbs6389]

Joe I have CP and have typed since grade school, I bought an EP43 because of limited desk space. The typewrite will be used for writing personal notes, checks, and addressing envelopes. Will it do the job? I enjoy your videos. Doug Gibbs

[@Joe_VanCleave]

You want to use the ribbon cassette for typing on anything other than thermal paper.

[@wb.c]

Looks just like a Royal Sprite, exact same features

[@matttexter7399]

Do you have a specific size on those bushings you used to replace those pieces under the top? I just found one of these machines last week and I need to replace those. Thanks.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I bought an assortment pack of rubber grommets, not sure of the exact size I used. I'd recommend measuring the hole diameter where the grommets fit into the top of the machine, then find a set at the hardware store where the "groove" in the side of the grommet is the same size.

[@observethebreath6273]

Joe! Awesome videos thank you! I’m trying to change my ribbon on my dad’s old typewriter, everything seemed set okay (this is my first attempt) but I think there is a problem with the vibrator! It isn’t lifting as high as the one on your video is... I can’t get the keys to hit the ink completely- but it seemed to be working okay before I tried to change the ink? Does this sound like the malfunction?? Please I need help thank you!!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

If the ribbon isn't threaded properly, or the spools aren't turning freely, the ribbon will be too tense and won't life high enough.

[@observethebreath6273]

@@Joe_VanCleave I kept playing around with it. I heard a slight popping noise when I was putting thr right ribbon in and I think I knocked a lever out that helped the vibrator lift. After poking around with it for a fee extra minutes- IT’S WORKING!! It’s gonna be an xmas gift for a friend so i’m so excited!! Thanks so much for your awesome videos Joe!!

[@boh.8.]

Royal 200 is the same machine but different name right?

[@jalenluken5287]

Where do you get the parts? My pieces that hold the cover are also dried and corroded. Also, would like to know where you look for parts in general as I have others that I could fix up and replace pieces.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Generic hardware store grommets, get the variety pack.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Rubber feed rollers (the ones under the platen that help feed the paper) can be removed and covered in rubber automotive tubing, you need the correct size. The main platen roller can be removed and shipped to JJ Short & Associates to be covered in fresh rubber. Some people are 3D printing replacement broken knobs. Other than that, there are no parts, other than a junker parts machine.

[@jalenluken5287]

THANK YOU!

[@sonijam]

What size is the font?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Pica sized -- 10 CPI.

[@sonijam]

@@Joe_VanCleave Thank you.

[@pheminismisshit4571]

Typewriters r still available but carbons r not

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I see carbon paper still available, it's been used by the tattoo industry.

[@pheminismisshit4571]

@@Joe_VanCleave ohh ok in India its running out bro, im planning to start a typewriter factory to bring back those days.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@pheminismisshit4571 Keep us updated as to your progress!

[@pheminismisshit4571]

@@Joe_VanCleave hmm bro u hv a collection of typewriters?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@pheminismisshit4571 A small collection.