Typewriter Video Series - Episode 45: Hermes Rocket

Joe presents the smallest machine in his collection, the Swiss made Hermes Rocket.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

What I LOVE about my manual typewriters? They DON'T raise my already ridiculously high CON-ED electricity bill when I use them! Also... No extra equipment to buy. What a concept? It's an "all in one" machine. Writing implement which puts out a "hard copy" at the same time? Wow. Imagine that?

[@HyperionHQ]

And no fossil fuel pollution too!

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Oh... This one is the "gem" that reporters used to carry with them EVERYWHERE they were sent to cover stories. It was relatively lightweight, incredibly durable and most importantly BULLETPROOF reliable too! You COULDN'T ask for a better writing tool at that time for the job! This, I'm pretty sure, is the one of the many which the late ANDY ROONEY owned and cited in his "homage" to all typewriters.

[@takarasights]

Very cool. My dad gifted me the green version, and I love it. Beautiful little machine.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

I'm ALWAYS amazed at how much complex mechanical engineering went into the design of these machines. Just the manual ones. Never mind the later electric powered units. Sheer genius!

[@RogerHyam]

Having just stripped and cleaned my 1939 Baby Empire (a Hermes Baby made in England) it is really striking the similarities. The Rocket looks like a Baby + 20 years of improvements. Evolution in action!

[@carvermarks]

Duhhh, latch-pin holes . . . I opened up a long-forgotten, stuffed in the closet, Rocket, only to have a screw--that I still haven't sorted its proper home out--but I thought it might go in te empty latech--pin holes . . . nope.

[@GraniteValleyDave]

Fascinating video - you're incredibly good at explaining what's going on. Thank you for the high quality content mate.

[@quadraphonicfreak]

Joe, I have four of those Hermes Baby machines. They date 1938, 1947, 1966 and 1972. I would highly recommend that you try a 1930's machine, sometimes known as the "featherweight". Those machines have such a nice, easy, snappy touch that reminds me of the touch a full size Royal model 10 has. The other Hermes models I have also have a decent touch but nothing close to the one from 1938. But they are very difficult to find in decent condition though.

[@copyrightfreevideobyttf]

It's so cute and small! Hope it survived and hasn't retired yet.

[@tomtrompowsky8806]

A solemn postscript indeed! A dead typewriter is like the losing a friend, even if put on display on the shelf.

[@chriskincaid6035]

Thank You ...

[@carvermarks]

Thanks, I feel like I just met an old friend and got all caught up . . .

[@jhardycarroll]

I have one of these. my all-time favorite.

[@canonixus850]

Thanks for all the explanations. Learned a lot of stuff on my Hermes Baby. I'm swiss and I have the Swiss keyboard...so no 1 key but also no 0 (used for é) , I guess the O has to be used 😀 My kids are fascinated by this object coming from other ages.

[@virginiaprime6866]

I have one of these...it has a kind of sloping joined up typeface, really lovely. Thank you so much for this video it has helped me to fix my issue with the ribbon which kept twisting because I was threading it wrongly. All the best to you from London UK

[@dlacrue6652]

One idea for replacing a part that isn't made anymore is contacting a machinist. The cost may or may not be prohibitive, but if it's sentimental like this one and you still want to use it, asking couldn't hurt.

[@bruhjun]

So grateful for this series! Kind regards,

[@amitganguli8011]

I got mine (a Hermes Baby) from my father (still alive). Originally bought from Switzerland. It has an Rupee (the old Rs) symbol where the cent symbol is located on the Rocket! My 4 year old now "uses" it, loves the red color.

[@juanitabonita717]

Thats is the one I have. Trying to fix something today ! :-)

[@canonixus850]

Bought in Switzerland...but not for Swiss market for sure. The mine has a domestic keyboard for french speaking part, smybols on this key are à and :

[@VishalVoraUK]

Hello Joe, I'm a new subscriber and absolutely loving the content. So much so that I've just picked a Hermes Baby! Very excited to get it up and running. A ribbon is due to arrive in the post (mail) shortly. Its in great condition, paint loss but what can one expect after all these years. Could you repair a strip down and repair process? It has the original spools but I guess means the new ribbon will have to be wound on. I think the machine was made in 1964/65. I look forward to more videos in due course, and should I ever come to the USA, to visit you, in the Baby in hand. Yours, Vishal Vora, London

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Vishal, congrats on the typewriter. The universal style replacement ribbons, with plastic spools, should fit just fine onto the machine. Just save the old metal spools, they're nice to keep as part of the machine's provenance. As for the paint, if it's the crinkle, textured finish, those are hard to repaint and look original. I've never attempted it myself. My personal philosophy is just to keep the machine the way it is, wear and all, as it shows its history. Other people do like to repaint their machines, even in wild colors. As for a complete strip down and repair video, that's probably beyond my abilities, since I don't have the skill and experience of a professional technician. But there are many problems that can be tackled by amateurs such as myself. Cleaning, degreasing and relubrication seems to be what most machines need. Check out the Typoshere - the typewriter blogger community, at typosphere.blogspot.com/. The "Mighty Blog Roll" on the right column is the list of active typewriter bloggers, lots of wisdom and information there.

[@manuelk.1424]

Hello Joe, I've recently a Hermes Baby, which is identical to your rocket. Thanks to your videos I've managed to make it work again (all was good, but it needed lots of cleaning, given that the keys were completely stuck), but now I have a problem with the spools, they don't turn when the lids are closed. Obviously they're not the original spools (they've got the Pelikan logo on them), so I bought some other spools, but I think they're too large in diameter as well (meaning 2 inches - 5 cm). Could you tell me the diameter of the spools in your rocket? In case the one that are on their way will not work, I think I'll have to make them smaller myself - it won't be hard, since they're just plastic...

[@josegaldeano1112]

hello, I have an equal one, but the tape doesn't come back automatically, is that so? the eyelet stops on the lever but does not reverse the direction. thank you.

[@bojangojkovic6187]

Greeting Joe, I must tell you your videos are superb quality. I have learned so much about typewriters with your videos. I have found two Hermes Babies and would like to hear your opinion about which to buy. The machines are 1938 Hermes Baby and 1954 Hermes Baby. Looking forward to you answer :)

[@Joe_VanCleave]

It would be best to know the condition of each one. Without that information, I can only assume that the newer *might* be in better condition ... but that's assuming a lot. I personally wouldn't buy either one without testing them. Good luck.

[@deemdoubleu]

Nice video, I have just acquired an Empire Aristocrat which is virtually identical (made under license in England). It has a few problems which I hope to fix but I think it is a nice object even if not 100% functional.

[@av8bvma513]

Hey Joe! Another great video, thanks for doing this high quality and high value stuff for us, as it is very much appreciated. The Hermes/Empire range have a feature oft missed by owners/users, the l/h platen knob locks and unlocks from the index gear. "Top to the Front" Gotta remember that, as many have been tightened beyond belief, and knowing the Right direction to be straining in is vital.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you so much for the info. I often forget some detail or fact, like the two l levers on the side of the machine just forward of the ribbon spools for manually reversing the ribbon.

[@av8bvma513]

Yup. Back in the day, good pilots used typed out "Check-List" pieces of paper, sometimes laminated, to ensure all the important things were done in the correct sequence.

[@davidm.sgriccia9903]

Where is the line between Baby & Rocket if there is no marking of Baby or Rocket?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

They were the same machine, just marketed under different names.

[@davidm.sgriccia9903]

@@Joe_VanCleave Oh. OK. Thanks for the reply. BTW - landed my 2nd ROOY today.

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

Nice video.

[@pedrogil4804]

Hi Joe - Thanks for your videos, great content and delivery. Can I ask you a question? I bought a Hermès Baby 1947. It fades the top of the letters (seems the carriage is set a bit too low). I am trying to adjust the lower case types by raising the carriage slightly, but cannot find the nut & bolt to do so, on either side. Do you know where I can find them? (I already checked the top corners, under the carriage, but it only has 1 nut and bolt on each side, to adjust the uppercase types, but nothing for the lower case types as far as I can see). Thanks in advance.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

This might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2mwYZqBbKqpl6s

[@Melvorgazh]

ps: about the wearings of the parts, would it be difficult to make a copy the over used metal part, by a metallurgist maybe? Or even a blacksmith? Take care.

[@a.6221]

hello, I have just gotten a baby hermès from around 1969 and I can’t figure out how to push the carriage return lever in, it doesn’t fold and I can’t find any manuals for this online. do you by chance know what to do?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

If it's the older style that's real short and folds, you first push it to the right (toward the side of the carriage), then, holding it in that position, push the line spacing selector lever all the way to the back; it should engage in a slot in the return lever bracket. That will lock the return lever. Then fold down the return lever so it's flat.

[@njm1962]

Hello Joe, I messaged you in episode 46 about the screw and little piece of metal but I forgot to mention when I slide the platen to the right it doesn't advance the paper ...any ideas?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The mechanism on the left side of the platen does the line spacing via a ratchet mechanism that engages the sprocket on the left end of the platen, as you engage the carriage return lever. You'll need to examine in detail what isn't working properly. lt could be something bent, or broken, or missing.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

It's just like owning a vintage AUTO!

[@danlinder2249]

Great video Joe!

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

The "BLACKBIRD"? REALLY?... WOW! PS: "...If this machine could talk...". Actually Joe it can! If your friend NEVER changed the ribbon it CAN be read and deciphered successfully SOOOOO... YES! IT CAN "TALK".

[@Melvorgazh]

Fairly moving story. Hey, Joe again :) I saw one of those, or was it a Baby, not 100% sure, on eBay, it was from 1944. Saw the Rocket is definitely nicer than the Baby you would say? I am looking for another QWERTY typewriter and I can't decide yet between a Rocket or a Good Companion 4 or 5. Do you think the Good Companion are +- as good as the Rocket Hermes?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The Rocket and Baby are essentially the same machines, though they evolved over several decades. The English-made Good Companions are a heavier machine than the Hermes; not sure about the Japanese-made versions.

[@lairdsky4604]

Looks identical to my Baby Empire 👍

[@AndrewKerensky]

Crikey this is the same identical typewriter as a Baby Empire Aristocrat :-)

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Does anybody know of a typewriter "club" in the lower Westchester County, NY. area? Only repair/maintenance shop near here is down in NYC (Manhattan, near Union Square. Yeah... THOSE GUYS!)

[@Joe_VanCleave]

John, I had to start my own typewriter club in my community.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

@@Joe_VanCleave Wow! I'm NOT surprised. Well? If it's my ONLY resort? I may have to follow YOUR example and just do it myself. I'll letya know how it goes, eh? Thank you for your REPLY! Much appreciated Joe! Keep "clickety clacking" on!

[@Beardmaneats]

Does the Hermes Baby / Rocket need a specific size ribbon? When I type the letters "b, l, k, h" the top half of the letters never appear clearly with the first press of the key or do I just need a new ribbon?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

If the tops of the letters print light on the first press, then print darker afterwords, it sounds like a problem with the ribbon advance mechanism, it’s keeping the ribbon from fully raising. How do the upper case characters print?

[@Beardmaneats]

@@Joe_VanCleave could there be a possibility that the keys are not hitting the page all the way? When I press down harder the full letter appears

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@Beardmaneats Are you touch-typing? Try two-fingered typing with your index fingers, perhaps you're not applying enough force.

[@Beardmaneats]

@@Joe_VanCleave that could most likely be it, the last Hermes I had didn't require much force and it was gentle that's why I bought another one

[@av8bvma513]

Hey joe! Wouldn't it be cool, if some smart guy built a teeny little led light setup that we could mount inside our typewriters? Light up the paper, light up the cool and exotic mechanicals?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

That's a great idea. The challenge would be making it universal for most any typewriter.

[@yvonnetaylor9331]

My gosh... You mean almost like a laptop?? 😜😂😂😂

[@UberSchluh]

Hey Joe! I'm a big typist myself but I've got a bit of a problem. I travel a lot, for various different reasons, & my two main typewriters -- a Smith Corona Silent Super 5 & a Hermes 3K -- just don't cut it for travel. Would you recommend the Hermes Rocket or a different ultra-portable unit?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The Rocket is a great travel machine, as is the Smith-Corona Skyriter. These two are the best ultra-portables I've tried. But, depending on you situation, some of the Brother and Silver Seiko portables (like the Royal Mercury) are also good, they're just a bit bigger and heavier.

[@UberSchluh]

Picked up a Skyriter that I found at an antique store just the other day, great unit for a great price. It has some problems, but none that I can't fix myself. Thank you so much!

[@techguy9023]

Is the keyboard cramped on the rocket? Do most pre 1960’s portables not have tab keys? When was the tab feature introduced?

[@JavierCabreraBrothers]

Would you say this is a good travel typerwiter? (plane, etc). I mean, light, portable, small? (or which one you would recommend?)

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The problem of choosing travel machines is the competing demands of needing small size and light weight while being subjected to potential damaging handling conditions; and many of the most desirable small, light machines are in high demand on the used market, and as such are expensive to replace. And small + lightweight = fragile. Rather than take a Hermes Rocket/Baby or Smith-Corona Skyriter (two of the smallest, lightest and most popular machines), I'd recommend a Japanese-made Brother (or one of its rebranded kin like the Webster), or a Silver-Seiko machine like the Royal Mercury. These aren't as small or light as the Hermes or Skyriter, but are more durable, very reliable machines that are easier to replace if they get damaged beyond repair. The trade-off will be size & weight, and the touch of the keys is often a bit heavy. But they are easy to get used to. I keep a Brother-made Webster XL-747, in robins egg blue, in a shoulder bag ready to go, including typing paper and correction tape, as my "grab & go" machine. I also have an Olympia SF in another bag that's also for grab & go typing. The Olympia SF and Traveller De Luxe are another choice. Solidly built and reliable, but easier to replace than a Hermes or Skyriter. If you're travelling by car rather than plane, I'd recommend taking a bigger portable. We drove from ABQ to San Antonio earlier this year with a Remington Quiet-Riter. One of the larger medium-sized portables. I'm glad we took it. No, I didn't lug it to a coffee shop on foot, instead we drove. But it's a great machine, rugged and reliable, with great looks.

[@vincent_kr]

Sir, Iam big fan of type writers, i love your videos .I have 2 doubts, which liquid is using to clean inside the type writer And for polishing which which one is to use ?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

For polishing, if it has a smooth finish, use car wax, if it has a crinkle finish use a toothbrush and a gentle cleaner like a very mild soap. For inside the machine, it’s best to keep it clean and dust free, not much oil is needed, mainly on the carriage rail bearings, everywhere else degrease it and keep it clean.

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

It is a rocket.

[@PinoShah]

Joe, thank you for the videos, how does one remove the casing on a Featherweight - do you have a video for that? TIA.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Haven't worked on one of those but, from pictures I've seen, try removing the screws around the rim of the base.

[@PinoShah]

@@Joe_VanCleave yeah, already removed the two front and two back ones, the front loosened up, not the back, thanks.

[@Melvorgazh]

Looks great! But there is no ! key. In later models maybe?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Yes, in many of these kinds of machines to make an exclamation symbol you typed a period, backspaced then typed the apostrophe (a shifted 8).

[@Melvorgazh]

Cheers, Sir '.' And that @ key? How commun is it you think? Cause I am looking for a portable typewriter with the +, the ! and the @ keys. Thanks a lot! :)

[@seannead.wharton4595]

Is the platen easy to remove?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

It wasn’t easy for me to remove. I ended up sending it to Bill Wahl in Mesa, AZ and he did a fine job. It’s important to know one’s limits, and also to support the professional shops once in a while.

[@Melvorgazh]

Hey, Joe! I love the look of that typewriter! So it was used by tue militaries a lot then? I noticed there is no + key. Do you think some later models of the Rocket or Baby had that + sign? With the @ sign at the same time? Cheers!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I'm not certain. Here's a later Rocket with the @ symbol. www.pinterest.com/pin/18366310951004510/ I didn't see any pictures of Rockets with + symbols on my brief Google image search, so they don't appear to be very common.

[@Melvorgazh]

Lovely! I saw one just like this on eBay. I tried to make a + sign on my Splendid 33, by typing lower case L basckspace then - but it didn't give a nice result. I bet depending on the font sometimes it can work better.

[@Melvorgazh]

Ok. Thanks a lot, Joe!

[@misterf7739]

Have you ever taken a machine on a flight? If so, did you run into any trouble at the security checkpoints?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I have not! Only taken them on car trips. Maybe one of these days.

[@misterf7739]

Would you recommend it? The thought of some irritable security goon damaging or confiscating my machine terrifies me... But the thought of spending more than a month without a typewriter is also mortifying... I'm lost in deliberation!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I remember reading someone's blog on the Typosphere about doing just that. They took the machine through carry-on, it was spotted in the X-ray scan and hand-inspected. Other than curiosity, there wasn't an issue.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I'm not sure if I'd "recommend" it, but if you HAD to get across country in a short period of time - with a typewriter - don't take your best portable machine. Maybe take a thrift store beater portable to test the idea.

[@leung9401]

I'd like to take a Hermes Baby on a flight with a Lockheed Super Constellation.