Here is a counter-intuitive fact about the Hermès Baby: it was not made by the luxury house Hermès Paris — it was built by the Swiss firm Paillard S.A. (later Paillard-Bolex). But the name, and the craftsmanship, made it a superstar of the typewriter world. This 4.5 kg machine was the writing companion of countless authors in cafés and on trains.
History
In the 1920s Swiss engineers patented a series of folding mechanisms for portable typewriters; Paillard put them into production in 1931 as the Hermès Baby. Compact, cleverly engineered and beautifully made, it is widely regarded as one of the finest mini-portables ever built. Production ran into the 1960s, totaling roughly two million machines.
Through the 1950s–60s Paillard added the Hermès Ambassador (office), the Rocket (a lighter Baby successor) and the design classic Hermès 2000 (1967). The Bolex camera business merged into the group, and the company was acquired in the 1970s — ending the Hermès typewriter story.
What makes it special
- Peak mini-portable — The Baby packs a full keyboard into 4.5 kg with a clever, reliable folding mechanism.
- Writers' favourite — Hemingway, Camus and many others typed on Hermès machines.
- Design textbook — The Hermès 2000 is in MoMA's collection — a landmark of 1960s design.
Classic models
| Model | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hermès Baby | 1931 | The most famous mini-portable |
| Hermès Featherweight | 1930s | Baby variant, lighter |
| Hermès Rocket | 1958 | Lighter successor to the Baby |
| Hermès Ambassador | 1950s | Top office machine |
| Hermès 2000 | 1967 | Design icon, in MoMA |
Serial number dating (estimate)
Serial numbers give a rough production era. Precise dating needs the brand's official serial handbook.
| Period | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1931 – 1939 | Early Baby (metal badge) |
| 1940 – 1957 | Baby mid era |
| 1958 – 1967 | Rocket / Ambassador era |
| 1967 – 1972 | Hermès 2000 |
Try it out
Want to try typing on a vintage machine or estimate a serial number? Both are free, in your browser.
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