Hermes Media Typewriter

circa 1939–1945

A Swiss portable typewriter by Paillard S.A., manufactured circa 1939–1945, sold new through Taylor's Typewriter Co. of 74 Chancery Lane, London. Complete with its original matching metal case and manual. Serial number 2018220.

The Hermes Media is a portable typewriter manufactured by Paillard S.A. in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The Hermes Media model was introduced in 1936, positioned between the ultra-compact Hermes Baby and the larger Hermes 2000. Serial number 2018220 places this example at approximately 1939–1945 based on known Hermes production data. The machine was sold new through Taylor's Typewriter Co. Ltd., 74 Chancery Lane, London WC2 — established in 1884 and one of Britain's longest-running typewriter dealers — whose name is stamped on the front badge, inscribed inside the case lid, and affixed as a sticker on the manual, confirming this is a complete, original, matched set. The rear plate carries the full manufacturer's markings: "Made in Switzerland / paillard s.a. / YVERDON / HERMES." The serial plate reads "2018220 / SWISS MADE / SUISSE." The keyboard is QWERTY with a full numeric row and fractional characters (½, ¾, ¼, ⅛), indicating the professional/office specification. Features include ribbon colour selector, tabulator mechanism, aspect lever, line spacing lever, and a metal carrying case with two push-button latches. The machine was acquired in February 2026 from Nigel Hyett of Chippenham, Wiltshire, who stated it was purchased at a local auction house and claimed it was to be featured on the BBC programme The Travelling Auctioneers (BBC One) — this claim has not been independently verified. Currently non-functional: sticky keys, missing ribbon, and the carriage escapement is not advancing, likely due to dried lubricant and dust accumulation. Structurally complete and in need of professional restoration.

Significance

The portable typewriter was one of the most transformative communication tools of the 20th century, democratising the written word beyond the office and into homes, newsrooms, and the field. The Hermes Media represents Swiss precision engineering at its peak — compact, robust, and refined. It sits at the transition between the pre-war craft era and post-war mass productivity, when mechanical writing technology was reaching its zenith just before the electronic age began to replace it. For anyone tracing the lineage from manuscript to keyboard to touchscreen, machines like this are critical stepping stones.

Of Note

"Media" is Latin for "middle" — Paillard deliberately named it to sit between the Baby (ultra-portable) and the 2000 (full portable). 2.
The fractional character keys (½, ¾, ¼, ⅛) indicate this is the professional specification — consumer models often omitted them. 3.
Paillard S.A. also manufactured the legendary Bolex 16mm film cameras alongside their typewriters — precision engineering was their hallmark across product lines. 4.
Taylor's Typewriter Co. was established in 1884, meaning by the time they sold this machine they had been dealing typewriters for over 55 years. 5.
The manual print code "No. 501 English / S.A. 56" suggests the manual was printed in 1956 — likely a replacement copy issued after original purchase, as the machine itself predates it. 6.
The seller reported the machine was destined to appear on BBC One's The Travelling Auctioneers — unverified, but a notable provenance claim if confirmed.

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