Novelli, Rome

[Spaj]

Had the pleasure of finally visiting Novelli Pens and Pipes in Rome today. Tried a number of pens and eventually left the store with a broad nibbed Visconti Home Sapiens in steel. Dereck (English grandfather) showed me a number of pens and was very clearly motivated by making sure I was happy with my purchase. So refreshing to deal with a retailer driven by customer satisfaction. 10 out of 10! No affiliation at all just wanting to share a very positive experience.

[gclyn]

Wow, that's great to hear you had such a great experience. You will love the Homo Sapiens. I have the bronze version with Fine nib and love it. The most important thing though is that you left with a pen you are comfortable with and will want to pick and write with.

[gerigo]

I am curious whether stores like Novelli has unique to Italy products? Or whether their product line essentially are the same as the B&M stores in the US?

 

Perusing their website has me believing they either have a treasure trove of product only available in Italy or they have unprecedented access to Italian manufacturers.

[RMN]

I have no first hand experience with them, except for some contact about a new pen, which was conducted in a pleasant way.

 

I have got a very good pen shop close by, but I would not hesitate buying from Novelli.

 

D.ick

[kulindi]

I visited Marco in Novelli about 3 years ago and also bought a Homo Sapiens Bronze with medium nib...Very happy with the purchase and he was a pleasure to deal with.

[jchch1950]

I have been a long time client and I always look to go back.They have a huge selection of pens and they will try to get you any pen you want,

[bmwboris]

I have bought a number of pens from Marco over the years and have always found him knowledgeable and extremely helpful

 

An absolute gentleman to deal with!!!!

[fabri00]

I am curious whether stores like Novelli has unique to Italy products? Or whether their product line essentially are the same as the B&M stores in the US?

 

Perusing their website has me believing they either have a treasure trove of product only available in Italy or they have unprecedented access to Italian manufacturers.

As far as I know, what you describe is a dream.

I'm not aware of any shop in Italy having unique and/or exclusive products.

The only exception could be a limited serie of pens which a shop could have asked to some italian producer. But in this case, it will be one pen, not one serie of pens, or a whole brand.

[Spaj]

Agreed. Visited 2 other stores in Rome, both with a wide selection of brands, but neither offered anything exclusive to Italy as far as I could see.

[raging.dragon]

As far as I know, what you describe is a dream.

I'm not aware of any shop in Italy having unique and/or exclusive products.

The only exception could be a limited serie of pens which a shop could have asked to some italian producer. But in this case, it will be one pen, not one serie of pens, or a whole brand.

 

Novelli have done several store specific LE's. However, many non-Italian shops have also done this with various Italian pen makers - most noteably Chatterley Pens (based in the US) who have far more special edition pens than any other shop I know of.

[fabri00]

Novelli have done several store specific LE's. However, many non-Italian shops have also done this with various Italian pen makers - most noteably Chatterley Pens (based in the US) who have far more special edition pens than any other shop I know of.

Yes, this is a common practice, as I said: ask to some producer to make a limited serie, to celebrate anniversaries, or similar occasions.

But this is different from having access to full range pf products of italian minor manufactors.

[Quadratus]

 

While on holiday in Italy this summer, I visited Novelli's, searching for a Delta "dolce vita" slim fountain pen with their fusion 18 carat nib.

 

I can say without hesitation that Novelli's provided excellent service and offered a vast range of pens, (including the one I had been looking for). An added bonus was the ability to discuss different models without pressure or "hard sell", and being able to try different nibs at leisure. It helped that I speak quite fluent Italian but I am sure from other reviews that the owners of this wonderful shop would have been able to provide a great service in English (and no doubt in French). Finally there was the excellent price for the Delta pen: I went to the other pen shop near the Pantheon recommended by other reviewers but have to say that the prices there were very much matching the tourist centre of the location. My Delta pen (easily one of the best I have ever bought) was more than 100 Euros cheaper at Novelli's which gives you some idea of the mark-up some "Centro Storico" shops indulge in.

 

All in all, I cannot recommend Novelli's more enthusiastically. It is a "must" for any pen lover.

[StrawberryJam]

Hi - has anyone ever purchased anything through Novelli's website, or know how to check on your order status through the website? I placed an order 2 days ago and received a confirmation of my order via email a few minutes later, but since then have not seen the charge hit my credit card or received any further updates.

 

EDIT: Seems like a few hours after I posted this, I saw the transaction hit my credit card. Now the impatient wait begins!

Edited March 27, 2015 by StrawberryJam