Pen stores in NYC worth checking out?

[RevAaron]

I'll be making my first ever trip to New York early March. A week-long business trip, but I'll have nights and 2-3 weekend days to see the sights... and hopefully check out a few shops which sell pens, paper, and ink!

 

I'm open to just about anything, but I'm most interested in vintage pens. I'm most likely to just buy some ink and paper- not big on the MSRPs of the big luxury brands. Bonus points for places I can walk to! I don't know yet where I'll be staying, but I'll be spending the weekdays on W 42nd St., across the street from the NYPL, a couple blocks away from Times Square.

 

This being my first trip to NY, I'd be more than happy to hear suggestions on things to see or do unrelated to fountain pens, especially those that'd be toddler-friendly. Might be more on-topic to send those suggestions by PM.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Aaron

[JohnCruzNg]

The only shop that I would recommend that has a large selection of pens, papers, and inks (if not the largest in NYC) is Art Brown.

[bushido]

The only shop that I would recommend that has a large selection of pens, papers, and inks (if not the largest in NYC) is Art Brown.

 

the only one i ever ordered from in nyc is fountain pen hospital.

[JohnCruzNg]

The only shop that I would recommend that has a large selection of pens, papers, and inks (if not the largest in NYC) is Art Brown.

 

the only one i ever ordered from in nyc is fountain pen hospital.

 

Fountain Pen Hospital has a large selection of pens (including vintage) their selection stops there. Fountain Pen Hospital does not carry a large selection of paper or inks where Art Brown does.

[ericthered2004]

I'd second the Art Brown suggestion; it's a great place, with lots of pens and supplies in a browsing-friendly atmosphere, and not far from where you are staying.

 

Regards,

ericthered

[jeff9]

Fountain Pen Hospital, Art Brown, Joon Pens is also well known, 7th Avenue Stationers has a good selection as well.

[JohnCruzNg]

The only shop that I would recommend that has a large selection of pens, papers, and inks (if not the largest in NYC) is Art Brown.

 

the only one i ever ordered from in nyc is fountain pen hospital.

 

Fountain Pen Hospital has a large selection of pens (including vintage) their selection stops there. Fountain Pen Hospital does not carry a large selection of paper or inks where Art Brown does.

 

I not discouraging you from going to Fountain Pen Hospital because that is where I have bought most of my fountain pens from there but they do not have paper and only a limited selection of inks.

 

If you are just going to buy a fountain pen I would suggest Fountain Pen Hospital because they have a best price guarantee.

 

"Please don't forget that we will always beat prices from any authorized USA dealer on our in-stock items should you see a pen offered for a lower price elsewhere."

 

Your main interest is in paper and inks, Art Brown is the place to be but for pens I would go to Fountain Pen Hospital (as I said before FPH does have vintage pens).

[camoandconcrete]

If your staying across the street from the NYPL then I'd recommend you walk to Grand Central Terminal. Joon Pens has a great store in Grand Central and you can get some great food at the Oyster Bar while there. Also, the NYPL has an amazing selection of Laban, Retro 51, Acme and some Pelikan pens in their gift shop. When I was there over the summer I didn't expect to find any pens but I walked out with a silver Laban Maya with 18kt nib and a Pelikan M400. I don't know if they still have Pels as I bought one of the last ones but none the less its fun to check out.

[Nikhil]

Art Brown is my favorite pen store. The store is so large, they have everything. If you go their you will not be sorry. The sales staff is also very helpful. 20% discount if you are a student.

[karmakoda]

Art Brown's, on West 45th St, just off of 5th Ave, is excellent, as already pointed out. Good selection of inks, paper, pens, super staff in a big, spacious store.

 

On West 57th St, just south of Central Park:

Lee's Art Shop at 220 West 57th, a nice selection of pen's and art supplies. Located across the street from the Art Students League of New York.

 

Joon's Pens in the lobby level of Trump Tower, 5th Ave entrance, is tiny, but a must see, and if you exit through the atrium at the back of Trump Tower, turn left, walk out to 57th, look to your right, the midtown Montblanc boutique is across the street at the end of the block, on Madison. Only if you dare.

 

My favorite city, have a great trip, I think you're gonna love it.

[jimk]

Joon Pens has a great store in Grand Central

 

I think that location has been closed up.

 

I'm having fun right now with Google maps, trying to find some smaller shops I've stumbled on in the city. Looks like New York Stationery on 6th Ave just below 12th St. My memory is that there are two shops right around there on 6th Ave with fountain pens. Nothing vintage but some interested NOS.

 

I was up on Madison Ave around 88th or so and there were a couple nice stationers up there that had lots of good pens.

 

Have fun in the city!

[camoandconcrete]

Joon Pens has a great store in Grand Central

 

I think that location has been closed up.

 

I'm having fun right now with Google maps, trying to find some smaller shops I've stumbled on in the city. Looks like New York Stationery on 6th Ave just below 12th St. My memory is that there are two shops right around there on 6th Ave with fountain pens. Nothing vintage but some interested NOS.

 

I was up on Madison Ave around 88th or so and there were a couple nice stationers up there that had lots of good pens.

 

Have fun in the city!

 

Actually, according to Joon's website the old one was being renovated and they moved to a new larger space in Grand Central. Just reopened around Christmas.

[Garageboy]

The one below 12th St and 6th is "Stevdan", associated with University Stationers

Art Brown is nice, FPN is nice

Altman Luggage is great, because if you bring cash, they will give you a good deal

[majorworks]

Also near where you're staying is Kinokuniya on 6th Ave. directly across the street from Bryant Park. While not exactly known as a "pen store," you'll find a few FPs, lots of Japanese ball/gel pens and mechanical pencils, and, best of all, a nice selection of excellent Japanese notebooks (Apica, Maruman, and Kokuyo).

[kpkelsey]

+1 on kinokuniya. it's very close to where you are staying, and i could spend hours in there. no fountain pens that i have found, but the notebooks and other paper products are wonderful. i also buy gel pens and mechanical pencils from there.

 

another store within a few blocks in the other direction is muji. it's in the ny times building. it's not a pen store, but they carry lots of interesting japanese stationery supplies. they do sell one or two fountain pens but it's the other stuff that i find fascinating.

 

art brown is also good, but i have only gone there once. it's a bit too intimidating for me. i much prefer their store in atlanta to the one in new york. friendlier staff.

 

new york is fun for the pen aficionado. you'll have a great time in the area where you are staying. there's lots of fun little stores all around there.

[rbanks]

I would encourage you to check hours on line or by phone. My son lives in NYC and discovered that Fountain Pen Hospital does not have weekend hours. He bought me a nice pen there for Christmas, but had to go during the business week. Enjoy!

[RevAaron]

I haven't had time to read all of the replies and do my own follow-ups... but I really appreciate all of your replies! I'll take a better look tomorrow! Even more excited to go than I already was. Looks like Art Brown is a 2-3 block walk from where I'll be spending the day-time hours during the week- hopefully it'll be easy to check it out over a lunch break or two.

 

It's a good thing my wife is coming with me on this trip- I might be at risk of making a few... injudicious decisions otherwise.

 

EDIT: it's probably worth noting that the reason I singled put inks and paper is that the prices I've seen at the few B&M pen shops I've been to are all straight MSRP, way more than I'm personally willing to spend on a modern pen. Lamy Safaris and entry level Parker, Waterman, and Pelikan pens for nearly twice what I'd be personally be willing to pay. So I sate my interest with a new ink and a new notebook. All bets may be off in a place with some vintage pens, though...

Edited February 19, 2010 by RevAaron

[Joe_Schmo]

Though it's unlikely you'll be so far north, Janoff's Stationary on 113th and Broadway, a rather small stationary/office supply store, has a surprising collection on vintage pens. It's been busy every time I've been in, so I haven't inquired about any additional stock, but I'd estimate they have 100+ pens in display counters. They also sell new pens, and carry Noodlers, MB, and a few other brands of ink.

 

I'd also recommend The Garage Flea market on W. 25th between 6th and 7th Ave. It's a two level flea market with a lot of antique vendors, vintage jewelry, clothing, etc. I've seen quite a few pens here, but like all Flea Markets, and unlabeled boxes of chocolate, you never know what you're going to get.

 

And finally, a non-pen suggestion: I've given many tours of the city to family and friends who come visit, and one activity that I think is very worthwhile, is to take the subway (ACE, the Blue Line) into Brooklyn, and then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan. The bridge has a great pedestrian walkway that is actually suspended above traffic, so cars are a non-factor; the view of lower Manhattan is magnificent; the Bridge itself is quite a wonder, and the area you'll be traveling to in Brooklyn and Manhattan are quite fun. The Brooklyn side has a nice shopping area on the water, a weekend flea market, and is also a five minute walk from the famous Grimaldi Pizzeria, and the equally delicious Brooklyn ice cream factory. Back on the Manhattan side, you'll be at the South Street seaport, and near the old fish markets. There are many attractions in this area, and its just generally a neat part of the city that alot of people don't see.

 

I've lived here for *counts fingers...* 5 years now, so if you have any questions leading up to your visit, I'd happily do my best to answer them.

[desdedez]

If you plan to visit Fountain Pen Hospital note they don't open on Saturdays (Monday to Friday 7:45am-6pm).

[mompus]

Hi

I was in Manhattan last October. I had to stop in at Bauman rare books to look at some 1st editions (wonderful store b.t.w.). Anyhow, a block or 2 south of the book store, along Madison Ave. (maybe 54th st.?) I found a cigar store that carried quite an impressive selection of f-pens. They also had a rather pretty, tall, slender, doe eyed sales girl. I forget the name of the store, I'm thinking the girl's name was Virginia.

Mompus

Edited February 19, 2010 by mompus