Philadelphia-Area Pen Stores?

[JJBlanche]

As is probably obvious, I live in the Philadelphia area, and am wondering if there are any pen stores in this neck of the woods. I'm more looking for a place to pick up supplies, a la Rhodia and ink, but having pens on hand wouldn't be bad either.

 

Regards,

 

JJ

[simonrob]

As is probably obvious, I live in the Philadelphia area, and am wondering if there are any pen stores in this neck of the woods. I'm more looking for a place to pick up supplies, a la Rhodia and ink, but having pens on hand wouldn't be bad either.

 

Regards,

 

JJ

 

Downtown, the best selection of pens and ink (inks include Namiki, Waterman's, Parker, Visconti, Omas, Noodler's (but not PR) and Aurora) is at Holt's at c 16th and Walnut (it's primarily a cigar shop, but they have a fairly extensive pen selection up front); there are a couple of other places (including another tobacconist on Sansom St c. 16th), but you probably won't find anything elsewhere you won't find at Holt's (though Taws art supply shop has Herbin cartridges, which Holt's don't carry; bizarrely, nowhere around here seems to sell Sheaffer ink), and their prices are decent. You'll have to go elsewhere for paper, such Rhodia pads, though - Utrecht art supply stores have them, for instance (there's one at Broad and Spruce, another c. 21st and Chestnut). Not sure what's in the suburbs, aside from Paradise Pens in the King of Prussia Mall (not as good as Holt's, though they do have some PR ink).

 

Simon

[skinnyPens]

I'm pretty sure there is a Paradise Pens at the King of Prussia Mall

[FredRydr]

I'm pretty sure there is a Paradise Pens at the King of Prussia Mall

Yes, there is, and the owner and her daughter (esp. the latter) are quite the characters. I am midway between K of P and Bertram's former Baltimore location, and the loss of Bertram's was a blow. So now it is Paradise Pens or a jaunt down to The Pen Haven when I really want a true pen fix.

 

Fred

[JJBlanche]

The Pen Haven?

[BearsPaw]

The KOP Mall also has a MONTBLANC store that has pens in it somewhere, and a paper store (forgot the name) that carries some fountain pens (Parker, Lamy, Pilot, and a few others). A few jewelery stores sell MB, off the top of my head I can only think of the one in the Cherry Hill Mall, in the same wing as Macy's, but on the opposite side.

 

With regards to Rhodia, you can find them all over. There is a place on the north side of Market between 3rd and 4th that is primarily an art supply store, but has the best Rhodia selection I've found in Philly. And just around the corner, between Arch and Market on 3rd street there is a stationary store called "The Papery" that sells Lamy fountain pens and ink. I believe they sell Retro 51 BPs, too.

 

I really like Clairefontaine, but I haven't found anyplace in the city that stocks it.

[Jeff E]

Pretty much every B&M store in the Philadelphia area has been mentioned in this thread. It's sad that a city this size has so few stores. By the way, does anyone remember Office Cents. It was located on Chestnut between 15th and 16th. They had a decent selection and discounted their pens. As a plus, they had a consignment and "orphan" rack with pens at 50% off retail.

[scribe75]

Pen Haven is on the north side of DC, Chevy Chase area. It deals with vintage pens mostly and the repair of same. I believe they have ink and paper supplies too. It is not proximate to Philadelphia, unless you're up for a drive to DC.

[StephY]

By the way, does anyone remember Office Cents. It was located on Chestnut between 15th and 16th. They had a decent selection and discounted their pens. As a plus, they had a consignment and "orphan" rack with pens at 50% off retail.

 

Yes, I remember them fondly. I used to stop in to ogle the pens during my lunch hour and they were always very helpful. I got my first Esterbrook and Parker Vac from them. Too bad (for us) they got an offer on the building they couldn't refuse. Worse still, the building now sits empty, naggingly reminding me of them every time I walk by.

[blueiris]

If you're in New Hope, Princeton might be closer to you. There is a small office supply store in the Palmer Square area that carries Clairfontaine and Rhodia, at least last time I was there. I bought a bottle of Sheaffer Blue ink there; I think their ink brands were very limited. They might have had fountain pens, but I wasn't looking for any that day. I wish I could recall the name of the place. I recall that it was not right on the square and might have been on a side street somewhere. I found it just by strolling the retail area.

 

Also in Princeton, on Palmer Square (near Mediterra restaurant) is a paperie/stationery/card shop. Fountain pens were not their specialty, but I do recall seeing a Montblanc display there. They might have had other brands, too.

 

Crane's stationery at KoP mall has fountain pens. They are located on the Court side of the mall (near Bloomingdale's on the upper level). They have a fountain pen display there. I didn't look closely, but I think they have Lamy, Waterman, Parker, and a few Pilot VPs, among others. For ink and Rhodia, you're better off at Paradise Pens on the lower level near Macy's.

 

The Artist & Craftsman supply mentioned earlier (Old City on Market between 3rd and 4th) does have a terrific selection of Rhodia. They also have some dip pen and calligraphy supplies.

 

The better place for calligraphy supplies is in Ardmore, called "Merion Art and Repro" or something like that (it's on Rt. 30/Lancaster Ave near Suburban Square). They have a better selection of loose dip nibs, including Brause.