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-   -   Decent stationary shop in London? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/decent-stationary-shop-in-london-608591/)

ilovetotravel29 Apr 18th, 2006 08:06 AM

Decent stationary shop in London?
 
I have an affinity for stationary---namely fountain pens and nice blank journals. I will definately check out the stationary shops in Italy, but was wondering if there were some good shops in London? I went to numerous bookstores, but found only the same overmanufactured and overpriced journals---nice decorating, but nothing simple and hardcover.

Is there a good stationary shop you would recommend in London?

Underhill Apr 18th, 2006 08:17 AM

Look at Harrod's for good stationery.

ilovetotravel29 Apr 18th, 2006 08:22 AM

Actually, I was not impressed with the stationary at Harrod's. I did purchase a couple of journals, but they weren't my favorite choices. And of the few that I really did like, the prices were a bit too high for the quality offered.

Robespierre Apr 18th, 2006 08:36 AM

Actually, all of the stores in London are good and stationary. Except for a few merchants who ply their wares from carts, they only move around when they're disturbed by seismic or political events.

ilovetotravel29 Apr 18th, 2006 08:38 AM

I guess I didn't find them. Or maybe it was that all the stores offered the exact same journals...usually a thread like embroidered covering and lined. I don't like embroidered coverings, and I prefer my journals unlined. Sigh.

Maybe I am just a too difficult writer... :(

ellenem Apr 18th, 2006 08:41 AM

Robespierre was making a joke.

Try searching for "stationery London."

Note the spelling.

Neopolitan Apr 18th, 2006 08:48 AM

THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE RUDE OR PEDANTIC -- BUT HELPFUL-- OK??

The easy way to remember stationary vs. stationery.

Stationary is spelled with an a -- which stands for "attached".

Stationery is spelled with an e -- which stands for "envelope".

ilovetotravel29 Apr 18th, 2006 08:48 AM

Ah, I get it! Too smart for me...totally didn't even notice the change in spelling or definition....

ilovetotravel29 Apr 18th, 2006 08:55 AM

My spelling has been getting horrible lately...don't know why. I am usually very good at grammar and have an impressive vocabulary, but lately I have been making spelling mistakes I shouldn't be making.....interesting.....


kenderina Apr 18th, 2006 09:32 AM

It's a relief for me to know that a native English speaker has mistakes too :) At least, you can say that they are just typos...hehehe

ilovetotravel29 Apr 18th, 2006 09:38 AM

Yes, it has been weird lately..words that I know how to correctly spell I am mispelling. Hmm...maybe it is due to the fact that I have not been reading nearly as much as I used to?

Underhill Apr 18th, 2006 10:11 AM

Another one to remember: everyone in a cemetery is at e's.

walkinaround Apr 18th, 2006 10:32 AM

smythson on new bond street is one obvious answer. they have all the royal warrants and are well known as the old stationery store.

i don't use expensive stationery so i can't recommend them personally.

MissZiegfeld Apr 18th, 2006 10:36 AM

what's that chain of stationary shops around london--it has the word "Ryan" in the name..I know there's one on Tottenham Court Road, near the KFC a few blocks up from the EasyEverything internet cafe, and I'm pretty sure there's one on High Street..

Robespierre Apr 18th, 2006 10:38 AM

The way many people misuse <i>i.e.</i> and <i>e.g.</i> obscures the meaning of their writings - and it's not often possible to figure out what is <i>really</i> meant.

<i>e.g.</i> = EG-zample

walkinaround Apr 18th, 2006 10:39 AM

it's ryman (the stationer) and they are on just about every high street. like wh smith, they sell mainly everyday office supplies. lovetotravel seems to be looking for perhaps a nice souvenir item.

MissZiegfeld Apr 18th, 2006 10:40 AM

ryman, that's the name, thank you.

Neopolitan Apr 18th, 2006 10:48 AM

Oh, underhill, your cemetery spelling is so much nicer than the one I learned. Mine was that everyone in a cemetery is embalmed.

By the way, there are a couple of really interesting stationery shops in the neighborhood of Covent Garden between Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Sorry I can't be more specific, but it's a fun area to poke around in anyway, and let your nose take you to Neal's Yard Dairy for amazing cheeses.

obxgirl Apr 18th, 2006 11:30 AM

For traditional leather bound journals, walkinaround's suggestion of symthson is first rate.

For something a little less traditional, go to Shepherds Bookbinders for a full array of gorgeous handbound books, journals and albums. Leather, cloth, japanese silkscreen books, many of them bound by Shepherds' staff.

76 Rochester Row SW1 1JU next to Vincent Square. Nearest tube is (I'm pretty sure) Victoria.

I love this place.

highledge Apr 18th, 2006 12:07 PM

I'd start at Symthons on Bond street. There is also a little shop off Bond Street (Alister Little????) that is great. Scrivo would be a good option, but they've closed their Marylebone shop.
The V&amp;A gift shop and the tate Modern also have nice selections. Waterstones and Paperchase have nothing too unique.


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