about pens, inks, stores, companies and the pleasure of writing with a pen of choice.
Novelli - Great Pen Store
Novelli, Rome
There is so much to see in Rome.
For a pen enthusiast a visit to Novelli Pen & Pipe should be on the list of things to see.
Novelli is a great pen store. The store carries both regular and limited edition pens from all the major brands.
Novelli has been established for over 35 years and has a solid reputation. I hear on a regular basis excellent reviews from those who have visited the store.
Marco and the staff, including Miki and Derek all speak English so for those who speak little Italian, it is easy to talk about various pens and writing preferences.
The store has wall cases along one side that display a wide range of pens. There are some floor counters and a counter along the opposite wall. And, if you don't see a particular pen do ask. Trays of pens from the back room will be brought out. Many of the pens that I see in pens magazine ads, I get to see and hold when I visit Novelli.
The store is located off the main street ,Via del Corso, just up from the Piazza Venezia and very near the Piazza S. Apostoli. It is also very near the Trevi Fountain, so while the store is on a quite street, it is centrally located and easy to find. See my notes that follow.
I have been going to Novelli pen for over 15 years. We travel to Rome frequently and a visit to Novelli Pen is always on my list of things to do!
It was in 1997 that I enjoyed meeting Marco's father, Augusto Parascenzo. He showed his large collection of current, limited editions and vintage pens. We talked about pens and enjoyed a great lunch at a nearby restaurant. His wife, Giusy, trained by pen companies on the repair of pens and assists with any adjustments to a pen required. When Augusto passed away Marco and his sister Sabrina continued with the business.
I have visited the store almost annually. Marco and Sabrina and the staff run a great shop. On many days Giusy is there, and with my most recent purchase, changed a nib so that I would have the perfect pen.
Novelli , the always have a bottle of ink ready so that you can try the nib... a point on which far too many pen stores fall short.
As I look back over the many years that I have visited and shopped at Novelli, I have concluded that many of my best pens have been purchased at this store.
My Waterman L'Etoile, Montegrappa Extra, Stipula Etruria, Omas Paragon in Saffron Blue, Omas Bologna Line Burkina, the new Omas Paragon, Arte Italiana Arco Celluloid and Montegrappa Extra Green Marble, OMAS 360 Vintage Red, Delta Re-Discover Pompei -- are all from Novelli. Many of these have become part of my Pens of Note.
Right: Mikki has worked with Marco for a number of years and can help you with selecting a pen.
Pick up a pen, and a bottle of ink is brought out, your pen is dipped and you can try it out. There are so many stores that have watched me hold a pen and never bring out the ink to let me write with it. This, after all, is what the pen is all about.
Novelli is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm and from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Saturday is is open from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The store is closed for the month of August.
Easy to find:
Our our regular walks about Rome, I always take in a visit to Novelli Pen. Luckily if walking from the Trevi Fountain towards the Pantheon or Piazza Navona, it is right on the way!
From the Via del Corso which runs up from the Monument Vittorio Emanuelle II the store is located about three blocks up. Turn right on the small street (very small), Via Dell 'Umilta; first block in turn right again you are on via di San Marcello. After visiting Novelli you are only three blocks from the Trevi Fountain, three or four blocks from the Pantheon. We always make it a Trevi Fountain, Novelli Pen, Pantheon and Piazza Navona walk!
From the Trevi Fountain, on your way to walk towards the Pantheon or Piazza Novana: I always leave the Trevi fountain on the via delle Muratte. It is a pedestrian only street you can't miss is as it is the street that has the brown sign to point the way to the Piazza Navona or Pantheon. At the second left I turn on the Via di Santa Maria in Via. Keep walking down the street. You will walk through a beautiful galleria, an arcade and enter out into the via San Marcello. I have noted the two routes in red on the map below.
Below is a live link to Google Map that will allow you to expand and explore the area. Click on the "Peg Guy" and you can see actual video of the street and can walk it from your computer!
Novelli; Via di San Marcello, 21/22 ; 00187 Roma, Italy
Tel: ++39.06-679-2852, Fax: ++39.06-679-3123
If calling from USA: Tel: 011.39.06.67.92.852; Fax: 011.39.06.67.93.123
E-Mail Marco Parascenzo | Novelli Web Site