Great Pen Stores - Italy
Ancona
La Stilografica Di Ciarrocchi Francesco
Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 55;
Ancona, Italy| Tel 071 203377
Travelling along the east coast of Italy? I have been advised there is a very nice pen store to visit in Ancona. It is a tiny store with barely room for three people, but the store carries an excellent selection of high end pens, including Montblanc, Parker, and more. Looking for a good travel pen, they also carry items such as the Lamy Safari as a low end offering. The store is located on one of the main shopping streets just below the Piazza Roma. (Thanks J. Hubbard)
I have not, so far, been to Brescia, however, a reader has written me about Lazzaroni, an elegant pen store in Brescia. I am told that Maurizio Abrami and his wife are excellent pen retailers. They often create exclusive limited edition pens. I will have to visit Lazzaroni when my travel plans take me to the norhtern part of Italy. Thanks Dr. Rossetti.
At one time I used to avoid Genoa. Thought it was a large port city. When we finally spent some time in the city we were impressed. There are grand streets, old areas of the network of alleyways. Beautiful architecture and just a good feel the city.
At 108 is Cartoleria Sanguineti, Casa Della Penna. The store carries all the major lines of pens that include Montblanc, Cartier, Dupont, Montegrappa, Parker, Waterman, Aurora. It is a Cartoleria, so there is also paper, refiils, economical pens and high-end. When I dropped by the store was packed, and I had to wait until I had a change to have a chance to talk with the Owner. This is a really good sign for a pen store! In addition to pens, the store stocks agendas, jounrals and pen cases.
Bergamo
Casa della Penna
via S. Orscia, 19 / A;
24122 Bergamo, Italy
Website: www.casadellapennadiel-sa.com
Bergamo, located near Milan, is an Italian treasure. It is in Italy, so like many Italian cities, Cassa della Penna, like many stores, are closed on Monday mornings. It was relatively easy to find. There is the upper town with the old historic centre, and the lower town which many would think is also historic, but it is of course much newer. Cassa della Penna is in the lower town. We walked over along Sentierone and then Piazza Giacomo Matteotti and via XX Settembre and via Sant'Orsola runs into XX Settembre.
The store started in 1952 and carries pens as well as leather goods for desk and personal use.
So my wife and I were there as they opened the store and we had a visit with store owner Marco Val Secchi. He told us this is a family business. It is a large elegant store with large show cases along the walls and pen counters. The large space makes it very comfortable to walk about and admire the wide selection of pens. Casa della Penna carries all the main lines, including Montblanc.
As with pen stores in North America, Marco told me that students are showing strong interest in pens and writing. His customers are primary those living in Bergamo with pens being purchased for personal use or gifts. The store is well known, so there are tourists from Italy who frequent the store.
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Lucca
Casa della Penna
via Roma, 11;
55100 Lucca
Tel: 0583095.47.21
Casa della Penna
Located on via Roma -- one of the main shopping streets to walk -- this is a great pen store. Large pen cases line the walls, there is, as you would expect in Italy, a very good selection of Omas fountain pens, as well as all the other major brands. They have a reasonable selection of ink as well. In addition to pens there is an assortment of desk accessories to choose from.
On my September 2004 trip I had made a commitment this would be a trip where I would not buy a new pen. Too many other expenses in the year. I had been very firm on this, however, I did find myself breaking down as I looked at the rich assortment. A couple of bottles of ink where a cheap fix for the moment! The staff are friendly and they speak some English.
Casa delle Penna
Cassa della Penna started in 1937, just a few years before the outbreak of World War II. Founded by Vincenzo Bava's grandfather, the store has operated on Corso Umberto I since it first opened its doors. the store prides in its ability to carry and sell both prestigious pens like Montblanc and Italian lines as well as the mopst basic of pens.
On my September 2018 visit to Napoli, I headed out to visit Cassa della Penna. Corso Umberto I is not that far of a walk from the area around the Galleria. About a 20 minute walk. As I approached the store the classic "Cassa della Penna" sign in an almost art deco found stood out.
There are pen cases on both sides of the store and a counter along the rear wall. Vincenzo Bava was there and he welcomed me with a smile. Gaia Bava and Luigi D'Abbronzo were also present and they helped to explain aspects of the store's history as well as the pens on display.
The store carries a good selection of pens. I saw Aurora, Delta, Faber-Castell, Lamy, Caran D'Ache, Montblanc, Montegrappa, Pelikan, Waterman - to name just some of the liners.
Vincenzo showed me the beautiful celluloid extra large fountain pen that was made to mark the 80th anniversary of the store. With only 80 pens produced, this is a beautiful pen and distinctive. It comes in a beautiful hand-made wooden box along with a bottle ink labeled to mark the 80th anniversary of the store.
Vincenzo is Italian and speaks Italian, but he is very helpful and a little hand pointing goes along way. You will enjoy being in this classic store.
Palermo
Cartoleria Perna
Via Roma, 68/70;
Palermo, Italy
Tel: 091.61.70.400
Another store at:
Via Sperlinga, 14
Salvatore Chiazzese had previously sent me an e-mail about a number of good pen stores in Palermo. In June 2000, I visited a number of stores and enjoyed visiting Cartoleria Perna.
I met Antonio Perna who, with his father Settimo and his sister Rossana, operate Cartoleria Perna -- the store has been in business for over 40 years. The store, a cartoleria, has a full range of stationery and related items. While there is a selection of pens on display in the front of the store, make sure you visit the "pen room" located near the back of the stores to see the full selection. A wide range of pens and inks is available.
Antonio showed me a range of pens and he confirmed my findings from my trip so far that pen stores in Italy basically stock for the Italian market and that means fountain pens with fine and medium nibs. Some lines are available with a broad nib and Antonio was kind enough to call a distributor and an Aurora with a broad nib could be available the next day.
Going to Palermo? It is a beautiful city full of life and excitement, and Cartoleria Perna is a great store to visit.
In September 2003 I returned to Palermo, it is a city that you can't visit only once. I never realized the location of our hotel until we were there. It was right next to the pen store. Rossana helped me with a pen purchase. Still remains a good store with a solid selection of pens and inks.
Ask for help. There are lots of pens that you will not see in the window and counters.
Cartoleria Crisci
Via Roma, 296-298;
Palermo, Italy
Tel: 0941.321.694
In June 2000 I stopped by Cartoleria Crisci, they have an impressive pen room with a good selection of Italian and European pens. There is not much I could think of that was not on display. The staff were friendly and offer lots assistance in showing pens.
On our 2016 visit to Verona we had a
great visit with Rudi Manella of Manella Pen. At that time, there were two stores. A very small shop on the main via Mazzini; and a second store just around the corner in the Galleria Mazzini. When we returned in 2019 we found the little old store to be something else now, and Manella Pen soley operating out of the larger, modern Galleria Mazzini location. The store is located in a passage of stores. It is a large store with wall and floor showcases for the pens and pen accessories.
Rudi told my wife Karen and I the store has been in business since 1940. His father started the company and was involved with both making and selling pens. Now, Rudi just sells pens.
We had a long talk, and Rudi not only talked about the pens his store sells but his favorite pen. When I saw his pen, a well used pen, it really spoke to Rudi's passion for pens.
Manella carries pens of the important brands in regular and limited editions and he has pens that cover a wide price range. As with any good Italian pen store, if you do not see the pen you are considering, just ask.
The store is open Monday to Saturday.
Lo Scrittoio
18, Corso Porta Borsari
Verona
Verona is a wonderful town. On your trip to Italy don't just do the Florence, Rome thing, but get out and visit some of the other sights. Oh there is such a feel of history and romance in this town.
A lovely little pen store that is part of the Pineider chain of fine pen stores throughout Italy. Has a number of fine antique pens for viewing as well as all the grand lines of pen for sale. Staff is friendly although tutto Italanio! Recent visits to the store by others confirm that its a nice store with great staff. Bravo!
pens, ink, stores, companies and the pleasure of writing with a fountain pen of choice