Novelli Pen, A Great Pen Store
I have been visiting Novelli Pen from 1997, this is a great pen store with quality pens, knowledgeable staff, and a store stands by behind what they sell.
Rome has much to see, Novelli Pen is on the list.
Novelli is a great pen store. Long establishedm in business for over 40 year. The store carries both regular and limited edition pens from all the major brands. As a plus, there are pens made specifically for Novelli from the leading pen companies. This is a store I have had an exceptional experience but a store for which I hear on a regular basis the excellent reviews from others. Marco and the staff, speak English so there is need for hesitation in terms of having limited Italian languge skills!
As you arrive display windows present many of the great brands of pens. As with many stores in Italy, there is a little of everything in the window so do have a look on the way in. Once inside, there is a wall display case along the left side and a counter on the right.
I always enjoy walking along the wall case, it is like a walk down "pen runway" with a display for each of the major brands. If you don't see a particular pen do ask. Trays of pens, from the back room will be brought out. There is simply lots to be seen.
The store is centrally located, but found on a relatively quiet street. It is just a block in from one of the main shopping streets, Via del Corso. Many of Rome's major sights are all in this area with Piazza Venezia, Piazza S. Apostoli and the Trevi Fountain all close by. I know the challenge of finding locations when travelling. I have included some notes below.
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 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. It was in the following year that Augusto passed away and Marco and his sister Sabrina continued with the business.
It has pretty much been an annual visit for my Karen and I to visited the store. Marco and Sabrina and the staff run a great shop. In the past, Giusy was there ready to help with pens. Now, she comes in on a more infrequent basis.
At Novelli there is always a bottle of ink ready so that you can try the nib... a practice too many pen stores fall short.
As I look back over the many years that I have visited 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, SCRIBO and Leonardo-- are all from Novelli. Many of these pens I provide information in the section of this site called: Pens of Note.
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 10:00 am to 2:30 pm and from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Saturday is is open from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The store is closed for the month of August.
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!
Marco Parascenzo of Novelli Pen.
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!
