An Interview with Herman Chan of Elephant and Coral
Pentracer qman visits his local pen haven in Singapore
The Elephant and Coral storefront.
Restored in October 2026 from a 2003 copy of the original PenBase page saved by the Wayback Machine; Pentrace’s own database copy had been cut short.
The Elephant and Coral pen store is a classy establishment. However, in my many visits there to just drool over the counters in my usually grubby appearance, I was never once made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. When asked to contribute an article to Pentrace, I jumped at the opportunity as it gave me a chance to meet up with the owner, Mr Herman Chan.
The following are excerpts from a wonderful evening spent in conversation with Mr Chan over hot chocolate and scones.
qman: Where did the name Elephant and Coral come from?
Mr C: ‘Elephant’ came from Elephant Castle, the first place I stayed in in North London, and ‘Coral’ is the nickname for my wife.
qman: How did you get involved in the pen business?
Mr C: I’m the least likely person to get involved with pens. I was trained as an engineer and then joined the banking industry. It wasn’t to my liking though and moved on to join a local auction house where I worked with vintage fountain pens. From there on, I decided to have my own business involving pens.
qman: Are you a collector of fountain pens?
Mr C: I’m not a collector, but I do use them.
qman: I’ve always found this store to have an open and warm atmosphere …
Mr C: I make it known to my employees that it is very important to treat anybody who walks into the store equally. Yes, we are running a business but it’s not just about money. We are professionals but we make it a point to nurture relationships with our customers. Long term customers have become friends and they bring their children and even grandchildren over for visits.
qman: Is there a common thread amongst individuals who use fountain pens?
Mr C: It doesn’t matter to the person whether the pen is an inexpensive one or a limited edition. What matters is the thought or memory behind the pen. Most pen users have an early memory involving pens: who wrote with a particular pen; the sound and feel of the nib as it glides over paper or as a gift from a loved one.
The pen is not just a writing implement. Besides memories, powerful emotions are very much connected to it. It can stir the soul. It can pass on ideas. It has an element of hope associated with it.
qman: Has the emergence of the internet affected Elephant and Coral? Do you plan on having e-commerce as part of your business?
Mr C: The internet has brought in customers from all walks of life and everywhere in the world. The current internet revolution is only but a beginning; a second and more powerful wave of changes will come about to bring consumerism to a more savvy information age. We will be in the crust of the next information age and our answer to e-commerce will be strong.
Elephant and Coral may have an e-commerce component to it in the future. But I’m not rushing into it as it is important to do something well and precise. It is my duty to the public to provide the best possible service.
qman: Is there anything about Elephant and Coral that you would like readers to know? That you don’t really publicise?
Mr C: We give away Namiki Vanishing Points to local writers who get their works of fiction published. These books may not be found in big bookshops here, but we celebrate the individual’s love for writing.
qman: Thank you for a wonderful evening Mr Chan. It has been most enlightening.
Mr C: Thank you.
Inside Elephant and Coral.
Besides walking away with a more enlightened view of the pen business in Singapore, this roving reporter received a Pilot Parallel pen from Mr Chan.