The 2014 London LWES Pen Show (Part 2)

Pentrace Reporter Glenn Craig visits London's pen shops prior to the London 2014 LWES Pen Show.

Wed Oct 1 2014

Today we left the flat and walked to Selfridges. It is about  2 kms from home. This is a grand department store.

There are many wonderful rooms full of everything you can imagine including pens. They even have wonderful washrooms!  Here are some photos of the pen dept.

From high end to low price there is something for everyones budget.

Jo waits patiently...

Wed Oct 1 - Pen Friend London

Just off the very high end Bond St. shopping district and Piccadilly St. is one of the oldest enclosed shopping malls in Europe. The Burlington Arcade still retains its original Victorian look and charm, a must see in London!

Just inside the entrance is Penfriend a real favourite of mine.....truly a real find for vintage and modern pens!
Plus they carry every sort of ink, refills, paper and other pen related items one could ever hope for.

Here we meet Amaya and her other very knowledgeable and friendly staff members. They believe pens are for writing with and not just for collecting. They will assist any potential client to just the right pen for their needs.
 

Their vintage pens are professionally restored and guaranteed to satisfy.

We had a nice visit with Amaya in her busy wonderful store and we appreciate her taking time with us , what great fun !

Tomorrow we shall visit her again at their other store on 17 Fleet St.

Stay tuned and cheers, Glenn

Introduced by Len Provisor

Wow! Glenn really likes Fleet Street's Pen Friend, his report follows with a visit to their second store in London.

Today, we wondered from Trafalger Square up The Strand to the powerful Fleet St. Where we find the 2 year old second location of Penfriend at 17 Fleet St.

Amaya bought Penfriend 7 years ago. She opened this beautiful second very spacious store 2 years ago. I just missed the opening by a couple weeks in 2012 when we were in London last.

Our first reaction when seeing this store was the space. This much space in London is a rarity! This store is a wonderful mix of modern and vintage design...... just like the pens that are on offer. Of course you can find fine papers, refills, inks, and other writing related items. Located right beside Middle Temple Gate, this is a popular place for barristers and solicitors to purchase their writing needs.

Also on offer is a pen repair service. Need your nib tuned or sac replaced or crack repaired they will look after it for you. Again the staff is friendly, knowledgeable and are willing to help or they will leave you free to browse for as long as you wish. There is plenty to see and spacious room to see it in!

Whether you are pen lover or not, 17 Fleet St. is a joy to behold!

Cheery bye for today! Glenn

Thurs Oct 3 - The Pen Shop on Regent Street

Standing on the sidewalk outside the Slug n'Lettuce or inside the noisy pub The Tyburn by Marble Arch on Edgware Road trying to find free wifi and writing these little reviews on a 7 inch tablet is difficult with my ham hands. So please bear with me..... I shall try to keep it short and not to filled with grammatical errors.

I missed this store the other day when on Regent St.  I turned too soon toward Bond St.

I am glad too see The Pen Shop still as busy as ever!
I visit this store at least a couple of times per London visit. A good place to buy pens, inks, refills or paper. Why I missed it the other day..... I chalk up to a Senior's moment.... or something?

Right across the street from the World famous Hamleys Toys, The Pen Sop on Regent Street is a good place for interesting pens from budget price to high-end pieces.

Enjoy, I know I did!

Leaving the Burlington Arcade you enter Piccadilly St.   Directly across the street is the venerable department store Fortnum and Mason. They are famous for their food court and hampers. Mrs Pumphrey used to love to give Mr. James Herriott a large hamper for curing Tricky Woo of flop bot. I am sure some of you creatures great and small know what I am talking about?

On the first floor, think second floor, is the small but elegant pen dept. Also a  good size stationery is next door.
Last trip there in 2012 I paid full price for a Yard-o-Led Retro Grande fountain pen. When a clerk serves you in a pin stripe top coat with tails.... it is hard to refuse! 

You will find this small and and well stocked pen counter a little bit of a  nostagic step back in time.

After we left Fortnum and Mason we scouted out pens at a local flea market but there were no pens to be had. So we stopped at a Costa's for free WiFi and a couple of 3 pound iced caps. I think I owe Jo a few favours for trooping around with me and taking photos!!!

Cheers for today! Glenn and Jo