Pen Heaven's Virtual, Pearly Gates

The London-based pen shop gives customers across the globe a uniquely comprehensive online retail experience.

- JIL MCINTOSH

People love online shopping, and for most products it’s fairly straightfor-ward, but it’s a lot more difficult for something as personal as a fountainpen. Pen Heaven, based in London, England, serves customers from around the world through its website, providing an online experience that’s almost on par with standing in person across the counter. “We use plenty of video and images,” says Managing Director David Cole. “Unique to us, we show every pen in the hand to give an idea of size and where the pen sits in the fingers.”

The website, penheaven.com, also includes detailed specifications on the products, writing examples of each company’s nib widths, and information that’s especially helpful to those just getting into pens such as ink swatches, the various types of nibs, or even the difference between ballpoints and rollerballs.

The company offers pens at all price points including—to name a few—Caran d’Ache, Conklin, Cross, Diplomat, Parker, TWSBI, Tibaldi, Visconti, and Yard-O-Led but differentiates itself by specializing in brands that can be harder to find such as Laban, Ohto, Wörther, and Yoropen along with Italian dip-pen maker Coles Calligraphy, for whom Pen Heaven is the UK distributor. David says he selects such brands based on their quality, uniqueness, and value.

The company facilitates any needed repairs for pens purchased at Pen Heaven, provides gift wrapping, and offers in-house engraving and embossing services. A pen or leather portfolio can be personalized and ready for shipping on the same day. Corporate customers can have their logos added to products, and Pen Heaven even offers design assistance if someone isn’t sure what to choose.