Have you ever entered a store and felt as if you have stepped back in time? That happened to me at Melodies Graphiques, a stationary shop near Pont Louis Philippe in the Marais. I was immediately reminded of my primary years at school; my pride in gaining a fountain pen license and the hours I spent practicing my 'running' writing between the lines on worksheets. ' The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog'... that was my line... plus many others... to correct my loopy handwriting and have it up to school scratch.
Melodies Graphiques has the prettiest French work books to teach and perfect classic handwriting... I have to admit to loving a cursive script... There are all sorts of writing papers and postcards... It's one of those old fashioned places where I enjoy passing time... where I remember the notion of letters and gift cards and promise myself that I will write more, send more... But most of all I was enchanted by all the envelopes that are pinned to the wall on one side of the shop... beautiful calligraphy style penmanship that immediately made me want to start handwriting all over again... to forget typing and tapping...
I came away with some postcards, thank you notes, gift tags and odds and ends, all by Cavallini... I thought these would help me with my resolution to write by hand... and I am going to start using my Lamy Calligraphy Fountain pen again... This is the best fountain pen I have ever used and it makes any scrawl look superbly legible...
for your Parisian address book...
Melodies Graphiques
10, rue du Pont Louis Philippe
75004 Paris
Cavallini products available here
Lamy Calligraphy pen and cartridges here
Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend...
xv
my daily click HERE
I always wanted to write calligraphic!!Wonderful!!I think i dreamed for a while..!xoxo
ReplyDeleteoh my ... those letters are beautiful. you've inspired me to get my calligraphy pens out as well! pop your pieces on pinterest - or facebook - I'd love to see them! x
ReplyDeleteI'm more than a little in love with this, Vicki. I pretty much write everything with fountain pens and feel bereft if I'm caught without one. Enjoy renewing your beautiful friendship with your Lamy pen. Bon weekend...
ReplyDeleteI can almost feel like I was there for a minute in reading your post...I am imagining all kinds of beautiful old fashioned goodies, crickety floors, a hushed silence, my kind of place!! I love anything that feels old fashioned and like its from a bygone era...always say I was born in the wrong era:)
ReplyDeleteOh Vicki, I fell over/into this shop when we were in Paris for my 70th birthday and bought cards,then couldnt remember where it was, thank you so much for the address, we hope to be back later this year and now I can find it again.
ReplyDeleteMelodies Graphiques is a wonderful shop. Although we visit it every time we are in Paris I've never noticed the name. I love that there are open bottles of ink and a variety of dip pens and paper to test. One year I bought a pen wipe there that looks like an old fashioned shaving brush. It sits on my desk and reminds me everyday of Paris, of writing with real pens using real inks.
ReplyDeleteA BIG fav of mine too :)
ReplyDeleteI've been putting all these places in my French address book. I can't wait to visit them. Thanks for sharing. Always impressed when I see beautiful cursive.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Lamy pens are wonderful. We carried them at our store in Coral Gables and they certainly had a silky smoothness and flowed over the paper. We also offered a calligraphy class by a local artist. Alas, it was still not enough to keep afloat as a small business.
ReplyDeleteWhile in Italy this year I purchased some letters at a paper show from 1918 written between the Biondi family in Livorno. Even though I cannot clearly understand what they say, they touch my heart as they pertain to the war, separation and love.
Best, Lisa, http://ladolcevilla.net
I love that here in France, children are taught cursive from kindergarten and by the time they are seven, they are writing with a fountain pen. It's so much prettier. I've watched my own children as they learn, and have better pen control with cursive writing than with print - it flows so freely.
ReplyDeleteReally, we've lost so much elegance with our emails & computers. I know, I know, it's the way of the world NOW, but we should all cherish all the old formalities, perhaps they made us more ladies & gentlemen? xx's
ReplyDeleteI would be in heaven in that shop - I love the written word, and I learned calligraphy when I worked in art and advertising many moons ago! I still enjoy writing letters/cards and really should treat myself to a new fountain pen. You are always showing me beautiful things I need to have, and Cavallini products are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteLovely post as always Vicki.
Ooh! I love all these, I've always refused to use a biro and only ever use a fountain-pen and love to write. This shop would be my absolute heaven!
ReplyDeleteOh if only I could travel to wonderful Paris again...
Vicki these are so very lovely!! I can just imagine walking in that shop!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh V, I had this place on my TO DO list this last trip and my time just ran out. I hope to get back to Paris and find his lovely shop.
ReplyDeleteLove your photograph. Merci,
V
Marvelous! I want to go shopping!!! Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteJ'adore, just bought a lamy safari, can't wait to try.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's so gorgeous and gives me a warm fuzzy feeling! Unfortunately I'm left handed and can't manage calligraphy even though I would love to. I end up with ink all over my hand. I've added your links to my address book though. Take care, Sally @ Enlightenment for the Sleepy xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous - I love vintage papers with beautiful script!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend mon amie~
xx
C'est magnifique! I love your address book!
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE Cavallini Vicki....I send so many of their postcards and cards and have quite a few of their stamp sets and usually make all of the birthday cards that I send..... and I could probably while away a couple of hours in Melodies Graphiques.It sounds and looks like a wonderful shop. My husband has never understood how I can spend so much time in a shop that sells stationery !!
ReplyDeleteI love the photograph of all of the envelopes with various calligraphy. Just beautiful. XXXX
Ahh I want to visit so badly! Let this be motivation to pick up my neglected Lamy as well.
ReplyDeleteMelodies graphiques is a beautiful shop to buy paper.
ReplyDeletechristian
Beautiful! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteVicky, those letters look like the ones I use to get from My Uncle Charlie Bowers, the cartoonist. He had calligraphy and cartoons on the letters and envelopes. Plus the WW2 letters we got with half the letters blacked out. I don't think they even teach handwriting at the schools anymore. An other of the Graces lost to time.
ReplyDeleteyvonne
Adore receiving Hand written notes-so personnel + fountain pin. The best. xxoeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteMerci beaucoup Vicki....I'll be making a bee line for this fab little shop, Melodies Graphique. Those old envelopes look enchanting....love using vintage postcards and envelopes in my printmaking too. Allons-y a Paris!!
ReplyDeleteI love stationary stores and even took a calligraphy class a couple of years ago in an attempt to keep handwritten notes alive (at least in my little world). Alas, I'm not sure I'm keeping up my end of the bargain I made with myself. Still, there's nothing like some pretty note cards and such to provide some initiative. Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Hi Vicki
ReplyDeleteI have loved your blog for a couple of years now so thank you (I also have your beautiful books). I would love to send you a box of my notecards 'A French Journey'. Do you have a mailing address? My email is millieb@mbimages.com.au
www.mbimages.com.au
Thank you again for your wonderful posts.
Cheers Millie
There's nothing quite like a beautiful handwritten letter, and those envelopes in the picture are exquisite. Love!
ReplyDeleteMy mothers uncle would send each of the children cards with drawings on the front of the envelope. I collect some of my favorite Christmas cards each year and have them dating back to my teens. I especially love the script of my Nana and Aunt who would always write something incredibly loving. Stationary and books are high on my loves. These look just gorgeous, ciao lisa
ReplyDeleteI would love to receive one of your postcards with your very own writing on it!
ReplyDeleteCheryl Brown/ yayainkc@kc.rr.com
Merci~
What a great idea, Vicki. I took a calligraphy course many years ago and loved it,but didn't keep up with it. I love stationery stores too. I'm definitely a 'paper person' and can spend hours looking at papers and pens. I'd love to receive one of your post cards, so please put my name in the hat! ~Sue~
ReplyDeleteOh, the elegance of the handwritten letter! Calligraphy is so graceful and so elegant. And I agree, Lamy pens are exquisite.
ReplyDeleteI love my computer but I very much miss the art of script and sending letters and cards. There is something so much more personal and sincere about the handwritten word. It is even difficult to find stationery stores now. I truly believe this is a loss for our culture. Stationery stores and book stores just seem to disappear. What a sad loss. The next time I am in Paris I will find Melodies Graphiques...and probably spend hours. Thank you, Vicki.
You always have the most beautiful finds!
ReplyDeleteNathalie
Oh the endless possibilities a fresh blank piece of paper can bring. There is nothing I love more than a beautiful clear space (be it journal, work book or postcard ) and a vivid imagination. I still write to my sister as we love receiving something in the post that is still personal, when not much is these days. Better than the writing, the receiving and being able to share in someone most intimate thoughts for me was magical. With a good coffee by my side this was always a great way to end any day. Bon week-end.
ReplyDeleteNicky Lawford, South Africa (nicky@thelawfords.com)
I can't ever believe computers will ever remove the need to send and receive note cards written so beautifully. Nothing can buy this special skill. These cards are beautiful. We all need to encourage this art or it will be lost to too man people. I love old pens, quills and papers.
ReplyDeleteRhank you for showing them.
Hi Vicki,
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog and it is so inspirational and beautiful. I love calligraphy writing, this instantly reminds me of my Pappa (my Grandfather on my Mum's side) and Dad's too, yet Pappa always had the most beautiful and elegant writing, just like this. My writing is nothing of such, and I wish I could write as elegantly and as gracefully as my Pappa did.
Enjoy it, I think this is a really lovely thing to learn to do and as always I enjoyed your post.
Regards,
Melissa
(italianallure.blogspot.com)
Ahhh! Melodies Graphiques was one of the highlights of our last visit to Paris (Fall 2009! ... its been that long ago?) The wall of envelopes and letters behind the counter offer some phenomenal examples of calligraphy. We talked for awhile with the owner, Monsieur Detugny, who was happy to share his knowledge and excitement about penmanship. We watched as he completed a custom design he was doing for a customer. There is a great collection of ink bottles on a high shelf as well. This is a must see place in Paris!
ReplyDeleteVicki,
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post! I may have to look into purchasing that calligraphy pen. I imagine that writing with this pen would create a new enthusiam for sending cards/letters.
Mandy
I keep buying calligraphy pens and then don't use them.
ReplyDeleteThe French are forced to learn penmenship in grade school.
I was born in the wrong place :(