28-29_Stationery Resurgence.qxp_Grid 09/04/2024 13:05 Page 1
Stationery Movement
Writing All Wrongs “The allure of stationery has never gone away, I feel it’s just that we are now seeing it being dressed up in a new suit of clothes,” believes Chris Leonard-Morgan, the founder of the London Stationery Show, National Stationery Week and a Liveryman of The Stationers’ Company. With the stationery fest of London Stationery Show (May 14-15) and National Stationery Week (May 13-19) now on the horizon, PG caught up with ‘Mr Stationery’. Appositely there is a lot being written about the power and importance of stationery right now to all generations. The day PG went to press, The Times gave prominence to the Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society’s (HLAS) view that Royal Mail’s six day a week delivery service for second class needs to be retained in order to safeguard the habit of sending personally written communications, being it letters or cards. “Handwriting is so personal … I always wonder when someone dies whether there are any examples of their handwriting left behind, because they are the
literal mark we leave behind and end up being so precious. They are a form of communication that should be cherished and promoted,” Dinah Johnson, founder of the HLAS told the newspaper. This comes hot on the heels of a scientific research project undertaken by neuropsychologists confirming that handwriting is better for the brain than typing while revered columnists and authors Harry Wallop, India Knight, Milly Johnson and Bel Mooney are among those to have recently
Above: Among Chris Leonard-Morgan’s favourite industry moments was in 2013 and 2014 when he instigated National Stationery Week being branded on black taxis during the London Stationery Show. Below left: Theo Paphitis’ launch of the Ryman Design retail concept straddles the functional with the fashion on the stationery front. Below: Some of Chris’ fave stationery products.
extolled the virtues of all things stationery. So, are we experiencing a stationery resurgence or renaissance? “Both and neither! I remember seeing an article in the V&A magazine with the headline ‘Never underestimate the power of great stationery’. To me having lovely stationery is the equivalent of wearing red socks, it makes you feel better!” said the self-
Personal Revelations PG asked Chris Leonard-Morgan about his personal favourite stationery products:
“I couldn’t survive without highlighters and Post-it notes, and wouldn’t be without my Parker 51, Kaweco pens and Smythson notebook.”
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