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Scriptum in Oxford

There is a store in Oxford I love more than anything else.

It’s called Scriptum, and it is a writer’s dream.

You find it at the end of a small lane and if you didn’t know it’s there, you’d walk right by it.

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Because there’s only a very small front window and an unassuming wooden door, but inside there’s a narrow, two story, funny shaped space full of fantasy and whimsy.

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There is so much imagination there that I could spend a week discovering new things and still not see everything.

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Among the fine stationery, ink wells, feather quills and hand crafted papers are the most unexpected things like scruffy, loved-to-death teddy bears, stuffed owls and Venetian masks.

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But the things which bring me back every year are the most exquisite leather bound journals and notebooks, many with gilded edges and marbled papers.

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This summer I found this! A working praxinoscope! (Wonder if I can make one…how hard can that be?)

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There are also books. Not just ordinary books. Scriptum carries the most beautiful, special editions of the most beloved books.

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But the real reason I come here is for my most favourite journals. I love these larger leather strap wrapped beauties in the rich, dark brown leather. I love these to pieces. They are filled with beautiful paper which is an absolute pleasure to draw and write on. You know how some journals grab the ink and the pen scrapes over the paper? These papers are so smooth and the pen/ink/pencil just glides making each important mark just perfect.

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Comments: 24

  • August 19, 2013
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    Are you sure you didn’t stumble into a Harry Potter scene? Gosh — what a gorgeous place! And love those journals too. xo

  • daryledelstein

    August 19, 2013
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    oh i am in love with this shop and the dizzingly view was superb! oxford must be a fabulous place to wander … i am definitely coming over there next summer … you will hear me knocking at your door one day for sure!

  • August 19, 2013
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    those journals are scrumptious.

  • August 19, 2013
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    I have always loved journals and lovely writing things–I used to be a pen fanatic, I hunted them down and tried every one until I found the one that felt perfect in my hand and had just the right point–when rollerball pens came out I was in heaven! Now I hardly use a pen at all–a bit sad, but then lots of trees are happy that all my writing is on a screen 🙂 thank you for that lovely visit, it was delightful!

  • August 19, 2013
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    What a lovely place! I wish I could browse in that store. The journals are too gorgeous–I don’t think I would even try to write in them.

  • August 19, 2013
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    Do you know who manufactures they wonderful leather journals and whether or not the can be found over here across the pond? I am a journal ahold and would LOVE, absolutely, LOVE to order one or more of these.

    I love all the photos you took in the book shop. What a real treasure trove! Lucky you. When do you have to return to Canada?

    Okay, I look forward to hearing from you.

    Marrianna in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
    Email: marrianna65@gmail.com

      • August 21, 2013
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        I emailed the store and yes, they do ship to the USA. I’m going to order one of those bright colored journals. I don’t know that I’ll ever get to Oxford, England, therefore, this is the next best choice. I’m the one that sent them the link to your blog post. I’m glad they commented on your blog post and want to link to it on FB. Good for you.

  • August 19, 2013
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    You know the best shops! I would have to move in.

  • August 19, 2013
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    What a wonderful store. A writer’s dream, yes but a photographer’s dream also. Wonderful stuff!

  • August 20, 2013
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    Dear Veronica,
    What a lovely look at our shop! Thank you for your kind words and wonderful pictures. Would you mind if we put a link to your blog on our facebook page? We hope you call into Scriptum again and introduce yourself the next time you are in Oxford.
    Very best wishes,
    The Scriptum Team (new-fangled technology division)

  • August 20, 2013
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    Ooh, aah, looks just like my kind of place, too,
    and in one of my favourite towns of all times, Oxford…
    A mental note has been, Scriptum it is whenever I get to visit that beautiful city again.
    Thank you so much for sharing! x

  • Christie

    August 20, 2013
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    My fingers are just itching to reach into your images and touch all those beautiful things! What a fantastic shop!! Thanks for sharing.

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