TOP SHOP: Present & Correct
SURELY WE CAN’T be the only ones obsessed with retro stationery, desk tidies and midcentury graphic children’s books. Which is why we are frequently found window shopping at our current favourite original stationery and graphic goods’ shop Present & Correct.
In a bid to find out more and fuel the stationery obsession fire, we spoke to owner Neal Whittington, 29, (pictured above), a designer and illustrator, who is also a fan of “a good rummage, fun knitted jumpers, making cakes and cutting up paper” about this love of all things papery.
LittleBig: Did you just get bored one day and decide to open a shop?
P&C: Since I left college I made things and sold them in other people’s shops, but in the back of my mind I guess I was working towards having one - in some shape or form - of my own. A real life bricks and mortar store would be a dream come true, something I have always wanted to do and one day hope to have. The online store was the next best thing, and to be honest it reaches a far wider audience than a London based shop would, and of course the overheads are a lot smaller!
LB: Why are there so many (retro) stationery (and the like) obsessives out there?
P&C: It’s amazing isn’t it! I think one of the big reasons is that it is reminiscent of school and college (not always a good thing!), but also because on the high street, in the UK especially, it is quite hard to find cool, original stationery and so people put more effort into seeking out the old and unwanted. The design and feel of the older things is so nice, and hard to emulate. I think most designers love stationery of all shapes and sizes - we were the ones at school with the pristine exercise books and a different pencil case for every term and season. Stationery, to me, makes me think of birthday gift vouchers from WHSmiths - this was a time when a £5 voucher would go a long way. You could get some nice rubbers in cases, a notebook or two, some stickers AND have enough for a copy of Smash Hits!
LB: What do you absolute go weak at the knees over if you ever spot it?
P&C: I love anything I can find in bulk and in good condition. A lovely pile of old notebooks, paper bags and pencils in original packaging. And I’m having a real calendar phase at the moment. Also I am so into industrial office stuff, old filing boxes etc, although I usually keep these for my flat!
LB: Are you constantly scouting and shopping for stuff?
P&C: Yes, always. I have days out and cheap weekends away (a real advantage of being in Europe). Beforehand I research markets and then check them out. It’s very addictive and I find it hard to stop because you never know what is around the next corner and I hate to miss out on something!
LB: Does this take over your life?
P&C: Having an online presence goes beyond a 9-5 job because people visit from all time zones. I like to make sure that if someone writes with a problem or question I can respond quickly. I love doing it so much so it doesn’t feel like work, it’s just fun times and it’s hard to stop at the weekend because there is always something to be doing. The only thing I would change is the Post Office queues.
LB: What are your hottest sellers?
P&C: At the moment desk tidies and accessories seem to be super popular. We still sell lots of our alphabet charts and greetings cards, [plus prints such as the Colour Wheel print, pictured above] which is ace because they are things that I have designed so that’s pretty rewarding.
LB: And what do you get requests for?
P&C: Not so much requests for specific items but we do get a lot of people asking if we can send them pictures of new finds before we put them in the shop, so they get first refusal. It’s not something we do because otherwise we wouldn’t be able to have updates every week! And I think it’s fairer, and more fun, for everyone to see what is available. If you miss something then the following week might be even better!
LB: Absolute favourite current piece?
P&C: Our new ‘Pails of Paper’ are making me happy. We have been collecting old notebooks, and making some ourselves, and then every week will be a new numbered pail full of books and other papery bits. Every single one is different. And also I adore the coloured masking tape we have [pictured above]. I would cover the house in it if I could.
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