4 W. 57th St.
(b/t 5th and 6th Aves.)
New York, NY 10019
212.265.1765

Smythson is the granddaddy of all stationery stores. If you do make a purchase, you will end up spending your entire paycheck on cards, papers, and envelopes, but leaving Smythson off of a list of New York’s best stationery shops would be like leaving Babe Ruth off of a list of the all-time best baseball players (it just wouldn’t be right). The London-based store is located in Manhattan on 57th-near-5th, making it the only Smythson outside of the UK (with the exception of a shop in Hong Kong). You might feel intimidated walking into the old-world, European-feeling stationery Mecca (be prepared to get the Manhattan once-over), but the staff is actually amazingly helpful. And the stationery is completely lovely. You can get boxed sets or go the personalized route, but either way, the high-high-high quality papers are embossed (Smythson’s specialty) with classic-feeling lettering styles or timeless little sketches. Plus, the envelopes can be hand-lined with tissue paper in a color of you choosing. And if Smythson’s isn’t in your budget, don’t let that deter you from popping in the shop: It’s definitely worth browsing to get ideas, and then making a stop at stationery store that you can afford. Smythson, a gold star listing, is filed under Shops: Stationery.

Photograph via Smythson.com