Aldo Fefe, Rome

Aldo Fefé is a charming and quaint boutique that specializes in exquisite paper products, handmade books, decorative boxes, and various other paper arts. Situated near Piazza di Spagna, this family-owned shop was established in 1932 and its storefront is easily recognizable by the vibrant patterns of specialty Italian paper showcased in the window.

Stepping inside Legatoria Aldo Fefé is like entering a treasure trove. One notable highlight is their collection of traditional European-style photo albums, which come in different sizes and feature thick, high-quality paper suitable for mounting photos. Each page is separated by a glassine sheet, and the albums have tab mounts that add depth to the binding. This ensures that even when filled with pictures, the binding remains intact and doesn't bulge beyond its intended width.

These photo albums are increasingly rare to find nowadays. Many albums on the market come with plastic pockets designed for specific photo sizes or are peel-and-stick, which can damage photos over time and lack proper archival qualities. Aldo Fefé meticulously crafts his own, offering a wide variety to choose from, including different papers and trims. If you have specific preferences, you can even order a custom album tailored to your desired size and paper type. Additionally, Aldo Fefé also creates beautiful leather-bound albums.

If photo albums don't pique your interest, the shop offers an array of regular journals, address books, notebooks, checkbook covers, and boxes in various sizes and shapes. They also have an extensive selection of stunning papers that you can purchase for your own projects or use as extraordinary wrapping paper for special gifts. The variety available is truly remarkable, and if there's something you're looking for that they don't have in stock, Aldo Fefé can create it for you within a day or so.

When in Rome, it's only fitting to embrace the local customs and visit Aldo's shop for your paper goods. Establishments like these are becoming increasingly rare in today's world, and despite the exceptional quality of the workmanship and materials, the prices are surprisingly affordable.