Stationery has historically meant a wide gamut of materials: paper and office supplies, writing implements, greeting cards, glue etc. History of stationery Originally the term "stationery" referred to all products sold by a stationer, whose name indicates that his book shop was on a fixed spot, usually near a university, and permanent, while medieval trading was mainly ambulant, by peddlers (including chapmen, who sold books) and others (such as farmers and craftsmen) at non-permanent markets s… (More on Stationery)