The A.T. Cross Company is one of, if not America’s oldest manufacturer of writing instruments with a history that extends back for almost 170 years. The company was founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 1846 by Richard Cross, whose family boasted five generations of jewellers, originally hailing from the English Midlands. The first products made by the company were ornate gold and silver casings for wooden pencils. It has been suggested that the registration of the company took place at some point during or shortly after 1847, but the birth of Richard Cross’ son, Alonzo Townsend, in 1846 represented its founding and gave the company its name.i Alonzo T Cross shared his father’s passion for writing instruments and received his first US patent in 1876, by which time he had inherited the family business. In 1916, employee Walter Boss purchased the company and his descendants remain key figures within the company today. Walter Boss was the company’s top salesman and was offered the company by Alonzo Cross. Despite having had a somewhat rocky business model since the early 2000 the Cross company continues to develop and sell quality writing instruments in more than 140 countries around the world with subsidiaries in Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, Ireland and Holland. The 170 year history of A.T. Cross epitomises a rare stability in modern times, from the pens which still boast similar signature designs from those manufactured more than a century and a half ago
On offer is a Cross COMAPCT fountain pen with a shimmering silver Lacquer finish and chrome trim. The Cross COMPACT FOUNTAIN PEN like the “AUTOCROSS”BALLPOINT pen appeared in the Cross catalogue in 2008/9 but was dropped by the 2010 catalogue. Therefore this design of pen was manufactured for only 2 years and is relatively scarce. The overall design tapers at both ends giving it an aesthetically pleasing shape and feel when writing. The short barrel is a polished stainless steel metal that screws onto the stainless steel section. The short barrel has an etched design. The cap has a metal core with a shimmering Silver lacquer finish. The clip is stainless steel with an aesthetically stylish twist at the centre and cross indented on the top of the clip. The stainless steel nib is a medium open nib that writes smoothly. The pocket/purse fountain pen is small in stature but writes beautifully. It can be used with a cross converter of ink cartridges ( neither included ) This pen is in excellent aesthetic condition with no dents, dings, scratches or personalisation. The pen is presented in its original Cross box. Please refer to the photographs as they form an integral part of the description.