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. In 2014 A T Cross acquired Sheaffer from BIC for around $15m. Bic had already closed the Iowa manufacturing plant after their purchase of Sheaffer and moved production to China in 2009. Despite Cross continuing that trend to manufacture in China with some high end pens still produced in the USA, they still epitomise a rare 170 year continuity and stability in modern pen manufacturing. In 2022 A T Cross sold their control of Sheaffer to William Penn PvT Ltd in India, however continue to produce their own brand of pens. 

On offer is a Cross Classic Century ballpoint pen and pencil in a bright polished chrome finish with chrome plated trim. The overall design slightly tapers at the finials giving it an aesthetically pleasing shape and light feel when writing. The cap on the ballpoint pen and pencil have a chrome plated clip with ‘Cross’ engraved at the top of the clip with “Cross” also indented just above the clip. I would urge you to look at the photographs provided to ascertain the intricacy and beauty of the engraved design. The pen works with a smooth twist action and has a new blue ink refill.  The pencil has identical aesthetic characteristics as the pen and comes with 0.7mm leads and eraser. The set is in excellent age appropriate aesthetic condition with no appreciable dents, dings, scratches or personalisation, although as with all used vintage pens there will be the inevitable micro signs of use. Negligible on this set. The pen is presented in its original cross box. 

The pen will be well packaged and despatched via 2nd class signed for post within 2 days of receiving full payment.

Thank you for taking the time to look at this lovely pen. I also have other items for sale that may be of interest to you.