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Burns Jewellers
Group Limited
58-61 Royal Exchange
Buildings, Manchester
t: (0161) 832 3983
f: (0161) 833 2589
Cross Company History
Established in 1846, the A.T. Cross Company is one of the oldest manufacturers of fine writing instruments. Its first manufacturing facility was based in Providence, Rhode Island, USA and was limited to elegantly tooled gold and silver casings for wooden pencils. While Cross's history is a story all its own, it all began with Richard Cross, who founded the company the same year both the Smithsonian and the sewing machine were born, just as Samuel Morse’s magnetic telegraph pushed Westward and America braced for a war with Mexico.
With more than 21 registered patents, the A. T. Cross Company soon developed and marketed many important "firsts" in the field of writing instruments. These include the propel-repel mechanical pencil, a forerunner of today's mechanical pencils, and the Stylographic pen, the precursor of the ball-point pen by more than 70 years.
Cross was a highly skilled pen and pencil maker, who passed his knowledge onto his son, Alonzo Townsend Cross.
The company was sold in 1916 to Walter R. Boss, who later brought his sons Ellery (in the 1920s) and W. Russell (in the 1930s) into the business. Ellery retired in 1966, and W. Russell, who later retired in 1985, was joined by his sons Bradford in 1958 and Russell in 1961. Cross entered the international marketplace in 1962 and became a public company in 1971. A. T. Cross Company is listed on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) under the symbol ATX.
What Cross are most proud of, though, isn’t all that’s changed in the 160 years they have been around. It’s what hasn’t changed. Headquartered in beautiful Lincoln, Rhode Island, just outside Providence, A. T. Cross is proud to still be a part of the community they helped build. And they still make products unsurpassed in quality and value, one at a time and by hand, just as Richard Cross did.
A. T. Cross headquarters in Lincoln, Rhode Island, has been expanded several times to meet international demand for fine writing instruments.
Cross writing instruments are now distributed in more than 140 markets globally. The company has writing instrument marketing subsidiaries in the U.K., France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Canada.
Products
Cross refillable writing instruments include ball-point pens, mechanical pencils, Selectip rolling ball/porous-point pens, gel ink pens, multi-function pens (including stylus options for PDAs), electronic pens for tablet PCs, and fountain pens.
The proud tradition of innovation and excellence that has marked A. T. Cross for more than 160 years is apparent in our product history, and is clearly reflected in the broad array of writing instruments, watches, and accessories offered by A. T. Cross today.
Cross products are sold to the consumers through a range of distributors globally. Writing instruments, timepieces, and personal accessories are sold to the business gift market via a network of companies specializing in recognition programmes.
Timeline
- 1879 Stylographic pen (forerunner of today's ball-point pens)
- 1879 Propel-repel mechanical pencil (forerunner of today's mechanical pencils)
- 1930 Fountain pen with black bands design
- 1946 Century line mechanical pencils
- 1953 Century ball-point pen introduced using Ellery Boss' internal (patented) design
- 1966 Desk sets added to product line
- 1968 Women's 14 karat gold filled and sterling silver ball-point pen and pencil sets
- 1974 Soft Tip Pen - felt tipped (forerunner of today’s Selectip rolling ball pen)
- 1981 Classic Black writing instruments
- 1982 Fountain pen introduced (outside U.S.)
- 1982 Women's 10 karat gold filled writing instruments
- 1983 Women's Classic Black writing instruments
- 1983 Mark Cross, Inc. acquired as wholly-owned subsidiary (leather goods)
- 1983 Two new executive desk set models introduced (Solid American Cherry and Select Walnut and Leather)
- 1984 Fountain pen introduced in U.S.
- 1985 Rolling Ball refill introduced for Selectip pen
- 1986 Gray writing instruments (with chrome appointments)
- 1987 Fendi line acquired for distribution in the U.S.A.
- 1987 Gray writing instruments for Women
- 1989 18 karat gold filled ball-point pen and 0.5mm mechanical pencil introduced (outside U.S.)
- 1989 0.5mm mechanical pencils in all case qualities
- 1990 18 karat gold filled writing instruments introduced in the U.S., including fountain pen and Selectip rolling ball pen
- 1990 Signature line of premium writing instruments introduced in the U.S.
- 1991 Burgundy writing instruments; Women's burgundy and lustrous chrome writing instruments
- 1992 Blue writing instruments; Women's Blue writing instruments with 22 karat gold plated appointments
- 1992 Medalist writing instruments (chrome with 22 karat gold plated appointments)
- 1992 Gray with 22 karat gold plated appointments
- 1993 Jewellers with 22 karat gold plated appointments
- 1993 Cross Townsend fountain pens and Selectip rolling ball pens to the international market in 18 karat gold filled, 10 karat gold filled, Black Lacquer, Titanium, Medalist
- 1994 Century Colours International
- 1994 Victorinox knife and ball-point pen gift set
- 1995 Solo
- 1995 Metropolis
- 1995 Limited Edition
- 1996 Maglite Gift Sets: Solo black ball-point pen with Maglite
- 1996 Comfort Writer
- 1996 50th Anniversary Ball-Point Pen in a Century Tin
- 1996 Hallmark
- 1996 Document Marker
- 1996 Jumbo Ball-Point Pen Refill for Selectip rolling ball pen
- 1996 Century Restage (international market) revised Century Selectip rolling ball pens and fountain pens
- 1996 Century II (international market) 14 Karat Gold Filled, 10 Karat Gold Filled, Blue Wood, Green Wood, Rose Wood, Black Lacquer
- 1996 Cross/Hallmark Designs
- 1997 Marjolein Bastin
- 1997 Pinnacle™ 22 Karat Gold Plated, Sterling Silver and Peacock Blue accented with 22 karat gold plated appointments
- 1997 Century 2000 (limited distribution): Lustrous Chrome, Classic Black and Blue Lacquer
- 1997 Cross Timepieces introduced to Retail and Special Markets accounts (limited distribution). Finishes include solid stainless steel, two-tone 18 karat gold filled and solid stainless steel and 18 karat gold filled bracelets and leather straps
- 1998 Cross Timepieces expands line to include Sonoma™ chronographs and three-hand date series for him and her. Case and bracelet finishes include solid stainless steel and two-tone 18 karat gold filled and stainless steel and leather straps with solid stainless steel case
- 2000 Popular priced product line marketed under the Bill Blass license name in a variety of styles and finishes.
- 2000 Morph ball-point pens in Jet Black, Electric Blue, Mars Red, Quicksilver, Aztec Orange, Copper, Sherwood Green and Sage Gold, with chrome plated appointments
- 2000 ATX in Basalt Black, Zirconium, Azurite Blue, Red Copper, Matte Chrome and Pure Chrome with chrome plated appointments
- 2000 Stylus Refill
- 2001 Ion in Neptune Blue, Lunar Gray, Jupiter Orange, Corona Red, Celestial Green and Aurora Blue
- 2001 Cross Townsend Affinity Series in Malachite Lacquer, Ochre Lacquer and Carbonite Lacquer
- 2001 MicroPen PDA-size retractable ball-point pen with stylus in blue, black, orange and silver
- 2001 Rolling Ball Refill converts to gel ink.
- 2002 Cross Matrix® Multi-Function Pen, includes dual ball-point, stylus and option of a fountain pen or rolling ball feature.
- 2002 ATX Lacquer finishes with rhodium plated appointments. Finishes include Sepia Brown, Cyanic Blue and Vernal Green.
- 2002 Classic Century Lumina Pink ball-point pen
- 2002 Cross Accessory Line introduced. Includes Large and Mid-Size Portfolios, Palm V™ and Multi-brand PDA cases, Stationery Gift Set, Daily Planner, Pen/Accessories Case, Business Card Case, Letter Opener, Money Clip and Key Ring
- 2003 Tourist Trophy timepieces
- 2003 Vapor matte chrome/black, and matte chrome/blue
- 2003 Vice Gasouos Green, Purple haze, and Radioactive Red
- 2004 Verve Selenium Blue, Merlot, and Platinum Plated
- 2004 Limited edition Tennis Hall of Fame fountain pen
- 2004 Townsend Titanium/Rhodium, Platinum, and Black Lacquer/Rhodium
- 2004 Timepieces Icon, Paradigm, and Catalyst lines
- 2005 Precision Reading Glasses Fusion, Alpha, and Beta
- 2005 Leather Personal Accessories wallets, key fobs, document holders, and card holders
- 2005 Verve Radial Chrome
- 2005 Tech3 line - Lustrous Chrome, Satin Black, Satin Blue, and Medalist
- 2005 Apogee line - Chrome, Titian Red Lacquer, and Black Star Lacquer
- 2006 Autocross Leather Collection
Contact Details
For information on this brand or anything showcased instore or on the website, don't hesitate to contact us
e. info@burnsjewellersgroup.com tel. (+44) (0)161-832-3983
Cross products available online
Many other Cross product lines are also available at the
following Burns Jewellers stores:
