Product History

  • 1879 – Stylographic pen (forerunner of today's ball-point pens)
  • 1879 – Propel-repel mechanical pencil (forerunner of today's mechanical pencils)
  • 1881 – Propel-repel mechanical pencil with clutch
  • 1912 – Propel-repel expel mechanical pencil
  • 1930 – Slim mechanical pencil with black bands design
  • 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
  • 1988 – Pen stands and remodeled single unit desk sets
  • 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 – Jewelers 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 – Jewelers key ring gift sets
  • 1994 – Century Colours International
  • 1994 – Selectip rolling ball pen/key ring gift sets
  • 1994 – Victorinox knife and ball-point pen gift set
  • 1994 – Cross Townsend ball-point pen and 0.5mm pencil in 18 karat gold filled, 10 karat gold filled, Black Lacquer, Titanium and Medalist
  • 1994 – Cross Townsend Sienna and Marbled Green Lacquer
  • 1995 – Solo
  • 1995 – Solo Classic
  • 1995 – Metropolis
  • 1995 – Limited Edition
  • 1996 – Maglite Gift Sets: Solo black ball-point pen with Maglite
  • 1996 – Comfort Writer
  • 1995 – Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli
  • 1996 – Cross Townsend Sterling Silver and Quicksilver
  • 1997 – Cross Townsend Cardinal Red Lacquer (international market)
  • 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 – Cross Townsend Jade
  • 1997 – Cross Townsend Cardinal Red (international market)
  • 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.
  • 1997 – New Hallmark Designs to include golf, baseball, fishing, teaching (2), cat (2), dog (2), and Maxine “crabby” and “attitude problem” themes
  • 1998 – Pinnacle Bordeaux Lacquer
  • 1998 – New Townsend Colors: Midnight Blue Lacquer, Cardinal Red Lacquer (domestic market)
  • 1998 – Radiance (domestic market) Vesuvius Red, Oceania Blue, Amazon Green
  • 1998 – Alhambra Mica Gray in four technologies: ball-point pen, 0.5mm pencil, Selectip rolling ball pen and fountain pen. Cinnabar Red and Cobalt Blue in three technologies: ball-point pen, Selectip rolling ball pen and fountain pen.
  • 1998 – Lumina Ball-Point Pens (domestic market): Champagne, Silver Gray and Pearl White
  • 1998 – Century II (international market) wide girth ball-point pens and 0.5mm pencils in 14 karat gold filled, sterling silver, 10 karat gold filled, Classic Black, Medalist, Lustrous Chrome, Blue Wood, Green Wood, Rose Wood and Black Lacquer finishes.
  • 1998 – New Hallmark Designs include School Bus, Cat, Babysitter, Dog, Wonderful Human Being, Teacher, Friend and Coach themes.
  • 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.
  • 1999 – Century II line (U.S. market) include 23 Karat Gold Plated, Black Lacquer, Medalist and Chrome. Technologies include ball-point pen, 0.5mm pencil, Selectip Rolling Ball Pen and fountain pen. Alhambra Mica Gray, Cinnabar Red and Cobalt products become part of the Century II line.
  • 1999 – Century Lumina Blue is introduced.
  • 1999 – Cross Townsend Tuxedo (sterling silver cap with black lacquer barrel) writing instruments. Technologies include ball-point pen, Selectip rolling ball pen and fountain pen.
  • 1999 – Cross Townsend Translucent Green Lacquer
  • 1999 – Pinnacle Amber Lacquer
  • 1999 – Cross Townsend Midnight Blue Lacquer with silver plated appointments
  • 1999 – Cross Townsend Lustrous Chrome
  • 2000 – Popular priced product line marketed under the Bill Blass license name in a variety of styles and finishes.
  • 2000 – Century II Sterling Silver and Tuxedo/Sterling Silver (Sterling Silver/ Black Lacquer)
  • 2000 – Century II Serling Silver and Translucent Blue Lacquer
  • 2000 – Century II Tuxedo/Rhodium (Rhodium cap/Black Lacquer barrel) and Tuxedo/Silver Plated (Silver Plated cap/Black Lacquer barrel).
  • 2000 – Century II Royal Blue, Charcoal Gray and Golden Mist with chrome plated appointments
  • 2000 – Century II Bay Blue Lacquer with chrome plated appointments
  • 2000 – Classic Century Chrome with a chrome top
  • 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 – Morph DigitalWriter® Duo
  • 2000 – Morph new colors - Bright chrome with chrome plated appointments and Matte Black and Matte Brown with Ruthenium plated appointments
  • 2000 – Stylus Refill
  • 2001 – Ion in Neptune Blue, Lunar Gray, Jupiter Orange, Corona Red, Celestial Green and Aurora Blue
  • 2001 – Six gel ink refills for use in the Ion gel ink pen. Colors include Nucleus Black, Midnight Blue, Orbital Orange, Pulsar Purple, Galaxy Green and Electron Red
  • 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 – Morph² Rollerball in Smoked Vapor, Mercury and Blue Graphite finishes.
  • 2002 – Cross Matrix® Multi-Function Pen, includes dual ball-point, stylus and option of a fountain pen or rolling ball feature.
  • 2002 – Cross Matrix® Ball-Point Refills in red, black and blue, fine point.
  • 2002 – Cross Matrix® Document Marker Refill, yellow
  • 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.
  • 2002 – Contemporary Cross Timepiece line introduced to the business gift market.