Obama using a Cross pen - by request

[CasmiUK]

Rhode Island’s own A.T. Cross Company made the pen that President Obama will use to sign a series of inauguration documents and executive orders today.

 

The company, founded in Providence in 1846 and now based in Lincoln, was selected by the Obama-Biden transition team to provide the president’s official writing instruments. Marketing manager Lori Geshelin said yesterday that Cross has provided pens for many presidents.

 

With just a week’s notice, the company delivered the specially designed Cross Townsend black lacquer rolling-ball pens that will be used today.

 

They feature the presidential coat of arms and are engraved with Obama’s signature on the barrel.

 

The company sells a similar pen on its Web site, www.cross.com, for $135. A version in 10-karat gold is also available.

 

— Donita Naylor

Pro Jo story

[RevAaron]

Ahhh, I saw that. Cross made Bush's official pens too.

 

I saw him use it for signing documents right after the inauguration, and thought it looked like an MB but with a squared off barrel end. That it's a Cross hashes with the limited view I had of the pen.

[Titivillus]

So he is using an American made pen. Good for him.

 

K

[MrK]

When do the fakes hit the bay?

Edited January 20, 2009 by MrK

[BillTheEditor]

When do the fakes hit the bay

What, you haven't bought yours yet?

[MrK]

When do the fakes hit the bay

What, you haven't bought yours yet?

 

No. I couldn't find any "Buy it Now."

 

[ExcaliburZ]

wow, that is so cool.

[PAKMAN]

Be cooler if it was a fountain pen and not a roller ball.

[ExcaliburZ]

yes but they pens are only used officially once and FP use is uncommon.

[Batman]

Yeh I saw the whole thing when he signed the paper. i actually thought it was a fountain pen and not a rollerball but I guess not. But there is one thing I can say for certain, Obama writes in a really funny angle.

 

 

[Batman]

"I was told not to swipe the pen." I like his humour.

 

 

[Izzy]

yes but they pens are only used officially once and FP use is uncommon.

 

It's strange because when I see certain Heads of State on television signing major agreements etc they always seem to use a FP.

 

Maybe its just for the Camera's

 

Regards

[dcwaites]

When do the fakes hit the bay

What, you haven't bought yours yet?

No, but I downloaded a pirate copy of the inauguration from bit torrent yesterday...

 

 

[PenHero]

So he is using an American made pen. Good for him.

 

K

 

It's probably made in China, not the USA. Cross Townsends are all made in China now. The perception is there, but there are no more 100% USA pen companies. USA company, yes. USA made, no.

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

Edited January 21, 2009 by PenHero

[BillZ]

Yeh I saw the whole thing when he signed the paper. i actually thought it was a fountain pen and not a rollerball but I guess not. But there is one thing I can say for certain, Obama writes in a really funny angle.

Maybe that's why he like a lot of lefties don't use a FP. Ink doesn't dry fast enough for dragging your sleeve across. Just a thought.

[RLTodd]

I beleive that Cross has had the Whitehouse contract for some time now.

 

For the most part I believe they are engraved bill signing Townsend Select Tips. With "important" (perception varies on that one) bills POTUS signs with several pens and hands them out to the assembled throng.

[Silvermink]

I just poked around eBay and found someone asking $300 for the 10kt commemorative Century ballpoint that the official website is selling for $120.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Yeh I saw the whole thing when he signed the paper. i actually thought it was a fountain pen and not a rollerball but I guess not. But there is one thing I can say for certain, Obama writes in a really funny angle.

Maybe that's why he like a lot of lefties don't use a FP. Ink doesn't dry fast enough for dragging your sleeve across. Just a thought.

 

Yes, those first few act orders of his new office appeared to be very nicely prepared and bound.

 

Probably wouldn't have been real good for him to sign his first Presedential orders then drag his

sleeve over them leaving some ink schmeered mess.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

 

[Batman]

Why doesn't cross just use their "presidential pen" status as a marketing gimmick. I mean if it's good enough for the president of the United States, it's good enough for everyone.

 

 

[MYU]

Yeah, a lot of lefties develop that "crab arm" hook when writing, to avoid ink smears. I'll bet Obama has made extensive use of word processors for writing... certainly he was a Blackberry addict! I imagine it'll be a weird feeling for him not having a cell phone... I wonder if he'll carry a PDA?