Help Date My Pencil!

[seapin]

I need help dating this century mechanical pencil.

 

This ebay ad IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT, nor my listing, it is simply that my pencil looks the exact same and I was hoping someone could put a year or decade to it.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Century-Cross-Gold-Mechanical-Pencil-1-20-14kt-Gold-Filled-Classic-Engraved-/390529465684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5aed5ebd54

 

 

Mine has Cross written in cursive on the clip, and has the smaller black "knob" on the back.

 

1/20 14K Gold filled made in the U.S.A.

 

Thanks!

[RMN]

Actually, the name is given in the ad. "Century".

 

There is a Century and a Century II which is current.

 

I have seen a 10k gold filled pencil in a current shop offer for EUR 95

a 14 k BP was 125. So your MP should be in that ballpark new in box.

I don't know the history of those pens.

 

 

D.ick

[seapin]

I knew it was a centruy, i was wondering if anyone could tell what year the pen was made.

[jimmartin]

The Classic century 14k pencil and pen go back many years. I purchased mine about 1987, but they were made before then. Go to the Cross web site and look at their history of products.

[jimmartin]

I just searched the Cross website and they have removed the Product History, as I do not see it. I had copied it some years back, here is is. I wouls say they started the gold filled pens in 1953, maybe a little later.

 

HomeAbout CrossOur HistoryProduct History

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 Pinnacleâ„¢ 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 Sonomaâ„¢ 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 Vâ„¢ 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.

[vinper]

I suspect the key to the discovery of the age of your pencil may be the "Cross" in script on the pocket clip. I looked at my gold filled bp pen, which is probably close to 35-40 years old, and it has the identical finish to your pencil but I noticed the "Cross" logo is in block letters. The question for the Cross experts out there is when was the script logo used? Perhaps the folks at Cross service could be of help--they restored my pen to almost new condition and they must see pens from all years of production. Good luck and let us know what you eventually discover about the age of your pencil. vinper

[ravantra]

I've never dated a pencil but I'm willing to have a go at it. What does your pencil like to do, maybe dinner and a movie?