Townsend Lapis Lazuli

[RegDiggins]

I posted this query as a reply in another topic but I think I should have started a new one so here goes....

 

a propos converters I was lucky enough to buy earlier this year an unused Townsend Lapis in the original box and with the unopened ink bottle and Lapis leaflet. Should the box contain a converter or for that matter should it have cartridges with it ???

 

There certainly seem to be spaces for the latter

[Mike 59]

Hi, Generally new Cross pens will have 2 cartridges included, assuming original packaging/box/instructions etc.

Or if preferred, the correct converter for the 'Townsend' is the push-in type, with the green coloured ink window.

Cross part 8751.

Edited December 14, 2012 by Mike 59

[Jerome Tarshis]

If you bought a pen in current production from an authorized Cross retailer, what might be termed in England a High Street shop, but I wouldn't exclude Harrods, then, as Mike59 says, you should expect to receive two cartridges and no converter.

 

On the other hand, I'm not sure the Townsend Lapis actually is in current production. The wording of your inquiry suggests that you didn't buy it from current stock of an authorized retailer. If you bought a New Old Stock pen, as I imagine you did, then if it was manufactured more than a very few years ago the package would have included a converter. As the package came from Cross. (The change to not including a converter is quite recent.) However, if you bought the pen on eBay or at a boot sale, it's perfectly possible that what you received isn't everything that was in the box when Cross sold it.

 

Not much to worry about, though. The green converters are still sold widely, and they're a lot cheaper than the pen as a whole. It's a beautiful pen, and Townsends can write wonderfully well.

[RegDiggins]

If you bought a pen in current production from an authorized Cross retailer, what might be termed in England a High Street shop, but I wouldn't exclude Harrods, then, as Mike59 says, you should expect to receive two cartridges and no converter.

 

On the other hand, I'm not sure the Townsend Lapis actually is in current production. The wording of your inquiry suggests that you didn't buy it from current stock of an authorized retailer. If you bought a New Old Stock pen, as I imagine you did, then if it was manufactured more than a very few years ago the package would have included a converter. As the package came from Cross. (The change to not including a converter is quite recent.) However, if you bought the pen on eBay or at a boot sale, it's perfectly possible that what you received isn't everything that was in the box when Cross sold it.

 

Not much to worry about, though. The green converters are still sold widely, and they're a lot cheaper than the pen as a whole. It's a beautiful pen, and Townsends can write wonderfully well.

 

Thanks for your input, as we know the lapis was last made around the end of the 90s so before they stopped putting converters in new pens. In fact I assumed all Townsends would contain a converter and cartridges being their top of the range pen.

 

The reason I asked about the Lapis was because the pen appears unused and the ink is certainly unused and on photos I have seen of the Lapis packaging there is no sign of a converter. In other words I wonder if anyone knew if the Lapis was the exception to the rule.

 

However if that was the case, why include a bottle of ink. Still as you say it is easily remedied and in fact I am sure I have got a converter among my other Townsends.

[Joe in Seattle]

Cross converters are durable, too. I have nearly 20 years on one of mine.

[Freddy]

If you bought a pen in current production from an authorized Cross retailer, what might be termed in England a High Street shop, but I wouldn't exclude Harrods, then, as Mike59 says, you should expect to receive two cartridges and no converter.

 

On the other hand, I'm not sure the Townsend Lapis actually is in current production. The wording of your inquiry suggests that you didn't buy it from current stock of an authorized retailer. If you bought a New Old Stock pen, as I imagine you did, then if it was manufactured more than a very few years ago the package would have included a converter. As the package came from Cross. (The change to not including a converter is quite recent.) However, if you bought the pen on eBay or at a boot sale, it's perfectly possible that what you received isn't everything that was in the box when Cross sold it.

 

Not much to worry about, though. The green converters are still sold widely, and they're a lot cheaper than the pen as a whole. It's a beautiful pen, and Townsends can write wonderfully well.

 

Thanks for your input, as we know the lapis was last made around the end of the 90s so before they stopped putting converters in new pens. In fact I assumed all Townsends would contain a converter and cartridges being their top of the range pen.

 

"The reason I asked about the Lapis was because the pen appears unused and the ink is certainly unused and on photos I have seen of the Lapis packaging there is no sign of a converter. In other words I wonder if anyone knew if the Lapis was the exception to the rule."

 

 

I purchased Lapis Lazuli {iirc} in 1995 or 1996 first year production and

confirm..came with box of cartridges..converter {green} that was found

underneath fountain pen..{just lift insert the pen came in}..Anyhow..

congratulations..enjoy your new pen..

 

Fred

[jslallar]

I was also lucky enough to find a Lapis Lazuli NOS with a B nib - my favorite. I was so happy that it was several days (and too late, because I had travelled back 1500 km to my hometown) before I realized that I did not even ask for an original box - not that I want to sell it, so it does not matter.

 

Point I am trying to make is that you got a very good pen. Why fret about a converter worth $7. Get a new one and enjoy the pen I would say.

Edited December 15, 2012 by jslallar

[Jerome Tarshis]

As Freddy has pointed out, the converters that came with new Cross pens were underneath the cardboard insert in the box.

 

So a photograph of the pen in the box wouldn't include a converter, unless a seller had deliberately taken the converter out of its hidden position to show faraway buyers that they would in fact receive all that they were paying for. When I've bought Cross pens in the box, the converter was always there, though not visible at first glance.

 

And, as Junaid and I have said, the converters are very cheap by comparison with the price of the pen. Nothing to worry about. Again, enjoy what is probably a wonderful writer and certainly a beautiful object.

[dr saleem ali]

recently ,i have had acquired two lapis lazuli fps. to my delight ,both these pens were in a very handsome gift boxes ,and provided wid ink-bottle and cartridges , and green cnverters that fit well. however , all the ink-cartrdges were dried out , suggestig that it was an new-old-stock .in my experiance , townsend lapis lazuli can be fitted wid both green and orage converters, but for an inexperianced , green one is good.

[Michigan]

Congratulations on the lapis model.

 

Regarding converters, I was stunned how cheap Townsend replacements were, so I bought five. Who knows where Cross will be in a decade?

 

I also bought the roller ball parts and have been using it that way as well.

[jslallar]

recently ,i have had acquired two lapis lazuli fps. to my delight ,both these pens were in a very handsome gift boxes ,and provided wid ink-bottle and cartridges , and green cnverters that fit well. however , all the ink-cartrdges were dried out , suggestig that it was an new-old-stock .in my experiance , townsend lapis lazuli can be fitted wid both green and orage converters, but for an inexperianced , green one is good.

Congrtas on the acquisition of two beauties. Townsend Lapis Lazuli is one of my fave pens.