Cross Botanica Pens

[Sarah M]

Just came across these at cult pens:

http://www.cultpens.com/c/q/brands/cross/cross-botanica

 

They do not appear to be on the Cross website and I can only find a few references to a Botanica range here from several years ago.

 

Are they basically a decorated Century II? Anyone seen one of these in real life or know anything about them?

 

I find them somewhat appealing but I wonder what they look like in person.

 

Edit: On searching, I've found that they apparently are Century II pens. Pretty!

Edited September 18, 2014 by Sarah M

[Drone]

I just stumbled across these too They certainly are Century II's. They're pretty, but the honkin' big black section sort of ruins it. Here's an undated Cross Presser about the Botanica series:

 

http://www.cross.com/%28X%281%29S%28kpuj30451umrgaebs0qo0445%29%29/CompanyInformation/NewsItems/aboutcross_wn11_18_06.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

The PR says the pens were introduced in March, but it doesn't say which year. I'll bet it was March 2014.

 

There's a matching spiral-bound notebook too, priced at $8-$12 according to Cross. But I haven't found them sold seperately anywhere yet. I do see sometimes the pens come bundled with the notebook though. Below is an a CT Ballpoint example scraped from here:

 

http://www.cartier-pens.com/acatalog/Cross_centuryii_botannica_Pen.html

 

 

I wonder if the notebook is actually as small as it looks in the picture above...

 

I think the gold-tone Magnolia pattern fountain pens are the prettiest of the lot.

 

Edited October 23, 2014 by Drone

[nuts88]

looks a bit like one of prada perfume box

[MrThoth]

If you go to this page:

 

http://www.cross.com/writing-instruments/shop-all-writing-instruments/by-writing-type/fountain-pens.aspx

 

and click the "Botanica" link on the left-hand vertical menu, it'll take you to a page showing all three pens. From there you can click on any pen and get more info.

 

Like many things about Cross's official page, the method leaves something to be desired.

[Sarah M]

I ended up buying one of these, the Purple Orchid version. It's a lot sparklier in person than in the photos. It's my first Century II, and it is a bit slender for my grip, but it writes well and is fun to look at, so I'm pleased with it. It only comes in medium or fine,so I bought I broad nib separately which I think suits it better, being bold and brash.

 

I'll try to take some photos if anyone is interested.

[MrThoth]

I'm definitely interested. I'd like to see this alleged sparkliness. If I have one major complaint about buying pens online, it's how often the "official" photography makes a pen's color look different (and usually better) than the pen actually looks "in the flesh." So photos from actual users are helpful.

[Sarah M]

Here are a few photos. I'm not a photographer, so they're not great photos, but I tried to capture the sparkliness. The sparkle seems to come from engraving through the layer of lacquer to the shiny metal beneath.

 

 

 

 

 

Note: The nib is not the original medium nib, it is a Century II broad nib I purchased separately. The nib that came with it has a much plainer design.

[basterma]

Nice photography. It did the job!

[MrThoth]

You did a great job with the photos -- I only wish some pen sellers provided pictures that good. Thanx!

[lizncats]

I got the Magnolia Botanica for Christmas - it's quite lovely. It is a bit "bling-y", but the look seems to work. The fine point writes smoothly, sadly, doesn't take international ink carts, so I've ordered a converter. All in all, a very nice pen.