[David V]

I'm eying a RMHR pen at that auction site that is marked as a Townsend pen, and bears no other maker marks. It is one of the more beautiful woodgrain pens I've seen, but I can't find anything to shed some light on the maker, age, or relative quality. Was this a model made by Cross that long ago? This pen looks like it dates to the 20's or 30's.

Here are some pictures:
http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/ExGovermentRebel/Townsend2.jpg
http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/ExGovermentRebel/Townsend3.jpg
http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/ExGovermentRebel/Townsend4.jpg
http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/ExGovermentRebel/Townsend5.jpg


Anyone got any clues?

[Johnny Appleseed]

Not by Cross - it is a 2nd tier pen from the late 1920s or so.

I think Rossink will be allong in a bit with more details, unless he is at the Columbus pen show - he collects these.

John

[David V]

Cool, thanks.

[philm]

Yes, I agree with JA that probably not a Cross. I think Ryan collects Thompson pens and not Townsends. But, I will let him speak out. I have not seen one of these before, so it will be interesting to see what comes out.

Phil

[David V]

I'm currently high bid on it, but if I get it I will have to sell some stuff to make up the funds...

[Tweel]

I'd also like to know something about Townsend. I have a pen that looks just like some Mortons I've seen here (in particular, it's a near-clone of Deirdre's, in the further post-link within that post) but it's marked "Townsend". Beautiful pen, wish I knew who made it.

-- Brian

[Aysedasi]

I bought a Townsend on Ebay last year - similar to this one, but not really quite as nice. It wrote well but the really fine nib was almost unusable for me, so I sold it. May even have sold it here - you might find it on a search, although the photo will be long gone.

[nicolasbdive]

Clueless about it's history, but it's a looker for sure IMHO...If you end up with it, hope you enjoy it thoroughly!

[Hugh200au]

Most Townsends I've seen on the "bay" have made me think "3rd tier" but this one certainly appears to be a higher quality. That would definitely be a nice addition to most collections, actually a remarkable find!! Good luck.

Regards
Hugh

[antoniosz]

Nice pen. By the way, it is from post hard rubber days :)
This is a 30s pen and it is for sure plastic (celluloid).
The black and white ends are plastic pieces that are solvent bonded
to the tubular body. This method of manufacturing is less expensive than
machining the pen body and cap from a solid rod.

[David V]

Thanks for the replies and information. Regrettably, the auction went way out of my league on Saturday, and the pen ended up selling for $180+. It's a beautiful pen for sure, but I would be in a whole heap of hoo-hoo if I spent that much on it. Oh well, maybe next time nobody will be looking... ;)