Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli Fountain Pens

[iveyman]

I have been wanting to own a Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli fountain pen for some time now. They are so

beautifully made that I really want to add one to my collection, particularly a NOS, not a pre-owned one.

Too bad Cross has stopped making them and I heard they stopped making them because they cost too much

to make, with gold flakes on the lapis lazuli pen body.

 

I finally was able to find a jade and a blue lapis Townsend, both are NOS. I am so happy to have them in my

collection.

 

1. The jade pen comes with a 14K gold M nib. I find it does have a bit of calming effect when writing with the jade pen.

I write with the cap unposted and it is the right weight for me. It is not that easy to find the fountain pen, mostly

available are the roller balls and pencils. I ink it with Montlanc Irish Green ink.

 

2. The blue lapis pen comes with a 18K gold, two tone, broad nib. For some reason the broad nib on a lapis Townsend

is harder to find. I know Pelikan makes the nibs for the lapis Townsend pen, and Pelikan does make broad nibs but

somehow, this pen with broad nib is hard to find and I am really glad I found one. I ink it with Diamine Aqua Blue ink.

 

I will have hours and hours of writing enjoyment with these two beautiful lapis lazuli pens. I keep them in the original

cross pen box, with the original inspection certificate signed by the Cross inspector.

[ivyman]

These are beautiful pens. I have uploaded photos from my collection to add to this thread. They are a joy to write with

[jchch1950]

Beautiful pens. What is the base materials for achieving the nice colours?

[MrThoth]

 

 

What is the base materials for achieving the nice colours?

 

My understanding (though I don't remember where I read this) is that the body material for the Lapis Lazuli and the Jade, as well as a couple of similar Townsends, was made by grinding up actual stones and other materials and then mixing them with the gold flakes to create a hard, durable lacquer-like material. Unfortunately this process was so expensive that Cross quit using it to make pens many years ago. I wish they'd at least gotten around to doing a purple-and-gold one and a red-and-gold one first. (Though the red-and-black one, the Cardinal Red Lacquer, is pretty cool.)

[Dr. Saleem Ali]

Very nice to know that you got these lovely pens .Congrats .I wish you a lifetime enjoyment wid these pens in good health .

[Shannon]

I have the lapis Townsend -- it was a gail pen of mine forever. I actually got lucky enough to find a set with the FP, RB, and a pencil for a very good price. Super stunning. I'm very jealous you found one with a broad nib!

Edited April 18, 2018 by Shannon

[jchch1950]

 

My understanding (though I don't remember where I read this) is that the body material for the Lapis Lazuli and the Jade, as well as a couple of similar Townsends, was made by grinding up actual stones and other materials and then mixing them with the gold flakes to create a hard, durable lacquer-like material. Unfortunately this process was so expensive that Cross quit using it to make pens many years ago. I wish they'd at least gotten around to doing a purple-and-gold one and a red-and-gold one first. (Though the red-and-black one, the Cardinal Red Lacquer, is pretty cool.)

Thank you for the information.

[iveyman]

Yes, I am very lucky to have found a blue Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli pen with an 18K, two tone, Broad nib. The only minor regret is the jade Townsend pen came with a 14K medium nib - still very nice to write with but always thinking it would be nice to fit it with a double broad nib. I know Pelikan made the nibs for the Cross Townsend pens and they did make broad and double broad nibs but some how, for some unknown reason,some time ago they stopped making the broads and double broads. I am determined to find one for my Jade Townsend pen. After a fair bit of hunting and searching, I finally was able to find a NOS double broad nib made by Pelikan for the Townsend pen, with 18K, single tone. It has arrived and I installed it on my Jade Townsend pen and it is writing nice, fat and wet. It is a real joy to write with the double broad nib. I ink it with Montblanc Irish Green ink and the shading is really nice looking.

[MrThoth]

I'll have to be on the lookout for one of these Double Broad nibs!

[jslallar]

Lapis Lazuli is my fave too

Edited April 29, 2018 by jslallar

[jslallar]

 

My understanding (though I don't remember where I read this) is that the body material for the Lapis Lazuli and the Jade, as well as a couple of similar Townsends, was made by grinding up actual stones and other materials and then mixing them with the gold flakes to create a hard, durable lacquer-like material. Unfortunately this process was so expensive that Cross quit using it to make pens many years ago. I wish they'd at least gotten around to doing a purple-and-gold one and a red-and-gold one first. (Though the red-and-black one, the Cardinal Red Lacquer, is pretty cool.)

TTBOMK there were three such finishes

1. Lapis Lazuli

2. Jade

3. Ruby

The description remains as above. Lacquer mixed with gold flakes and ground gem stones.

Edited April 29, 2018 by jslallar

[iveyman]

I have not come across a Ruby cross Townsend pen that is finished like the Lapis Lazuli and Jade pens with gold flakes and ground gen stones, may be perhaps you are referring to the Cross Townsend Year of the Rooster pen which has plenty of gold as the Rooster.

[MrThoth]

I have not come across a Ruby cross Townsend pen that is finished like the Lapis Lazuli and Jade pens with gold flakes and ground gen stones, may be perhaps you are referring to the Cross Townsend Year of the Rooster pen which has plenty of gold as the Rooster.

 

I think the pen jslallar listed as "Ruby" is the Cardinal Red Lacquer (SKU 686). It's got a red body with black striations. Here's a picture:

 

[MrThoth]

In addition to the Jade and Lapis Lazuli that jslallar listed, and the Cardinal Red I posted above, there's also a Sienna Lacquer (SKU 636) and a Marbled Green Lacquer (SKU 516) that I believe belong to this general "line" or style of manufacture:

 

 

 

 

However, I'm not 100% sure on that -- it may simply be that they look alike. The Cardinal Red, Sienna, and Marbled Green certainly aren't as rare or expensive as the Lapis Lazuli or Jade, so it's possible Cross adapted the manufacturing process from the more expensive pens but used cheaper materials.

 

I also have a Townsend that I call "Copper Lacquer" that resembles this "style" of Townsend, but for which I can find no further information. Until I do, I'm working on the hypothesis that it's some weird anomaly, not a pen manufactured in large numbers for sale to the consuming public.

 

 

[jslallar]

 

I think the pen jslallar listed as "Ruby" is the Cardinal Red Lacquer (SKU 686). It's got a red body with black striations. Here's a picture:

As I said TTBOMK. Seems like my knowledge was faulty - I stand corrected. Thanks, Townsendophiles. So no Ruby then. It was red Lacquer of some sort that I confused with Ruby.

 

MrThoth - where do you find the SKU-XXX numbers from, can you please ref me to the site, or post a list if you have one.

Thanks in advance

[MrThoth]

As I said TTBOMK. Seems like my knowledge was faulty - I stand corrected. Thanks, Townsendophiles. So no Ruby then. It was red Lacquer of some sort that I confused with Ruby.

 

MrThoth - where do you find the SKU-XXX numbers from, can you please ref me to the site, or post a list if you have one.

Thanks in advance

 

If you buy a Townsend in its original box, the SKU number is typically listed in a sticker on the box. Otherwise you simply have to dig around online and assemble your own list; there is no single page that lists them all (not even on the Cross website, annoyingly). Here's my master list as it currently stands:

 

AT0046-1 — Platinum Plated

AT0046-3 — Titanium Herringbone

AT0046-4 — Black Lacquer with Rhodium Appointments

AT0046-5 — Citrine

AT0046-6 — Garnet

AT0046-7 — Tango Black

AT0046-8 — Tango Slate

AT0046-30 — Black Smooth Touch (a.k.a. Matte Black, Black Satin)

AT0046-42 — Stylus 23K Gold Plate

AT0046-43 — Stylus Brushed Platinum Plate

AT0046-45 — 2017 Year of the Rooster

AT0046-54 — 2018 Year of the Dog

AT0046B-29 — 20th Anniversary Platinum Plated (a.k.a. Brushed Platinum Plate)

AT0046B-32 — 20th Anniversary 23K Heavy Gold Plate (a.k.a. Brushed Gold Plate)

AT0046CB-37 — Japanese Cherry Blossom 23K Heavy Gold Plate

AT0046CB-38 — Japanese Cherry Blossom Brushed Platinum Plate

AT0046D-39 — Star Wars C-3PO

AT0046D-40 — Star Wars Darth Vader

AT0046D-41 — Star Wars Stormtrooper

AT0046D-47 — Star Wars Chewbacca

AT0046D-48 — Star Wars R2-D2

AT0046D-50 — Star Wars BB-8

AT0046D-51 — Star Wars Boba Fett

AT0046D-53 — Star Wars Han Solo

AT0047-15 — Midnight Blue

AT0047-22 — Townsend Tango

AT0047-24 — Brush Platinum

AT0047-31 — Engraved Chrome

AT0047-34 — Chrome Radial

506 — Medalist

516 — Marbled Green Lacquer (sometimes 616)

536 — Lustrous Chrome

556 — Tuxedo

566 — Duet Black Gold

576 — Black Lacquer

586 — Titanium

596 — Marbled Blue Lacquer

626-1 — Cyber Blue

626-2 — Meteorite (a.k.a. Champagne)

626-3 — Cosmos Black

636 — Sienna Lacquer

646 — Quicksilver

656 — Sterling Silver

676 — Jade

686 — Cardinal Red Lacquer

696-1 — Quartz Blue Lacquer

696-2 — Anthracite Lacquer

696-5 — Translucent Green

696-6 — Malachite Lacquer

696-7 — Carbonite Lacquer (a.k.a. Affinity Carbonite)

696-8 — Ochre Lacquer

696-13 — Ruby Lacquer

696-14 — Emerald Lacquer

706 — 10K Gold Filled/RolledGold

776 — 18K Gold Filled

796 — Lapis

Edited May 7, 2018 by MrThoth

[jslallar]

 

 

If you buy a Townsend in its original box, the SKU number is typically listed in a sticker on the box. Otherwise you simply have to dig around online and assemble your own list; there is no single page that lists them all (not even on the Cross website, annoyingly). Here's my master list as it currently stands:

.....

 

wow and thanks

that is a wealth of information and the lists speaks for itself underlining the volume of care and effort that went into generating such a database

thanks a million for sharing the info

[eidola]

The Lapis is stunning, just like its cousin Montblanc Ramses II!

[MrThoth]

The Lapis is stunning, just like its cousin Montblanc Ramses II!

 

Agreed! I just wish that Cross had done a Malachite Townsend to match up with the MB Czar Nicholas. The Jade Townsend is awesome, but there's something about malachite that really appeals to me.

[pensaro]

I have been wanting to own a Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli fountain pen for some time now. They are so

beautifully made that I really want to add one to my collection, particularly a NOS, not a pre-owned one.

Too bad Cross has stopped making them and I heard they stopped making them because they cost too much

to make, with gold flakes on the lapis lazuli pen body.

 

I finally was able to find a jade and a blue lapis Townsend, both are NOS. I am so happy to have them in my

collection.

 

1. The jade pen comes with a 14K gold M nib. I find it does have a bit of calming effect when writing with the jade pen.

I write with the cap unposted and it is the right weight for me. It is not that easy to find the fountain pen, mostly

available are the roller balls and pencils. I ink it with Montlanc Irish Green ink.

 

2. The blue lapis pen comes with a 18K gold, two tone, broad nib. For some reason the broad nib on a lapis Townsend

is harder to find. I know Pelikan makes the nibs for the lapis Townsend pen, and Pelikan does make broad nibs but

somehow, this pen with broad nib is hard to find and I am really glad I found one. I ink it with Diamine Aqua Blue ink.

 

I will have hours and hours of writing enjoyment with these two beautiful lapis lazuli pens. I keep them in the original

cross pen box, with the original inspection certificate signed by the Cross inspector.

 

 

 

 

If you buy a Townsend in its original box, the SKU number is typically listed in a sticker on the box. Otherwise you simply have to dig around online and assemble your own list; there is no single page that lists them all (not even on the Cross website, annoyingly). Here's my master list as it currently stands:

 

AT0046-1 — Platinum Plated

AT0046-3 — Titanium Herringbone

AT0046-4 — Black Lacquer with Rhodium Appointments

AT0046-5 — Citrine

AT0046-6 — Garnet

AT0046-7 — Tango Black

AT0046-8 — Tango Slate

AT0046-30 — Black Smooth Touch (a.k.a. Matte Black, Black Satin)

AT0046-42 — Stylus 23K Gold Plate

AT0046-43 — Stylus Brushed Platinum Plate

AT0046-45 — 2017 Year of the Rooster

AT0046-54 — 2018 Year of the Dog

AT0046B-29 — 20th Anniversary Platinum Plated (a.k.a. Brushed Platinum Plate)

AT0046B-32 — 20th Anniversary 23K Heavy Gold Plate (a.k.a. Brushed Gold Plate)

AT0046CB-37 — Japanese Cherry Blossom 23K Heavy Gold Plate

AT0046CB-38 — Japanese Cherry Blossom Brushed Platinum Plate

AT0046D-39 — Star Wars C-3PO

AT0046D-40 — Star Wars Darth Vader

AT0046D-41 — Star Wars Stormtrooper

AT0046D-47 — Star Wars Chewbacca

AT0046D-48 — Star Wars R2-D2

AT0046D-50 — Star Wars BB-8

AT0046D-51 — Star Wars Boba Fett

AT0046D-53 — Star Wars Han Solo

AT0047-15 — Midnight Blue

AT0047-22 — Townsend Tango

AT0047-24 — Brush Platinum

AT0047-31 — Engraved Chrome

AT0047-34 — Chrome Radial

506 — Medalist

516 — Marbled Green Lacquer (sometimes 616)

536 — Lustrous Chrome

556 — Tuxedo

566 — Duet Black Gold

576 — Black Lacquer

586 — Titanium

596 — Marbled Blue Lacquer

626-1 — Cyber Blue

626-2 — Meteorite (a.k.a. Champagne)

626-3 — Cosmos Black

636 — Sienna Lacquer

646 — Quicksilver

656 — Sterling Silver

676 — Jade

686 — Cardinal Red Lacquer

696-1 — Quartz Blue Lacquer

696-2 — Anthracite Lacquer

696-5 — Translucent Green

696-6 — Malachite Lacquer

696-7 — Carbonite Lacquer (a.k.a. Affinity Carbonite)

696-8 — Ochre Lacquer

696-13 — Ruby Lacquer

696-14 — Emerald Lacquer

706 — 10K Gold Filled/RolledGold

776 — 18K Gold Filled

796 — Lapis

 

I have this green and black lacquer Cross Townsend - I thought it was malachite? or is it something other?... Although v very little used, the cap has been lost....