More than Just a Pen

Dad's Cross Century

     Any reader of my e-letters that has now become this blog knows that I like nice writing instruments. I love pens and prefer to carry one that is both functional and stylish. When I first started my daily writing habit in June 2002, I handwrote every page. Now, I rarely do that but still enjoy taking notes and writing letters and cards with a fine pen. Even if I only need to sign something, say a drop/add form for a student, and am given a throwaway Bic or PaperMate, I will say no thanks if I have a Parker, Waterman, Cross, Caran D’Ache, Rotring, or Mont Blanc in my shirt pocket. I would just rather use a nice pen.
     While I have ballpoint, fountain, and roller ball pens, my weapon of choice by a longshot is a ballpoint with a fine point refill. I just like them. I like how I can write more meticulously in smaller script with them. I prefer the heft of a bigger diameter pens as well. I probably have around forty fine pens in my two offices and various briefcases. Yes, it is an indulgence and it is one that I enjoy.
     I just got a new pen in my collection. It is a humble old Cross Chrome Century ballpoint. There are a few nicks and scuffs but it still lusters. You can get these on ebay for $19 – 30. You can buy them new on Cross.com for $40. I have had few for these pens over the years. In the late 1960s and 70s, they were almost de rigueur where I grew up.
     But this one is special. It belonged to my father. In his primary career years, he worked for Detroit Bank and Trust, now known as Comerica. He sold financing for home modernization and then credit card services. I remember when he had Detroit Bank and Trust Parker Jotters that he would pass out to clients and customers. At that time, I thought they were the coolest pens and he would occasionally let me use his. Needless to say, I have a few of these as well. I remember when he upgraded. Someone gave him a Cross Chrome Century and the Jotters became an instant memory. He sported that Cross all the time as far as I could remember. Because of him, I too looked at that pen as a sign of being a bona fide businessman.
     Back then, I liked the Jotter better. I thought the Cross was too slender even though the styling was quite nice. I was given one early in my career, but still thought they were too slender for me. I did not like writing with them. I ignored but still revered the Cross brand. This lasted until I came across a Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli pen on sale at my favorite pen shop in New York. It was love at first site and even more so at first write. Cross finally expanded their styling and the Townsend line was basically a fatter version of the Century. It was perfect. It is still one of my favorite pens.
     When last visiting my mother, she brought down two pens of dad’s and offered them to my sister and me. My sister took the gold Cross Century with the old Detroit Bank and Trust Indian logo on the clip. I took the chrome one because I knew this was his first Cross and was his go to pen for many years. I put a blue fine point refill in it and have used it exclusively for the past three weeks. I love it and will use it often because of its priceless sentimental value to me. I handwrote the draft of this page with it.