Cross Star Wars C3PO FP

I have no idea why Cross’ “Star Wars” pen merchandising wasn’t quite a success. I bought this limited edition ( only 1977 C3PO fountain pens were produced, corresponding to the date of the first Star Wars movie) gold plated Townshend model for 50% off it’s MRP at the Star House branch of Eslite book shop in 2019. The price was I think HKD 2600.

As a Warga Emas ( I am in my mid 60s) or retiree, I can still remember seeing the original Star Wars at a movie theatre in Headingley, Leeds in 1979. In my opinion Star Wars 1977 was special - it was the first SciFi movie to feature realistic looking props, lots of special effects and a memorable music score by John Williams.

The limited edition of Cross’ Star Wars C3PO fountain pen is also special in the use of lavish packaging: it comes in a nice cardboard box with a glass pen rest etched with the Star Wars logo, a warranty card with serial number, a booklet and of course the famous lifetime warranty against mechanical failure. Few pen manufacturers still give out such a generous warranty. I made use of the lifetime warranty when my gold filled Cross Century fountain pen had problems with the nib and feed. Cross sent me a new Mk2 pen as a replacement because my model had been phased out.

The pen has engraved lines representing the droid C3PO on its barrel and cap. The cap end also has a special engraving. Otherwise it’s a standard production Townshend model.

#crosspens #crossstarwarspens #crosstownshend #starwarsc3popen

Warranty, glass pen rest and booklet