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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000025793-09-000057.txt : 20091023
<SEC-HEADER>0000025793-09-000057.hdr.sgml : 20091023
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091023140240
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000025793-09-000057
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091021
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091023
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091023

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CROSS A T CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000025793
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PENS, PENCILS & OTHER ARTISTS' MATERIALS [3950]
		IRS NUMBER:				050126220
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			RI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE ALBION RD
		CITY:			LINCOLN
		STATE:			RI
		ZIP:			02865
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4013331200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE ALBION ROAD
		CITY:			LINCOLN
		STATE:			RI
		ZIP:			02865

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COONEY EDWARD J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001286856

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06720
		FILM NUMBER:		091134248
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-10-21</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000025793</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CROSS A T CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ATX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001286856</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COONEY EDWARD J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-10-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1428</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.2</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1428</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1428</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Conversion is 1 for 1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These phantom stock units relate to a director compensation program that mandates that at least a portion of the directors' compensation be paid in Class A common stock.  The Reporting Person has deferred receipt of the value of the phantom stock units until retirement from the Board.  These stock units reflect payment of fourth quarter compensation.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Tina C. Benik, Attorney-in-Fact for Edward J. Cooney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-10-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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