Abercrombie & Fitch
Variant namesFounded in 1892 as a sporting goods supplier and expedition outfitter. It currently specializes in upscale sportswear aimed at children and young adults.
From the description of Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog collection, 1997-2007. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 192150683
Abercrombie & Fitch Historical Timeline
-
1892:
David T. Abercrombie founded a sporting goods store in his name in New York, N.Y. -
1900:
Ezra H. Fitch became partner in the David T. Abercrombie Co. -
1904:
Store incorporated as Abercrombie & Fitch -
1907:
Abercrombie resigned; Fitch took over management of the store but kept the name -
1909:
First mail-order catalogs distributed, in a run of 50,000 -
1910:
Sportswear for women introduced -
1928:
Fitch retired; James S. Cobb named as President -
Circa 1929:
Sporting goods company Von Langerke & Detmold (known in Chicago as Von Langerke & Antoine) purchased -
1930:
Griffin & Howe, a New York gun shop, purchased -
1961:
John H. Ewing named as President -
1968:
First warehouse sale conducted -
1970:
William Humphries named as President -
1976:
Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed -
1977:
Abercrombie & Fitch stores closed -
1978:
Abercrombie & Fitch name bought by Oshman's Sporting Goods -
1979:
Beverly Hills store opened, specializing in sportswear and fitness equipment -
1988:
25 of 27 stores purchased by The Limited, Inc.; focus on apparel -
1992:
Marketing shifted focus toward upscale youth -
1997:
Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly catalog debut -
1998:
Abercrombie & Fitch spun off as an independent entity -
2003:
Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly catalog ceased publication
Upon the demise of the Quarterly in 2003, Abercrombie & Fitch continued to issue seasonal catalogs, but the lifestyle content was largely replaced by fashion photography.
From the guide to the Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, 1997-2007, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)
Archival Resources
| Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
|---|---|---|---|
| creatorOf | A.G. Spalding & Bros. Trade catalogs of sporting goods, 1877-1975. | University of California, Santa Barbara, UCSB Library | |
| creatorOf | Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Director's Office Records, 1955-1977. | Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, The Clark | |
| creatorOf | Bruce, Wallace, 1844-1914. Trade catalogs of travel, 1865-1948. | University of California, Santa Barbara, UCSB Library | |
| creatorOf | A.G. Spalding & Bros. Trade catalogs of sporting goods, [1885?]-1972. | University of California, Santa Barbara, UCSB Library | |
| referencedIn | Learned Hand papers | Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138 | |
| referencedIn | Abercrombie & Fitch : [miscellaneous ephemeral material] | Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library | |
| creatorOf | Abercrombie & Fitch. Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog collection, 1997-2007. | Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library | |
| referencedIn | American Museum of Natural History. Fishing equipment exhibition photographs, 1938. | Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library | |
| creatorOf | Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Trade catalogs of agriculture, 1892-1924. | University of California, Santa Barbara, UCSB Library | |
| creatorOf | Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, 1997-2007 | David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library | |
| referencedIn | Mary Hyde Eccles papers, 1853-2005, (bulk) 1939-2003. | Houghton Library | |
| creatorOf | A.J. Child and Sons Mercantile Company. Trade catalogs of department stores and mail order, 1884-1975. | University of California, Santa Barbara, UCSB Library | |
| referencedIn | Lamb, Thomas, 1896-1988. Papers, 1916-1988. | Hagley Museum & Library | |
| creatorOf | Lawrence B. Romaine Trade Catalog Collection | University of California, Santa Barbara. Davidson Library. Department of Special Collections. | |
| creatorOf | Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Trade catalogs of toys, 1888-1941. | University of California, Santa Barbara, UCSB Library | |
| referencedIn | Yale Peruvian Expedition (1911). Yale Peruvian Expedition papers, 1908-1948 (inclusive). | Yale University Library |
Bibliographic and Digital Archival Resources
| Role | Title | Holding Repository |
|---|
Filters:
| Relation | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| associatedWith | American Museum of Natural History. | corporateBody |
| associatedWith | Eccles, Mary Hyde. | person |
| associatedWith | Hand, Learned, 1872-1961 | person |
| associatedWith | John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History. | corporateBody |
| associatedWith | Lamb, Thomas, 1896-1988. | person |
| associatedWith | Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. | corporateBody |
| associatedWith | Weber, Bruce, 1946- | person |
| associatedWith | Yale Peruvian Expedition (1911) | corporateBody |
| associatedWith | Žižek, Slavoj | person |
| Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States |
| Subject |
|---|
| United States |
| United States |
| Advertising |
| Advertising |
| Advertising and youth |
| Advertising and youth |
| Advertising and youth |
| Advertising, Direct-mail |
| Commercial catalogs |
| Direct marketing |
| Fashion |
| Fashion |
| Fashion photography |
| Mail-order business |
| Popular culture |
| Popular culture |
| Popular culture |
| Target marketing |
| Occupation |
|---|
| Activity |
|---|
Corporate Body
Active 1885
Active 1972
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