Web Site Search

Inventory of the Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, 1997-2007

[top]

Descriptive Summary

Repository
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University
Creator
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Title
Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, 1997-2007
Language of Material
Material in English
Extent
2.4 Linear Feet

21 Items
Abstract
Abercrombie and Fitch was founded in 1892 as a sporting goods supplier and expedition outfitter. It currently specializes in upscale sportswear aimed at children and young adults.
The Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection consists of a run of lifestyle-oriented clothing catalogs issued between 1997 and 2007. The catalog featured articles on a wide range of youth popular culture and lifestyle topics, along with numerous photographs by Bruce Weber. Articles included advice, music and movie reviews, and profiles and interviews with celebrities and cultural critics such as philosopher Slavoj Žižek. The Creative Director for the catalog series was Sam Shahid, who had previously worked in the in-house advertising agencies for Calvin Klein and Banana Republic. After 2003, the lifestyle content and controversial photography was scaled back to focus more narrowly on seasonal fashion.
[top]

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Copyright Notice
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection were received by the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library as a gift from John Taormina in 2008.
Processing Information
Processed by Richard Collier, January 2008
Encoded by Richard Collier, January 2008
Accession 2008-0005 is described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
            

[top]

Historical Note

Abercrombie & Fitch Historical Timeline

Chronology List

1892David T. Abercrombie founded a sporting goods store in his name in New York, N.Y.
1900Ezra H. Fitch became partner in the David T. Abercrombie Co.
1904Store incorporated as Abercrombie & Fitch
1907Abercrombie resigned; Fitch took over management of the store but kept the name
1909First mail-order catalogs distributed, in a run of 50,000
1910Sportswear for women introduced
1928Fitch retired; James S. Cobb named as President
Circa 1929Sporting goods company Von Langerke & Detmold (known in Chicago as Von Langerke & Antoine) purchased
1930Griffin & Howe, a New York gun shop, purchased
1961John H. Ewing named as President
1968First warehouse sale conducted
1970William Humphries named as President
1976Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed
1977Abercrombie & Fitch stores closed
1978Abercrombie & Fitch name bought by Oshman's Sporting Goods
1979Beverly Hills store opened, specializing in sportswear and fitness equipment
198825 of 27 stores purchased by The Limited, Inc.; focus on apparel
1992Marketing shifted focus toward upscale youth
1997Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly catalog debut
1998Abercrombie & Fitch spun off as an independent entity
2003Abercrombie & 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.

[top]

Collection Overview

The Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection consists of a run of lifestyle-oriented clothing catalogs issued between 1997 and 2007. The catalog featured articles on a wide range of youth popular culture and lifestyle topics, along with numerous photographs by Bruce Weber. Articles included advice, music and movie reviews, and profiles and interviews with celebrities and cultural critics such as philosopher Slavoj Žižek. The Creative Director for the catalog series was Sam Shahid, who had previously worked in the in-house advertising agencies for Calvin Klein and Banana Republic. After 2003, the lifestyle content and controversial photography was scaled back to focus more narrowly on seasonal fashion.
The collection is arranged chronologically by issue
[top]

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
  • Weber, Bruce, 1946-
  • Žižek, Slavoj--Interviews.
  • Abercrombie & Fitch.
  • Commercial catalogs.
  • Mail-order business.
  • Advertising, Direct-mail--United States.
  • Advertising and youth--United States--History--20th century.
  • Advertising and youth--United States--History--21st century.
  • Advertising and youth--United States.
  • Advertising--Brand name products.
  • Advertising--Clothing and dress.
  • Direct marketing.
  • Fashion photography.
  • Fashion--Social aspects--United States--20th century.
  • Fashion--Social aspects--United States--21st century.
  • Popular culture--United States.
  • Popular culture--United States--20th century.
  • Popular culture--United States--21st century.
  • Target marketing--United States.
  • United States--Social life and customs--20th century.
  • United States--Social life and customs--21st century.
  • Mail order catalogs. [AAT]
  • Trade catalogs. [AAT]
  • John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
[top]

Related Material

Additional examples of catalogs and other direct-mail materials may be found in the Sears, Roebuck and Company Catalog Collection; several collections within the J. Walter Thompson Company Archives--the Detroit Office Records, Account File Collection, Ford Collateral Literature, and the Bertram Metter Papers. Materials relating to fashion and apparel advertising may be found in the J. Walter Thompson Company Domestic Advertisements Collection (Benetton, New York Dress Institute); the Bates Worldwide, Inc. Records (Foot Locker, Pacific Sunwear); and the Wells, Rich, Greene, Inc. Records (Warnaco/Warner's). Individually cataloged items may be located by searching the Duke University Libraries online catalog.
List of Series in Collection
Quarterly Catalogs, 1997-2007
[top]

Detailed Description of Collection

Quarterly Catalogs, 1997-2007

10 Boxes
Box 1
1997, Fall (Premier Issue)
1997, Christmas
1998, Spring Break
1998, Summer
1998, Back to School
Box 2
1998, Christmas
1999, Spring Break
1999, Summer
Box 3
1999, Back to School
1999, Christmas
2000, Spring Break
Box 4
2000, Summer
2000, Back to School
2000, Christmas
Box 5
2001, Spring Break
2001, Summer
2001, Back to School
Box 6
2001, Christmas
2002, Spring Break
2002, Summer
Box 7
2002, Back to School
2002, Christmas
2003, Spring Break
Box 8
2003, Summer
2003, Back to School
2003, Christmas
Box 9
2004, Spring Break
2004, Christmas
2004, Christmas (alternate cover)
2005, Spring Break
2005, Back to School
2005, Christmas
Box 10
2006, Spring Break
2006, Summer
2006, Back to School
2006, Christmas
2007, Spring Break