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

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.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator: Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Title: Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, 1997-2007
Language of Material: English
Extent: 3.0 Linear Feet, 34 Items
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Series Quick Links

Quarterly Catalogs, 1997-2007

Collection Overview

The collection is arranged chronologically by issue

Administrative Information

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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 Rubenstein Library to use this collection.

Use Restrictions

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 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Contents of the Collection

Browse List of Series

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Quarterly Catalogs, 1997-2007

10 Boxes

1997, Fall (Premier Issue)

Box 1

1997, Christmas

Box 1

1998, Spring Break

Box 1

1998, Summer

Box 1

1998, Back to School

Box 1

1998, Christmas

Box 2

1999, Spring Break

Box 2

1999, Summer

Box 2

1999, Back to School

Box 3

1999, Christmas

Box 3

2000, Spring Break

Box 3

2000, Summer

Box 4

2000, Back to School

Box 4

2000, Christmas

Box 4

2001, Spring Break

Box 5

2001, Summer

Box 5

2001, Back to School

Box 5

2001, Christmas

Box 6

2002, Spring Break

Box 6

2002, Summer

Box 6

2002, Back to School

Box 7

2002, Christmas

Box 7

2003, Spring Break

Box 7

2003, Summer

Box 8

2003, Back to School

Box 8

2003, Christmas

Box 8

2004, Spring Break

Box 9

2004, Christmas

Box 9

2004, Christmas (alternate cover)

Box 9

2005, Spring Break

Box 9

2005, Back to School

Box 9

2005, Christmas

Box 9

2006, Spring Break

Box 10

2006, Summer

Box 10

2006, Back to School

Box 10

2006, Christmas

Box 10

2007, Spring Break

Box 10

Historical Note

Abercrombie & Fitch Historical Timeline

Chronology List

Date	Event(s)
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.

Subject Headings

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.