Abercrombie & Fitch — a brand that spans over one hundred years — was initially famed for its wide variety of expensive sporting equipment and attire. It was said it carried everything from “exercise balls to elephant guns.” The company started as an outdoorsman and hunting store in the late 19th century before transforming into the clothing mecca for teens in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In New York in 1892, David T. Abercrombie — a former miner, trapper and railroad surveyor — opened the Abercrombie Company as a sporting goods and camping equipment store. Ezra Fitch — a wealthy lawyer, real estate developer and one of Ambercrombie’s best customers — became a partner in the company in 1900. In 1904, the company was incorporated and renamed "Abercrombie & Fitch Co." Fitch bought Abercrombie's share of the business and became the sole owner from 1907 to 1928.
Fitch anticipated a clientele far broader than merely those who had to camp to earn a living. Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) became the go-to retailer when the wealthy planned safaris and other international excursions.
While it’s true that military style by now has truly invaded fashion, A&F is credited with bringing the safari suit, a hunting outfit based on British colonial military uniforms, to the urban consumer. For more than half a century, their goods were the image of correctness and opulence — inspiring a humorist to mock a perfectly-outfitted, affluent fisherman as an “Abercrombie and Fitcherman.” Fitch retired in 1928, selling his interest in the company to his brother-in-law, James S. Cobb.
By 1939 A&F was touted as the greatest sporting goods store in the world. During A&F’s peak, its customers included Ernest Hemingway and Teddy Roosevelt. The company outfitted the polar expeditions led by Roald Amundsen and Admiral Richard Byrd and provided equipment to the famed aviators Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart.
Hard times fell on A&F in the 1970s, but the brand pivoted and emerged as a trendy clothing chain for teens and young adults in the '80s and '90s. Whenever it expanded during its heyday, the company confined its new stores to downtown areas of large cities and luxury-destination hotel stores. The company then attempted to widen its customer base by moving into the suburbs and adding less-expensive items to its usual stock.
For fashion lovers, the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, and today’s enthusiasts of the era’s aesthetic don’t have to look much further than to vintage Abercrombie & Fitch to get their fix.
On 1stDibs, find Abercrombie & Fitch coats, jackets, vintage leather goods and more.
Abercrombie & Fitch Clock Art Deco Rear View Mirror Style 1930's
By Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Abercrombie & Fitch STYLE / REFERENCE: Rear View Mirror Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Wood, Metal and Glass CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS: 6 Inches Long X 3 Inche...
Metal
$180
H 5.5 in W 4.75 in D 2.75 in
Hammond Art Deco GRENADIER Synchronous Electric Table Chrome Clock 1930s
By Hammond Clock Company 1
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco period clock designed and manufactured by Hammond Clock Co. of Chicago. This is the Grenadier Synchronous clock featuring Laurens Hammond's innovated electric motor. The face of the clock's hour numbers, in a Deco font, are set on a gold circle with a beige background. It is stamped HAMMOND Synchronous on the front. The face is contained within a chrome front, in very good condition, and held up by two oblong chrome legs. GRENADIER is inscribed on the back brass leg. Hammonds clock are not self starting so in case the electricity goes out the clocks will have to be restarted by using the START knob on the back. The company was in business from 1928 to 1941. The production of clocks was discountinued in 1935 and the company changed its name to Hammond Organ...
Metal, Chrome
$750
H 10.63 in W 8.67 in D 2.76 in
Art Deco Peach Mirror Glass Mantle Clock by Smiths Clock Company, c1930
By Smiths English Clock Systems
Located in Devon, England
Superb 1930's Art Deco mantel clock by Smiths the British clockmakers . Heavy thick peach mirror glass with gold tone stylized Deco numerals all resting on a chrome plinth . Beautifu...
Brass, Chrome
Art Deco Mantel Clock
By Kienzle Clocks
Located in Vienna, AT
Original condition, perfect working Softwood covered with nutveneer attributed to Kienze
Nutwood, Softwood
Art Deco Glamourous Mechanical 8 Day Mirror Clock, English, c1930s
Located in Devon, England
This is a very attractive English Art Deco clock, made circa 1930. It has a eight day wind up movement. The base is brass, the bezel is also brass with gold tone finish. The backing ...
Brass
Art Deco Stylish Walnut Mantle Clock, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this super stylish Art Deco Wood and Glass Ferranti Synchronous Mantle Clock With Working Original Movement, dating to 1938. A rare example of it's type, t...
Chrome
Carlo Bugatti Style Art Deco Marble Clock
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in Vienna, AT
French Art Deco marble mantel clock in the style of Carlo Bugatti in original condition. France, first half of the 20th century, measures: length 42 cm. Original condition.
Marble, Brass
Spectacular Large Art Deco Walnut & Chrome Mantle Clock, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this very stylish 1930's Art Deco very rare and impressive, long walnut cased, Art Deco mantel clock, powered by a quartz battery having been converted. The...
Brass
Art Deco Opaline Uranium Glass & Chrome Clock, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Original 1930's Art Deco green glass 30 hour clock with chrome accents. Perfect size for desk or table. We have two of these clocks currently should you want a pair, let us know. It’...
Chrome
Art Deco Brass 8 Day Carriage Clock & Case, French, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this rather charming and not often found Art Deco French 8 day carriage clock with it's original red leather carry case. The off white enamel dial with Art ...
Brass, Enamel
Art Deco Brass And Enamel Clock, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this superb Art Deco Copper And Enamel Clock, c1930. Made from solid brass with a patterned border which is filled with green black and white enamel. Full w...
Brass, Enamel
Art Deco Stylish Desk Clock 8 Day Movement, English, c1930s
By Smiths English Clock Systems
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this beautifully restored Art Deco desk clock in full working condition. A beautiful vintage chromed 8 day desk clock with a Smiths “C” type movement that w...
Brass, Chrome
$812
H 7.49 in W 10.63 in D 3.55 in
Art Deco Large Copper Mirror Electric Mantle Clock by Temco, England, C1930
By Temco
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this very stylish large copper coloured glass & chrome frame Art Deco Clock. Remarkable condition for it's age is this totally authentic 1930s Art Deco ...
Chrome
Sold
H 5 in W 4 in D 0.75 in
Rare Abercrombie and Fitch Enameled Sailor Motif Working Table Clock, 1920's
By Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Original 8 day clock by Abercrombie and Fitch. The enamel clock in the form of a sailor with a pipe and life preserver. Marked on the face also marked Made in Switzerland for the wor...
Enamel
Vintage Abercrombie & Fitch Weather Station
By Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice vintage weather station retailed by Abercrombie and Fitch but probably with Swiss made parts. Clock works and has been overhauled. The t...