G.H. Bass & Co.

G.H. Bass & Co. is an American footwear brand founded by George Henry Bass in 1876.

G.H. Bass & Co.
IndustryFootwear
Founded1876 (1876)
FounderGeorge Henry Bass
Headquarters
Wilson Stream
BrandsNational Plow Shoe
Websiteghbass.com 

History

George Henry Bass (b. Wilton, Maine, 1843) began to work in 1876 in the shoemaking business as junior partner in E.P. Packard & Co. in Wilton. By 1879, he became the sole owner, and changed the company name to G.H. Bass & Co. In 1887, the factory moved to Wilson Stream in order to use water-powered machinery.

The National Plow Shoe is created for farmers in 1892. In 1906, the 1st Bass moccasin made is the “Bass Moccasin Cruiser”, designed to be a light and flexible shoe worn by woodsmen. By 1906 G.H. Bass & Co. becomes incorporated. In 1910, “Rangeley” style moccasin is created, and seven years later G.H. Bass & Co. created the Ski Moccasin. By order of the government, in 1918, G.H. Bass & Co. created The official Aviation Boot. It was designed for use in high altitudes wielding protection from the extreme cold. In 1920, G.H. Bass & Co. created a new style of moccasin called the “Woc-O-Moc”. Due to the evolution of the company’s core products, in 1924 the Bass Shoe “For Hard Service” becomes “Bass Outdoor Footwear” in G.H. Bass & Co. catalogs.[1][2] After the death of George Henry Bass in 1925, his sons John R. Bass and Willard S. Bass took over management of the business (Willard Bass becomes President and John Bass becomes treasurer). In 1926, the firm opened In-Stock Department at 1104 Commerce Street in Dallas, Texas, to service Southern shoe dealers quicker.[3] In 1928, the firm sued Abbott Co. for infringement of patent for Overlap Seam and trademark of the “Quail Hunter” and “Ike Walton” styles, but lost the suit; in 1929, Bass bought Abbott Co., in order to reacquire exclusive rights to the overlap seam and Ike Walton, “Sportocasin” (Moccasins with spiked soles, golf shoes). During 1928 through 1938 Admiral Richard E. Byrd wore Bass ski boots during the First, Second and Third Antarctic Expedition.[4] In 1931 the firm opened an office in N.Y. on the 25th floor of 11 West 42nd Street New York, N.Y. in The Salmon Tower Building. During 1936, Bass “Weejuns” are first made. Four years later, in 1940 the original suede “Buc” style is created. In 1948, the firm outfitted the American Olympic Team with footwear. During WW II, the firm developed a cold-weather boot for U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division. In 1967, Sunjuns, a Women’s sandal is first introduced. As they continued to grow in 1968, G.H. Bass & Co. acquired Burgess Shoe Store; giving the firm flexibility of direct retail outlet.[5] In 1969, the firm acquired Rosemount Engineering Co.’s Consumer Product Division (Minnesota).

In 1980, the first G.H. Bass & Co. Country Shop was opened at the May Company Store Mission Viejo, California. That same year G.H. Bass & Co. began to publish in-house newspaper called The Bass Inner Soul. In the fall of 1988, G.H. Bass & Co. unveiled the Signature Collection, of three shoe styles including the Buc, Rangeley and Weejuns. In 1993, The Classic Penny style of Weejuns Collection is renamed- Leavitt Penny. In 1997, the firm entered e-commerce with online retail website www.ghbass.com. The website is currently run under Harbor Wholesale Ltd. operating with the license to sell G.H. Bass & Co. shoes.[6] In 2011, Tommy Hilfiger launched a limited edition footwear collection in collaboration with G.H. Bass & Co. The collection was centered around the “Weejuns” penny loafer.[7][8]

Recent developments

In 2006 Harbor Wholesale Ltd. becomes G.H. Bass & Co. licensee for retail, while PVH services wholesale. In 2008 BASS opened its first two non-outlet stores in Massachusetts. In 2011 Tommy Hilfiger, created an upscale limited-edition collaboration of “The Penny Loafer- Originals with a Twist”. In 2011 PVH's G.H. Bass & Co. retail division also opened its first store in Canada in Calgary, Alberta.[9]

Ownership

In 1978, Chesebrough-Ponds Inc (Greenwich, Connecticut) purchased G.H. Bass & Co.; they sold it to PVH Corp. in 1987.[10] In November 2013 G-III Apparel Group acquired G.H. Bass & Co. from PVH for $50 million.[11] [12]

References
  1. "Our Brands - Bass." Our Brands - Bass. N.p., n.d. Web. June 26, 2012.
  2. Breton, Stella. "A Visit to Bass' Attic." n.d.: n. pag. Print.
  3. Kirchofer, Tom. "Closing Bass Factory Puts an End to an Era." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, September 11, 1998. Web. July 2, 2012.
  4. Bass, Streeter. G.H. Bass Company, 1876-1976. S.l.: S.n., 1976. Print.
  5. Kessler, Eugene O. G.H. Bass & Co Employee Handbook. 4th ed. N.p.: n.p., 1985. Print.
  6. "About G.H. Bass." G.H. Bass & Co. Official Online Store. N.p., n.d. Web. June 26, 2012.
  7. "This Just In: Tommy Hilfiger X G.H. Bass "Weejun" Loafers: The GQ Eye: GQ on Style: GQ." GQ. Sean Hotchkiss, October 19, 2011. Web. July 19, 2012.
  9. "Investor Relations - Tommy Hilfiger for G.H. Bass & Co." Investor Relations - Tommy Hilfiger for G.H. Bass & Co. N.p., May 2011. Web. June 26, 2012.
  10. Brooks, Nancy R. "Phillips-Van Heusen Will Buy Shoemaker G. H. Bass." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, July 31, 1987. Web. July 2, 2012.
  11. Ryan, Thomas J. “G.H. Bass to be Sold to G-III Apparel” SGB Online, Oct 7, 2013. Web. February 15, 2019.
  12. "G-III History" G-III Apparel Group. Web. 28 July 2014.

Further reading
  • Barry, William D. G.H. Bass and Company: A Vignetted History. 1988. MS. Portland, Maine.
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