Bailey Banks & Biddle is among America’s oldest and most storied luxury firms. Founded in Philadelphia in 1832, the company became nationally renowned for fine jewelry, silverware, medals, class rings, and clocks retailed through its prestigious showrooms. Its hallmark craftsmanship and association with iconic national symbols make Bailey Banks & Biddle a brand deeply woven into U.S. cultural and military history.
1832–1854: Founding and Early Growth
September 10, 1832 — Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen open the Bailey & Kitchen Jewelry Company at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, marking the beginning of what would become one of the oldest national jewelers in the United States. Their early focus on quality set them apart as masters of fine silver and jewelry.
Early ledgers show the firm’s prominence: in 1834, purchases were recorded by Andrew Jackson Jr., son of President Andrew Jackson, illustrating the store’s rapid rise among elite clientele.
1846 — Partner Andrew Kitchen retires due to illness; he passes away in 1850. That same period sees Bailey refining the company’s silver standards to 92.5% purity, surpassing the common American standard and competing with the best imports of the era.
March 12, 1854 — Founder Joseph T. Bailey dies in Cuba at age 47, leaving a thriving business based on excellence and quality.
1854–1877: Expansion, Civil War, and Prestige
During the Civil War era, Bailey & Co. becomes closely tied to national events:
- The firm is commissioned to craft presentation swords for Union generals such as George Meade and Ulysses S. Grant; several of these swords now reside in the Smithsonian Institution.
- Following President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, Bailey & Co. creates a Medal of the Dead for the president’s funeral procession.
Despite its primary focus being jewelry and fine goods, Bailey & Co.’s reputation grows as a maker of distinguished presentation items and heirlooms sought by America’s leading families.
1878–1904: Reorganization and National Recognition
March 1, 1878 — A major partnership forms between Joseph T. Bailey II, George W. Banks, and Samuel Biddle, creating Bailey Banks & Biddle. This marks the formal start of the company under the name most associated with its historic legacy.
March 2, 1894 — The company incorporates as Bailey Banks & Biddle Company, solidifying its corporate identity and expanding its national influence.
By the turn of the century, the firm is widely regarded as “the oldest business of its line in the United States.” In 1904, Bailey Banks & Biddle is commissioned to produce a definitive version of the Great Seal of the United States — a design that remains the official version used on government documents and U.S. currency.
1905–World Wars: Medals, Rings, and Military Honors
1905 — Bailey Banks & Biddle designs the modern Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military award for valor, awarded thousands of times since its inception.
The firm also produces:
- Class rings for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Naval Academy at Annapolis, worn by generations of distinguished leaders including Generals George Patton and Omar Bradley, Vice-Presidential candidate Ross Perot, presidents, astronauts, and other notable figures.
- Other military insignia and service awards such as the Navy Cross, Legion of Merit, and early Purple Hearts, linking the company indelibly to American military heritage.
- 1917 Bailey Banks & Biddle was commissioned to create his first Pilot Wings. These wings are for Navy aviators, America’s first military pilots. The design instantly becomes iconic. The original pilot wing design served as the template for the Airborne Army’s first paratrooper wing and the Navy’s Nautilus his wing. A submarine group was also formed by Bailey Banks and Biddle.
Mid-20th Century to Modern Era: Corporate Change and Legacy
After more than a century as an independent company, Bailey Banks & Biddle became part of the Zale Corporation in 1961, expanding its retail presence across the U.S.
During the 1980s, notable commissions include the James Smithson Medal for the Smithsonian Institution and the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, awarded annually at Independence Hall.
Corporate ownership continues to shift in the 21st century, with changes in ownership groups, store closures, and brand relaunches reflecting broader trends in luxury retail.
Today, Bailey Banks & Biddle continues the traditions begun by Joseph T. Bailey in 1832. We preserve the traditions of quality, style and unparalleled service.
Bailey Banks & Biddle is not only America’s oldest jeweler, it is also America’s leading luxury jeweler, with more locations from coast to coast than any other luxury jeweler. As guardians of tradition, we have a great responsibility. The stories are engaging, the stories are moving.
Preserving Bailey Banks & Biddle Clocks for Future Generations
Whether you inherited a antique clock retailed by Bailey Banks & Biddle or found one as a collector’s piece, proper care can keep it running for generations. If your clock won’t run, won’t chime correctly, or needs restoration, Clock Repair Studio offers expert diagnosis and professional repair services tailored to heirloom mechanical movements.
Call (267) 544-0439 or use the button below to schedule an appointment to bring your clock into our studio.