![](http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images//topicimages/noimage.gif)
Bailey Banks & Biddle
Encyclopedia
Bailey Banks & Biddle is an online and store retailer of jewelry in America. Its principal offices are in Carrollton, Texas and it has six retail stores in Dallas, Houston and Austin Texas, St. Louis, Missouri, King of Prussia (near Philadelphia), Pennsylvania and Little Rock, Arkansas.
At the turn of the century, Bailey Banks & Biddle was commissioned by the U.S. Government to update the Great Seal of the United States; its design today remains the official version of the seal. The company also designed and made many of the military medals that are still used today, including the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
In 1962, Bailey Banks & Biddle became a part of the Zale Corporation
. Zale opened hundreds of Bailey Banks & Biddle stores in many cities. In 2007, Zale Corporation sold the 65-store jewelry chain to Finlay Enterprises
. Finlay Enterprises filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2009, and Bailey Banks & Biddle was acquired by the current owners in the spring of 2010.
![](http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/u/us/uspresidentialseal1915printcrop.jpg)
History
Bailey & Kitchen, as it was originally known, was founded in Philadelphia in 1832. It become Bailey & Co. in 1841, and Bailey Banks & Biddle in 1878.At the turn of the century, Bailey Banks & Biddle was commissioned by the U.S. Government to update the Great Seal of the United States; its design today remains the official version of the seal. The company also designed and made many of the military medals that are still used today, including the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
In 1962, Bailey Banks & Biddle became a part of the Zale Corporation
Zale Corporation
The Zale Corporation is, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, a leading specialty retailer of jewelry in North America. The Zale Corporation was incorporated in Delaware in 1993...
. Zale opened hundreds of Bailey Banks & Biddle stores in many cities. In 2007, Zale Corporation sold the 65-store jewelry chain to Finlay Enterprises
Finlay Enterprises
Finlay Enterprises Inc. is a holding company based in New York that conducted business through its wholly owned subsidiary "Finlay Fine Jewelry". It was founded in 1887. Finlay Enterprises Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August, 2009....
. Finlay Enterprises filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2009, and Bailey Banks & Biddle was acquired by the current owners in the spring of 2010.