Consider for a moment that in 1890 there were no automobiles, no airplanes, no super highways. It is somewhat remarkable that prior to these modern conveniences, now taken for granted, there were complex machines capable of knitting entire wardrobes of clothing. Even before the founding of the Wildman Manufacturing Company at Norristown, PA, in 1889, the Lamb Knitting Machine Company, beginning in 1865, was building commercial and domestic knitting machines by the thousands. The Gimson & Coltman Hosiery Machinery and Tumbler Needle Makers from Leicester, England, were also in business, manufacturing commercial knitting equipment. The date when Gimson & Coltman was established did not appear on their catalogue. As recent as this year, five commercial knitting machines of unidentified origin were offered for sale. No make or model numbers were on the machines. If interested contact Barbara at 1-800-332-2844 or e-mail barb.tribar@fuse.net. They might still be for sale. A picture of one those unknown machines is on page 6.
       While dozens of domestic knitting machines are being advertised every week on eBay, I have yet to see a commercial machine listed. Some of the commercial machines are too large to be popular as collector items and it is likely that when they are replaced, they go directly to scrap iron.
       If anyone finds information about commercial knitting machines, please send it my way for use in the Antique Knitters Circular. Collecting, preserving and reporting history of antique commercial knitting machines is in step with the goals that have been set for this publication. 

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